Charles Ellis "Chuck" Schumer is the senior U.S. Senator from the State of New York, serving since 1999. A Democrat, in 2005, he became chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. In November 2006, he was elected to the new post of Vice Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. In this position, he is the third-ranking Democrat in the Senate, behind Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin.

Because of his high position, he was recently found fourth most powerful U.S. Senator, just behind Leader Harry Reid, whip Dick Durbin, president pro tempore Robert Byrd, and preceding minority leader Mitch McConnell.