Charles E. Schumer

U.S. Senator · NY

Democrat

Want to know how closely Charles matches your views?

Where Charles stands

Positions inferred from the public record. Each one shows our confidence level — and when the evidence isn't there, we say so.

What should the federal government's overall approach to taxes and spending be?
Some evidence
Raise taxes on corporations and high earners to fund major new programs
Lower taxes, smaller governmentHigher taxes, expanded programs
Cosponsored Taxing Big Oil Profiteers Act; sponsored Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act repealing 2025 tax provisions and expanding premium credits.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 13 votes · 26 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Aug 2026 — Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
Voted No · Jul 2026 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
+8 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Lower Health Care Costs Act
Sponsored — Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act
Sponsored — A bill to temporarily suspend the debt limit through December 31, 2024.
Sponsored — A joint resolution relating to increasing the debt limit.
Sponsored — A bill to temporarily extend the public debt limit until December 16, 2022.
+21 more
How should Social Security and Medicare be changed, if at all?
Clear record
Expand benefits and broaden eligibility
Reduce or restructure benefitsExpand benefits
Voted for the Social Security Fairness Act; cosponsored the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act and a resolution to protect and expand benefits.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 5 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Dec 2024 — Social Security Fairness Act of 2023
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Huntington’s Disease Disability Insurance Access Act of 2021
Cosponsored — Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act
Cosponsored — Social Security Fairness Act
Cosponsored — A resolution affirming the commitment of the Senate to protect and expand the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs.
Cosponsored — Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act
What should the federal government's role be in setting wages and protecting workers?
Clear record
Significantly raise the minimum wage and strengthen union organizing rights
Less federal labor regulationStronger federal worker protections
Cosponsored the Raise the Wage Act and the PRO Act; voted against nullifying the NLRB joint-employer rule.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 26 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted No · Apr 2024 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".
Voted Yes · Jul 2023 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
Voted Yes · Dec 2022 — Providing for a correction in the enrollment of H.J. Res. 100.
Voted Yes · Dec 2022 — To provide for a resolution with respect to the unresolved disputes between certain railroads represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and certain of their employees.
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Tax Fairness for Workers Act
Cosponsored — Child Care for Working Families Act
Cosponsored — Paycheck Fairness Act
Cosponsored — Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2021
Cosponsored — Equality Act
+21 more
How should the federal government structure healthcare coverage and costs?
Clear record
Keep and strengthen the ACA; add a public option for those who want it
Market-based, private insuranceSingle-payer government insurance
Sponsored the Lower Health Care Costs Act extending ACA premium credits; voted to nullify the CMS marketplace-integrity rule restricting enrollment.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 6 votes · 22 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability".
Voted No · Dec 2025 — Health Care Freedom for Patients Act of 2025
Voted Yes · Dec 2025 — Lower Health Care Costs Act
Voted No · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted Yes · Oct 2025 — Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
+1 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Lower Health Care Costs Act
Sponsored — Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act
Sponsored — SEPSIS Act
Cosponsored — Health Care Affordability Act of 2024
Cosponsored — 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025
+17 more
How should the federal government address climate change and energy policy?
Clear record
Continue current climate investments and emissions standards
Prioritize energy production and affordabilityRapid transition off fossil fuels
Cosponsored Clean Energy for America Act and the Paris Agreement resolution; voted against opening federal lands to oil, gas, and coal leasing.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 16 votes · 10 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal".
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period".
Voted No · Apr 2026 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
+11 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Clean Energy for America Act
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review".
Cosponsored — Climate Risk Disclosure Act of 2021
Cosponsored — A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States, States, cities, Tribal nations, businesses, institutions of higher education, and other institutions in the United States should work toward achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
+5 more
What should federal abortion policy be?
Clear record
Federal protection for abortion access throughout pregnancy
Federal restrictions on abortionFederal protection for abortion access
Cosponsored the Women's Health Protection Act and Reproductive Freedom for Women Act; voted for Women's Health Protection Act cloture in 2022.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 10 votes · 18 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
Voted No · Jan 2026 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted No · Jan 2025 — Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Voted Yes · Sep 2024 — Right to IVF Act
+5 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
Cosponsored — Protect IVF Act
Cosponsored — A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that every person has the basic right to emergency health care, including abortion care.
Cosponsored — A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that over 25 years of real-world evidence and hundreds of peer-reviewed studies proving that mifepristone is safe and effective should be respected, and law and policy governing access to lifesaving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be equitable, transparent, and based on the best available peer-reviewed evidence-based science.
Cosponsored — Right to Contraception Act
+13 more
What should federal firearms policy be?
Clear record
Restrict semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines; broader background checks
Expand firearm rightsExpand firearm restrictions
Cosponsored the Assault Weapons Ban and Background Check Expansion Act; voted for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 11 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted No · Jun 2023 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'".
Voted Yes · Jun 2022 — Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act
Cosponsored — Assault Weapons Ban of 2023
Cosponsored — Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2023
Cosponsored — 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2023
Cosponsored — 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2025
+6 more
What should US immigration policy be?
Some evidence
Expand legal immigration; humane asylum and refugee policies
Reduced immigration, stricter enforcementExpanded immigration, humane policy
Cosponsored the U.S. Citizenship Act and SECURE Act establishing citizenship paths and protections; voted against the Laken Riley Act in 2025.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 8 votes · 3 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Secure America Act
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services relating to "Removal of the Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documents".
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
+3 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — U.S. Citizenship Act
Cosponsored — SECURE Act
Cosponsored — Citizenship for Essential Workers Act
How should the federal government approach criminal justice and policing?
Some evidence
End mandatory minimums, set federal policing standards, decriminalize drugs
Stronger enforcement, expanded authorityDecarceration and federal reform
Cosponsored the EQUAL Act and Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, ending sentencing disparities and decriminalizing cannabis.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 7 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Voted Yes · Mar 2025 — HALT Fentanyl Act
Voted Yes · Apr 2024 — Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act
Voted No · May 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
Voted Yes · Mar 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022.
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — A resolution recognizing the work of Federal law enforcement agencies, condemning calls to "defund" the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and rejecting partisan attempts to degrade public trust in law enforcement agencies.
Cosponsored — EQUAL Act
Cosponsored — Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act
Cosponsored — Break the Cycle of Violence Act
Cosponsored — Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act
+2 more
What should drive US foreign policy?
Clear record
Active leadership of democratic alliances against authoritarian powers
Cosponsored Finland/Sweden NATO accession and Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act; sponsored resolution condemning Russia's Ukraine bombardment, supporting alliances against authoritarian powers.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 13 votes · 35 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jul 2026 — A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
Voted No · Jul 2026 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — A resolution requesting information on Honduras's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
+8 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Venezuela Oil Proceeds Transparency Act
Sponsored — A resolution condemning Russia's devastating aerial bombardment on the people of Ukraine, particularly the use of increasingly advanced ballistic missiles, and expressing support for securing more air defense systems.
Sponsored — A resolution calling for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett, a United States citizen who was wrongfully detained by the Taliban on August 10, 2022, and condemning the wrongful detention of Americans by the Taliban.
Sponsored — A resolution standing with Israel against terrorism.
Sponsored — United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021
+30 more
How should the federal government approach democratic institutions and elections?
Some evidence
Pass federal voting access protections and ban partisan gerrymandering
Sponsored the Redistricting Reform Act and cosponsored the Freedom to Vote Act, which expand voting access and require independent congressional redistricting commissions.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 11 votes · 26 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Aug 2026 — A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identification.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted Yes · Sep 2022 — DISCLOSE Act of 2022
Voted No · Jan 2022 — Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
Voted No · Nov 2021 — John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021
+6 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Protecting Americans’ Privacy Act of 2025
Sponsored — No Kings Act
Sponsored — Redistricting Reform Act of 2021
Sponsored — DISCLOSE Act of 2021
Sponsored — A resolution to provide for related procedures concerning the article of impeachment against Donald John Trump, former President of the United States.
+21 more

Where Charles stands

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