U.S. Senator Charles Schumer
WASHINGTON – Chuck Schumer is the next Senate minority leader. He will be the first New Yorker to ever hold the position.
Schumer will replace the retiring Harry Reid when Congress convenes for its 115th session in January. State Democratic Party leaders say New Yorkers now have a direct line to one of the most important seats of power in the country.
In front of reporters Wednesday, Schumer promised a “sharper, bolder, stronger economic message” from Senate Democrats.
“I am humbled and honored by the trust and confidence my colleagues have placed in me and proud to introduce this leadership team,” said Schumer. “I am going to wake up every single day focused on how Senate Democrats can effectively fight for America’s middle class, and those struggling to make it. This team is ideologically and geographically diverse, it mixes the wisdom of experience with the vigor of youth, at least in Senate years, but from the top to bottom, each of these Senators has devoted their lives to fighting for the middle class and those struggling to get there.”
Schumer says he’s willing to work with President-Elect Donald Trump on issues where they agree, but will also challenge him on other issues, as well.
“As Democrats determine our way forward, I can tell the American people this: We are ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Republicans – working with soon-to-be President Trump on issues where we agree — but we will go toe-to-toe against the President-elect whenever our values or the progress we’ve made is under assault.”
Schumer has been criticized by some Democrats for his ties to Wall Street. He pleased some progressive Democrats Wednesday, however, by tapping Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren for leadership roles in the Senate.
The Senate Democratic Leadership for the 115th Congress:
- Senate Democratic Leader and Chair of the Conference: Senator Charles Schumer
- Minority Whip: Senator Dick Durbin
- Assistant Democratic Leader: Senator Patty Murray
- Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee: Senator Debbie Stabenow
- Vice Chair of the Conference: Senator Elizabeth Warren
- Vice Chair of the Conference: Senator Mark Warner
- Chair of Steering Committee: Senator Amy Klobuchar
- Chair of Outreach: Senator Bernie Sanders
- Vice Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee: Senator Joe Manchin
- Senate Democratic Conference Secretary: Senator Tammy Baldwin
The committee ranking members for the 115th Congress:
- Agriculture: Senator Debbie Stabenow
- Armed Services: Senator Jack Reed
- Appropriations: Senator Patrick Leahy
- Banking: Senator Sherrod Brown
- Budget: Senator Bernie Sanders
- Commerce: Senator Bill Nelson
- Energy: Senator Maria Cantwell
- EPW: Senator Tom Carper
- Finance: Senator Ron Wyden
- Foreign Relations: Senator Ben Cardin
- HELP: Senator Patty Murray
- HSGAC: Senator Claire McCaskill
- Indian Affairs: Senator Tom Udall
- Judiciary: Senator Dianne Feinstein
- Rules: Senator Amy Klobuchar
- Small Business: Senator Jeanne Shaheen
- Veterans Affairs: Senator Jon Tester
- Aging: Senator Bob Casey
- Ethics: Senator Chris Coons
- Intelligence: Senator Mark Warner
- JEC: Senator Martin Heinrich
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