Senator Tom Udall is the senior Senator from New Mexico. He received his B.A. at Prescott College, his Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Cambridge, and his J.D. from the University of New Mexico. He first served as the Attorney General of New Mexico from 1991-1999 and subsequently served as a Representative of New Mexico's 3rd congressional district from 1999-2009. He was elected to the Senate in 2008. Born into a political family, his father, Steward Udall, served in the House from 1955-1961 and later served as secretary of the interior in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. His brother, Morris Udall, served as a longtime representative of Arizona and was a leading Democratic presidential candidate in the 1976 election.
Udall is widely considered to be a liberal to moderate Democrat who generally votes with the Democratic party. For the purposes of our simulation, Udall will serve on the Foreign Relations Committee Udall currently serves on the Foreign Relations, Appropriations, Commerce, Indian Affairs, and Rules and Administration Committees. As a Senator, he has championed legislation on the environment, conservation and on Native American affairs -- a particularly resonant issue in New Mexico. In 2018, Udall received the Sierra Club's Edgar Wayburn Award for top public official. He was also instrumental in the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Recently, he introduced legislation with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) disapproving Trump's national emergency declaration for border security, and has repeatedly condemned the Trump administration's positions on immigration policy and border security. Udall has favorable rankings from several liberal advocacy groups and earns poor marks from conservative groups such as the NRA.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Dianne Feinstein was born in San Francisco in 1933 and graduated from Stanford University in 1955. She started her career in public service as a member of the California Women's Board of Terms and Parole in 1960. After she joined the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1970. In 1978 she discovered the body of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay supervisor in San Francisco. Milk was killed in a shooting by former supervisor Dan White at City Hall that also killed the mayor. She took over as Mayor of San Francisco after that event. Feinstein became the first female senator from California in 1992 and is the oldest member in the chamber. Elected for her sixth term in 2018, she will remain in the Senate until 2025 when she is 92 years old.
Her experience during the Milk shooting led to her support for stricter gun laws. Feinstein has introduced bills that restricted the manufacturing and sale of military-style assault weapons and the Gun-Free Schools Act. In January of 2019, she introduced an updated assault weapon ban. Other issues that Feinstein has championed in the Senate are the environment and criminal justice. She authored the California Desert Protection and the Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act of 2007 to those effects. As part of the Intelligence Committee, she released a summary of the CIA's use of enhanced interrogation on suspected terrorists after 9/11.
Senator Feinstein brought her constituent Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's allegations of sexual assault to the Senate confirmation hearings. As a Democratic ranking member of the Senate judiciary committee, she serves an important role in protecting Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into the Trump Administration.
Introducing U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), is a current senator from Oregon and will be on the Foreign Relations committee for purposes of the simulation. Merkley grew up in Myrtle Creek, Oregon as part of a blue-collar family. He attended only public schools until reaching college, where he enrolled as an Internation Relations student at Stanford University and a Master of Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. Merkley filled many roles before choosing a career path as a public servant, working as a Presidential Management Fellow and working at the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He then was elected in 1998 to represent the 47th District of Oregon, where he served as a five-term House representative before defeating incumbent Gordon Smith in 2009 as an Oregon Senator. Merkley is considering running against Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
Merkley is known for his highly progressive stance. He was the only U.S. Senator to advocate for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 election and is ranked the 3rd most liberal senator according to GovTrack.us. Merkley is also one of the least bipartisan members of the Senate; of the 487 bills that Merkley cosponsored, only 20% were introduced by a Republican legislator. He primarily sponsors bills in the Health and International Affairs issue areas (40%), and he serves on the Committee for Foreign Relations Members and Committee on Environment and Public Works. Merkley's website says his main priority is creating jobs and laying the foundation for economic growth that benefits working families, not just the stock market. Merkley is a staunch LGBTQ supporter, has sponsored several environment-focused bills and has focused on Wall Street reform as a member of the Senate Banking Committee.
Merkley was a largely behind-the-scenes member of Congress until a video surfaced of him being refused entry at an abandoned Walmart where migrant children were being held. His media savvy -- Merkley streamed the ordeal on Facebook Live -- went viral, resulting in President Trump to issue an executive order stating that apprehended families must be kept together when caught. Merkley self-proclaims himself as a politician without "extensive charisma" but prides himself on his blue-collar approach and determination. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CN) writes that "he's like a dog with a bone. He will just not let it go."
Merkley is known for his highly progressive stance. He was the only U.S. Senator to advocate for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 election and is ranked the 3rd most liberal senator according to GovTrack.us. Merkley is also one of the least bipartisan members of the Senate; of the 487 bills that Merkley cosponsored, only 20% were introduced by a Republican legislator. He primarily sponsors bills in the Health and International Affairs issue areas (40%), and he serves on the Committee for Foreign Relations Members and Committee on Environment and Public Works. Merkley's website says his main priority is creating jobs and laying the foundation for economic growth that benefits working families, not just the stock market. Merkley is a staunch LGBTQ supporter, has sponsored several environment-focused bills and has focused on Wall Street reform as a member of the Senate Banking Committee.
Merkley was a largely behind-the-scenes member of Congress until a video surfaced of him being refused entry at an abandoned Walmart where migrant children were being held. His media savvy -- Merkley streamed the ordeal on Facebook Live -- went viral, resulting in President Trump to issue an executive order stating that apprehended families must be kept together when caught. Merkley self-proclaims himself as a politician without "extensive charisma" but prides himself on his blue-collar approach and determination. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CN) writes that "he's like a dog with a bone. He will just not let it go."
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA)
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) is only a freshman junior senator but has been involved in Louisiana state politics for over three decades. Kennedy was born in Mississippi and later moved to Zachary, Louisiana as a child. He received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University, his law degree from the University of Virginia, and his Bachelor of Civil Law from Magdalen College. Initially, he served for Democrat Governor Buddy Roemer as special counsel in 1988 and cabinet secretary in 1991. He ran as a democrat for Louisiana Attorney General in 1991 but ultimately lost in the primary election. After his loss, he was an attorney for Chaffe McCall until 1996, when he was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Revenue by Governor Mike Foster. In 1999, Kennedy left the Foster administration to run for state treasurer as a democrat. He defeated the democrat incumbent and served as state treasurer of Louisiana from 2000-2017. As state treasurer, he joined the Republican Party in 2007. In 2004 and 2008, he ran for senate but was unable to unseat Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) both times. However, Kennedy defeated Democrat Foster Campbell in the 2016 senate race. Despite rumors about a gubernatorial run in 2019, Kennedy announced that he would not run for governor to work in the senate.
In terms of legislation, Sen. John Kennedy is concerned with increasing jobs, lowering taxes, providing aid after natural disasters, reforming public education, and prohibiting abortion. Furthermore, he supports the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. He mostly sponsors bills regarding the financial sector, crime and law enforcement, and health in the senate. However, he does not always side with his party. He has opposed several of President Trump’s judicial nominees, including Gregory G. Katsas to the D.C. Circuit. Most recently, Kennedy opposed the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that passed in a landslide in the senate. Furthermore, he voted along with Democrats against the FCC’s repeal of net-neutrality in 2017 and opposed Trump’s plan to end sanctions with three Russian companies in 2019.
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Hello.
My name is Lindsey Graham and I have the great honor of serving as the senior United States Senator
from the great state of South Carolina.
from the great state of South Carolina.
As a young boy, I grew up in the back of my parents’ bar and restaurant, helping where I could and
learning invaluable lessons about hard work and the American dream. I was the first person in my family
to attend college, a great triumph. When I was 21, my parents both tragically died within six months of
one another, forcing me to mature quickly, and I did my best to look after my twelve-year-old sister,
Darline, whom I eventually adopted. Through hard work, the love of God and a wonderful family,
I attended law school and then served my nation in the Air Force. I then worked my way up in politics,
first serving as a South Carolina State Representative for one term, then as a U.S. Representative for four
terms, and in 2002, I ran for U.S. Senate and won, replacing the long-serving, outstanding Senator Strom
Thurman. I have since won two reelection campaigns.
learning invaluable lessons about hard work and the American dream. I was the first person in my family
to attend college, a great triumph. When I was 21, my parents both tragically died within six months of
one another, forcing me to mature quickly, and I did my best to look after my twelve-year-old sister,
Darline, whom I eventually adopted. Through hard work, the love of God and a wonderful family,
I attended law school and then served my nation in the Air Force. I then worked my way up in politics,
first serving as a South Carolina State Representative for one term, then as a U.S. Representative for four
terms, and in 2002, I ran for U.S. Senate and won, replacing the long-serving, outstanding Senator Strom
Thurman. I have since won two reelection campaigns.
In the Senate, I am known for my military expertise and dedication to the defense of this great nation. I
have worked hard to achieve bipartisan solutions, as I have a strong internal compass guiding me towards
action on right and wrong. I continue to fight for immigration reform, as the crisis at our border is
worsening and the need for a wall continues to get more clear. I have opposed the unethical and inefficient
program of Obamacare from the beginning and will continue to fight for its repeal. It is my honor to serve
on the Senate Judiciary Committee, as I myself went to law school, though I wasn’t the best student.
have worked hard to achieve bipartisan solutions, as I have a strong internal compass guiding me towards
action on right and wrong. I continue to fight for immigration reform, as the crisis at our border is
worsening and the need for a wall continues to get more clear. I have opposed the unethical and inefficient
program of Obamacare from the beginning and will continue to fight for its repeal. It is my honor to serve
on the Senate Judiciary Committee, as I myself went to law school, though I wasn’t the best student.
While I first was cautious of President Trump, I now understand that I had the wrong first impression of
the man, as I have since learned that he is a good friend and a great golfer!
the man, as I have since learned that he is a good friend and a great golfer!
I cannot believe the unethical shams that Democrats have inflicted on the American people in the last year.
I do my best to fight this injustice, and urge my Senate colleagues to examine their behavior before
attending committee meetings. My best friend in the Senate was John McCain, and I deeply mourn his
passing. My new best friend is Brett Kavanaugh, and I even changed my twitter profile picture to include
him in it.
I do my best to fight this injustice, and urge my Senate colleagues to examine their behavior before
attending committee meetings. My best friend in the Senate was John McCain, and I deeply mourn his
passing. My new best friend is Brett Kavanaugh, and I even changed my twitter profile picture to include
him in it.
A fun fact about me: I have never sent an email.
Thank you for your time and feel free to donate to my 2020 campaign.
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Senator Patrick Leahy currently serves as the senior senator from Vermont. Leahy grew up across the street from the State House in Montpelier, Vermont and later attended Georgetown Law School. He spent eight years as the State’s Attorney for Chittenden County and received national praise for his work. In 1975, he beat Republican George Aiken to become the first – and only – Democrat ever sent to the Senate from Vermont. Leahy has remained in office since 1975 and is the most senior senator currently in office, having served for a little more than 45 years. Leahy’s lengthy career has provided ample opportunity to serve on numerous committees. He has served for more than 40 years on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and currently serves as its Vice Chair. He is also the most senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and previously served as its chair or ranking member between 2001 and 2016.
Leahy considers himself progressive on many issues, although he is more moderate than Bernie Sanders, the other senator from Vermont. GovTrack lists Leahy as the 23rd most liberal senator. In line with Vermont attitudes on the environment, Leahy has been a strong advocate for environmental protections and sponsored legislation to preserve hundreds of thousands of acres of Vermont forest. He advocates for the agriculture and dairy industries; he has supported legislation restructuring the Department of Agriculture and providing subsidies for Vermont farmers. Leahy is also a strong human rights advocate. He pushed Congress to pass anti-landmine legislation in the 1990s and helped create the USAID-funded Leahy War Victims Fund. The fund provides approximately $14 million each year to support landmine victims around the world.
It's-a Me, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer!
Senator Charles "Chuck" Schumer is the Democratic senior senator from New York and has been the Senate Minority Leader since 2017. Senator Schumer has worked in politics since graduating from Harvard Law School in 1974. He served three terms in the New York State Assembly before winning election to the House of Representatives from New York's 9th district. In 1998, Schumer defeated Republican incumbent Al D'Amato for one of New York's two US senate seats. He served as Chair of the Senate Rules Committee from 2009 to 2015, and Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus from 2007 to 2017.
Schumer is known as a pro-Wall Street Democrat who in 2008 promised financial industry executives that the Democratic caucus would not be "a bunch of crazy, anti-business liberals." He is staunchly pro-Israel, and has received some criticism from the left for his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal and for his comments in favor of the blockade of Gaza. As Senate Minority Leader, Schumer has exercised a light touch, cutting deals with the Republican majority over judicial nominees and giving red state Democrats leeway to break with the party to protect their political fortunes.
Senator Schumer is also known to divine political positions from the advice of an imaginary middle class Long Island couple he calls the Baileys. Schumer has explained that to him, the Baileys represent the kind of moderate suburban voters that Democrats need to win elections.
Schumer is known as a pro-Wall Street Democrat who in 2008 promised financial industry executives that the Democratic caucus would not be "a bunch of crazy, anti-business liberals." He is staunchly pro-Israel, and has received some criticism from the left for his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal and for his comments in favor of the blockade of Gaza. As Senate Minority Leader, Schumer has exercised a light touch, cutting deals with the Republican majority over judicial nominees and giving red state Democrats leeway to break with the party to protect their political fortunes.
Senator Schumer is also known to divine political positions from the advice of an imaginary middle class Long Island couple he calls the Baileys. Schumer has explained that to him, the Baileys represent the kind of moderate suburban voters that Democrats need to win elections.
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