Charles Schumer
Image by Getty Images
Chuck Schumer was in a tough spot. The Iran nuclear deal was coming before Congress for approval, and the United States senator from New York had an unenviable decision before him.
On the one hand, Schumer was getting an earful from deep-pocketed Jewish donors and activists who opposed the deal. On the other hand, the leaders of his party expected his support.
For Schumer, 64, who is expected to succeed Nevada’s Harry Reid as head of the Senate Democrats after the 2016 elections, it was a tricky time to be upsetting either his wealthy constituents or his party allies. Still, it didn’t take the D.C. stalwart long to choose: He came out early against the Iran deal, with a lengthy statement on August 6.
“To me, the very real risk that Iran will not moderate and will, instead, use the agreement to pursue its nefarious goals is too great,” Schumer said.
In the end, only three Senate Democrats joined Schumer in opposing the deal. Despite early worries from the bill’s supporters that he would lobby his Democratic colleagues hard to buck their party, Schumer seems to have seen his vote as a statement of principle.
“While I came to a different conclusion than many in my own caucus, I recognize for them that this is a vote of conscience, just as it is for me,” Schumer said on the Senate floor on September 10.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
