Swansenreport

• Role in 1986: At the time, Schumer was serving as a Democratic U.S. Representative for New York’s 10th congressional district (he held the seat from 1983 to 1992).
• Legislation Details: The Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act was not a standalone bill but Subtitle C within the broader Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 (H.R. 5484, 99th Congress). This omnibus legislation aimed to combat drug trafficking, including enhanced penalties for maritime offenses, expanded jurisdiction over vessels in international waters, and improved Coast Guard enforcement powers. It was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on October 27, 1986.
• House Passage: The bill passed the House on October 2, 1986, by a vote of 395–17 (a strong bipartisan majority). Schumer was among the overwhelming “Yes” votes, consistent with his active support for drug enforcement measures during his early congressional career. The few “No” votes primarily came from members concerned about civil liberties or overreach in federal powers.
• Senate Concurrence: The Senate agreed to the House version via voice vote on October 16, 1986, avoiding a recorded roll call.

Evidence of Support

• Historical records from VoteView (a comprehensive database of congressional roll calls) confirm Schumer’s “Yea” vote on amendments to H.R. 5484 related to drug enforcement, including provisions expanding military assistance in international drug interdiction (Roll Call 777, 99th Congress, House). This aligns with the maritime provisions.
• Post-passage statements: Schumer publicly reflected on the bill’s urgency, stating in a New York Times interview that while solutions might have been imperfect, addressing the “drug boom” was critical, emphasizing education and enforcement.
• Bipartisan Nature: The act received near-unanimous support (House: 97% yes; Senate: 98% yes on similar measures), reflecting the era’s “War on Drugs” consensus. Schumer, as a rising Democratic leader, backed it amid rising crack cocaine concerns.

This vote fits Schumer’s pattern in the 99th Congress, where he supported tough-on-crime initiatives while advocating for urban anti-drug programs in New York.