Every year, Chuck commits to traveling to all62 counties in New York to meet with constituents.
On May 24, 2023, doubling down on years of relentless advocacy, Senator Schumer rallied with major healthcare and hospital leaders from across the Capital Region and revealed his new efforts to call on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to finalize the recent proposed rules change that would have a massive nearly $200 million yearly impact on hospitals across the Capital Region. In a personal letter to CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure, Schumer detailed how Capital Region hospital leaders have experienced the brunt of being shortchanged for years. Schumer broke down how changing the Medicare Wage Index payments will be game changing for hospitals in the Capital Region and across Upstate NY which could see nearly $1 billion in additional payments every single year.
On May 24, 2023 standing at Cayuga Milk Ingredients, in the heart of Upstate New York’s dairy country, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed that the vital Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program Central New York dairy farmers rely on is in limbo as the program is set to expire, which could have farmers facing a “dairy cliff,’ – an outcome that could double wallop farmers and consumers.
Schumer explained that the 2018 Farm Bill enacted the DMC, which gives offers monthly price support payments from the feds to dairy farmers, will end in September and if no action is taken would lead to less support for our farmers, severe supply chain disruptions and an increase in the price of milk.
Schumer is now launching a new push to protect this program, as Congress begins negotiations for this year’s farm bill, to ensure Upstate New York dairy farmers have the support and safety net they need.
On May 13, 2023 U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer attended SUNY Cortland's 2023 Commencement.
On May 13th, 2023, Senator Schumer attended the University at Albany's 2023 Commencement.
On May 8th, 2023, following his successful efforts to secure an $11.3 million grant for Livingston County from the USDA’s Broadband ReConnect Program, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced the launch of the county’s ‘Light Up Livingston’ initiative, which will provide high-speed internet access to over 1,000 Livingston addresses. Empire Access, a family-owned telecom provider based in Prattsburgh, NY, is partnering with Livingston County to build out the new infrastructure. Specifically, the grant will enable the deployment of a fiber-to-the-premises network to reach thousands of residents, including 96 farms and 22 businesses in Livingston County, New York.
On May 8th, 2023, standing in Upper Falls, a neighborhood with some of lowest tree cover in Rochester, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer launched a major new push to help Rochester become one of the first in the nation to tap the historic funding provided for USDA’s Urban and Community Forestry Program to plant over 6,000 new trees across the city.
On April 10, 2023, at Troy High School, after a terrifying wave of 36 ‘swatting’ incidents across New York falsely reporting a mass shooting spurred police to respond to 226 schools, Senator Schumer said he is demanding the FBI launch a full investigation into this latest unprecedented wave and launching his push for more resources to crack down on “swatting.” Schumer said these hoax calls directly hit Troy High, East Greenbush CSD, La Salle Institute and Schodack schools in Rensselaer County, terrifying students, teachers, and parents, and that the feds need to step up to hold criminals accountable and curb attacks like this.
On April 10th, 2023, standing at the Cold Spring Fire Company with local fire chiefs and officials, with the main federal firefighter funding programs – the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program – at risk of being totally eliminated this year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today revealed his plan to rally support to pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023 in the Senate by the end of this month to save these programs that have provided $23 million to Hudson Valley firefighters in the past three years alone.
On April 10, 2023, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, along with Micron and the National Science Foundation announced the formation of the Northeast University Semiconductor Network, a groundbreaking initiative bringing together 20+ universities to form a training pipeline to build the future of the semiconductor industry in Central New York. Following his personal invitation, Schumer also brought one of the federal government’s top science officials, Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), to meet with local stakeholder to plan and prepare Central New York’s workforce to build the future of technology. Schumer explained that his CHIPS and Science Act authorizes billions in new investment for the NSF’s STEM workforce training and education programs, and the senator wants those federal dollars to be used to prepare the next generation of workers for the thousands of good-paying construction, manufacturing, and innovation jobs on the horizon.
On April 7, 2023, standing with the backdrop of a local bakery, a dry cleaner, pasta shop, a grocer, a hairdresser, many neighbors, elected officials and public safety professionals, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said South Utica and New Hartford residents and small business owners are at wit’s end, plagued by a Verizon cell phone dead zone that stretches wide in the middle of a major upstate city and impedes them from making calls, taking mobile payments and could even risk public safety. Schumer is publicly calling on Verizon to do three things: 1) investigate the problem 2) meet with local officials and 3) come up with a plan to fix the problem ASAP.
On April 7, 2023, standing at the City of Norwich Fire Department, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed his plan to rally support to pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023 in the Senate by the end of this month to save both the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program. Senator Schumer also announced that the Village of Oxford Fire Department has been awarded a $226,200 SAFER grant to support recruitment and retention activities. Senator Schumer said, \"I’ve fought my whole career to bring more support to our brave firefighters, every day they save lives and I promise that I will not stop holding congressional feet to the fire until we pass this bill and save this federal lifeline for our New York fire departments and first responders.\"
On April 7th, 2023, standing along the Norfolk Southern line in Attica, NY which has already had a destructive train derailment in 2018, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said key new legislation, the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023 is full steam ahead. Building on Schumer’s direct calls to railroads last month to get answers from railroads on how they can better improve safety in Upstate New York, the senator details how this bill will help create new rail safety protocols, hold railroads accountable for malfeasance, and increase transparency of trains carrying hazardous materials which is critical for hubs of freight rail activity like Western New York.
Standing at Lockport High School, after a terrifying wave of 36 ‘swatting’ incidents across New York falsely reporting a mass shooting spurred police to respond to 226 schools, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said he is demanding the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launch a full investigation into this latest unprecedented wave and launching his push for more resources to crack down on “swatting.” Schumer said these hoax calls most recently hit South Park High School in South Buffalo and Lockport High School in Niagara County, terrifying students, teachers, and parents, and that the feds need to step up to hold criminals accountable and curb attacks like this. First, Schumer revealed that he has personally called and written to the FBI to emphasize the need for a full investigation working with New York State Police to get answers and hold those responsible accountable. Second, the senator said that we need to supercharge our federal cyber investigative capabilities to stop threats like this, and said he is now launching a push for over $10 million for the FBI to specifically tackle the growing problem of swatting. Third, Schumer said with this style of attack growing, including potentially from foreign actors, it is imperative that the FBI start tracking “swatting” incidents as its own crime and issue a report so that the dangers and pervasiveness of these attacks can be properly assessed so they can be curbed going forward.
On April 6, 2023, standing alongside the Jericho School District Superintendent and the President of the district’s Board of Education, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer demanded that the FBI launch a full investigation into the recent increases in “swatting” incidents on Long Island and across New York. Senator Schumer explained the growing issue that involves misleading phone calls or false reports being made with the intention to evoke a police or SWAT team response to an unsuspecting home, public place, or school. The Senator stressed that this problematic trend impacts school districts significantly, highlighting that in a single day, March 30, 2023, swatting attacks, such as false mass shooting reports and bomb threats, caused the police to respond to 220 schools across the state. Schumer stressed that the issue not only drains first responder resources, it also causes deep psychological stress on children and parents, citing conversations with traumatized children who feared for their lives because of these threats. To combat these attacks, the Senator called for the supercharging of the FBI’s Criminal Division, pushing the FBI to work closely with New York State Police to hold the individuals involved accountable, investigate potential foreign actors engaging in these attacks and start tracking “swatting” incidents as their own crime category. The Senator also announced his public campaign to secure an additional $10 million in FBI funding to specifically prevent and address swatting. Superintendent, Dr. Hank Grishman, thanked Schumer for his tireless efforts to ensure schools are safe and free from the fear and anxiety that result from hoax 911 calls.
On April 5th, 2023, standing at Brockport High School, after a terrifying wave of 36 ‘swatting’ incidents across New York falsely reporting a mass shooting spurred police to respond to 226 schools, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said he is demanding the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launch a full investigation into this latest unprecedented wave and launching his push for more resources to crack down on “swatting.” Schumer said these hoax calls directly hit both Brighton, Brockport High Schools, and most recently Spencerport Schools in Monroe County, terrifying students, teachers, and parents, and that the feds need to step up to hold criminals accountable and curb attacks like this.
On April 4, 2023, standing at Fulton Junior High School, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer revealed that a new #1 and disposable made-in-China e-cig, the “Elf Bar,” is spreading in Fulton schools and across Central NY and will likely continue to rise if federal action is not taken. Schumer said, “If left unchecked, this highly-addictive and health-damaging Elf Bar, that is targeting teens and kids, could become the next Juul, but even worse — because of its shoddy manufacturing and its commonly mislabeled nicotine levels.” Schumer pointed out that the product is manufactured in China, which has lower product safety and consumer protection standards. In response to this escalating regional epidemic, Schumer said the FDA must immediately investigate Elf Bar, its advertising model and the ‘workaround’ disposable e-cigs have found to evade federal rules and stay on shelves. Schumer said he has given the FDA the tools it needs to take on Elf Bar over the years, including last year, passing a law enabling the FDA to regulate synthetic nicotine. He said that the FDA must use its full authority to investigate and take action against Elf Bar and be prepared to ban it from the market. Schumer also detailed other Central NY data as he made his case for immediate action on Elf Bar and its health dangers to kids.
On April 4, 2023, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer brought U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Under Secretary Carlos Monje Jr. to Alstom’s Hornell Facility to show the Biden Administration firsthand how Southern Tier workers are primed to lead the future of American trains. Senator Schumer explained that in addition to the major investments to improve America’s rail in the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, he also fought to strengthen Buy America requirements for infrastructure projects, a game-changer for companies like Alstom, one of the few domestic manufactures of rail cars in the U.S. Senator Schumer has a long history of fighting for growth at Alstom's Hornell Facility, and will continue to push to deliver more work to maintain existing and create new good-paying manufacturing jobs in the Southern Tier.
On April 4, 2023, standing at the Glens Falls Fire Station, with the main federal firefighter funding programs – the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program – at risk of being totally eliminated this year, Senator Schumer revealed his plan to rally support to pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023 in the Senate by the end of the month to save these programs.
On March 27, 2023, standing at the East Willison Fire Department alongside a bipartisan group of elected officials, firefighters, and public safety advocates, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer sounded the alarm on the risk of federal funding for life-saving firefighter equipment purchases and upgrades running out by the end of the year. Senator Schumer highlighted how without federal funding, the East Williston fire department and fire departments all over Long Island will be unable to afford essential, yet expensive equipment, drawing attention to the $200,000 East Williston needs for new breathing apparatuses. To ensure fire departments have the technology they need to save lives and that local budgets are not erroneously overburdened, Schumer announced his plans to introduce the “Fire Grants and Safety Act,” which would reauthorize the U.S. Fire Administration, the Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG), and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program. These pivotal FEMA programs, which the Senator originally spearheaded in 1999, have delivered nearly $700 million in federal funding to support New York first responders. Schumer committed to tirelessly advocating in Congress that these funding lifelines to Long Island’s firehouses are not eliminated, applauding the work local firefighters who effectively used their resources and tools to control recent fires in the villages of Great Neck and Flower Hill, New York.
Om March 20th, 2023, standing with local law enforcement and health leaders in Macedon, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed his three-pronged plan to combat the horrific rise in Xylazine, a deadly, skin-rotting zombie drug, also known as ‘Tranq,’ that is fueling a new wave of overdoses and deaths heading towards Rochester and spreading across the Finger Lakes. Schumer explained that Upstate communities cannot fight the scourge of this dangerous drug on streets alone and is calling for a major boost in federal support to combat drug trafficking and this public health crisis.
On March 20, 2023, standing with local law enforcement and health leaders at the Schenectady Fire Station, Senator Schumer revealed his three-pronged plan to combat the horrific rise in Xylazine, a deadly, skin-rotting zombie drug, also known as ‘Tranq,’ that is fueling a new wave of overdoses and deaths heading towards Schenectady and spreading across the Capital Region. Schumer explained that Upstate communities cannot fight the scourge of this dangerous drug on streets alone and is calling for a major boost in federal support to combat drug trafficking and this public health crisis.
On March 17, 2023, standing with local law enforcement and health leaders, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed his three-pronged plan to combat the horrific rise in Xylazine, a deadly, skin-rotting zombie drug, also known as ‘Tranq,’ that is fueling a new wave of overdoses and deaths heading towards Watertown and spreading across the North Country. Schumer explained that Upstate communities cannot fight the scourge of this dangerous drug on streets alone and is calling for a major boost in federal support to combat drug trafficking and this public health crisis.
First, Schumer said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) needs to accelerate its operations to track down illicit sources of Xylazine that are plaguing Northeast, and Upstate New York in particular, to cut off supply that is flooding New York streets. Second, the senator detailed his new push to supercharge the federal COPS Hiring Program with nearly $537 million in new funds to help stop drug trafficking in its tracks. Third, Schumer said we need an all of the above approach to treat the overdose crisis, and said he is calling for new boosts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) appropriations, including grants that can be used to fund testing infrastructure for xylazine.
On March 17, 2023, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer convened a roundtable at the Tioga County Department of Economic Development & Planning in Owego to discuss local community development challenges and opportunities. Local officials described infrastructure needs, efforts to support the growth of small businesses, and other ongoing economic development initiatives. Senator Schumer shared information about the landmark legislation he has led to passage, including federal funding programs available to support these local efforts.
On March 17, 2023, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced he personally secured a major federal investment of $750,000 to expand access to affordable childcare to hundreds of families in Broome County. Senator Schumer said this funding will go directly to tackling childcare deserts in the Greater Binghamton area by helping the Broome County Urban League renovate their facilities and strengthen their programming to create up to 475 new slots for daycare, toddler, and afterschool childcare. Senator Schumer explained that access to affordable childcare is directly tied to the community’s workforce development, and that this major federal investment he secured will help hundreds of families and boost the local economy by supporting professionals employed in industries that may require non-traditional work schedules such as manufacturing, healthcare, and education.
On March 17th 2023, following his successful push to secure $55 million for the redesign of Buffalo’s Kensington Expressway from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act’s Reconnecting Communities Program, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer brought Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to Buffalo to see firsthand how the proposed Kensington Expressway transformation can serve as a national model and meet with community members. With Buffalo among the first in the nation to tap this historic funding from the Reconnecting Communities program, Schumer said that Buttigieg’s visit marked a very significant step forward for the effort to rectify the division, public health damage and inequality created by the original expressway through adjacent communities.
On March 10, 2023, standing with Central NY law enforcement and health leaders, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed his three-pronged plan to combat the horrific rise in Xylazine, a deadly, skin-rotting zombie drug, also known as ‘Tranq,’ that is fueling a new wave of overdoses and deaths in Cortland, Onondaga, and across Central New York. Schumer explained that Upstate communities cannot fight the scourge of this dangerous drug on streets alone and is calling for a major boost in federal support to combat drug trafficking and this public health crisis.
First, Schumer said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) needs to accelerate its operations to track down illicit sources of Xylazine that are plaguing Northeast, and Upstate New York in particular, to cut off supply that is flooding New York streets.
Second, the senator detailed his new push to supercharge the federal COPS Hiring Program with nearly $537 million in new funds to help stop drug trafficking in its tracks.
Third, Schumer said we need an all of the above approach to treat the overdose crisis, and said he is calling for new boosts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) appropriations, including grants that can be used to fund testing infrastructure for xylazine.
On March 10th 2023, standing in Monticello, New York, with the Sullivan County Drug Task Force and local law enforcement officials to continue his long-standing advocacy to combat the overdose epidemic in Sullivan County. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today doubled down on his all-out push to secure Sullivan County a federal High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) designation. Despite having the highest per capita fatal drug overdose rate in New York, with 218 overdose incidents last year, including 24 incidents that were deadly, Sullivan is the only county in the Hudson Valley without that isn’t included in the New York/New Jersey HIDTA zone. The senator explained that access to these invaluable federal resources will help local law enforcement combat the opioid epidemic through increased federal support in their efforts to stop dangerous drug trafficking.
On March 10, 2023, Senator Schumer served as the keynote speaker at the swearing in of Capital Region native, Anne Nardacci, to the federal bench. Marking a historic achievement for the bench, Ms. Nardacci’s swearing in ceremony made the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York a majority-women bench among full time judges for the first time ever. Ms. Nardacci was personally recommended to President Biden by Schumer, and following her nomination to the federal district court, the senator also personally introduced Judge Nardacci to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
On March 6,2023, standing near the freight rail tracks in Syracuse's Armory Square, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer launched his two-track plan to get railroads to increase transparency, boost rail safety, and demand answers on the steps railroads are taking to keep Syracuse and Upstate communities safe amid growing concern from national rail accidents.
Schumer, a longtime champion of rail safety who led the charge to get rid of the dangerous crude oil-carrying DOT-111 train cars, that frequented Syracuse, said it is time for immediate action on train cars carrying hazardous materials and ensuring locals have proactive and detailed sharing of information about trains carrying hazardous materials through their communities.
First, the senator revealed a letter to the major railroad companies demanding answers on the actions they are taking to prevent an accident, like what happened in Ohio, from occurring in Upstate New York.
Second, Schumer said he is guiding the Senate to move full steam ahead and support the new bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023 to create new rail safety protocols, hold railroads accountable for malfeasance, and increase transparency of trains carrying hazardous materials in places like Syracuse and across America.
On March 6, 2023, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, standing at the Elmira Fire Department, demanded railroads increase transparency and add new safety protocols to keep hubs for freight rail like Upstate New York safe. Senator Schumer revealed he wrote a letter to Norfolk Southern and other major rail companies demanding answers on the actions they are taking to prevent an accident like what happened in Ohio from occurring in Upstate New York. In addition, Senator Schumer said he is guiding the Senate to move full steam ahead with the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023 to create new rail safety protocols, hold railroads accountable for malfeasance, and increase transparency of trains carrying hazardous materials for places like the Southern Tier and across America.
Standing with law enforcement and recent car-jacking victims at the Buffalo Police Headquarters, Senator Schumer calls on Feds to get involved and demands Kia and Hyundai to give upstate communities the help they need now. Schumer says that Kia and Hyundai need to make safety installation kits free, provide steering wheel locks, and get universal software fix out ASAP, “Enough is enough. Over 350 of these too-easy-to-steal Kia and Hyundai cars have been stolen in just the past two months in Buffalo, and hundreds more across Upstate New York. We need the feds to get answers on how these cars, with a safety defect, got the green light, and for the companies to work with local law enforcement and get car owners the help they need to ensure they aren’t next victims of theft,” said Senator Schumer. “New York consumers should not have to worry about their cars being stolen from right under their noses with something as simple as a USB cord. These absurd car thefts are wreaking havoc on our Upstate communities, burdening law enforcement and creating public safety issues, and it is time for Kia and Hyundai to step up and put the brakes on this dangerous trend.”
After launching an all-out push last year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced on February 27th, 2023 that Rochester’s Li-Cycle, a leading lithium-ion battery recycler, has been awarded a major $375 million U.S. Department of Energy loan through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) program to create 270 jobs at its Rochester HUB facility.
On February 13, 2023, Senator Schumer, standing beside union leaders and Long Island families outside the TRACON air traffic navigation facility in Uniondale, New York, joined the protest against the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to relocate 30 TRACON air traffic controllers off Long Island and to Philadelphia.
The Senator publicly demanded that the FAA back off and keep their previous promise to him that they would not relocate the controllers. The Senator emphasized that the move would uproot the lives of these families who have made Long Island their home and add unnecessary risk to the facility’s operations. The high-traffic TRACON facility, employing over 300 individuals, has managed air traffic from Kennedy Airport, LaGuardia, and regional airports, including Long Island MacArthur Airport for decades. The Senator stressed that these jobs must stay in New York and pledged to use his role in securing significant federal funds for the FAA, as Senate Majority Leader, to make sure they hear his concerns.
On February 10th 2023, standing with onsemi’s CEO and newest employees, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced that onsemi has officially arrived in Dutchess County, saving over 1,000 good-paying tech jobs and investing $1.3 billion to formally launch the nation’s only 12-inch power discrete image sensor fab right in East Fishkill. Building on the region’s legacy of innovation and bringing new manufacturing to the heart of the Hudson Valley. The senator worked relentlessly to prevent any layoffs during the sale of the East Fishkill fab to onsemi, working to avoid further job loss that has historically plagued the East Fishkill fab. Schumer personally met with onsemi’s top brass several times after the 2019 acquisition announcement, and worked with local partners to successfully pass his CHIPS and Science Act to provide historic new federal incentives to expand the semiconductor industry here in America, including in Upstate New York.
On January 30, 2023, standing at Nassau County Police Department headquarters and flanked by local law enforcement and a recent victim of catalytic converter theft, Senator Schumer demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) send a dedicated Long Island response team to investigate, provide more local resources and drill down on possible organized crime rings targeting countless Long Island driveways for catalytic converters. Senator Schumer called attention to the 300 percent increase in catalytic converter thefts facing the tri-state area. A catalytic converter is an essential component of a vehicle’s exhaust system that reduces a combustion engine’s toxic gas and pollutant emissions. Senator Schumer urged the DOJ to assist NY State’s efforts to discourage the black-market resale of the valuable metals found within the instrument, working across state lines in a capacity unavailable to local law enforcement. The Senator stressed that the recent crime surge has disrupted Long Islanders’ ability to work and their sense of safety, warranting federal involvement.
On January 20th 2023, standing at the abandoned old Putnam Railroad’s former Lowerre Station alongside advocates that worked tirelessly to transform it into the Yonkers Greenway Park, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced his major new push to deliver over $5.4 million to the City of Yonkers through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) first-ever Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program to transform the long-abandoned Old Putnam Railroad into a first-of-its-kind greenway to reconnect Southwest Yonkers communities segregated by the Saw Mill River Parkway to the Bronx and parts of Westchester while breathing new life into historically redlined neighborhoods’ through revitalization of the South Broadway central business district.
After fighting to save the Rochester plant from closure years ago, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced on January 20th, 2023 that following his push, General Motors will invest $68 million at their Rochester manufacturing plant for the production of electric vehicle battery components that will position the plant at the forefront of the rapidly growing electric vehicles market as well as for production of components for GM’s next-generation Gen6 V8 light duty truck engine. The represents the culmination of years of efforts by Schumer to bring new work to the Rochester GM facility, personally lobbying GM, and creating new federal incentives to spur electric vehicle production in America. Schumer said Rochester’s production facility will now be at the heart of GM’s transformation to all-electric and that this work will help sustain their nearly 750 workers for years to come.
On January 12th, 2023, standing at contaminated, long-abandoned former Buisch’s gas station brownfield site, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer launched his two pronged plan to get the feds to help clean up this eyesore, the nearby similarly abandoned former George’s Service Station brownfield site, and dozens of other hazardous sites like these across the Finger Lakes for new development and economic opportunities.
On January 12, 2023, with his CHIPS & Science Act continuing to deliver thousands of good-paying tech jobs to Upstate NY, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced that he has secured $2 million in new federal funding for Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) to create a new state-of-the-art semiconductor-and-advanced-manufacturing training center.
With this Schumer-backed funding, MVCC will be able to purchase industrial-grade workforce training equipment for a soon-to-be-renovated and expanded building on their Utica campus for their science and technology programs. The senator said this, in tandem with other major investment he secured for regional economic engines like the Rome Lab, will help supercharge Utica and Oneida County as an emerging high-tech hub, all while ensuring area workers have the skills they need to build the foundation for future industry.
On January 12, 2023, Senator Schumer cut the ribbon on Plug Power’s new $125 million green hydrogen fuel cell factory at the Vista Technology Park in Slingerlands. The new facility will create 1,600 new, good-paying jobs, on top of the over 1,400 Plug employees already in New York. Schumer said that Plug’s tremendous growth is the culmination of years of work to deliver the incentives, like the Investment Tax Credit, and support needed for their expansion. Furthermore, Schumer explained that this major milestone is only the beginning as the company establishes itself as a powerhouse in green energy, with the heart of its operations in the Capital Region.
On January 23, 2023, standing outside the crumbling and hazardous former site of Jamestown’s Crawford Furniture Factory, that just experienced a fire late last year potentially putting public health at risk, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer launched his three-pronged plan to clean up the community eyesore and turn the hazardous building into a site for new opportunity. First, Schumer said he is calling for the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to bolster their presence at the site and launch a full investigation and coordinate with Jamestown to bring all resources to bare to ensure the continued safety of the community. Second, the senator highlighted that he secured $5 billion for the EPA’s critical Brownfields and Superfund programs, and reinstated the Superfund tax to ensure long term funding was available for these cleanups. This funding is exactly what this site needs as Jamestown and EPA move forward towards a possible Superfund cleanup action.
On January 11th, 203, standing shoulder to shoulder with West Point firefighters at the United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today launched a major push to get the West Point Fire Department (WPFD) over $1.2 million in funding that it desperately needs – through the recently passed federal omnibus appropriations bill.
The senator said that this push follows years of massive budget shortfalls for WPFD, including a 92% reduction last year that hampered operations and its ability to repair and replace outdated emergency response equipment. Schumer explained that, as a federal fire department serving the USMA and its surrounding communities, WPFD uniquely depends on federal funding through U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) for its yearly budget, creating a different funding structure than other nearby local fire professional and volunteer departments.
On January 11, 2023, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer launched an all-out push to ensure Tompkins County, Southern Tier and Upstate New York households are fully and accurately represented on the FCC’s national broadband map. Standing with local leaders at the Dryden Town Hall, Senator Schumer urged all households, especially the 1,500+ in Tompkins County and 25,000+ across the Southern Tier that are estimated to lack access to high-speed internet, check the accuracy of the information reported and help ensure New York’s unserved communities receive the funding they desperately need to close the digital divide.
On January 9th, 2023, Senator Schumer announced that end-of-year FY23 budget legislation will assist Long Island hospitals amid a shortage of doctors and as multiple viruses sweep across the country. Schumer has been pushing for increased GME residency slots for years, particularly in New York; he asserts legislation he negotiated protects over 1,000 Fed slots added last year and 200 added this year to help address doctor shortages nationwide, including thousands in New York.
On January 9th, 2023, Senator Schumer announced that he had secured $450,000 from HUD to demolish 14 dangerous buildings at the former Lawrence Aviation Superfund site in Port Jeff station. He called on federal authorities to green-light Suffolk County's redevelopment plan for the site, get the $450k out the door as soon as possible, and commit to fast-tracking any other solutions to obstacles that may arise as plans for a solar farm, open space, and new rail facility take shape.
On January 7, 2023, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer participated in the inauguration ceremony for New York State Senator Lea Webb. Senator Schumer offered remarks at the event, which occurred in the auditorium of Binghamton High School. Senator Webb will represent New York’s 52nd Senate District, which includes Tompkins County, Cortland County, and part of Broome County.
On January 5, 2023, Senator Schumer revealed he secured nearly $22 million in federal funding for long desired community projects in the end-of-year spending package for Fiscal Year 2023, including $2 million for the Center for Disability Services (CFDS) to create a first-of-its-kind integrated health system to serve thousands of people with disabilities in the Capital Region by integrating with Albany Medical Center. The senator explained that this allows individuals with disabilities, who often have more complex medical needs, have health services available in single accessible location – in what CFDS hopes can be a model for inclusive medical services. This funding is in addition to dozens of other needed community projects, including major boosts to local nursing programs at Siena and Maria Colleges.
On January 5, 2023, standing at Onondaga Community College, flanked by doctors and healthcare professionals, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed that he has secured over $12 million to boost hospitals and health providers across Central New York, including a game changing investment in OCC to help train the next generation of health workers and expand programs to help address local staffing shortages. This new facility will help bolster the OCC School of Health’s expansion as it prepares to launch new programs for a variety of high demand healthcare career paths, which they project will nearly double the current enrollment in health programs. The senator said this funding will work hand in hand with additional provisions included in the end-of-year spending bill to boost nursing programs and residency slots– helping to expand healthcare infrastructure in Syracuse and across CNY, while simultaneously ensuring residents have access to the training they need to fill these good paying, in-demand jobs.
After launching an all-out push to stop the closure of the Canandaigua VA Medical Campus nearly two decades ago, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand revealed on January 4th, 2023, that they have secured over $250 million for the Rochester-Finger Lakes region through the bipartisan omnibus-spending package for Fiscal Year 2023, including the final $62.5 million needed to complete the modernization of Canandaigua VA Campus as well as millions for community projects across the Finger Lakes.
On January 4, 2023, after fighting to successfully secure a federal Emergency declaration for the deadly holiday weekend snowstorm, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, called on the president and Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to swiftly approve any forthcoming request for a major disaster declaration from New York State for federal support and resources for the ongoing recovery in Western New York. “Buffalo and Western New York have experienced a heart wrenching year of tragedies and the feds need to step up to provide every available federal dollar to help the community rebuild and be reimbursed for the immense costs incurred,” said Senator Schumer. “The damage assessments are already underway and there should be no delay in federal dollars flowing directly to Western New York because of this storm. This was a once in a generation blizzard, with long lasting effects that Buffalo and Erie will feel for years to come, and the feds should provide all the support needed to get the community on the road to rapid recovery and a more prosperous 2023.”
On January 1st, 2023, Senator Schumer attended the swearing-in ceremony of NYS Governor Kathy Hochul, NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, NYS Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, and NYS Attorney General Letitia James. Schumer conducted the swearing-in of AG James, commencing her second full term in office.