Press Releases
SCHUMER: SERVICEMEMBERS FROM UPSTATE NY ARE AT RISK OF ABUSIVE FINANCIAL PRACTICES WHEN DEPLOYED OVERSEAS; FED REPORT FOUND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FAILED TO ABIDE BY CURRENT LAW MORE THAN 15,000 TIMES, SUCH AS FORECLOSING ON MORTGAGES OR REPOSSESSING CARS; SCHUMER BILL WILL BETTER PROTECT SERVICEMEMBERS & REIN-IN ABUSE
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Currently Lacks The Authority To Supervise & Enforce Protections For Servicemembers; Feds Have So Far Been Inconsistent In Enforcing Existing Protections New Schumer Bill, the Military Consumer Protection Act, Will Give the CFPB - Our Nation's Premier Consumer Watchdog - the Jurisdiction to Enforce Protections For Upstate NY Soldiers Schumer: Our Soldiers Protect Us Overseas, So We Should Protect Them At Home Today, on a conference call with repo… Continue Reading
06.16.15
SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO BE READY TO IMMEDIATELY APPROVE DISASTER DECLARATION FOR UP TO 14 COUNTIES IN THE SOUTHERN TIER & FINGER LAKES THAT WERE SEVERELY IMPACTED BY LAST WEEKEND’S FLASH FLOODING
Severe Flash Flooding Hit Upstate NY Over The Weekend, Damaging Public Infrastructure and Buildings - Schumer Urges FEMA To Be Ready to Help Up To 14 Southern Tier & Finger Lakes Counties That Experienced Significant Rainfall In Event Damage Hits Threshold and NYS Applies For Federal Assistance, FEMA Disaster Declaration Would Allow Communities To Claim Disaster Assistance Funds - Counties Impacted Include Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, … Continue Reading
06.16.15
FOLLOWING HIS PUSH, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FEDS HAVE AGREED TO BEGIN THE PROCESS FOR CREATING FRENCH-LANGUAGE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NORTHERN BORDER CUSTOMS OFFICERS – CURRENT LACK OF FRENCH PROFICIENCY AMONG OFFICERS SLOWS DOWN CROSSINGS; TRAINING WOULD SPEED UP INSPECTIONS & MAKE BORDER CROSSING MORE EFFICIENT
Following Schumer's Urging, U.S. Customs & Border Protection Has Agreed to Study The Potential for a French Language Training Program for Northern Border Customs Officers; Lack of French Speaking Border Officers Reportedly Slowing Down Inspection Times & Creating Frustrating Delays at the U.S.-Quebec Border Schumer Said Hang-ups Due To French Language Barriers Cause Delays & Irritate Businesses, Residents, Tourists; Schumer Says Southwest Border Officers Are Provided Spanish Languag… Continue Reading
06.16.15
AFTER PUSH, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FEDS GRANT ‘TEMPROARY PROTECTED STATUS’ TO PROTECT NEPALESE FAMILIES WHOSE VISAS HAVE EXPIRED & CANNOT SAFELY RETURN BECAUSE HOMES & NEIGHBORHOODS WERE DESTROYED IN EARTHQUAKE –NEPALESE NOW PERMITTED TO STAY IN U.S. UNTIL COUNTRY RECOVERS
Temporary Benefit Helps Nepalese-Who Through No Fault Of Own-Were In Danger Of Visa Overstays And Deportation; TPS Has Been Used In Past For Countries In Wake Of Natural Disaster Schumer Announces Temporary Protected Status Has Been Granted to Nepalese Individuals; In Wake of Natural Disaster, Schumer Urged DHS to Grant TPS So Nepalese Can Stay in U.S. Until Nepal Recovers From Earthquake Schumer: As Their Homeland Struggles From Once-In-A-Lifetime Disaster, Nepalese Nationals Deserv… Continue Reading
06.15.15
SCHUMER TOURS SITE OF RAIL-GRADE CROSSINGS GATES & SIGNALS AS FEDERAL INSPECTORS ASSESS THEIR SAFETY, SENATOR ALSO ANNOUNCES NEW PUSH FOR RAIL CROSSING LEGISLATION TO SUPPLEMENT FINAL PHASES OF CURRENT INVESTIGATION
Recently a Chili, NY Man Was Killed at a Grade Crossing on King Road - Local Officials Say The Crossing Gates Were Down, But The Driver Drove Around The Gate and Was Struck By An Amtrak Train - But The Accident Prompted Many Local Rochester Residents to Report Instances Where Crossing Gates & Signals Were Not Functioning Properly 9-1-1 Dispatch Centers Had 200+ Reports in Rochester Area of Gates Dropping Down – For Up To Half-An-Hour At a Time – And Remaining Closed When No Tra… Continue Reading
06.15.15
SCHUMER VISITS DISABLED WNY VETERAN DALE DART, WHO HAS BEEN WAITING TWO YEARS FOR VA TO MAKE HIS HOME WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE; VET SUFFERS FROM SERIOUS ILLNESS SUSTAINED WHILE SERVING IN IRAQ AND KUWAIT & IS STILL CONFINED TO HIS BASEMENT – SENATOR CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION TO ENSURE VA DELAY NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN
The VA Previously Approved Home Improvements on Dart's Home To Add an Accessible Bathroom and Bedroom for Dart, But Bureaucratic Red Tape Caused Over Two Years of Delay on the Project; Now, After Much Wait & Pressure, Construction That Was Halted Due To VA Hang-ups Will Finally Begin Again After Pressure From Schumer, The VA Finally Selected a Contractor, Who Will Move The Wheelchair Accessible Addition Project Forward; This Hold Up & Lack of Coordination In The VA Resulted i… Continue Reading
06.15.15
SCHUMER DEMANDS AIRLINES GROUND THEIR PLAN TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF ALLOWABLE, CARRY-ON LUGGAGE; NEW PROPOSAL WOULD FORCE AIR TRAVELERS TO PAY MORE IN FEES OR SPEND HUNDREDS ON NEW LUGGAGE; PROPOSAL MUST BE SENT PACKING BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
New Proposal, Made Just This Week, Would Allow Airlines To Shrink Allowable Size of Carry-Ons By 20% -- Airlines Regularly Seize These Opportunities To Hike Costs Airline Profits Are Expected to Go Through The Roof This Year, Soaring To $30B; Customers Deserve A Break Schumer To Airlines: Enough Already! U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged major air carriers to scrap a proposed policy made this week that would reduce the size of carry-on luggage for travelers. Currently, the maximu… Continue Reading
06.12.15
SCHUMER SAYS LYME-CARRYING TICKS ARE NOW BLANKETING OSWEGO, WITH DISEASE RATES RISING OVER 1000% SINCE 2009; SCHUMER BILL WOULD LAUNCH A NATIONAL RESPONSE TO SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE HEALTH OFFICIALS’ ABILITY TO STOP THE SPREAD OF THIS HORRIBLE DISEASE
Schumer Says, Tick Season Has Begun & Reports Of Lyme Disease Are Growing Rapidly; In Central NY, The Disease-Ridden Tick Population Is Shifting Further Into New Areas; Schumer Bill Addresses Funding Shortfalls & Helps Medical Experts Track & Contain Current Infections Around The Country Upstate New York Reports More Cases Of Lyme Disease Each Year Than Any Other State; In 2009, There Were 5 Cases Of Lyme Disease In Oswego County; In 2010, 13 Cases; In 2011, 19 Cases; In 2012, 34 Ca… Continue Reading
06.12.15
SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO GREEN LIGHT AMTRAK TO BUY NEW, SAFER, MORE MODERN ACELA TRAINS, THAT COULD HELP COMPANIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING ALSTOM IN HORNELL; NEW $3 BILLION TRAIN PROJECT COULD JUMP START LOCAL MANUFACTURING & CREATE HUNDREDS OF GOOD PAYING, MIDDLE-CLASS JOBS
Federal Approval for Amtrak to Buy New Trains Could be Major Lift to U.S. Train Manufacturing Companies and Their Suppliers & Create Hundreds of U.S. Jobs - Schumer Says NY Companies like Alstom, ATM, and Transit Air in Hornell as well as PWI in Wellsville and Vapor Stone Rail in Plattsburg Could Directly Benefit Schumer Pushes USDOT to Greenlight Amtrak Train Procurement - Says New Trains Won't Just Help Amtrak Riders, Could Also Be Major Lift for U.S. Manufacturing and Jobs, And Improve … Continue Reading
06.12.15
SCHUMER SAYS LYME-CARRYING TICKS ARE NOW BLANKETING ONTARIO, WITH DISEASE RATES RISING OVER 161% SINCE 2007; SCHUMER BILL WOULD LAUNCH A NATIONAL RESPONSE TO SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE HEALTH OFFICIALS’S ABILITY TO STOP THE SPREAD OF THIS HORRIBLE DISEASE
Schumer Says, Tick Season Has Begun & Reports Of Lime Disease Are Growing Rapidly; In Finger Lakes, The Disease-Ridden Tick Population Is Shifting Further Into New Areas; Schumer Bill Addresses Funding Shortfalls & Helps Medical Experts Track & Contain Current Infections Around The Country Upstate New York Reports More Cases of Lyme Disease Each Year Than Any Other State - In 2012, There Were 5 Cases Of Lyme Disease In Ontario County; In 2013, 11 Cases; In 2014, 18 Cases Schumer: … Continue Reading
06.12.15
IN PERSONAL CALL, SCHUMER URGES DANAHER CORPORATION CEO TO PROTECT AND GROW JOBS ON LONG ISLAND – PENDING FINALIZATION OF PURCHASE, SCHUMER SEEKS ASSURANCES ON 700 VITAL PALL CORP. JOBS IN PORT WASHINGTON
Danaher Corporation Recently Announced it Will Purchase Long Island's Pall Corp.- But Many Locals Are Concerned This Could Mean Job Loss For Local Residents Schumer Has Long Fought To Protect Long Island Jobs - In Personal Call to Danaher, Schumer Touts Pall's Profitability, Excellent Products and Strong Growth Potential; Urges CEO to Ensure Jobs Will Stay on Long Island Even After Sale is Finalized Schumer: Pall Corporation is a Vibrant and Profitable Company Whose Workforce Propelled its S… Continue Reading
06.12.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $585,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ITHACA TOMPKINS REGIONAL AIRPORT
Department of Transportation Funding Will Be Used to Upgrade Critical Safety Measures At Airport U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport will receive $585,000.00 in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for airport upgrades. This project will fund the acquisition of a new replacement Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicle to assist the airport in meeting safety requirements. This is great news for thos… Continue Reading
06.12.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $151,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ADIRONDACK REGIONAL AIRPORT
Department of Transportation Funding Will Be Used to Upgrade Critical Safety Measures At Airport U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that Adirondack Regional Airport in the Saranac Lake area will receive $151,525.00 in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for airport upgrades. This project will fund the installation of a new Runway 27 lighting system to enhance safe airfield operations during low visibility conditions. "This is an import… Continue Reading
06.11.15
SCHUMER, IN MEETING WITH NEW MARKET TAX CREDIT LEADERS & SIBLEY BUILDING OWNER, PUSHES GROUPS TO ALLOCATE TAX CREDITS NEEDED TO COMPLETE MAJOR $200 MILLION REDEVELOPMENT AT SIBLEY BUILDING, A HISTORIC LANDMARK IN DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER, AND REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN ECONOMY, CREATE JOBS
Sibley Building Currently Planning $200 Million Redevelopment, But Requires New Market Tax Credits to Move Forward on Plans - In Last Year's "Fiscal Cliff" Deal, Schumer Secured Extension & Funding of NMTC Now, Sibley is Applying for $40 Million in NMTC, Which is The Final Piece to Needed to Kick Start Construction Schumer to Lenders: Revitalizing Historic Rochester Structures Like The Sibley Building is Sound Investment - Will Create Jobs, Boost Downtown Development & Honor City's H… Continue Reading
06.11.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE FEMA WILL COVER COSTS NEEDED TO RELOCATE NIAGARA ENGINE COMPANY NO. 6’S FIRE HOUSE OUT OF FLOODPLAIN – SENATORS SAY FEMA HAS APPROVED ADDITIONAL $6.4 MILLION TO REPLACE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. THAT WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED IN HURRICANE IRENE & TROPICAL STORM LEE, REBUILING WILL ALLOW EMERGENCY RESPONDERS TO BETTER PROTECT RESIDENTS
Schoharie County Fire House - Niagara Engine Company No. 6 - Was Severely Damaged By Hurricane Irene & Tropical Storm Lee, and Flooded with 8 Feet of Water; Old Facility Was Damaged Beyond Repair Volunteer Force Has Been Working Out Of Temporary Facility For Years – FEMA Had Already Approved the Department for Initial $337K in Funds, But Company No. 6 Needed Additional Funding In Place to Begin Construction; Schumer & Gillibrand Went to Bat for Local Fire Company Schumer, Gilli… Continue Reading
06.11.15
SCHUMER: AMERICAN PHAROAH BELONGS AT A RACE TRACK MADE FOR SUCH A HISTORIC CHAMPION, SENATOR URGES OWNER & TRAINER TO BRING TRIPLE-CROWN WINNING HORSE TO SARATOGA’S CLASSIC RACE COURSE; SARATOGA IS THE MOST HISTORIC TRACK IN THE COUNTRY – FANS WOULD FLOCK TO SEE AMERICA’S GREATEST THOROUGHBRED HORSE, COMPETE AT AMERICA’S GREATEST RACE TRACK
American Pharoah's Owners Have Said They Intend to Run The Thoroughbred in Races This Summer Following His Triple Crown Victory at the Belmont Stakes - Schumer Says This Great Champion Should Race At the Most Historic & Renowned Race Course Saratoga is Already Steeped in History, And Schumer Says Running Historic Triple Crown Winner at Historic Track is Only Fitting Schumer: American Pharoah Belongs In A Raceway Fitted For Such A Historic Champion U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today … Continue Reading
06.11.15
SCHUMER SENDS CHATEAUGAY HIGH SCHOOL IN FRANKLIN COUNTY 5 COMPUTERS
Chateaugay High School in the North Country to Receive Computers Through U.S. Senate 'Computers for School Program' Program Aims to Help Public Schools And Students Keep Pace With Technology Age by Receiving Surplus Computers Schumer: Computers Are Essential for Preparing Students for the Future Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced Chateaugay High School, located in Franklin County, will receive 5 refurbished computers under the United States Senate Computers for Schools Program.… Continue Reading
06.11.15
SCHUMER SENDS LeMONYE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SYRACUSE 5 COMPUTERS
LeMoyne Elementary School to Receive Computers Through U.S. Senate 'Computers for School Program' Program Aims to Help Public Schools And Students Keep Pace With Technology Age by Receiving Surplus Computers Schumer: Computers Are Essential for Preparing Students for the Future Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced LeMoyne Elementary School, located in Syracuse, will receive 5 refurbished computers under the United States Senate Computers for Schools Program. LeMoyne El… Continue Reading
06.11.15
SCHUMER: BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE IS PREVENTING DISABLED VETERAN FROM GETTING THE VITAL WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE HOME IMPROVEMENTS HE NEEDS; VET SUFFERS FROM SERIOUS ILLNESS SUSTAINED WHILE SERVING IN IRAQ AND KUWAIT – SCHUMER DEMANDS TIMELINE & ANSWERS FROM THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION; SAYS DELAY IS DENYING BASIC QUALITY OF LIFE
Dale Dart is a Western NYer & Disabled Gulf War Veteran; He Has Multiple Sclerosis Linked to the Use of Uranium in Weapons Used by U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq During His Service- As a Result, Dart is Confined to a Wheelchair & Spends Most Days in the Basement of His Home Because The Rest of the Home is Not Wheelchair Accessible The VA Approved Home Improvements on Dart's Home To Add an Accessible Bathroom and Bedroom for Dart, But Bureaucratic Red Tape Has Caused Over Two Years of Delay;… Continue Reading
06.10.15
SCHUMER SAYS UPSTATE NY TRAUMA CENTERS ARE DESPERATELY IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES; SEVERELY INJURED PATIENTS MUST OFTEN BE TRANSPORTED TO LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CENTERS THAT ARE EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN, OR THEY RECEIVE CARE AT LOWER LEVEL TRAUMA CENTERS, WHICH ARE OFTEN LIMITED BY AVAILABLE RESOURCES – SCHUMER BILL WOULD ENSURE THAT ALL LEVELS OF TRAUMA CENTERS HAVE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO STABILIZE PATIENTS IN EMERGENCIES
Traumatic Injury Is The Leading Cause Of Death For Americans Under The Age Of 44, Yet Our Current Trauma Care System Remains Underfunded Nationwide; Upstate NY Has 14 Trauma Centers, 6 of Which Are Level I And Particularly Costly To Maintain - Schumer Says Additional Resources Are Needed for Levels I and Lower to Best Treat Severely Injured Patients In NYS There Are 38 Trauma Centers, But Limited Number Upstate; Schumer Says Centers Need More Resources To Deliver the Best Care; In Capital Regio… Continue Reading
