Senator Charles “Chuck” Schumer (D-NY) was recently hosted at a NORPAC event by Daniel Straus in Fort Lee. Schumer, the senior US Senator of New York, has served as an elected official for over 40 years and is on track to assume responsibility as the Democratic Leader of the Senate. Senator Schumer has been a consistent defender of both Israel and Jews worldwide, voting in favor of aid to Israel, sanctions on Iran, and even playing a role in the movement to free Soviet Jews. Notably, he was the first democratic senator to publicly declare opposition to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran.

At the NORPAC event, Senator Schumer explained his opposition on the JCPOA and where he sees the United States going forward. About the deal, Chuck expressed his deep concern that the billions of dollars Iran will receive through this agreement will be used to fund terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Furthermore, he expressed worry that the JCPOA would legitimize Iran’s nuclear program by allowing them to approach the threshold of being a nuclear power in 10 years.

Participants asked Sen. Schumer what effective measures could be taken now to ensure Israel’s security. He responded that we must do more for Israel, including providing the country with the money and weapons it needs to defend itself. In order to accomplish this, support for Israel must remain a bipartisan effort. In addition, Senator Schumer assured the attendees that Congress is now working on multiple pieces of legislation, both to clarify ambiguous areas of the JCPOA, and to construct more non-nuclear sanctions against Iran.

Charles Schumer is running for reelection in 2016.