FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2004
SCHUMER ACCEPTS SENATOR REID’S OFFER TO SIT ON FINANCE
COMMITTEE, LEAD DSCC, AND JOIN DEM LEADERSHIP
Opportunity is “an offer that for the sake of New York
I could not refuse”
Schumer commits to keep posts through election cycle;
rules out run for any other office in 2006
Senator Charles E. Schumer released the following statement today:
“On Election night, I told the citizens of New York that ‘for
me, ‘I love New York’ is not just a slogan or a song.
It is my life.’ Last week, I was offered a once-in-a-career
opportunity that would allow me to serve even more fully the state
and the country I love.
“On Wednesday, Senator Harry Reid, who will soon become Minority
Leader, invited me to his office and offered me a seat on the Senate
Finance Committee, a position in the Democratic leadership, and
the chairmanship of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. He
stated that to get on Finance I would not have to give up my seats
on the Judiciary or Banking Committees. He also told me that he
was elevating the role of the DSCC chair to not only be in charge
of electing more Democratic Senators, but to be the caucus point
person in crafting and spreading the Democratic message.
“To me this was a dream offer. Serving on the Finance Committee
is something I have aspired to since Pat Moynihan, New York’s
first senator on Finance, retired. Finance has jurisdiction over
tax, trade, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. These will
be crucial, battleground issues in the upcoming Congress and decade.
Given its broad jurisdiction, the Finance Committee’s importance
to New York. – and to New Yorkers of all philosophies –
cannot be overstated.
"Senator Reid's generosity in allowing me to retain my seat
on Judiciary would enable me to continue my fight for moderation
on the bench at a decisive time when several vacancies to the Supreme
Court are likely to occur. By staying on the Banking Committee I
would be able to further strengthen one of New York's critical industries,
financial services.
"In addition, to serve in the Democratic leadership and to
have a key role in crafting Democratic issues and message in the
coming years is crucial not only for the good of our own party but
for the good of our nation and of our state. We are at a crossroads
both internationally and domestically, and to have an enhanced role
in figuring out how we as a party and as a nation navigate these
shoals is as exciting as it is vital. And the importance to our
party of electing more Democrats to the Senate in 2006 is obvious
in light of the results of the recent election.
"In short, this was an offer that for the sake of New York
I could not refuse. I called Senator Reid last night, telling him
I had accepted his offer along with its concomitant commitment that
I see the DSCC job through the 2006 election and run for no other
office.
"For me, it was not a hard decision. For the last few months
I have said repeatedly that the only thing on my radar screen is
being a good Senator and delivering for New York. Many were skeptical.
But, I've been a legislator for 30 years. It is what I know how
to do and what I love to do. I am one of those blessed people who
wakes up Monday morning and loves going to work. The new positions
Senator Reid offered me should make the job even more productive
and exciting. The fact that the Senate has four fewer Democrats
is not something to run away from, but a new challenge to be taken
on, substantively and politically. It is a challenge I relish.
"On Election Night , New Yorkers from every corner of the
state and every philosophy elected me. I promise to all of you,
fortified with the new opportunities offered me, I will do all I
can to meet the great challenges facing our state and country in
the years ahead."
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