Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Attending This Year’s White House Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Washington, D.C. –  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding joining President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the Second Gentleman for the annual White House Menorah Lighting ceremony. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

This evening, it will be my honor to join the President, Vice President, First Lady, and our Second Gentleman for the annual White House Menorah Lighting ceremony.

This year, Hanukkah comes at a poignant moment not just for our country but for myself as well. I will be proud to participate at the White House as the first Jewish Majority Leader in history. I will join bearing in mind the passing of my wonderful father. And across America we observe Hanukkah after a year and a half marked by loss and then renewal.

This season is a reminder that in the face of awful adversity we cannot lose faith in God’s providence. In the face of darkness, Hanukkah teaches that rather than curse the darkness we must light a candle.

In the story of Hanukkah, the Maccabees triumphed after facing enormous adversity. This year we take heart from the lesson of that story: we too shall triumph over the challenges our country faces today.

So as we observe the fourth night of Hanukkah, I want to wish my colleagues and the American people a Happy Hanukkah and I look forward to joining the White House for tonight’s candle lighting event.

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