New York U.S. Senator (Class 3) — Charles Ellis Schumer
Charles Ellis Schumer, born November 23, 1950, is a native of Brooklyn and Harvard-educated Democrat who has served as a U.S. Senator from New York since 1999. He served as Senate Majority Leader from 2021 to 2025 and currently serves as Senate Minority Leader. Schumer is the longest-serving U.S. Senator from New York, surpassing Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Jacob K. Javits.
Strengthen New York's economy and create jobs
Status: in-progress
Schumer has claimed to have brought affordable air service to upstate New York via JetBlue, retained jobs at risk of leaving, and attracted new firms to New York. He also championed agricultural measures to preserve dairy farmers' market support programs.
Lower costs for families on healthcare, prescription drugs, and housing
Status: in-progress
As Senate Majority Leader, Schumer shepherded passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (2022) which capped prescription drug costs. Regarding housing affordability, he outlined this as a 2025 priority and proposes reconciliation bill provisions. However, recent polling shows Schumer facing strong criticism for his stance during the November 2025 government shutdown over ACA healthcare subsidies, which ended without securing promised healthcare protections.
Protect the right to choose (abortion rights) and reproductive freedom
Status: in-progress
Schumer has voted against Republican anti-abortion measures and spoken publicly against restricting abortion rights. In January 2025, he criticized the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act on the Senate floor, framing Republican actions as breaking campaign promises to leave abortion decisions to women and their doctors.
Expand healthcare access and protect the Affordable Care Act
Status: in-progress
Schumer was a key supporter of the Affordable Care Act passage in 2010 and has consistently voted to protect it. In the November 2025 government shutdown, Democrats led by Schumer demanded protection of ACA subsidies, though the final deal did not secure these protections. Eight Senate Democrats broke ranks, ending the 42-day shutdown without achieving Schumer's stated healthcare goal.
Climate change action and clean energy
Status: completed
As Senate Majority Leader, Schumer shepherded passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (2022) and the CHIPS and Science Act, historic climate and clean energy legislation. In 2026, he promised a strong legislative agenda on energy prices in collaboration with the League of Conservation Voters, stating 'lowering costs will remain our North Star.'
Gun safety and violence prevention
Status: in-progress
Schumer has a long record on gun control: in the House, he championed the Brady Bill (1993) and Assault Weapons Ban (1994). As Senate Majority Leader, he shepherded the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (2022), the first gun safety law in decades. He continues to advocate for stronger background check systems.
College affordability and expand access to higher education
Status: in-progress
Schumer authored a permanent tax credit to offset rising college tuition costs. His 2022 campaign material listed college affordability as a legislative priority. However, no major new legislation on this issue has been passed since 2022.