Press Releases
SCHUMER: THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN OF SEVERELY DISABLED VETS ARE UNFAIRLY KICKED OFF THEIR VA HEALTH PLAN AT AGE 18, WHEN OTHER CHILDREN CAN STAY ON PARENTS’ PLANS UNTIL AGE 26 – SCHUMER PUSHES NEW BILL TO ENSURE VETS’ KIDS GET SAME HEALTH CARE BENEFITS AS EVERYONE ELSE
Schumer Pushes Bipartisan Legislation That Will Make Easy Fix to CHAMPVA Rules & Make Adult Children Eligible for Coverage Until Age 26 - Would Bring CHAMPVA In Line With Private Insurance Policies & Give Vets' Kids Same Protections as Other Adult Children; Similar Fix Was Recently Made To TRICARE Schumer: The Children Of Vets Who Made The Greatest Sacrifice Should Receive At Least the Same Health Care Benefits as Everyone Else Today, on a conference call with reporters, U.S. Sen… Continue Reading
01.28.15
SCHUMER INTRODUCES ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINEE, LORETTA LYNCH, TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer introduced Attorney General Nominee Loretta Lynch to the Senate Judiciary Committee, on the first day of her nomination hearing. Senator Schumer previously nominated Ms. Loretta Lynch twice for her current position as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. "If there is an American dream story, Ms. Lynch is it," Senator Schumer said. "...[As the Eastern District prosecutor] she found her calling handling some of the toughest litigation cases i… Continue Reading
01.28.15
SCHUMER: FIRST RESPONDERS TOO-OFTEN CAN'T LOCATE VICTIMS WHEN 9-1-1 CALLS ARE MADE FROM CELL PHONES; COULD LEAD TO POTENTIALLY DEADLY DELAYS IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIME – SCHUMER URGES FCC TO APPROVE & IMPLEMENT STRONG NEW RULES, DURING MEETING TOMORROW, TO STRENGTHEN 9-1-1 CALL ACCURACY FROM CELL PHONES
Fed Comms Commission is Set to Vote on Plan, Devised with Help of Cell Phone Companies & Public Safety Groups, That Will Improve Location Accuracy - Schumer Urges FCC to Approve & Implement Plan To Accurately Pinpoint Location of 9-1-1 Calls; Would Be Helpful During Major Winter Storms Schumer: More Than 4 Million 9-1-1 Calls Are Made By Cell Phone In Upstate NY Each Year, And We Must Be Able To Identify Exactly Where They Are Coming From Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer ur… Continue Reading
01.28.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $191 MILLION IN FED FUNDS FOR 680 NEW YORK STATE ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO END HOMELESSNESS
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $191,794,858 in federal funding has been awarded to 680 different organizations in New York State working to end homelessness. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) Program. The CoC Program provides funding to non-profits, as well as local and state governments, to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families and promote access to programs… Continue Reading
01.27.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $4 MILLION IN FED FUNDING FOR WESTCHESTER COUNTY FOR HURRICANE SANDY REPAIRS AT GLEN ISLAND PARK
Schumer, Gillibrand: Long-Awaited Funds Will Enable Glen Island Park To Recover From Hurricane Sandy Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that Westchester County will receive $4,032,891.38 in federal funds to make permanent repairs to Glen Island Park in New Rochelle, which was damaged during Hurricane Sandy. Sections of the bath house were completely demolished and half the sand on the beach was swept away during Sandy. Many trees were also downed during … Continue Reading
01.27.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FEDS PROPOSING PLAN TO CONTROL SPREAD OF DESTRUCTIVE HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID IN FINGER LAKES NATIONAL FOREST – SENATOR URGES USDA TO GET PLAN UNDERWAY ASAP TO COMBAT TREE-KILLING PEST; EXTEND EFFORTS TO ALL S. TIER & FINGER LAKES COUNTIES AFFECTED
Schumer Called on U.S. Forest Service to Prioritize Funding to Better Control Spread of the Pest in November - Newly Proposed USDA Plan Would Seek to Combat Pest in Fed Forest Land in Seneca & Schuyler Counties Schumer: Fed Plan Is Good Start To Combat Dangerous Pest & Should Get Started Right Away Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a plan to control the spread of the invasive species Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in Fin… Continue Reading
01.27.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES, FOLLOWING HIS PUSH, USDA & SBA TO HOST FIRST-EVER WEBINAR FEB 11th FOR NYS FARMERS, BREWERS & DISTILLERS INTERESTED IN GROWING MALT BARLEY – WILL IDENTIFY FED PROGRAMS TO HELP FARMERS & MALT HOUSES ADD EQUIPMENT & SCALE UP
Currently, Lack of High-Tech Equipment for Malt Barley Production Process Inhibits Growth - Schumer Previously Called on Feds to Partner with Local Malt Barley Farmers & Malt Houses to Tap Existing Financing For Equipment & Facilities Needed to Ramp Up Malt Supply Chain Schumer Encourages Current or Prospective Announces First Major Webinar Feb 11th For Local Growers to Partner & Learn About Fed Assistance, Opportunities - Schumer Vows to Continue Fighting For Fed Crop Insurance… Continue Reading
01.26.15
SCHUMER LAUNCHES PUSH TO FEATURE NIAGARA FALLS-BASED ISAIAH 61 PROJECT ON HGTV SHOW ‘REHAB ADDICT’ – ISAIAH 61 PROJECT TRAINS UNEMPLOYED CITY RESIDENTS IN HOME RENOVATION SKILLS; ORGANIZATION IS CURRENTLY TURNING A VACANT FIREHOUSE INTO ITS NEW HQ & WOULD GAIN VALUABLE EXPERTISE & EXPOSURE FROM HGTV SHOW
Schumer Urges HGTV Show 'Rehab Addict' to Feature Isaiah 61 Fire House Reno Project- Isaiah 61 Project is Renovating Vacant 1917 Firehouse That Will Allow It To Expand Its Offering; Would Enable The Organization to Expand Their Training Options To Include HVAC, Welding, And Pre-Demolition Salvage And Re-Sale Schumer: Isaiah 61's Rehab Efforts in Niagara Falls Are Perfect Choice for 'Rehab Addict’ U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today launched his push to have Niagara Falls-based co… Continue Reading
01.25.15
SCHUMER REVEALS: DESPITE RECENT NEAR-COLLISION ON JFK RUNWAY & OTHER NEAR MISSES, FAA HAS NOT INSTALLED RUNWAY LIGHTING SYSTEMS USED TO PREVENT CRASHES AT NY’S 3 MAJOR AIRPORTS, WHILE AGENCY HAS PUT SYSTEM IN PLACE IN OTHER CITIES; SENATOR DEMANDS FAA GET SYSTEM ON-LINE AT NY AIRPORTS IMMEDIATELY– NATION’S BUSIEST AIRSPACE
New York's 3 Major Airports, Including JFK, Have Long Been Scheduled to Get New Runway Lighting Systems to Prevent Runway Accidents By Using Automatic Flashing Red Lights Embedded Along the Runway to Warn Pilots of Unsafe Crossing Schumer: In Light of Near-Miss at JFK's Runway This Past Weekend, FAA Must Move Full Speed Ahead on Runway Lighting Construction at NY’s Airports In light of the recent near-collision at JFK Airport, and a series of other collisions or near-misses in recent yea… Continue Reading
01.23.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEW YORK WILL RECEIVE ADDITIONAL $33 MILLION FROM FEDERAL LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO HELP SENIORS AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES OFFSET THE COST OF HEATING THEIR HOMES – SECOND INSTALLMENT OF LIHEAP FUNDING WILL HELP NEW YORKERS IN MIDST OF COLD WINTER
New York State to Receive $33 Million in Additional LIHEAP Funds, Bringing Total Assistance to More Than $377 Million, Most in Country Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that New York State will receive an additional $33,337,670 in heating assistance funds. The funds were allocated through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' (HHS) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Schumer and Gillibrand said this additional $33 million will… Continue Reading
01.22.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $154 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR LONG BEACH’S SOUTH NASSAU COMMUNITIES HOSPITAL TO REBUILD FORMER LONG BEACH MEDICAL CENTER THAT WAS DAMAGED BY SUPERSTORM SANDY
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Millions in FEMA Funding to Rebuild an Essential Facility at Former Long Beach Medical Center Site to Provide Barrier Island Residents With Vital Medical Services South Nassau Communities Hospital's Take-Over of Long Beach Medical Center Hinged on This Massive Federal Funding U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $154 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance will be obligated to South Nassau Com… Continue Reading
01.20.15
SCHUMER CALLS ON ADMINISTRATION TO INCLUDE A ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY REPRESENTATIVE AT THE WHITE HOUSE SUMMIT ON CYBERSECURITY & CONSUMER PROTECTION – SCHUMER SAYS RIT, AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN FIELD, SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO IMPROVE TECHNOLOGIES THAT PROTECT CONSUMERS
RIT Has Proven Expertise in Cybersecurity Field & Was Named 'National Center of Excellence in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense Education' Through the Year 2021 - Schumer Says RIT is a Leader in Preparing Future Professionals to Meet Challenges of Industry & is Well-Positioned to Contribute to National Summit Schumer: RIT is Critical Piece of Puzzle in Ensuring America is Prepared to Protect Our Constantly Changing Information Infrastructure - Include a Rep At This Year's Natio… Continue Reading
01.20.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES, AFTER HIS PUSH, BUFFALO VA HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE 5 PIECES OF CRITICAL LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT THAT HAVE BEEN IN BACKLOG FOR YEARS – PUSHES FEDS TO CONTINUE CLEARING BACKLOG & APPROVE 4 ADDITIONAL PIECES OF EQUIPMENT VITAL FOR WNY VETERANS IN NEED
Schumer Called on Feds to Expeditiously Clear 9 Pieces of Equipment For Hospital That Were Stuck in Backlog, Some Since 2012 - Today, Schumer Announces 5 Major Pieces of Medical Equipment Have Been Awarded & Are Headed to Buffalo VA Schumer Vows to Continue Fighting for Additional 4 Pieces of Vital Medical Equipment, Says Vets Should Not Have To Wait Years For The Life-Saving Equipment They Need Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that, after his push, the Buffalo V… Continue Reading
01.19.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES THAT MOTHER OF AVONTE OQUENDO - VANESSA FONTAINE - WILL BE HIS GUEST TO THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION; WILL CALL FOR PASSAGE OF 'AVONTE'S LAW'
Bill Will Create & Fund a Program To Provide Voluntary Tracking Devices for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Who Often Bolt From Parents, Caregivers or Schools U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that he is bringing Avonte Oquendo's mother, Vanessa Fontaine, to the State of the Union as his guest. Schumer has invited Ms. Fontaine in order to draw attention to an issue that is very important to them both: passage of his legislation, called "Avonte's Law". Schumer's legisla… Continue Reading
01.19.15
SCHUMER: LONG-AWAITED PLAN TO INVESTIGATE & CLEAN UP POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS RADIOACTIVE WASTE AT FORMER SYLVANIA CORNING PLANT IN HICKSVILLE IS LAGGING – AT-RISK RESIDENTS HAVE WAITED YEARS FOR ARMY CORPS TO CLEAN UP RADIOACTIVE URANIUM LEFTOVER FROM 1950’s COLD WAR GOVT NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM
Schumer Also Pushes to Increase Funding for Fed Program To Clean Up Radioactive Sites; Program Has Been Woefully Underfunded for Years - There Are 7 New York Sites With Radioactive Contamination; Additional Funding Is Needed To Move Remediation Projects Forward In the 1950s, Sylvania Corning Plant Produced Nuclear Fuel Rods for Power Plants That Use Uranium & Thorium, Which Contaminated Soil & Groundwater at Site on Cantiague Rock Road in Hicksville U.S. Senator Charles E. … Continue Reading
01.18.15
SCHUMER REVEALS: BOMB-MAKING IN HOMES IS SHOCKINGLY NOT ILLEGAL, TYING LAW ENFORCEMENT’S HANDS IN PREVENTING TERRORIST ATTACKS; IN WAKE OF AL QAEDA RELEASING NEW, DANGEROUS BOMB-MAKING RECIPE TO INCITE U.S. TERRORIST ATTACKS, SENATOR LAUNCHES PLAN TO CRIMINALIZE HOMEMADE EXPLOSIVES
Schumer Unveils Plan to Criminalize Explosive -Making Without a License, Which Gives Federal ATF Officials the Authority to Arrest Would-Be Terrorists Before Further Terrorist Activity Takes Place; Law Enforcement Has One Hand Tied Behind Its Back In Combating Elevated Terror Threat Schumer: Trend of Homemade Explosives Used By Would-Be Terrorists- Plus Boston Marathon Bombers- Demonstrate Law Enforcement Need Every Tool Available To Thwart Terrorists U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer toda… Continue Reading
01.17.15
SCHUMER, BLUMENTHAL RAISE RED FLAGS ON FHWA TESTING OF POTENTIALLY-DEFECTIVE GUARDRAILS
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) wrote Gregory Nadeau-Acting Administrator of the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)-to express ongoing concerns regarding the FHWA's evaluation of defective ET-Plus guardrail and end terminals. The Senators each wrote Nadeau late last year urging the FHWA to ensure thorough and adequate testing of ET-Plus guardrail and terminals. The Senators found the FHWA's response and public comments to these concerns to be ina… Continue Reading
01.16.15
SCHUMER PUSHES FEMA TO FULLY FUND CRITICAL REPAIRS TO KINGSTON’S SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FLOODED BY HURRICANE SANDY – FEDS APPROVED INITIAL COST ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS, BUT RECENT DISCOVERY OF ADDITIONAL DAMAGE HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED PRICE TAG; SCHUMER URGES FEMA TO RE-CONSIDER KINGSTON’S APPLICATION & COVER ENTIRE $6M IN COSTS
Schumer Urges FEMA Administrator to Cover Maximum Possible Amount; City Has Agreed To Cover Some Costs, but With Price Tag Now at $6M, Kingston Needs Fed Help - With Fed Funds, Kingston Will Replace Parts of the Electrical System & Raise Equipment to Avoid Future Damage from Rondout Creek Flooding; FEMA OK Would Get Project Underway Schumer to FEMA: Cost of Repairs to Kingston Sewage Treatment Plant Should Be Approved ASAP Today, at the Kingston Sewage Treatment Plant, U.S. Senator C… Continue Reading
01.16.15
SCHUMER CALLS FOR PLANNED EXPANSION OF ROUTE 17 TO BE EXTENDED ALL THE WAY TO MONTICELLO – WITH MAJOR INCREASE IN TRAFFIC EXPECTED DUE TO NEW CASINO, STOPPING RT. 17 EXPANSION IN WALLKILL DOES NOT MAKE SENSE; PLEDGES TO MAKE PASSING MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE BILL A TOP PRIORITY
Expanding Rt. 17 Has Been A Major Schumer Priority for Years; Extending Rt. 17 Expansion Into Sullivan County Will Require Mix of Fed Infrastructure Funds, As Well As Funds From NYSDOT & Developer - Schumer Pushes For Enhanced Fed Infrastructure Bill To Help Cover Costs; Says Expansion of Rt. 17 is Prime Example of National Infrastructure Needs Schumer: Expanding Rt. 17 Into Sullivan County Key To Avoiding Traffic in Orange County & Maximizing Full Potential of All The Region's Econo… Continue Reading
01.16.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $3.8 MILLION FOR MTA TUNNEL AND BRIDGE EMERGENCY REPAIRS
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will receive more than $3.8 million in federal funding for repairs to tunnels and bridges damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The reimbursement will cover the costs of work done to restore and protect the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Queens Midtown Tunnel, Bronx/Whitestone Bridge, Cross Bay Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, Marine Parkway Bridge, Throgs/Neck Bridge, Tri-Borough/RFK Bridge… Continue Reading
