Chuck Schumer

Rule Changes

Leading Democratic opposition in Senate

Since 1993, Americans have registered to vote by attesting to their citizenship under penalty of perjury, with no proof required. The House passed the SAVE America Act 218-213 on February 11, 2026, mandating in-person documentary proof—a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers—for federal election registration.

Updated 4 days ago

Rule Changes

Maintaining Democratic opposition to DHS funding without ICE reforms; opposes Mullin nomination

The Department of Homeland Security partial shutdown has entered its fourth week as of March 9, 2026, with no resolution in sight despite escalating national security pressures. On March 5, President Trump fired DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to replace her, a move some Democrats suggested could ease negotiations but which has not yet broken the legislative deadlock. The standoff continues over Democratic demands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement reforms following the January deaths of two U.S. citizens—Renée Good and Alex Pretti—shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. Most of DHS's 272,000 employees continue working without pay, while TSA screeners face mounting hardship as the shutdown coincides with spring break travel season and heightened terrorism threats following U.S. military strikes against Iran that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Updated Mar 9

Rule Changes

Led unsuccessful push for war powers vote

The War Powers Resolution has been on the books for 53 years, designed to prevent a president waging a major war without Congress voting to authorize it. On March 5, with American troops engaged in combat against Iran and at least six service members dead, the Senate voted 47-53 to reject a resolution requiring presidential approval from Congress before continuing military operations, followed hours later by the House rejecting its parallel measure H. Con. Res. 38.

Updated Mar 6

Rule Changes

Advocated for UAP Disclosure Act

For nearly eight decades, the United States government has investigated reports of unidentified objects in its airspace while keeping most of its findings classified. On February 19, 2026, President Donald Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other federal agency heads to begin identifying and releasing government files related to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and extraterrestrial life — the broadest presidential directive on UFO transparency ever issued.

Updated Feb 20

Money Moves

Leading Democratic negotiations on ICE/CBP reforms; submitted counteroffer February 10 with three core demands

The House passed H.R. 7148 on February 3 by a narrow 217-214 vote, ending a brief weekend partial shutdown and funding Defense, Labor-HHS-Education, Transportation-HUD, State, and Financial Services through September 30, 2026. However, the Department of Homeland Security funding lapsed on February 13 after negotiations over immigration enforcement reforms collapsed, triggering a second partial shutdown affecting only DHS and its agencies including TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA. The impasse stems from Democratic demands for ICE and CBP reforms—including body cameras, use-of-force codes, and restrictions on roving patrols—following the January 24 fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. President Trump has signaled opposition to some Democratic proposals, particularly requirements that ICE agents remove masks during operations.

Updated Feb 17

Rule Changes

Leading Democratic opposition to offshore wind pause

On December 22, 2025, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum paused every major offshore wind farm under construction off the East Coast. Vineyard Wind, Revolution Wind, Sunrise Wind, Empire Wind, and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind—representing $28 billion in investment and enough power for millions of homes—all stopped work on orders from Washington citing radar interference and national security risks near military installations.

Updated Feb 10

Rule Changes

Led failed push for a clean three‑year extension of ACA enhanced subsidies

The ACA subsidy cliff has delivered the predicted damage. Enhanced premium tax credits expired on January 1, 2026, and by late January, enrollment data confirmed the worst fears: 1.2 to 1.4 million fewer Americans signed up for marketplace coverage compared to the prior year, with total 2026 enrollment falling to 22.8–22.9 million. Average premium payments for subsidized enrollees jumped 114% as projected—from $888 to $1,904 annually—while Trump administration changes to tax credit calculations amplified the shock. State exchanges reported steep declines: California saw new sign-ups fall 32%, Massachusetts lost 13,000 enrollees, and Mississippi expects 200,000 to abandon coverage. The predicted rate shock is no longer a forecast; it is reshaping the individual insurance market in real time.

Updated Feb 6

Rule Changes

Co-authors ICE reform demands letter with Jeffries; expects Democratic DHS funding draft by Thursday

A brief three-day partial government shutdown ended February 3 when the House passed the Senate's split funding package 217-214 and President Trump signed it into law, providing full-year appropriations for five agencies through September while extending Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding via a two-week continuing resolution through February 13. The shutdown stemmed from Senate Democrats blocking a $1.2 trillion spending package on January 29 after two fatal shootings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis within three weeks, prompting President Trump and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to negotiate the funding split.

Updated Feb 5