Press Releases
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND: FEMA MUST ENSURE THAT PENDING SANDY FLOOD INSURANCE SETTLEMENT APPLIES TO ALL AFFECTED POLICY HOLDERS, EVEN IF THEY DIDN’T FILE LAWSUIT – ALSO URGE THAT NEW YORKERS WITH SANDY DAMAGE HAVE ACCESS TO ENGINEERING & INSURANCE DOCUMENTS TO DETERMINE IF FRAUD HAS OCCURRED
In Recent Months, Numerous Federal Court Records & Media Reports Have Highlighted Evidence of Fraud Committed by Private Engineering Firms In Their Assessment of Damage to Sandy-Impacted Homes, Which Led to Denial or Underpayment of Claims; FEMA is Currently In Midst of Efforts to Settle Approximately 1,200 Pending Lawsuits Schumer, Gillibrand Urge FEMA to Apply All Terms & Parameters of Pending Settlement to All Impacted Policyholders, Regardless of Whether or Not a Lawsuit Was Filed… Continue Reading
03.04.15
SCHUMER: BAKKEN CRUDE OIL SHIPPED THROUGH UPSTATE NY IN HUNDREDS OF TANK CARS EACH DAY IS FAR MORE FLAMMABLE & DANGEROUS THAN OTHER TYPES – SENATOR DEMANDS FEDS REQUIRE OIL COMPANIES TO MAKE HIGHLY FLAMMABLE CRUDE OIL LESS VOLATILE BEFORE IT IS SHIPPED THROUGH NYS COMMUNITIES
Schumer Says Making Tank Cars Stronger Is Critical Component to Safety, But Making The Actual Crude Oil Contained In Oil Cars Less Volatile Is Another Important Step That Feds Must Undertake - With Hundreds of Train Cars Filled With Crude Traveling Through NYS Each Day & Feds Estimating 10 Oil Train Derailments Per Year, Feds Must Do Even More To Keep People Safe Stabilizing Crude Would Make Deadly Explosions Less Likely Following A Derailment & Add Further Layer Of Protection For New… Continue Reading
03.04.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $12 MILLION FOR WESTCHESTER AND ROCKLAND HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS
Funding Provides Early Education for Children In Westchester and Rockland U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced more than $12 million in federal funding for early childhood education programs in Rockland and Westchester counties. The funding will be used to help underserved children from low-income families. Community organizations from across the state applied for the funding, and the award to three programs in the Hudson Valley will support Early Head Start and… Continue Reading
03.03.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND: U.S. RETAILERS ARE MISSING OUT ON CANADIAN CUSTOMERS BECAUSE CANADIAN DUTY FREE POLICIES FOR SHORT TRIPS ACROSS THE BORDER DISCOURAGE RESIDENTS FROM SHOPPING IN U.S. – SENATORS PUSH CANADIAN GOVERNMENT TO BRING DUTIES ON PAR WITH MORE FAVORABLE ONES IN U.S.; WOULD BE BIG BOOST TO BUFFALO, WATERTOWN, PLATTSBURGH RETAILERS
U.S. Currently Allows American Residents Shopping in Canada to Bring Up to $200 Worth of Merchandise Purchased in Canada Back to U.S. Duty Free For Travel Lasting Less Than 48 Hours & Up to $800 for Travel Longer Than 48 Hours, But Canada's Duty Free Policies Are Far Less Favorable Businesses in Buffalo, Plattsburgh, Watertown & Many Other Places in NYS Are Hurt By Canada's Policy, Which Discourages Short Shopping Trips Across the Border - Senators Urge Canada to Bring Its Duty Free P… Continue Reading
03.03.15
SCHUMER PUSHES FOR FED FUNDS TO FULLY DREDGE ROCHESTER HARBOR, WHICH WAS LAST DREDGED ON ROUTINE SCHEDULE IN 2009; URGES FED APPROPRIATORS TO ALLOCATE $2.3 MILLION TO EFFORT – “KEEPING ROCHESTER HARBOR NAVIGABLE IS CRITICAL FOR SAFETY & THE LOCAL ECONOMY,” SCHUMER
Dredging Is Needed Every Two Years for Harbor to Keep Pace, But Has Not Been on Routine Schedule since 2009 - Fully Dredged Harbor is Key for Commerce & Recreation; Barges Have Run Aground Before Due To Lack of Dredging Schumer Pushes to Secure Fed Funding As Part of FY2016 Budget - The Cost of Not Dredging the Rochester Harbor Could Mean a Loss of Commercial and Recreation Revenue & Could Put Local Jobs At Risk Schumer: Fed Funds Are Needed To Keep Rochester Harbor Clear For Comm… Continue Reading
03.02.15
AFTER ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES CUT TO ONE OF JAMESTOWN’S MOST IMPORTANT FED PROGRAMS, SCHUMER VOWS TO FIGHT FOR FULL FUNDING IN CONGRESS TO PRESERVE IT – FED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM HAS BEEN CRITICAL TO DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT, REVIVAL; CUTS COULD SLOW PROGRESS
Administration Proposed Cutting $200 Million from HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program In Upcoming Fiscal Year - Jamestown Receives Approximately $1.2 Million in Funding Each Year & It Is A Major Driver In Downtown Development CDBG Has Helped Jamestown Fund Transformational Development Plans Like Main Street Revitalization & Gateway Train Station, Make Buildings Like Prendergast Library Handicap Accessible, And Invested in Neighborhood Housing Initiatives Through Rev… Continue Reading
03.02.15
SCHUMER URGES FEMA TO FULLY FUND REPAIR OF ASHER DAM IN RHINEBECK; DAM & PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE WERE DAMAGED BY HURRICANE IRENE & TROPICAL STORM LEE – REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT FEMA IS WITHHOLDING FUNDING DUE TO ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR THAT CAN BE EASILY CORRECTED
Village of Rhinebeck's Asher Dam, Which Plays Critical Role in Controlling Water Levels At Crystal Lake in Dutchess County, Was Severely Damaged by Hurricane Irene & Tropical Strom Sandy; Dam's Pedestrian Bridge Was Also Damaged And Needed Significant Repairs to Keep Residents, Tourists Safe The Village Made Substantial Repairs to Dam & Bridge in 2014 And Had Proceeded to Final Fed Funding Stage When FEMA Pulled Funds Back Due to Easily Corrected Administrative Error - The Fix is Easy… Continue Reading
03.02.15
SCHUMER: BECAUSE OF NRA PRESSURE, INDIVIDUALS ON THE TERRORIST WATCH LIST CAN LEGALLY PURCHASE FIREARMS & EXPLOSIVES IN U.S.; SENATOR CALLS FOR LEGISLATION TO ADD KNOWN & SUSPECTED TERRORISTS TO NICS DATABASE, IN LIGHT OF RECENT RISE IN DOMESTIC TERRORISM THREATS
Unlike Convicted Felons & the Mentally Ill, Schumer Explains That Under Current Law, Known or Suspected Terrorists on Terrorist Watch Lists Can Legally Purchase Weapons & Explosives Anywhere in the United States Following Arrest in NYC of Three Would-Be Terrorists Inspired By ISIS - And FBI Director Revelation That He Has Homegrown Violent Extremist Investigations In Every Single State - Schumer Calls For Immediate Passage of Plan to Give Department of Justice the Authority to Prevent… Continue Reading
03.02.15
SCHUMER: NORTHROP GRUMMAN HAS AGAIN MISSED NYS DEC DEADLINE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR BETHPAGE PLUME CLEANUP; SENATOR CALLS ON EPA TO STEP IN & ISSUE LEGAL “UNILATERAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER” REQUIRING NORTHROP GRUMMAN TO WORK WITH NAVY & HELP WITH CLEANUP
In November 2014, NYS Dept. of Environment Conservation Gave Northrop Grumman 30 Days to Sign an "Order of Consent" To Legally Accept Responsibility and Signal Participation in Clean Up With Bethpage Plume; Signed Consent is Now 3 Months Overdue Schumer Urges EPA to Step In & Issue "Unilateral Administrative Order" To Legally Force Northrop Grumman, Which Operated the Former Navy Site, to Help With Toxic Cleanup Process After three months of delay by Northrop Grumman in legally accepting… Continue Reading
02.27.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $3.3 MILLION IN HEAD START FUNDS FOR DUTCHESS COUNTY ORGANIZATION
Astor Services for Children and Families, Inc. Will Use Funding to Continue to Provide Early Education Programs for Low-Income Children in Dutchess County U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $3,315,153 in federal funding for the Astor Services for Children and Families, Inc., a community-based agency in Rhinebeck. Schumer and Gillibrand said this funding will continue to support the organization's efforts to improve education for low-income children at their e… Continue Reading
02.27.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, RANGEL, NADLER, MEEKS, CLARKE, JEFFRIES ANNOUNCE LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND MUSEUM IN NYC
African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan Holds Remains of 20,000 Enslaved Africans & Early Generation Free African Americans Dating Back to a Time When Lower Manhattan Churchyards Were Off Limits to Black Africans Schumer, Gillibrand, Rangel, Nadler, Meeks, Clarke, Jeffries Call for Establishment of an African Burial Ground Memorial Museum & Education Center; Museum Will Pay Honor to Thousands of Individuals Buried at Site & Educate Visitors on Our History Lawmakers: Museum Wo… Continue Reading
02.27.15
AS FED FUNDING DECISION FOR SING SING PRISON MUSEUM LOOMS, SCHUMER PLACES PERSONAL CALL TO HEAD OF HUMANITIES AGENCY TO PLUG PROJECT – FED FUNDS WOULD SUPPORT DESIGN & MARKETING FOR MUSEUM THAT COULD BE ‘ALCATRAZ OF THE EAST,’ ATTRACT 200K TOURISTS PER YEAR
Officials at the National Endowment for The Humanities Are Schedule To Meet Next Week To Decide Fed Funding for A Wide Range of Projects, Including Sing Sing Museum Schumer Places Personal Phone Call to NEH Chairman toTout Merits of Project - Museum at Sing Sing Would Be One of The First at An Active Prison, Is Adjacent to Commuter Rail &Could Be A Major Tourist Destination For Decades To Come Schumer: Like Alcatraz in San Francisco, Sing Sing Museum Would Provide A Major Boost T… Continue Reading
02.27.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $1.5 MILLION IN SANDY-RELIEF FUNDING FOR REPAIRS TO FIRE ISLAND PINES, DAVIS PARK & OCEAN BAY PARK
Wind, Storm Surge & Coastal Flooding from Superstorm Sandy Damaged Crossovers Throughout Fire Island; Concrete Crossovers Are Used by Pedestrians & Emergency Vehicles Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $1.5 Million in FEMA Funding for Permanent Repairs to Concrete Crossovers Within the Town of Brookhaven; Funding Will Also Be Used on Mitigation Measures to Help Prevent Future Destruction of Crossovers U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced over $1.5… Continue Reading
02.27.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES NEW LEGISLATION TO KEEP ASIAN CARP OUT OF GREAT LAKES – NEW BILL AIMS TO HEAD OFF NOXIOUS INVASIVE SPECIES AT THE PASS; WILL HELP WNY COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES THAT DEPEND ON LAKE ERIE & LAKE ONTARIO
"Defending Our Great Lakes Act" Would Promote Collaborative Water Quality and Flood Mitigation Projects to Keep Asian Carp Out of the Great Lakes - Asian Carp Would Completely Destroy Native Fish Populations Legislation Would Specifically Target Asian Carp at Illinois Dam, Which Could Become the Main Entry Point For Invasive Species Schumer: We Must Stop This Invasive Species Before It Reaches Our Precious Great Lakes Today, U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer announced he is an original co-… Continue Reading
02.26.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE TOWN OF MARSHALL TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $2.7 MILLION IN FEMA FUNDS TO UPGRADE FLOOD-PRONE BRIDGE OVER THE ORISKANY CREEK
Town of Marshall in Oneida County to Use Funds to Upgrade Bridge to Enhance Resiliency & Protect Area from Future Flooding Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $2,737,500 in federal funding for the Town of Marshall in Oneida County to upgrade and scour the flood-prone bridge over the Oriskany Creek on Buell Avenue. These funds, which are being awarded as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will co… Continue Reading
02.26.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE TOWN OF KEENE TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $3.4 MILLION IN FEMA FUNDS TO UPGRADE FLOOD-PRONE BRIDGE OVER EAST BRANCH AUSABLE RIVER
Town of Keene in Essex County to Use Funds to Upgrade Bridge to Maintain Vital Transit Link During Emergencies, Enhance Resiliency & Protect Area from Future Flooding Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $3,472,000 in federal funding for the Town of Keene in Essex County to upgrade and scour the flood-prone bridge over the East Branch Ausable River on Route 73. These funds, which are being awarded as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA… Continue Reading
02.26.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FEDS HAVE AGREED TO CRITICAL FIRST STEP IN DEVELOPING ICE-CONTROL PLAN FOR WEST SENECA TO LIMIT ICE JAMS & FLOODING ALONG BUFFALO CREEK – FOLLOWING SCHUMER’S PUSH, ARMY CORPS TO LAUNCH STUDY; SENATOR URGES STUDY TO BE COMPLETED QUICKLY & WILL PUSH FOR PLAN TO BE IN PLACE ASAP
Schumer Urged U.S. Army Corps to Work with West Seneca to Develop Plan to Install Ice Control Devices in Buffalo Creek Following Numerous Ice Jams That Flooded Hundreds of Homes Army Corps Has Agreed To Execute Ice Jam Study in West Seneca & Identify Potential Solutions - This is An Important Step Toward Preventing Constant Struggle Local Homeowners Face Each Winter Schumer to Army Corps: Ice Jam Study is A Good Start; Must Lead to Action U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announ… Continue Reading
02.25.15
SCHUMER: VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF LONG ISLAND NEEDS FEDERAL APPROVAL FOR “VITAL ACCESS PROVIDER” FUNDING; URGES CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES TO EXPEDITE RELEASE OF DESPERATELY NEEDED FUNDING TO HELP KEEP LIFE-SAVING AGENCY OPERATING
Visiting Nurse Association of LI Provides Approximately 500 Patients With Valuable Health Services & Is Currently In Dire Financial Straits; Organization Applied & For Over a Year Has Been Awaiting Federal Approval for Over $1 Million in Supplemental Medicaid Funds Schumer Urges Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services to Quickly Approve Application for Pending Funds for Visiting Nurse Association of LI; Without These Funds, Organization Will Be Hard Pressed to Stay Afloat in the Fut… Continue Reading
02.25.15
WITH COLLEGE COSTS SOARING, SCHUMER LAUNCHES PUSH TO INCREASE & EXPAND COLLEGE TUITION TAX CREDIT THAT PROVIDES MUCH-NEEDED RELIEF FOR UPSTATE NY MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES – NEW BILL WOULD MAKE MORE FAMILIES ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE TAX CREDIT & GROW SAVINGS TO UP TO $3K PER YEAR
Schumer-Authored Tax Credit Already Provides A Major Boost For Middle Class Families Across Upstate NY, But New Bill Would Grow Annual Savings to $3,000 Per Year & Extend Maximum Lifetime Credit to $15K - For Every $1 Spent on College Tuition, Families Could Get $1 Off On Taxes, Up To $3K A Year New Bill Would Also Make Families Earning Up to $200K Eligible; Current Credit Only Eligible For Families Making Less Than $180K - New York Families Save Over $1B Per Year With Tax Credit; New Versi… Continue Reading
02.24.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, de BLASIO ANNOUNCE $116 MILLION IN FEDERAL SANDY RELIEF FUNDING FOR NYC’S RAPID REPAIRS PROGRAM
Immediately Following Sandy, NYC's Rapid Repairs Program Paid for Contractors to Help Sandy-Impacted Homeowners Make Emergency Repairs to Their Homes Before Permanent Repairs Could Take Place Schumer, Gillibrand, de Blasio Announce Millions in FEMA Funding to Reimburse the NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection Which Funded the Rapid Repairs Program U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced over $116 million in federal funding to reimburse… Continue Reading
