New York Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer blew through Manhattan’s oldest Irish tavern happier than a college freshman at his first keg party.
Gushing with enthusiasm, Schumer repeatedly wished the McSorley’s crowd, “Happy St. Patrick’s Day month!”
Below you’ll find him snapchatting with some new friends:
Amid several rounds of “light” beer (Schumer preferred “light” to the bar’s only other option, “dark”) the senator sat down with CNN to discuss his love for the Irish, St. Patrick’s Day and the certainty of immigration reform in 2017.
As a Jewish American, Schumer was awarded Brooklyn’s ‘Hibernian man of the Year” in the early 1980s for his support of Irish immigrants.
“Only in America could the Hibernian man of the year be given to Chuck Schumer!” he proudly quipped.
The senator also added a provision to the Senate’s comprehensive immigration reform bill he helped author to change a 1965 immigration law that restricts visas for European nationals. The change would make 10,500 renewable visas available to Irish immigrants each year.
“I love the Irish!” Schumer exclaimed, pausing to cheers the owner of ale house. “They are a people-loving people.”
According to the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, there are roughly 15,000 undocumented Irish immigrants living in the greater New York City area, and 50,000-60,000 nationwide.
Schumer’s bipartisan immigration bill with Republican Sen. John McCain charged through the Senate in 2013 — but in the House? Not so much.
When asked what he says to Republican House Leader John Boehner — who declined to bring the measure to a vote in the House — Schumer said, “I say to [him] that if you love America, you will pass this bill.”
It’s obvious his fight for his bill is not over.
House Republicans, on the other hand, are in an immigration reform battle of their own, trying to stop President Barack Obama’s executive action on immigration. Among other changes, will offer work authorization to up to 4 million undocumented parents of U.S. citizens, as long as they have lived in the U.S. for five years or longer.
But in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day — or “month” — Schumer eventually took command of the bar, learning how to pour and serve multiple beers with techniques special to McSorley’s.
Unlike most bars, the historic pub can pour eight beers at a time with just one hand. Schumer, who admitted to never pouring beer behind a bar before, struggled on his first few pours…
….but he did eventually filled four glasses (er … mostly with foam) in one attempt.
He also proudly held eight glasses with one hand.
“Eight! Eight! Alright!” he yelled across the bar.
While Schumer did get behind the bar, it wasn’t all fun and games. His stern assurance that immigration reform will be a success of 2017 seemed more than just hyperbole. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
In the meantime, cheers.