During Hagel’s 12 years in the Senate, Jewish communities from his home state of Nebraska were turned down when they wanted to meet with him. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, anti Semitism was rising in Russia. The senate drafted a letter to then Russian President, Boris Yeltsin, requesting him to reign in on anti-Semitism. The letter was signed by 99 senators, with only 1 exception: Chuck Hagel.
It’s clear that Schumer realizes that he has nothing to lose here, as the Jewish establishment will support him no matter what.