Charles Ellis "Chuck" Schumer, born on November 23, 1950, in Midwood, Brooklyn, New York, is a prominent American politician and senior United States Senator from New York, serving since 1999. A leading figure in the Democratic Party, Schumer has been the state's senior senator since 2001 and New York's longest-serving senator, surpassing Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Jacob K. Javits. He has held key leadership roles, including Senate Majority Leader from 2021 to 2025 and again since 2025, and Senate Minority Leader from 2017 to 2021. Schumer is a central figure in national politics and a prominent Democratic fundraiser with strong ties to Wall Street. He is a vocal supporter of strong U.S.-Israel ties and pro-Israel lobbies, maintaining longstanding pro-Israel credentials with frequent engagements with AIPAC. He plays a significant role in Democratic leadership on foreign aid appropriations and judiciary matters.

Raised in a Jewish family, Schumer is the son of Abraham Schumer, who owned an exterminating business, and homemaker Selma Schumer, with two younger siblings, Fran and Robert. He graduated as valedictorian from James Madison High School in 1967 with a perfect SAT score, earned a B.A. in political science from Harvard University in 1971, followed by a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1974. Although he passed the New York bar exam in 1975, he never practiced law. Schumer began his political career early, becoming the youngest member elected to the New York State Assembly in 1974, serving from 1975 to 1980. He then represented New York's 9th and later 10th congressional districts in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 to 1999, building a reputation as a pragmatic advocate for middle-class issues, consumer protection, economic policy, and public safety legislation such as the Brady Bill.

As a senator, Schumer has played pivotal roles in major legislation including post-9/11 recovery funding, Superstorm Sandy relief, infrastructure projects, and climate initiatives, with key involvement in passing climate legislation. Known for his tireless advocacy for New York, he visits all 62 counties annually and focuses on protecting Social Security, Medicare, and college affordability. He is a second cousin, once removed, to comedian Amy Schumer and identifies as a fan of the New York Giants and Yankees. Schumer married Iris Weinshall in 1980; they have two daughters, Jessica and Alison, and reside in Brooklyn. He maintains strong ties to Jewish advocacy groups and is recognized as a prominent Jewish Democrat.