Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.)

While he has a liberal voting record, Schumer tries to steer clear of divisive cultural issues. Instead, he promotes measures to improve education and fight crime. He voted with Democrats 98.3 percent of the time in the 110th Congress.

True to form, Schumer sounds off on almost any issue that crosses his plate, often issuing several statements supporting or denouncing legislation. He has introduced or cosponsored 542 bills while in the Senate, 12 of which have passed.

The Economy

Schumer is a prodigious fundraiser, and in New York, that means turning to Wall Street. Schumer's top campaign contributors are financial institutions, and Schumer has maintained their support by voting to limit regulation and the rights of small investors. Schumer supported the fall 2008 $700 billion bailout bill.

In 2007, he opposed additional supervision of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He also proposed a bailout of subprime borrowers to save their homes, though critics pointed out the policy would ultimately have helped the banking industry.

In June 2008, Schumer sent an open letter to IndyMac about his concerns over its solvency, which may have contributed to the bank's ultimate failure. CNBC financial analyst Jerry Bowyer blamed Schumer for the collapse, though others have said he probably simply sped up the demise of an already-doomed institution.

Crime

Schumer, a staunch gun-control advocate, has taken on the National Rifle Association and won a handful of times. In 1994, he sponsored an anti-crime law that banned several assault weapons, put 100,000 new police officers on the streets and created the "three strikes" mandatory life sentence requirement. He also passed legislation that required a waiting period before anyone can purchase a gun.

The NRA has accused him of not knowing enough about guns, but critics praise him for defeating the lobby group's firm grip on Congress. The assault-weapons ban expired in 2004, and Schumer failed to secure passage of an extension.

National Security

In the weeks after September 11, 2001, Schumer secured $20 billion to rebuild New York City, fighting Republican attempts to limit the flow of cash. He has since backed several measures that he thinks will keep the city safer, including an information-sharing agreement between state and local officials and the FBI.

When Schumer found out that the Bush administration had agreed to lease several U.S. ports to a company bought by Dubai Port World, he went on the offensive, arguing that allowing foreign control of the country's ports could increase terrorism. While the Port Authority and the administration initially supported Dubai Port World's bid, Schumer and a group of senators eventually brokered a deal that allowed AIG to lease the space.

Gay Marriage

Schumer initially backed civil unions over gay marriage, but in March 2009, he announced a change of heart, and called for the legalization of gay marriage. "It's time," he said in a statement. "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."

Health-Care Reform

Schumer once again took on the role of mediator in early 2009, this time in the contentious health-care reform debate.

Democrats had been pushing for a government-run health insurance plan to be offered alongside private plans. But the powerful health-insurance industry said the government would make an unfair competitor, eventually driving them out of business and leaving Americans with a sole public option. He has said he doesn't think co-ops go far enough in the reform debate. "I don't think I could say with a straight face that this (co-op proposal) is at all close to a nationwide public option," he told The Associated Press in September 2009. "Right now, this co-op idea doesn't come close to satisfying anyone who wants a public plan."

In May 2009, Schumer proposed that any government-run health plan should be self-sustaining and not receive funds from other government sources.

A government-run plan should also be subject to the same rules that apply to private insurers, and the government officials in charge of the public plan should be separate from those who regulate the insurance market, Schumer proposed.

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