History of Jerry Nadler in Timeline

Jerrold Lewis Nadler is a Democratic politician and lawyer representing New York's 12th congressional district since 2023. He previously served in the 17th (later 8th and 10th) district after being elected to Congress in 1992. Prior to his congressional service, Nadler spent eight terms in the New York State Assembly. He is a Manhattan resident and known for his liberal political stances and being the dean of New York's U.S. House delegation.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

June 13, 1947: Jerrold Lewis Nadler Born

On June 13, 1947, Jerrold Lewis Nadler was born. He is an American lawyer and politician from New York.

1964: The Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 was active.

1965: Graduated from Stuyvesant High School

In 1965, Nadler graduated from Stuyvesant High School. During his time there, he was on the debate team with future philosopher of science Alexander Rosenberg, and Dick Morris managed his campaign for student government president.

1969: Received B.A. from Columbia University

In 1969, Nadler received his B.A. from Columbia University, where he became a brother of Alpha Epsilon Pi.

1970: Worked at Corporation Trust Company

In 1970, after graduating, Nadler began working as a legal assistant and clerk at Corporation Trust Company.

1971: Worked at Morris, Levin and Shein law firm

In 1971, Nadler continued his career as a legal assistant and clerk, working at the Morris, Levin and Shein law firm.

1972: Legislative Assistant in the New York State Assembly

In 1972, Nadler worked as a legislative assistant in the New York State Assembly before transitioning to the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation.

1976: Law Clerk at Morgan, Finnegan, Pine, Foley and Lee

In 1976, Nadler became a law clerk with Morgan, Finnegan, Pine, Foley and Lee.

1976: Married Josephine Langsdorr "Joyce" Miller

In 1976, Nadler married Josephine Langsdorr "Joyce" Miller.

1976: Elected to the New York State Assembly

In 1976, while attending evening courses at Fordham University School of Law, Nadler was elected to the New York State Assembly.

1977: Member of New York State Assembly

From 1977, Nadler was a member of the New York State Assembly.

1978: Completed J.D. at Fordham

In 1978, Nadler completed his J.D. at Fordham University School of Law.

1985: Lost Election for Manhattan Borough President

In 1985, Nadler ran for Manhattan Borough President, losing in the Democratic primary to David Dinkins and again in the general election as the New York Liberal Party nominee.

1989: Lost Election for New York City Comptroller

In 1989, Nadler ran for New York City Comptroller but lost in the Democratic primary to Elizabeth Holtzman.

1990: U.S. Census

In 1990 the U.S. Census took place.

1992: End of time as Member of New York State Assembly

In 1992, Nadler ended his tenure as a member of the New York State Assembly.

1992: First Elected to Congress

In 1992, Nadler was first elected to Congress representing New York's 17th congressional district.

1992: Elected to Congress Following Ted Weiss's Death

In 1992, following the death of Democratic representative Ted Weiss, Nadler was nominated to replace Weiss and won two elections on Election Day: a special election to serve the rest of Weiss's term and a regular election for a full term.

1993: District Renumbered

In 1993, Nadler's congressional district, previously the 17th, was renumbered as the 8th district.

2002: Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch Surgery

In 2002, Nadler had laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery.

2003: Continued Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch Surgery

In 2003, Nadler continued with laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery, ultimately losing more than 100 pounds.

2004: Sponsored Freedom of Choice Act

In 2004, Nadler sponsored the Freedom of Choice Act.

2007: No Hearings on Bush or Cheney Impeachments

Despite earlier efforts and requests, Nadler did not schedule hearings on impeachments for George W. Bush or Dick Cheney in 2007, citing that it would be pointless and distract from the presidential election.

2007: Sponsored Freedom of Choice Act

In 2007, Nadler sponsored the Freedom of Choice Act.

July 15, 2008: Endorsed Barack Obama

In a Washington Journal interview on July 15, 2008, Nadler reiterated the timing argument against impeachment and endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, expressing that electing an honest candidate would create a greater chance of prosecuting those in the Bush administration who had committed war crimes.

2008: Unhappy with FISA Amendments Act

In 2008, Nadler expressed unhappiness with the passage of the surveillance-reform compromise bill, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, stating that it abandons constitutional protections.

September 15, 2009: Introduced Respect for Marriage Act

On September 15, 2009, Nadler and two other representatives introduced the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and require federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

2013: Living in Lincoln Square

As of 2013, Nadler and his wife lived in Lincoln Square on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

2013: District Renumbered Again

In 2013, Nadler's district was renumbered again, this time as the 10th district.

2015: Voted to Support Iran Sanctions Agreement

In 2015, Nadler voted to support an agreement to lift economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for Iran's compliance with the terms of the agreement which called for substantial dismantling and scaling back of their nuclear program.

December 2017: Statement on Jerusalem as Capital of Israel

In December 2017, regarding Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Nadler acknowledged Jerusalem's historical significance but expressed concern about the timing and circumstances of the decision.

2018: Only Member of Congress with Yeshiva Education

As of 2018, Nadler was noted as the only member of Congress with a yeshiva education, reflecting on his youth attending Crown Heights Yeshiva.

March 2019: Comments on Trump's National Emergency Declaration

In March 2019, as the House debated President Trump's veto of a measure unwinding his declaration of a national emergency at the southern border, Nadler criticized the president's actions as unlawful and irresponsible.

July 2019: Introduced the MORE Act

In July 2019, Nadler introduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act to legalize cannabis at the federal level by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act.

September 24, 2019: Proposed Resolution to Remove Nadler

On September 24, 2019, Representative Lance Gooden proposed a resolution to remove Nadler from his position as chair of the House Judiciary committee, accusing him of unlawfully beginning impeachment proceedings before authorization.

November 2019: MORE Act Passed House Judiciary Committee

In November 2019, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act passed the House Judiciary Committee by a 24–10 vote.

2019: Chaired the House Judiciary Committee

From 2019, Nadler chaired the House Judiciary Committee.

2019: Supported the Equality Act

In 2019, Nadler supported the Equality Act, a bill to expand the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

2020: Primary Challenge from Lindsey Boylan

In 2020, Nadler faced a primary challenge from activist Lindsey Boylan. It was the first time in his tenure that Nadler received less than 75% of the vote.

2020: Praised Judge's Ruling on Luxury High-Rise

In 2020, Nadler praised a judge for a ruling that could lead to the removal of 20 or more stories in an already-constructed 52-story luxury high-rise building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

April 2022: MORE Act Passed the House

In April 2022, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act passed the full House of Representatives by a 228–164 vote.

2022: Defeated Carolyn Maloney in Primary

In 2022, Nadler defeated Carolyn Maloney in a three-way Democratic primary with 56% of the vote. Both Nadler and Maloney were drawn into the newly-drawn 12th district during redistricting. Nadler won the 2022 general election in the 12th district as well.

April 2023: Co-sponsored H.Res.319

In April 2023, Nadler was one of the 95 co-sponsors of H.Res.319, which calls for the creation of a Green New Deal.

2023: District included Manhattan's west side

From 2013 to 2023, the 10th district included Manhattan's west side from the Upper West Side down to Battery Park, including the World Trade Center; the Manhattan neighborhoods of Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen and Greenwich Village; and parts of Brooklyn, such as Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Borough Park, and Bay Ridge.