Chuck Schumer: Legislative Record and Key Legislation
Charles Ellis Schumer (born November 23, 1950) has held elected office continuously since 1975, serving in the New York State Assembly (1975–1980), the U.S. House of Representatives (1981–1999), and the U.S. Senate (since 1999). [1] His legislative record spans more than four decades across all three bodies. According to GovTrack, he has been the primary sponsor of 64 enacted bills in the Senate. [2] As Senate Democratic leader since 2017, including as Majority Leader from 2021 to 2025, his legislative role has shifted toward agenda-setting, brokering bipartisan deals, and shepherding major legislation through the chamber rather than introducing standalone bills. [2]
New York State Assembly (1975–1980)
Elected at age 24, Schumer became the youngest member of the New York State Assembly since Theodore Roosevelt. [3] During his three terms, he sponsored legislation to protect local cemeteries from vandalism, passed laws limiting noise pollution by banning motorcycles from residential streets between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m., increased penalties for arson in houses of worship, and advocated for affordable housing in his Brooklyn district. [4]
U.S. House of Representatives (1981–1999)
During eighteen years representing Brooklyn and Queens in Congress, Schumer built his legislative reputation primarily around crime reduction and consumer protection. His signature legislative achievements from this era include several laws that remain in effect.
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
Schumer was the leading House sponsor of the Brady Bill, which established mandatory federal background checks for handgun purchases. The bill was signed into law in 1993 after years of legislative effort. [5]
Violence Against Women Act
Schumer was a leading sponsor of VAWA, which created new legal tools to combat domestic violence and sexual assault and established grant programs for states to address these crimes. [5]
Federal Assault Weapons Ban (1994)
Schumer co-authored the ban on certain semi-automatic firearms, which was enacted as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. The ban expired in 2004 and has not been renewed. [1]
Hate Crimes Prevention Act
This legislation organized federal data on crimes motivated by bigotry and included provisions to assist federal authorities in prosecuting hate crimes. [5]
Anti-Car Theft Act
Schumer authored the legislation requiring manufacturers to mark commonly stolen auto parts with identification numbers so that stolen parts could be more easily tracked. [6]
Credit Card Disclosure ("Schumer Box")
Schumer passed legislation requiring banks and credit card companies to provide consumers with uniform disclosure of interest rates, annual fees, and other terms on credit card applications. The resulting format, a standardized table printed on all credit card statements and applications, became widely known as the "Schumer box." [6]
Omnibus Crime Bill (1994)
Schumer helped fashion the bill that funded 100,000 new police officers across the country. [6]
U.S. Senate: Key Legislation (1999–Present)
Consumer and Healthcare
In the Senate, Schumer continued his consumer-protection work. He co-sponsored legislation with Senator John McCain to make it more difficult for brand-name drug makers to block cheaper generic alternatives from entering the market. [1] He authored legislation that eliminated barriers delaying low-cost generic medications and led the effort to make college tuition tax-deductible. [5]
On healthcare, Schumer was a key supporter of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, helping steer it through committee and to passage. [3] As minority leader in 2017, he rallied Democrats to defeat the Republican effort to repeal the ACA. [3]
September 11th Response and Victim Compensation
As New York's senator during the September 11, 2001, attacks, Schumer worked alongside Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and House members to secure funding and extensions for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. [7] His work on this issue spans more than two decades:
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was passed in 2010 and signed by President Obama in January 2011. It allocated $4.2 billion to create the World Trade Center Health Program, providing testing and treatment for people suffering from long-term health effects of the attacks. Schumer and Gillibrand led the Senate effort. [8]
The Zadroga Act was reauthorized in December 2015, extending its coverage to 75 years, after significant advocacy by 9/11 responders and supporters, including comedian Jon Stewart. [8]
When the Victim Compensation Fund faced a funding shortfall in 2019, with pending claims cut by 50% and new claims by 70%, Congress passed the Never Forget the Heroes Act, permanently authorizing the VCF through 2090. The bill passed the Senate 97–2 and was signed by President Trump in July 2019. Schumer was among the lead Senate sponsors. [9]
In 2022, Schumer helped secure an additional billion dollars in funding for the World Trade Center Health Program through the year-end omnibus spending bill. [10] In 2023, he worked with Gillibrand and Republican Senator Mike Braun on an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act providing an additional $444 million in funding for the program. [10] In February 2026, legislation to fully fund the WTCHP was signed into law, addressing a projected $3 billion shortfall over the next decade. [10]
Landmark Legislation as Majority Leader (2021–2025)
When Schumer became Senate Majority Leader in January 2021, the first Jewish American to hold the position [1], he led the passage of several major pieces of legislation:
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package that provided direct payments to individuals, enhanced unemployment benefits, and funding for state and local governments. [11]
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) directed over $1 trillion toward upgrading roads, bridges, public transit, broadband, and other physical infrastructure. [11]
The CHIPS and Science Act, which invested in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and scientific research to compete with China. Schumer worked closely with Republican Senator Todd Young on significant portions of the bill, and the bipartisan cooperation between them has been cited as a model for cross-party legislative work. [9] [12]
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which included provisions allowing Medicare to negotiate certain drug prices, extended ACA subsidies, and made the largest federal investment in clean energy in U.S. history. [11]
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first significant federal gun legislation in nearly three decades. [11]
The Respect for Marriage Act codifies federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. [11]
Judicial Confirmations
Under Schumer's leadership as majority leader, the Senate confirmed what was reported as the most federal judges during the first two years of any presidency since John F. Kennedy. [1] During the transition at the end of the 118th Congress in late 2024, Senate Democrats struck a deal with the Republican minority that allowed Democrats to confirm several federal district court nominees in exchange for leaving four circuit court vacancies for the incoming administration to fill. [1]
AI Policy Framework (2023–2024)
Schumer led the creation of a bipartisan Senate AI Working Group alongside Senators Young, Rounds, and Heinrich. The group organized multiple AI Insight Forums and released a 31-page policy roadmap in May 2024, instructing Senate committees to develop AI legislation across areas, including innovation funding, workforce development, and risk mitigation. [12] [13]