Press Releases
SCHUMER: DISTILLERIES LIKE BLACK BUTTON DISTILLERY IN ROCHESTER ARE FORCED TO WAIT OVER 200 DAYS TO GET BASIC APPROVALS TO EXPAND THEIR BUSINESS; WHILE DISTILLERIES & CRAFT INDUSTRY ARE GROWING NATIONALLY BY OVER 50%, FEDERAL DISTILLERY INSPECTORS—WHO APPROVE REQUESTS—HAVE BEEN CUT BY 10%; SENATOR CALLS FOR MORE INSPECTORS TO REDUCE BACKLOG THAT IS COSTING DISTILLERIES, INDUSTRY MILLIONS
Schumer Says Cuts in Federal Alcohol Inspectors Put Rochester & Other NY Distilleries Directly At Risk; Delays Cause Losses to Producers Trying to Get Off The Ground or Expand; Inspector Is Responsible For Auditing And Reviewing All Requests Like Bond Approvals, New Product Labels, Recipes and Operating Licenses; It Is Very Common For Some Approvals To Be Delayed up to Hundreds of Days Schumer Says Increasing The Amount Of Federal Alcohol Inspectors Should Be… Continue Reading
05.15.15
SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO APPROVE UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO’S APPLICATION FOR MAJOR FED FUNDING THAT COULD BE A GAME-CHANGER FOR CANCER RESEARCH IN WNY– FUNDS WOULD ENABLE UB AND ITS PARTNERS TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN NEW CANCER RESEARCH PROJECTS
The Buffalo Translational Consortium (BTC) Brings Together Medical Professionals From Academia, Clinical and Research Institutions & Other Community Partners, such as Roswell Park, to Translate Lab Research Into Real-Life Treatments for Patients & Develop Pharmaceutical Treatments for Cancer BTC is a Leading Medical Research Institution for All of Buffalo & WNY Region - Consortium, Through UB, is Applying for $25 Million NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award to Expand its I… Continue Reading
05.15.15
SCHUMER, BLUMENTHAL LAUNCH MAJOR CAMPAIGN TO GET CONGRESS TO PASS FOUR POINT RAIL SAFETY PLAN IN 2015; DRAMATIC UPTICK IN RAIL DEATHS THIS YEAR & THIS WEEK’S TRAGIC DERAILMENT GIVES OPTIMISM THAT CONGRESS CAN FINALLY ACT; RAILROADS MUST CREATE CULTURE OF SAFETY
Senators Have Long Supported & Pushed For Positive Train Control Implementation, Rail Grade Crossing Reforms & Other Upgrades To Existing Rail -Congress Should Now Focus & Pass All These Efforts Schumer, Blumenthal-Cosponsors Of Bill—Will Keep Pressure on to Implement PTC ASAP; Push Congress to Act & Avoid Further Delays in Implementation With Amtrak Facing a $21 Billion State-of-Good-Repair Backlog, Senators Say We Can't Continue to Go Down the Same Road of Disrepair&m… Continue Reading
05.14.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES: AT LONG LAST, SGT. HENRY JOHNSON WILL RECEIVE MEDAL OF HONOR HE RIGHTFULLY DESERVES – PRESIDENT APPROVES LONG-AWAITED REQUEST; WILL PRESENT TO JOHNSON’S INFANTRY REGIMENT THE 369th “HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS” DIVISION, WITH MEDAL AT WHITE HOUSE ON JUNE 2, 2015
Schumer Has Campaigned Relentlessly To Secure Medal of Honor for African American WWI Hero, Harlem Hellfighter & Albany Resident Sgt. Henry Johnson, Who Was Denied Our Nation's Highest Military Honor Due To Racism and Segregation Schumer: An American Hero Will Finally Get the Medal He Deserves U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the White House will posthumously award the Medal of Honor to African-American World War I hero and Albany resident, Sergeant Henry Johnson, on J… Continue Reading
05.14.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES TSA PRE-CHECK ENROLLMENT CENTER IS COMING TO SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT; CURRENTLY, LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO ENROLL MUST TRAVEL TO OSWEGO – NEW ENROLLMENT CENTER WILL MEAN SHORTER, MORE CONVENIENT SECURITY LINES FOR TRAVELERS
TSA Pre-Check Has Been Successfully Installed at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, But In Order To Register For The Program Residents Must Travel All The Way to Oswego - Pre-Check Program Enables Travelers Deemed Safe To Enter Terminal With Expedited Screening Schumer Previously Urged TSA To Bring A Pre-Check Enrollment Center To Syracuse Hancock International Airport to Make Air Travel Easier For Syracuse Residents - Soon, Syracuse Will Have Enrollment Center Like Rochester and Albany U… Continue Reading
05.14.15
SCHUMER URGES HARRIS CEO, IN ANTICIPATION OF HARRIS-EXCELIS MERGER, TO GROW IN ROCHESTER AND CREATE JOBS THERE AFTER THE FINAL DEAL HAS BEEN SIGNED – SCHUMER HAS LONG FOUGHT TO KEEP HARRIS CORPORATION JOBS IN ROCHESTER & TO FULLY FUND FED PROGRAMS THEY COMPETE FOR
As Closing Date for Harris Corporation to Acquire Excelis Nears, Schumer Pushes Harris to Keep Jobs & Grow New Excelis-and-Harris Joint Workforce in Rochester - Schumer Push Follows From Initial Conversation with Harris CEO in February When The Merger Was Announced; Schumer Reiterates Push to Grow Innovative, Job-Creating Business Units in Rochester Schumer Has Long Fought to Fund Programs To Benefit Harris, Excelis and Their Rochester Employees; Previously Urged Fed Appropriators To Fully… Continue Reading
05.14.15
IN THE MOLD OF LORETTA LYNCH, SCHUMER RECOMMENDS LONGTIME EDNY PROSECUTOR ROBERT L. CAPERS TO BE THE NEXT U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK— IF CONFIRMED, CAPERS, FROM AN NYPD FAMILY, WOULD HOLD NOW-U.S. ATTORNEY LORETTA LYNCH’S FORMER POST
Capers Hails From A Law Enforcement Family, Both His Father & Brother Were NYPD Cops; Capers Has Lifetime Of Dedication to Public Service, Successfully Prosecuting Murders, Other Violent Crimes & Narcotics; Will Also Focus On Civil Rights, Public Integrity And Terror Cases Capers, Formerly Chief, Narcotics Section/International Narcotics Strike Force, Is Currently Senior Litigation Counsel at the U.S. Attorney's Office in EDNY; Seat Was Previously Held by Attorney General Loretta Lynch… Continue Reading
05.13.15
SCHUMER, BLUMENTHAL: SAFETY MUST COME FIRST; WE HAVE TO EXAMINE RAIL SAFETY ACROSS THE COUNTRY
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Richard Blumenthal, who have held several joint rail safety events in the past, released the following joint statement in response to last night's Amtrak derailment along the Northeast Rail Corridor: "Our hearts and prayers go out to those we lost and those who were injured in the tragic derailment last night. Our praise also goes out to the brave first responders, who worked in dark, dire, chaotic conditions, guiding passengers to safety. They are still at wor… Continue Reading
05.13.15
SCHUMER: CHILDREN ARE VULNERABLE TO IDENTITY THIEVES; KIDS UNDER 18 ARE EASY TARGETS BECAUSE THEIR CREDIT REPORTS ARE OFTEN CLEAN AND UNMONITORED; SENATOR TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION THAT WILL AUTOMATICALLY FREEZE CREDIT FOR KIDS – UNTIL PARENTS UNFREEZE IT —WILL PROTECT KIDS FROM SEVERAL TYPES OF ID THEFT
Over 1.8 Million Children In New York Could Be Victims Of Social Security Identity Theft - Many Only Discover the ID-Theft When Checking their Credit Report for the First Time and Learn That Their Credit Was Ruined by ID Thieves Schumer Plans To Introduce Bill That Would Automatically Freeze Credit For Kids Until Their Parents Decide To Un-Freeze It; Will Prevent Credit Companies From Allowing Someone to Open an Account For A Child Unless They Prove They Are The Parent or Guardian - Thwarting W… Continue Reading
05.12.15
SCHUMER URGES NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION TO IMMEDIATELY APPROVE OVER $50K IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO RESTORE PORT WASHINGTON’S HEMPSTEAD HARBOR—PROJECT WILL STRENGTHEN SHORELINE & FURTHER PROTECT SURROUNDING NORTH HEMPSTEAD COMMUNITIES
'Long Island Sound Futures Fund' Provides Federal Grants for Local Projects-Like Hempstead Harbor- That Aim to Protect & Restore LI Sound Schumer Urges National Fish & Wildlife Foundation to Swiftly Approve Town of North Hempstead's Application for LI Sound Study Funding Senator’s Support Highlights Importance of a Resilient Hempstead Harbor for Regional Stability— Expeditious Grant Approval Will Allow for the Strengthening of the Ecology of the Harbor, Moving Forward on G… Continue Reading
05.12.15
SCHUMER: NYC’s GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA SHOULD BE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO NEW YORKERS & TOURISTS; SENATOR URGES DEPT. OF INTERIOR TO BEGIN TOP-TO-BOTTOM REVIEW THAT COULD LINK SUBWAY STOPS WITH BUS ROUTES & MORE—PLAN COULD BOOST PARK’S VISITORS, BETTER SUPPORT AFTER-SCHOOL & YOUTH PROGRAMS
Gateway National Recreation Area is Visited By Over 7 Million Each Year But Schumer Says Many Are Still Missing Out On Experience; Gateway is Located in a Densely Populated Area Amongst an Economically Diverse Community, Yet the Park Remains Largely Isolated From Neighboring Communities Schumer Urges Department of Interior to Work with MTA & NYC to Help Make Gateway Better Accessible; Senator Pushes for a Bus Route That Will Better Connect Surrounding Communities to Gateway & Encourag… Continue Reading
05.12.15
SCHUMER URGES HBO TO FILM NEW HARRIET TUBMAN MOVIE IN AUBURN; SENATOR SAYS, FILMING IN AUBURN WOULD CREATE LOCAL JOBS & SPARK UNTAPPED TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES
Producing Tubman Film In Auburn, NY Where Tubman Resided From 1857 Until Her Death In 1913, Would Provide Unique Historical Accuracy & Significance To The HBO Mini-Series-Senator's Push Comes After Leading Charge To Bring National Tubman Park To Auburn Senator Says, The Economic Benefits That Accompany Tubman Should Be A Clear Incentive For HBO; As Part Of NY's Film Tax Credit Program, Which means HBO is Eligible For Many Benefits Schumer To HBO: If You’re Looking To Capture Harriet… Continue Reading
05.12.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE SBA DISASTER ASSISTANCE NOW AVAILABLE TO HUDSON VALLEY BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY DROUGHT
Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Eligible for Low-Interest Loans to Recover From Season Drought SBA Will Accept Applications For Emergency Federal Loans Through June 1st U.S. Senators Charles. E Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that New York businesses affected by last year's drought, beginning August 15, 2014, can now apply for low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA will accept applications for eme… Continue Reading
05.11.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $16,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR BRIER HILL FIRE DISTRICT
Funding For Brier Hill Fire District Will Be Used To Purchase New Communications Equipment U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $16,629 in federal funding for the Brier Hill Fire District in St. Lawrence County to purchase new equipment to respond to emergencies more effectively. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) Grant Program. The Brier Hill Fire District will us… Continue Reading
05.11.15
AFTER MAJOR PUSH, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR BROOKLYN NAVY YARD’S BUILDING 77 EXPANSION PROJECT NEARS FINISHLINE; BUILDING 77 PROJECT WILL PROVIDE MORE SPACE TO HOUSE AN ADDITIONAL 3,000 JOBS
Brooklyn Navy Yard Currently Employs More than 7,000 People & is Nearly At Leasing Capacity; Expanding Building 77 at the Navy Yard Would Provide Additional Space for Thousands of Jobs After Personal Call to Acting Regional Administrator, Schumer Announces U.S. Economic Development Administration Set to Award $2M Federal Grant to Renovate Two Floors of Brooklyn Navy Yard's Building 77 to Help Accommodate Even More Businesses U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced, after his pu… Continue Reading
05.11.15
SCHUMER REVEALS: SURPRISE $250 SURCHARGE BEING SPRUNG ON TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF LI & NY HOMEOWNERS WITH FEMA FLOOD INSURANCE; NEW & UNFAIR POLICY ON RENEWALS SPURS SENATOR TO WARN RESIDENTS ON HOW TO AVOID UNDERCOVER POLICY CHANGE; URGES FEMA TO SCRAP THE CONFUSING AND PUNITIVE POLICY
On April 1st -And For The First Time Ever-FEMA Installed Surprise Renewal Policy On Flood Insurance Ratepayers, Giving Them Just 30 Days To Fill Out New 'Proof Of Residency' Form With Yearly Insurance Renewal Or Face Steep $250 Surcharge FEMA is Forcing Flood Insurance-Paying Homeowners to File Paperwork on Tight Deadline or Be Forced to Shell out a Hefty $250 "Second Home" Fee, But Long Islanders Are In The Dark On New NFIP Renewal Requirement That Would Be At The Expense Of Long Is… Continue Reading
05.11.15
SCHUMER REVEALS: AMTRAK POLICE ARE NOT ABLE TO DIRECTLY COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS—COULD CREATE HUGE DISASTER WHERE POLICE ON TRAINS & IN PENN STATION ARE NOT ABLE TO EFFICIENTLY REACH LOCAL POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENTS—REMINISCENT OF 9/11; SCHUMER PUSHES FEDS TO GRANT AMTRAK FULL ACCESS TO NYC FIRST-RESPONDER RADIO LINE
Tens of Thousands Of People Travel Amtrak Each & Every Day But, Without Access To Key First-Responder Radio Line, Both Amtrak & The Traveling Public Are In Danger Should A Derailment, Natural Disaster or Terror Attack Arise; Ability to Communicate With Other First Responders Is Essential During Crisis Amtrak Police Have Eagerly Sought Ability To Communicate With Other First Responders On Dedicated Frequency Since 2013, But FCC Has Been Radio Silent Schumer: We Learned on 9-11 ALL Our F… Continue Reading
05.11.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE SBA DISASTER ASSISTANCE NOW AVAILABLE TO BUSINESSES STATEWIDE AFFECTED BY FLOODING
New York Counties Eligible for Low-Interest Loans to Recover From Season Flooding SBA Will Accept Applications For Emergency Federal Loans Through May 26th U.S. Senators Charles. E Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that New York businesses affected by last year's flooding, from April 1st through July 8th, 2014, can now apply for low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help small businesse… Continue Reading
05.08.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $23K IN FED FUNDS FOR WESTERN TURNPIKE RESCUE SQUAD IN ALBANY COUNTY
Federal Funding Will Allow For Western Turnpike Rescue Squad To Purchase Protective Gear For Emergency Personnel Handling Motor Vehicle Accidents U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $23,193 in federal funding for the Western Turnpike Rescue Squad. These funds were allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). This funding will allow the Western Turnpike Rescue Squad to purchase protective gear, incl… Continue Reading
05.08.15
SCHUMER: VETERANS WAITING TO BE FITTED FOR HEARING AIDS EXPERIENCE LONG WAIT TIMES BECAUSE OF A LACK OF SPECIALISTS – SCHUMER LAUNCHES PUSH TO ALLOW VA CENTERS TO HIRE LICENSED HEARING AID SPECIALISTS TO DECREASE WAIT TIMES & BETTER SERVE VETS
Currently, Only Licensed Audiologists Are Authorized to Issue and Fit Veterans for Hearing Aids at VA Facilities, But Small Number of These Professionals in the Field Leads to Excruciating Wait Times for Vets Schumer Says Licensed Hearing Aid Specialists Should Also Be Allowed to Issue & Fit Vets Receiving Care at VA Centers for Hearing Aids, Alongside Audiologists - Schumer Is Pushing Legislation That Would Cut Through Bureaucratic Red Tape & Allow VA Facilities to Hire Hearing Special… Continue Reading
