Charles “Chuck” Schumer - Senior Senator for New York, 1999-2022
As Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer has a lot of sway to decide the priorities of the democratic party in the senate. However, a matter of longstanding tradition, major party leaders generally do not sponsor or co-sponsor legislation. Therefore, to remain fair to our quantitative process, both he and Senate majority leader Mitch Mcconnell will not be scored.
Kirsten Gillibrand - Junior Senator for New York, 2009-2024
Senator Gillibrand has a particular interest in reducing harassment and gender-based misconduct in STEM, as well as increasing science funding generally. She has previously supported increasing research on Marijuana, and signed onto a letter this year urging the HHS to continue funding the BRAIN initiative. Despite frequently aligning herself with NIH caucus members, she is not yet a member of the NIH caucus, and she could use her role as a member of the Special Committee on Aging to advocate for more neurodegenerative disease funding that disproportionately affects older Americans.
“I will continue to support federal funding for scientific research and development at our institutions and universities, so that more New Yorkers can do research, test their ideas, and help make our communities better places to live.”
Relevant sponsored legislation this session:
Co-sponsored: S.1249 - American Innovation Act
Co-sponsored: S.1067 - Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2019
*NeuroVote takes the stance that diversity in science creates better science and that sexual harassment decreases the efficiency and quality of neuroscience research. For evidence supporting this claim, please see this article.