Biography

U.S. Representative (D-New York) (1981-1999).

U.S. Senator (D-New York) (3 January 1999 - present).

He made it to the Senate by defeating 3-term GOP incumbent Alfonse D'amato in 1998.

Chairman, U.S. House Immigration Subcommittee.

Member, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

'Compromise' is not a dirty word to me. If you want to be a knight on a white horse, always espousing 100% purity, then you shouldn't be in the Senate.

I don't like the far right. And I don't like the far left. Because I think they expect they have a monopoly on wisdom, and they don't even attempt to look at the other side.

I'm a politician. That means I have chose my life's work in the constraints of the system to accomplish as much good as I can. I accept the tough choices.

[on President Trump's decision to ban transgender people from military service]Transgender Americans are serving honorably in our military. We stand with these patriots

I am also calling on President Trump to bring together the leaders of Congress and let both sides know he is willing to address this issue of safety head on. He should tell members of his party that it's time to work addressing the epidemic that costs the lives of more than 30,000 Americans a year. I'm glad the president is going to Las Vegas. That's a good idea. But he should take it a step further. Call us together, and lead this nation in some rational laws about gun safety that the overwhelming majority of Americans Democrat, Republican and Independent support