Sen. Chuck Schumer needs a new roommate. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), 68, Schumer’s landlord and roommate for more than 31 years in a famously messy Capitol Hill rowhouse, announced he will retire this year. Schumer is one of the lawmakers who began renting rooms in the house in 1982, when Miller’s family moved back to California. The living situation inspired an Amazon Studio series, “Alpha House,” which made the lawmakers Republicans.
Two other House Democrats announced their retirements this week: Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) and Rep. Bill Owens (D-NY).
Sen. Chuck Schumer: Nations Should Wave The Rainbow Flag At Sochi Olympics
Sen. Chuck Schumer upset a lot anti-gay folks yesterday, judging by the comments at The Hill.
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday said he opposed boycotting the Sochi Olympic Games despite new Russian anti-gay laws, instead urging nations to wave rainbow flags during the opening ceremonies to show support for gay rights. “That'd be pretty embarrassing for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” Schumer said on MSNBC's “Morning Joe.” “Let our athletes participate but still make a stand.”
An amendment to add LGBT couples to the Senate immigration reform bill was withdrawn tonight in order to improve the bill's chance of passage. Chris Geidner has the news at Buzzfeed:
Sen. Patrick Leahy withdrew his proposed amendment to the comprehensive immigration reform bill that would have recognized the marriages of same-sex couples for immigration purposes on Tuesday night, after several Democratic members of the committee stated that they would not be supporting it. A little past 7 p.m., Leahy said, “It is with a heavy heart … I will withhold the Leahy Amendment 7 at this point.” Leahy offered the amendment a half-hour earlier, saying, “I don’t want to be the senator who asks Americans to choose between the love of their life and the love of their country.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham: "If you redefine marriage for immigration purposes [by the amendment], the bill would fall apart because the coalition would fall apart. It would be a bridge too far." Devoted LGBT allies Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Al Franken both reluctantly agreed that removing the amendment to include gay couples was better than sinking the entire bill.
The Human Rights Campaign reacts:
"As we come together as a nation to tackle our broken immigration system, it is deplorable that a small number of Senators have been able to stand in the way of progress for lesbian and gay couples torn apart by discriminatory laws. Instead of working to achieve common-sense solutions, Senators Graham, Flake, McCain and Rubio threatened to derail the entire immigration bill to appease a small but vocal group of anti-gay social conservatives that will do anything to stop progress for lesbian and gay couples. "We are extremely disappointed that our allies did not put their anti-LGBT colleagues on the spot and force a vote on the measure that remains popular with the American people. We will continue to work hard to include bi-national same-sex couples as the bill moves to the floor and remain committed to the underlying principles of inclusive and comprehensive immigration reform. We owe it to the estimated 267,000 undocumented LGBT adults and estimated 24,700 LGBT bi-national couples living in the U.S. today to get the job done."
Immigration Equality reacts:
"Despite the leadership of Chairman Leahy, Judiciary Committee Democrats have caved to bullying by their Republican colleagues," said Rachel B. Tiven, executive director of Immigration Equality Action Fund. "There should be shame on both sides of the political aisle today for lawmakers who worked to deny LGBT immigrant families a vote. Despite widespread support from business, labor, faith, Latino and Asian-American advocates, Senators abandoned LGBT families without a vote." Senator Chuck Schumer, an architect of the immigration bill, had long promised LGBT constituents that the package would include their families. "From the beginning we told Senator Schumer that it would only get harder to add LGBT families to the bill," said Tiven. "We are disappointed that Senator Schumer and his 'Gang of 8' colleagues accepted a false choice between LGBT families and immigration reform, when the truth is that including LGBT families from the outset would have strengthened the bill."
UPDATE: DOMA Project head Lavi Soloway sends this image.
UPDATE II: President Obama has issued a statement.
I applaud the Committee members for their hard work, especially “Gang of Eight” members Senators Schumer, Durbin, Graham and Flake. None of the Committee members got everything they wanted, and neither did I , but in the end, we all owe it to the American people to get the best possible result over the finish line. I encourage the full Senate to bring this bipartisan bill to the floor at the at the earliest possible opportunity and remain hopeful that the amendment process will lead to further improvements
After a Texas company claimed to have made the first working plastic gun by using a 3D printer, Sen. Chuck Schumer yesterday held a press conference calling for a federal ban.
Defense Distributed, a collective of gun access advocates headed by self-described “free-market anarchist” Cody Wilson, has announced it made such an untraceable gun with the new plastic-making technology. The nonprofit Texas group intends to post blueprints for “The Liberator” (pictured) online this week. The Liberator may look like a toy, but “this gun can fire regular bullets,” Schumer said, calling for legislation outlawing the technology’s weapons potential. The bill was drafted by Rep. Steve Israel (D-L.I.). To Schumer, the ramifications of make-your-own untraceable and undetectable weapons are “stomach-churning.” “Now anyone, a terrorist, someone who is mentally ill, a spousal abuser, a felon, can essentially open a gun factory in their garage,” Schumer said. “It must be stopped.”
President Obama To Include LGBT Couples In Immigration Reform Plan
Today President Obama will introduce his immigration reform plan and LGBT couples are expected to be included. However, gay immigration is not addressed in the Senate plan. Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed:
A Democratic source said: "Same-sex couples will be part of his proposal." A second source confirmed that, unlike the Senate framework released Monday, same-sex bi-national couples — those with one American and one foreign partner — will be included in the White House principles. The decision by Obama seeks to remedy what advocates for same-sex couples view as one of the most searing inequalities under the existing federal limit on marriage to one man and one woman: LGBT American citizens simply have no way to confer citizenship on their romantic partners, something that is automatic — if not always simple — for straight couples. Under current law, such same-sex couples, even when married under state law, are not eligible for the green cards that opposite-sex couples can receive. Foreign partners of same-sex couples have in the past found their green card applications denied — often forcing couples to separate or move abroad.
Sen. Chuck Schumer has reportedly promised to attempt to add LGBT immigration reform to the Senate plan "later in the process," possibly through committee amendments. Geidner notes that "there are no guarantees."
UPDATE: This morning Sen. John McCain said that including LGBT couples in the immigration reform bill is "not of paramount importance." Clip via Think Progress.
The FCC has leaned on North American cell carriers and forced them to agree to permanently disable any phone that has been reported stolen. The proposed system is already in use across Europe.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said in a statement late Monday that major cellphone carriers and the Federal Communications Commission have agreed to set up a database of identification numbers that are unique to each phone. Using the list, cellular carriers will be able to permanently disable a phone once it's been reported stolen. Until now, U.S. carriers have only been disabling so-called "SIM" cards, which can be swapped in and out. That's enabled a black market to exist for stolen phones. Schumer said that the goal of the agreement is to make a stolen cellphone "as worthless as an empty wallet."
As I've reported here recently, New York City is presently enduring an epidemic of cell-snatching on the subway. Typically thieves will reach into the car just as the doors are closing. Before the victim can react, the train is already in motion. The MTA has issued advisories warning riders not to reveal their phones while near the doors.
NEW YORK: Sen. Chuck Schumer And Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Win Easily
I was only going to report on the really close races and these two were miles ahead from the start, but since it's my home state I'll make an exception.
Shown above are the ratings for my three reps in Congress, according to how the HRC judges their support for LGBT issues. Another benefit of living in this moonbat commie/socialist paradise. The HRC notes via press release:
In the House, 145 members scored 90 percent or above, compared to 128 members last congress. In the Senate, those scoring 90 percent and above rose from 32 to 36. But disturbingly, the number of Senators with a zero percent score doubled from 16 to 32 this Congress. In addition, the number of House Members that consistently oppose LGBT equality has remained essentially constant increasing from 143 to 144. “As more and more Americans support equality for LGBT people, some members of Congress are showing real leadership while others are digging in their heels to cater to an anti-LGBT fringe constituency,” added HRC Legislative Director Allison Herwitt.
Check out the just-released 2010 edition of the HRC's Congressional Scorecard and report back here on your own reps' ratings.
Sen. Chuck Schumer To Feds: Tax Airline Fees For Carry-On Bags
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is demanding that the Treasury Department closes a loophole allowing airlines to charge for carry-on bags without paying taxes on the added revenue.
Spirit Airlines' $45 charge for carry-on luggage is the last straw for put-upon air travelers, said Sen. Chuck Schumer. He's demanding that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner close a loophole that makes the fee extra profitable for the carrier. "Passengers have hit a breaking point on fees that are being imposed," Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Sunday. He sent Geithner a letter urging the reversal of a recent ruling that carry-on bags aren't "reasonably necessary" for air transportation and thus aren't subject to federal taxes. The tax cut gives carriers an incentive to tack on extra charges, Schumer said. Spirit can now bank the entire $45 fee without forking over $3.38 for taxes. Airlines already collect untaxed fees for many other in-flight basics, including snack peanuts and pillows.
Schumer says that if the feds can't figure out a way to block the fee entirely, he'll sponsor legislation that will.
Sen. Chuck Schumer Nominates First Openly Gay Male Judge To Federal Bench
NY Sen. Chuck Schumer has nominated former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Daniel Alter to the federal bench, the first openly gay man to be tapped for a federal judgeship.
Schumer laid out several reasons Alter would make an excellent fit for the job. Schumer said that Alter’s stellar legal background, close ties to New York, even-handedness, temperament and demonstrated leadership skills would make him an excellent choice for the Southern District Court. Schumer also said that he is highly capable and very qualified for the position. “Daniel Alter couldn’t be a more perfect choice. He is a brilliant attorney who possesses the knowledge, balanced views and temperament required of a federal judge,” Schumer said. “His outstanding leadership skills, his commitment to justice, and his extensive experience make him an exceptional choice for a position on the federal bench. I’m proud to nominate Daniel Alter. Period. But I am equally proud to nominate him because he is a history-maker who will be the first openly gay male judge in American history.” Alter is a graduate of Columbia College and Yale Law School. As a young lawyer, Mr. Alter clerked for the Hon. John M. Walker and the Hon. Guido Calabresi, who both served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Alter is presently the National Director for Civil Rights of the Anti-Defamation League.
Schumer And Gillibrand Endorse Bill Thompson For NYC Mayor
Today both of New York's senators will endorse NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson in his mayoral bid against Michael Bloomberg. But few expect them to actually speak against the billionaire in City Hall.
Mr. Schumer, in particular, has been effusive praising the work of the man Mr. Thompson is trying to unseat, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Indeed, Mr. Schumer’s wife, Iris Weinshall, worked for several years as Mr. Bloomberg’s transportation commissioner. Mr. Bloomberg also employs a number of former Schumer aides on his campaign, or in City Hall, including Bradley Tusk, his campaign manager; Howard Wolfson, a campaign spokesman; Josh Isay, a political consultant; and Stu Loeser, his chief spokesman in the mayor’s office. So you should expect Mr. Schumer to do what other Democrats who have good relationships with Mr. Bloomberg (like Gov. David A. Paterson and former Mayor David N. Dinkins) have done while endorsing Mr. Thompson: not say anything untoward about the mayor. The same, perhaps, might be expected of Ms. Gillibrand, if only because she is still so new to her post, and must be careful to avoid incurring the political wrath of Mr. Bloomberg as she faces an election in 2010.
Thompson remains about ten points behind Bloomberg in the latest poll.
Sen. Chuck Schumer Introduces National Bill To Ban Texting While Driving
As only 14 states presently ban texting while driving, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today introduced a bill which would ban the practice nationwide.
The bill would force states to write laws to prohibit messaging in vehicles or risk losing 25 percent of their annual federal highway money. Federal lawmakers have used similar strategies to force states to curb speeding and pass seat-belt laws. The new legislation would also set deadlines for regulators at the U.S. Transportation Department to devise minimum penalties for states to implement. States would have two years to enact their own laws. Other sponsors of the bill include Democratic Sens. Robert Menendez (N.J.), Mary Landrieu (La.) and Kay Hagan (N.C.). The introduction of the bill comes a day after the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute released a study on commercial truck drivers that found texting drivers to be 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or a near miss.
Daily Beast Reports: HRC Told Congress To Wait On DADT, Push For ENDA, Hate Crimes Instead
In a video posted at The Daily Beast, reporter Jason Bellini claims that Sen. Chuck Schumer "let it slip" that the Human Rights Campaign told "Senators and members of the U.S. House" to put aside the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and instead focus on ENDA and the hate crimes act.
UPDATE:Michael Cole, Senior Communications Manager of the HRC, wrote me with this statement: "This story is not only an outright lie, it is recklessly irresponsible. HRC never made such a deal and continues to work with congress and the administration on a full range of equality issues including a swift end to the military's shameful ban on gay servicemembers."
UPDATE II: Jason Bellini wrote to direct us to this post from Michelangelo Signorile.
While Bellini had unnamed sources, I, however, have a named source saying exactly what Bellini reports, someone I interviewed several weeks ago on the show: Aaron Belkin of the Palm Center, the research institute that focuses on the military and sexuality, located at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Belkin writes often for The Huffington Post and interacts with members of Congress. (I have including a few-minute clip from that interview here as well). I didn't see or know about the Bellini piece when I interviewed Joe (it either had just posted or wasn't up yet), but I did ask him about what Belkin claimed. Belkin was relatively certain in what he told me:
AB: "...Our major national gay rights organizations -- it would be one thing to say nothing, but there is pro-active lobbying on the hill for Congress not to consider [the "don't ask, don't tell"] issue. And so the community has been appalling on this issue. MS: Have you seen any response from any of those groups, and I guess we're talking about the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, other Washington groups? AB:...We've heard from so many offices that not only are they not doing anything but they're pro-actively lobbying against consideration of the issue. I feel very confident in saying that.
Remember when I grumbled about getting 20 calls a week from scamsters claiming that my car warranty had expired? The FTC is finally suing the fuckers after NY Sen. Chuck Schumer complained that he had been getting the calls during meetings on Capitol Hill.
In two related complaints filed in federal court on Thursday, the FTC said it was taking action against the promoter of the phony extended auto warranties, as well as the telemarketing company that it hired to carry out its allegedly illegal campaign. The FTC filed complaints against four companies and a handful of individuals related to their operations. "This is one of the most aggressive telemarketing schemes the FTC has ever encountered," said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. The agency, which helps prevent fraudulent and deceptive business practices, said the robocalls have prompted complaints from consumers who are either on the "Do Not Call" registry or asked not to be called. According to the agency, five telephone numbers associated with the defendants have generated 30,000 complaints. If consumers answer the call, a "warranty specialist" would mislead them into believing their company was affiliated with an auto dealer or manufacturer and try to sell a service contract between $2,000 and $3,000, according to the FTC. The seller of these false warranties allegedly took in more than $10 million as a result of the phony service contracts.
The FTC is seeking to freeze (and hopefully, seize) the company's assets.
Sen. Chuck Schumer Comes Out For Marriage Equality And Repeal Of DOMA
At an Empire State Pride Agenda dinner in NYC last night, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer reversed his previous stance, publicly endorsing marriage equality and called for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. From our reliable ally Elizabeth Benjamin at the New York Daily News:
Schumer: "It’s time. Equality is something that has always been a hallmark of America and no group should be deprived of it. New York, which has always been at the forefront on issues of equality, is appropriately poised to take a lead on this issue."
It's hard to overstate the significance of this in the eyes of gay marriage advocates. With the ascent of Kirsten Gillibrand to fill Hillary Clinton's vacant US Senate seat, Schumer was the last remaining statewide elected official who backed civil unions over full marriage equality. (Recall that one of the first issues Gillibrand "evolved" on was marriage, although her office has insisted she always personally supported it).
Clinton's departure from the New York political stage arguably gave Schumer some breathing room on this issue. Both Clinton and Schumer were under pressure from the gay community (which includes some very heavy-hitting political donors) to change their position from supporting civil unions to backing marriage, but they both refused to budge. While Clinton was running for president, there was no way Schumer could move on this topic - no matter how much he might have wanted to follow the lead set by then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer and his LG, David Paterson - especially since Barack Obama also took the civil-union-only approach.
