POLI 330N Week 3 Assignment Essay Representing a Democracy

Name

Chamberlain University

POLI-330: Political Science

Prof. Name

Date

Representing a Democracy

In a democratic system, elected officials play a pivotal role in representing the populace. Their responsibilities include understanding societal needs, analyzing demographic trends, and creating policies that address these aspects. Representatives aim to bring these considerations to the legislative process, ensuring that the interests of the people are properly advocated in Congress. In Bronx, New York, three elected representatives fulfill these duties: Senators Charles “Chuck” Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, alongside House Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has distinguished herself as a prominent political figure due to her progressive policymaking abilities. Both senators have left their mark on their constituencies, shaping the state’s political landscape. This essay aims to explore the background of these three representatives by delving into their education, political experiences, and other relevant demographic details.

Senator Charles “Chuck” Schumer

Charles “Chuck” Schumer, a seasoned politician, has been actively involved in politics for over 40 years. First elected to the Senate in 1999, Schumer has maintained his seat through multiple terms. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Schumer began his political career in the House of Representatives, representing New York’s 19th, 10th, and 9th congressional districts (Schumer, 2021). Schumer won his Senate seat in 2016 with an impressive 70.7% vote share (Ballotpedia, 2021). Schumer is married to Iris Weinshall, and the couple has two children. As of 2012, his net worth was estimated at $635,008, and he earns a base salary of $193,400 (Ballotpedia, 2021).

Throughout his career, Schumer has held several roles within the Democratic Party. He has served on various committees, including the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the Commission on Rules and Regulations (Schumer, 2021). His most notable policies include a permanent tax credit to reduce college tuition costs and the Direct Support for Communities Act, which aimed to support both urban and rural areas hit by the pandemic (Schumer, 2021). These policies reflect Schumer’s commitment to economic reforms and his Democratic values, as they seek to mitigate corporate influence and provide relief to underserved communities.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Kirsten Gillibrand serves as the junior United States Senator for New York and has a background in law. She earned her degrees from Dartmouth College and UCLA School of Law. Prior to her political career, Gillibrand worked in private practice and as a government lawyer (McNamee, 2021). Notably, she took on pro bono cases related to women’s abuse, which garnered her recognition (Gillibrand, 2021). Gillibrand was involved in Hillary Clinton’s Senate campaign in 1999 and donated $12,000 to the cause. In 2006, she was elected to represent New York’s 20th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, later ascending to the Senate in 2009 (Congress.gov, 2021).

Gillibrand is known for her evolving political stance, shifting from conservative to more liberal views on issues such as immigration and gun control (McNamee, 2021). Her salary is approximately $174,000, and she has served on numerous committees, including the Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee (McNamee, 2021). Her left-leaning ideology is evident in her advocacy for the return of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in 2007, which sought to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation (Gillibrand, 2021). These policies underscore her commitment to gender equality and broader liberal values.

House Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, widely known by her initials AOC, represents New York’s 14th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Born in 1989 to Sergio Ocasio-Roman and Blanca Ocasio-Cortez, she quickly made a name for herself as a progressive political figure (Alter, 2019). Ocasio-Cortez attended Boston University, graduating in 2011 with a degree in economics and international relations. Despite financial hardships, she worked as a waitress and bartender while also pursuing political and social advocacy (Alter, 2019).

In 2018, Ocasio-Cortez won her congressional seat, defeating long-time incumbent Joe Crowley and later Anthony Pappas in the general election. She became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, securing a 78.2% vote share in the general election (Alter, 2019). Ocasio-Cortez aligns with democratic socialism, advocating for policies such as the Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), environmental protections, LGBTQ equality, and labor reforms, including a $15 minimum wage (Cortez, 2021). Her progressive stance is reflected in her opposition to Israel’s use of deadly force against Palestinians and her support for labor rights, both of which align with her broader vision of social and economic justice (Dana, 2020).

References

Alter, C. (2019). ‘Change is closer than we think.’ Inside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s unlikely rise. Time. Retrieved from https://time.com/longform/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-profile/.

Aronson, P. (2016). Contradictions in the American dream: High educational aspirations and perceptions of deteriorating institutional support. International Journal of Psychology, 52(1), 49-57. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12396

Ballotpedia. (2021). Chuck Schumer – Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia. Retrieved from https://ballotpedia.org/Chuck_Schumer.

Blofield, M., Ewig, C., & Piscopo, J. (2017). The reactive left: gender equality and the Latin American pink tide. Social Politics: International Studies In Gender, State & Society, 24(4), 345-369. https://doi.org/10.1093/sp/jxx016

Congress.gov. (2021). Kirsten E. Gillibrand. Congress.gov. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/member/kirsten-gillibrand/G000555?searchResultViewType=expanded.

Cortez, O. (2021). Biography. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Retrieved from https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/about/biography.

POLI 330N Week 3 Assignment Essay Representing a Democracy

Dana, T. (2020). A cruel innovation: Israeli experiments on Gaza’s great march of return. Sociology Of Islam, 8(2), 175-198. https://doi.org/10.1163/22131418-00802003

Gillibrand, K. (2021). Home | Kirsten Gillibrand | U.S. senator for New York. Gillibrand.senate.gov. Retrieved from https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/.

Hamilton, S. (2018). The big rig: trucking and the decline of the American dream by Steve Viscelli. Labor, 15(1), 130-132. https://doi.org/10.1215/15476715-4288827

McNamee, G. (2021). Kirsten Gillibrand | biography & facts. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kirsten-Gillibrand.

Schumer. (2021). About Chuck | U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. Schumer.senate.gov. Retrieved from https://www.schumer.senate.gov/about-chuck.