He discussed bipartisan leadership, federal budgets, student debt, immigration reform and jobs during his visit as part of the McConnell Center’s Distinguished Speaker Series.

Schumer, D-NY, said he supports programs that take aim against high levels of student debt and would like to see lower interest rates for student loans. He also said he believes in strong support of colleges and universities, especially as the nation continues to move toward an “ideas” economy.

“A focus on higher education is needed more than ever before,” Schumer said. “It is our future.”

Schumer also delivered a surprise to UofL sophomore Jasper Noble when he announced that Noble was selected to be an intern in the Democratic leader’s office over the summer. Noble is a majoring in political science, history and philosophy.

Introduced to an audience of nearly 400 by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Schumer stressed that the two party leaders “can and do work together” to tackle important issues. He cited the Feb. 7 two-year bipartisan budget as a good example of how he and McConnell have recently worked together.

“We try our best to understand each other; to be honest and respectful,” Schumer said.

In his introduction of Schumer, McConnell shared similar thoughts about bipartisan problem solving. “Washington may look like a pretty divided place but, actually, the Senate is a pretty collegial place,” McConnell said.

This is the second time the McConnell Center has had both Senate leaders on the stage, said Gary Gregg, who directs the Center. The last time was in 2007 when former Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was a McConnell Center guest.

The Center has hosted many political leaders since 1993. Past speakers include U.S. President George W. Bush; U.S. Secretarys of State Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell; Senators Ted Kennedy, John McCain, Marco Rubio and many others.

In addition to giving a public talk, guests who come to UofL as part of the center’s Distinguished Speaker Series meet privately with UofL students who are part of the McConnell Scholars program.

Check out video from Schumer’s talk below: 

Schumer, D-N.Y., will follow up his speech by taking questions from the audience. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will introduce him.

“We are honored to host Sen. Schumer,” said Gary Gregg, McConnell Center director. “During such a time of partisan strife in this country, what a remarkable chance we will have to see and hear from the two party leaders together on the same stage.”

Gregg said this is the second time the center has had both Senate leaders on the stage. The last time was in 2007 when former Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was a McConnell Center guest.

Schumer’s speech will be at 9 a.m. in Bigelow Hall, Miller Information Technology Center. Those wishing to attend . Tickets are nontransferable and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are required for entry with photo IDs that match each name requested. The event will also be .

Schumer was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998. After his 2004 re-election, he secured a seat on the Senate Finance Committee and the chairmanship of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, leading the DSCC for two cycles. After the 2006 elections, Reid appointed him vice chair of the Democratic Conference. After Schumer’s 2016 re-election, his colleagues elected him to serve as the Democratic Caucus leader, marking the first time a New York senator had that position.