History of Jerry Nadler in Timeline
Jerrold Nadler is a Democratic politician and lawyer serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 12th congressional district since 2023. His district covers central Manhattan. First elected to Congress in 1992, he previously represented districts 8 and 10. Nadler chaired the House Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2023 and is currently the dean of New York's U.S. House delegation. Before his congressional career, he served eight terms in the New York State Assembly.
June 13, 1947: Birth of Jerrold Lewis Nadler
Jerrold Lewis Nadler was born on June 13, 1947.
1964: Passage of the Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act, a landmark piece of legislation in the United States, was passed in 1964.
1965: Nadler Graduates High School
In 1965, Nadler graduated from Stuyvesant High School.
1969: Nadler Graduates from Columbia University
In 1969, Nadler graduated from Columbia University.
1970: Nadler Works as a Legal Assistant
Nadler starts working as a legal assistant at Corporation Trust Company in 1970.
1971: Nadler Continues Legal Work
Nadler continued his work in the legal field in 1971, this time as a clerk at the law firm Morris, Levin and Shein.
1972: Nadler Serves as Legislative Assistant in New York State Assembly
In 1972, Nadler took on the role of a legislative assistant in the New York State Assembly.
1976: Nadler Marries Josephine Langsdorr Miller
Jerry Nadler married Josephine Langsdorr "Joyce" Miller in 1976.
1976: Nadler Becomes a Law Clerk
Nadler took on the role of a law clerk at Morgan, Finnegan, Pine, Foley and Lee in 1976.
1976: Nadler's Election to the New York State Assembly
While attending law school, Nadler was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1976.
1977: Nadler's Tenure as a New York State Assembly Member
Nadler served in the New York State Assembly from 1977 to 1992.
1978: Nadler Earns Law Degree from Fordham University
Nadler received his law degree from Fordham University in 1978.
1985: Nadler's Unsuccessful Run for Manhattan Borough President
In 1985, Nadler ran for the position of Manhattan Borough President but was defeated in both the Democratic primary and the general election.
1989: Nadler's Unsuccessful Bid for NYC Comptroller
In 1989, Nadler attempted to become the New York City Comptroller. However, he lost in the Democratic primary.
1990: Census Leads to Congressional District Renumbering
The 1990 U.S. Census resulted in the renumbering of congressional districts, impacting Nadler's district.
1992: Nadler's Election to Congress
In 1992, Nadler was elected to Congress, replacing the late Representative Ted Weiss. He won both a special election and a regular election to represent New York's 8th congressional district.
1992: Nadler's Election to Congress
In 1992, Nadler was elected to Congress, representing New York's 8th congressional district after the death of the incumbent.
1992: Nadler's Tenure as a New York State Assembly Member Ends
Nadler served in the New York State Assembly from 1977 to 1992.
1993: Redistricting Changes Nadler's District Number to the 8th
In 1993, Nadler's congressional district was renumbered from the 17th to the 8th.
2002: Nadler Undergoes Weight Loss Surgery
In 2002, Congressman Nadler began his weight loss journey by undergoing laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery.
2003: Nadler Loses Over 100 Pounds After Surgery
By 2003, Congressman Nadler had lost over 100 pounds (45 kg) following his laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery.
2004: Nadler Sponsors Freedom of Choice Act
Nadler first sponsored the Freedom of Choice Act in 2004.
2007: Nadler Opposes Impeachment of Bush and Cheney
In 2007, Nadler opposed calls to impeach President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, believing it would be ineffective and divert attention from the presidential election.
2007: Nadler Sponsors Freedom of Choice Act
Nadler sponsored the Freedom of Choice Act again in 2007.
July 15, 2008: Nadler Reiterates Stance on Impeachment and Endorses Obama
On July 15, 2008, Nadler reiterated his stance against impeaching President Bush, arguing that it would be futile and distracting from the upcoming presidential election. He also endorsed Barack Obama for president.
2008: Nadler Criticizes FISA Amendments Act
In 2008, Nadler expressed his dissatisfaction with the passage of the FISA Amendments Act, a surveillance-reform compromise bill that he believed undermined constitutional protections and shielded illegal activities from legal scrutiny.
September 15, 2009: Nadler Introduces Respect for Marriage Act
On September 15, 2009, Nadler, alongside two other representatives, introduced the Respect for Marriage Act. This bill aimed to nullify the Defense of Marriage Act and mandate federal recognition of same-sex marriages.
2009: Nadler Considers Reintroducing Freedom of Choice Act
In 2009, Nadler hinted at the possibility of reintroducing the Freedom of Choice Act.
2010: Census Results in District Renumbering
Following the 2010 Census, Nadler's district was renumbered to the 10th district.
2013: Nadler and Wife Reside in Lincoln Square
As of 2013, Jerry Nadler and his wife, Josephine, were living in Lincoln Square.
2013: Nadler's District Renumbered to the 10th
Following the 2010 Census, Nadler's district was renumbered again, becoming the 10th district from 2013 onward.
2013: Nadler Represents New York's 10th Congressional District
From 2013 to 2023, Nadler represented New York's 10th congressional district, encompassing parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
2015: Nadler Votes in Favor of Iran Nuclear Deal
In 2015, Nadler voted to support an agreement that would lift economic sanctions imposed on Iran. This agreement hinged on Iran's adherence to the terms outlined in the deal, which stipulated a significant dismantling and reduction of their nuclear program.
December 2017: Nadler Comments on Trump's Jerusalem Decision
In December 2017, Congressman Nadler expressed his concern over President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. While Nadler acknowledged the historical significance of Jerusalem to the Jewish people and supported the eventual relocation of the U.S. Embassy there, he found the timing and circumstances surrounding the decision "deeply worrying."
March 2019: Nadler Challenges Trump's National Emergency Declaration
In March 2019, during a House debate regarding President Trump's veto of a measure aimed at overturning his declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, Nadler strongly criticized Trump's actions, deeming them unlawful and irresponsible. He emphasized the principle that the executive branch cannot unilaterally allocate taxpayer funds without legislative approval.
July 2019: Nadler Introduces MORE Act
In July 2019, Congressman Nadler introduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, aimed at legalizing cannabis at the federal level. He argued that marijuana use should be considered a matter of personal choice and public health rather than criminal behavior.
September 24, 2019: Resolution to Remove Nadler as Judiciary Chair
On September 24, 2019, Representative Lance Gooden introduced a resolution to remove Nadler from his position as chair of the House Judiciary Committee, alleging that he had initiated impeachment proceedings against President Trump unlawfully.
November 2019: MORE Act Passes House Judiciary Committee
In November 2019, the MORE Act, introduced by Congressman Nadler, made history by becoming the first bill to end cannabis prohibition to be approved by a congressional committee.
2019: Nadler Becomes Chair of the House Judiciary Committee
Jerrold Nadler served as the chair of the House Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2023.
2019: Nadler Supports Equality Act
In 2019, Nadler showed his support for the Equality Act, a bill seeking to broaden the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. The goal was to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
2020: Nadler Supports Ruling on Upper West Side High-Rise
In 2020, Congressman Nadler showed his support for a judge's ruling that could potentially lead to the removal of multiple stories from an already built luxury high-rise in New York City's Upper West Side. The judge deemed the building permit issued to the developer as incorrect, a decision praised by Nadler.
2020: Nadler Faces Primary Challenge
In 2020, Nadler faced a significant primary challenge from activist Lindsey Boylan, marking the first time he received less than 75% of the vote in an election.
April 2022: MORE Act Passes House of Representatives
In April 2022, Congressman Nadler's MORE Act, aiming to decriminalize cannabis at the federal level, was passed by the full House of Representatives.
2022: Nadler Wins Democratic Primary
In 2022, Nadler won the Democratic primary for the newly drawn 12th congressional district, defeating his House colleague Carolyn Maloney.
April 2023: Nadler Cosponsors Green New Deal Resolution
In April 2023, Congressman Nadler joined 94 other cosponsors in supporting H.Res.319, a resolution calling for the creation of a Green New Deal.
2023: Nadler's Representation of the 10th District Ends
From 2013 to 2023, Nadler represented New York's 10th congressional district, encompassing parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
2023: Nadler Votes Against Fiscal Responsibility Act
In 2023, Congressman Nadler was among the 46 Democrats who voted against the final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
2023: Nadler Begins Representing New York's 12th Congressional District
Since 2023, Jerrold Nadler has served as the U.S. representative for New York's 12th congressional district, which encompasses central Manhattan.
July 7, 2024: Nadler Expresses Interest in Biden Stepping Down
On July 7, 2024, it was reported that during a call with committee leaders organized by Hakeem Jeffries, Congressman Nadler expressed his interest in seeing President Biden drop out of the presidential race.
July 9, 2024: Nadler Backs Biden After Meeting
Following a meeting with fellow Democrats on July 9, 2024, Congressman Nadler publicly declared his "enthusiastic" support for President Biden's re-election campaign.