Press Releases
SCHUMER: WAR ON HEROIN/OPIOIDS CONTINUES TO RAGE IN ULSTER COUNTY & THE FEDS NEED TO FINALLY GET INVOLVED; SENATOR RELAUNCHES PUSH TO DESIGNATE COUNTY AS “HIGH-INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA,” WHICH WILL MEAN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, INTELLIGENCE, COORDINATION TO HELP DISRUPT DRUG RINGS & REVERSE HEROIN EPIDEMIC
Ulster County, Like The Rest Of The Hudson Valley, Has Experienced Explosion Of Heroin Use & An Increase in Drug-Related Crime; There Has Been A Significant Increase In Heroin Arrests In Ulster Since Last Year, And The Number Of Heroin-Related Deaths Has Quadrupled Federal HIDTA Anti-Drug Designation Will Finally Provide Much-Needed Resources and Technical Assistance To Help Ulster County Better Fight Its Growing Heroin Problem Schumer: Ulster County Must Become a HIDTA to Access Vital Fe… Continue Reading
08.12.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $20 MILLION IN FEDERAL SANDY FUNDS FOR RESILIENCY UPGRADES ALONG METRO-NORTH HUDSON LINE; MTA’S ‘METRO-NORTH RAILROAD POWER & SIGNAL RESILIENCY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT’ WAS SELECTED ON COMPETITIVE BASIS FROM HURRICANE SANDY RESILIENCY COMPETITION
Metro-North Hudson Line, Which Serves An Average of 26K People Each Weekday, Was Damaged By Superstorm Sandy When Salt Water Destroyed Electric Components & Third Rail Was Crushed; MTA Applied to Competitive Hurricane Sandy Resiliency Competition for Federal Grant to Construct More Resilient Power & Signal Equipment Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $20.7 Million Obligation of Federal Transit Administration Grant Funding; Will Support Design & Construction of 92 Elevated Steel Equipmen… Continue Reading
08.11.15
SCHUMER REVEALS: NEW FED BUDGET SLASHES ANTI-DRUG TRAFFICKING EFFORTS BY OVER $150M -- JUST WHEN LI NEEDS DOLLARS MOST -- AS SINALOA DRUG CARTEL AND OTHERS RUSH MORE DRUGS TO LI, NYC; SCHUMER LAUNCHES PUSH TO RESTORE FED FUNDING USED TO HIRE DEA AGENTS & COMBAT SINALOA AND OTHER CARTLELS' GRIP ON LI
DEA Recently Revealed Sinaloa Cartel & Other Mexican Drug Organizations Are Making A New Push To Build Markets For Meth On LI; Heroin & Fentanyl-Laced Drugs Also On The Rise Amidst "El Chapo" Escape DEA Has Helped Bust LI "Superlabs" Responsible For LI Drug Trafficking, But New Cuts Could Leave Nassau & Suffolk On National Back Burner Despite Being Prime Drug Cartel Target Schumer: Plan To Cut DEA Workforce -- And Slash Funds That Combat Anti-Drug Operations On LI -- Is A Bad Deal&… Continue Reading
08.10.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES: FOLLOWING MEETING WITH NIH DIRECTOR, FEDS HAVE APPROVED UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO’S APPLICATION FOR MAJOR FED FUNDING THAT WILL BE A GAME-CHANGER FOR CANCER RESEARCH IN WNY – $20 MILLION IN FED FUNDS OVER NEXT 5 YEARS WILL ENABLE UB AND ITS PARTNERS TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN NEW CANCER RESEARCH PROJECTS AND APPLY FOR ADDITIONAL HIGHLY COMPETITIVE FUNDING
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, Applied for Funding and Designation through NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award t… Continue Reading
08.10.15
SCHUMER: CDBG & HOME FUNDING ARE THE LIFE BLOOD FOR THE CITY OF ELMIRA; PROPOSED SENATE BUDGET BILL WOULD SLASH CRITICAL FUNDING FOR KEY PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS, FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER ASSISTANCE, PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, AND MORE; STANDING WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS AND RESIDENTS, SENATOR VOWS TO FIGHT FOR ADDITIONAL FED FUNDING & URGES COLLEAGUES TO RESTORE FUNDS CRITICAL TO KEEPING ELMIRA RUNNING
Current Senate Bill Dramatically Cuts Fed Funding For Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Programs By $100M & Slashes HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Funding By More Than $800 Million From Fiscal Year 2015 Levels - Effectively Decimating Critical Funding Streams For Southern-Tier Communities Cuts Put First Time Homeownership & Rehabilitation Programs, Neighborhood Revitalization Ef… Continue Reading
08.10.15
SCHUMER: FIRST RESPONDERS NEED NEW SHARED-FREQUENCY RADIOS FOR RAPID RESPONSE, AND AFTER 4-YEAR LONG STRUGGLE TO FINALLY GET INTEROPERABLE RADIO SYSTEM APPROVED BY FCC, SYSTEM STILL REMAINS OFFLINE BECAUSE OF FINAL FAA HURDLE – SENATOR PUSHES FAA TO EXPEDITE APPROVAL PROCESS SO FIRE, POLICE, EMS, 911, HIGHWAY DEPT RESPONDERS CAN FINALLY COMMUNICATE ON SAME RADIO CHANNEL
In May, Schumer Urged U.S. State Department & FCC To Intervene With Canadian Officials Who Had Blocked New Frequency Approval for Years; Canadian Approval Was Required Because Of Broadcast Tower's Proximity To Canada Senator Reveals, As Result Of His Previous Push, U.S. State Department & FCC Have Reached Agreement With Canada To Approve Frequency Agreement; Now, FAA Sign Off Is Still Needed To Finally Turn On New Joint Radio System Schumer To FAA: Expedite The Approval Process for Wyo… Continue Reading
08.10.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES: ROCHESTER WILL FINALLY RECEIVE $9.5M IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO BUILD THE BRADDOCK BAY RESTORATION PROJECT; FUNDING WILL DREDGE NEW 4X DEEPER & WIDER BOAT CHANNEL, CONSTRUCT 2.5 ACRE BARRIER BEACH, FIX WETLAND ECOSYSTEM & RESTORE THE BAY TO ECOLOGICAL PARADISE
After Erosion Of Former Barrier Beach, Lake Ontario Sand Pushed into Bay Has Left Boat Channel Only 6 Inches Deep; Too Shallow & Hazardous For Boaters To Reach Lake and Degraded Wetlands Schumer Successfully Pushed EPA To Fund Entire Braddock Project And Now Greenlight Construction; Previously, Feds Only Agreed To Fund First $575K, Until Schumer Intervened Schumer: Millions of Dollars from the EPA are Finally on the Way for Braddock Bay Today, at the Braddock Bay Marina, U.S. Senator Char… Continue Reading
08.06.15
My Position on the Iran Deal
Every several years or so a legislator is called upon to cast a momentous vote in which the stakes are high and both sides of the issue are vociferous in their views. Over the years, I have learned that the best way to treat such decisions is to study the issue carefully, hear the full, unfiltered explanation of those for and against, and then, without regard to pressure, politics or party, make a decision solely based on the merits. I have spent the last three weeks doing just that: carefully… Continue Reading
08.06.15
SCHUMER: BY FALL, NYC AIRPORTS TO GET TSA TRAINING OVERHAUL BASED ON FAILED RED TEAM TESTS; SENATOR CONFIRMS NYC TSA PLAN IN PERSONAL MEETING WITH NEW TSA ADMINISTRATOR; SCHUMER CALLED FOR ACTION FOLLOWING REPORT THAT TSA HAD FAILED MORE THAN 95 PERCENT OF RED TEAM TESTS & ALLOWED AIRLINE EMPLOYEES TO SMUGGLE CONTRABAND ONTO PLANES
Earlier This Year, Media Reports Cited a New TSA "Red Team" Report Suggesting Agents Failed to Uncover 67 Out of 70 Threats at Airports Across the Country; Also, a Gun Running Scheme Exposed a Dangerous Loophole that Most Airport Employees Are Exempt from Going Through Metal Detectors; In Response, Senator Urged for a Full Review of Employee Training Procedures & Comprehensive Screening Process Schumer Met With New TSA Administrator Neffenger to Push for Enhanced Employee Training & S… Continue Reading
08.06.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES, AFTER SUCCESSFULLY APPEALING TO FEMA ADMINISTRATOR FUGATE,GLEN AUBREY FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL NOW FINALLY RECEIVE THE $500K NEEDED TO RELOCATE FACILITY OUT OF FLOODPLAIN
Glen Aubrey Fire Department Was Severely Damaged In 2011 By Tropical Storm Lee And Needed To Be Relocated Outside of Flood Zone to Avoid Future Flood Damage, But FEMA Previously Denied Glen Aubrey's Request For Fed Funds Fire Department Had Been Under Appeal Since Fall 2013 & Was Caught in Red Tape Until Schumer Went To Bat For The FD; Schumer Urged FEMA Admin. To Provide Final Sign-Off - Now, Senator Announces Glen Aubrey FD Will Receive $500,000 From FEMA Schumer: Fed Funds For Glen Aub… Continue Reading
08.06.15
FOLLOWING FEDERAL INSPECTION OF ROCHESTER AREA RAIL-GRADE CROSSING GATES & SIGNALS, SCHUMER REVEALS RESULTS OF THE FED RAILROAD ADMIN’S SAFETY ASSESSMENT & LAUNCHES NEW PUSH, IN LIGHT OF FINDINGS, TO INCORPORATE NEW TECHNOLOGY AT CROSSINGS THAT CAN REDUCE FALSE ACTIVATIONS & PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS FOR DRIVERS
Following Deadly Accident, Schumer Called For Investigation Of All Area Rail-Grade Crossings, Citing That 9-1-1 Dispatch Centers Had 200+ Reports Of Malfunctioning Gates Dropping Down And Remaining Closed When No Train Was Approaching, Conditioning Motorists To Disregard Gates & Put Their Lives in Danger Now, Schumer Reveals Findings Of FRA Safety Inspections - Feds Assessed All 81 Crossings In Monroe County, Found And Corrected 88 Minor Defects, Issued 3 Safety Penalties Against Rail Comp… Continue Reading
08.06.15
SCHUMER: FEDS SHOULD STAY OUT OF WELL-DESERVED LEGAL DECISION REQUIRING PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY AND PLO TO PAY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO U.S. VICTIMS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS ABROAD
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of NY Recently Found the PLO & Palestinian Authority Culpable for a Number of Deadly Terrorist Attacks Between 2001-2004; Federal 'Antiterrorism Act of 1990' Allows Victims of International Terrorism to Seek Justice in a U.S. Court of Law Schumer Urges DOJ & State Dept. Not to Intervene in Lawsuit, Which Orders a Judgement of $655.5M; DOJ is Considering Asking the Court to Protect PLO & PA From Having to Pay Judgement Schumer: DOJ &… Continue Reading
08.06.15
SCHUMER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO ELIMINATE DISPARITIES IN PUERTO RICO’S MEDICARE & MEDICAID PROGRAM; BILL WILL HELP FIX FEDERAL LAWS TO PROVIDE MORE EQUITABLE FEDERAL FUNDING TO TERRITORY’S HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & PROGRAMS
Currently, States Have No Limit on the Amount of Federal Funding Provided for Medicaid, However, Funding for Territories-like Puerto Rico-is Capped; Following Financial Woes, Puerto Rico's Remaining $3.5B in Medicaid Funding is Expected to Deplete by 2018 & if Not Replenished, Could Then Be Reduced To Less than $400M/Year Schumer's Legislation Provides Puerto Rico Additional Medicaid Funding for Hospitals that Treat Low-Income Patients; Improves Treatment Under Medicare DSH Program & E… Continue Reading
08.06.15
SCHUMER: FEDS SHOULD STAY OUT OF WELL-DESERVED LEGAL DECISION REQUIRING PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY AND PLO TO PAY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO U.S. VICTIMS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS ABROAD
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of NY Recently Found the PLO & Palestinian Authority Culpable for a Number of Deadly Terrorist Attacks Between 2001-2004; Federal 'Antiterrorism Act of 1990' Allows Victims of International Terrorism to Seek Justice in a U.S. Court of Law Schumer Urges DOJ & State Dept. Not to Intervene in Lawsuit, Which Orders a Judgement of $655.5M; DOJ is Considering Asking the Court to Protect PLO & PA From Having to Pay Judgement Schumer: DOJ &… Continue Reading
08.06.15
IN MEETING WITH NEW TSA ADMINISTRATOR, SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO INCORPORATE SURESCAN CORPORATION INTO EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AIRPORT SECURITY – SENATOR SAYS SOUTHERN TIER COMPANY’S TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND INVOLVEMENT WITH TSA WOULD IMPROVE AIRPORT SCREENING PROCEDURES & CREATE JOBS IN THE SOUTHERN TIER
Earlier This Year, Media Reports Cited a New TSA "Red Team" Report Suggesting Agents Failed to Uncover 67 Out of 70 Threats at Airports Across the Country; In Response, Senator Pushed for a Full Review of Comprehensive Screening Processes to Ensure Any & All Issues Are Addressed Schumer Met With New TSA Administrator Neffenger to Push for the Involvement of Southern Tier Company, SureScan, In Efforts to Overhaul & Review Processes - SureScan Is Developer of Highly Effective Checked Bagg… Continue Reading
08.05.15
FOLLOWING CRASH OF RUNAWAY RAIL CAR IN UTICA, SET FREE BY TEENAGER, SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO REVIEW SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR UNATTENDED TRAINS TO ENSURE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE PROTECTED ?
A Parked & Unattended Rail Car Was Recently Set in Motion By A Teen, Sending The Car Barreling Down City Streets At Nearly 40 MPH; Train Crashed Into Utica's Union Station, Causing Over $1 Million In Damages Many Lives Could Have Been Put At Risk - Schumer Says FRA Must Review Safety Procedures To Ensure Unattended Trains Can No Longer Be Put Into Motion By Bystanders Or Potentially Used To Inflict Harm On Communities Schumer To Feds: Unattended Freight Trains Need To Be Locked & Secur… Continue Reading
08.05.15
ON EVE OF 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF VOTING RIGHTS ACT, SCHUMER INTRODUCES NEW BILLS TO DRAMATICALLY EXPAND ACCESS TO VOTING – LEGISLATION MAKES IT EASIER TO REGISTER ONLINE, EXPANDS EARLY VOTING, AND MORE
Legislation Would Require All States to Hold Early Voting for At Least 7 Consecutive Days During 10 Days Leading Up To Federal Elections Schumer Bills Would Also Allow Voters To Register to Vote Online, Sync Voting Registration with USPS Change of Address Service, & Ensure That Last Day to Register To Vote Does Not Fall On A Weekend Schumer: Congress Must Make it Easier to Vote, Not Harder Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today intro… Continue Reading
08.04.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $5 MILLION IN FED FUNDING FOR ORANGE COUNTY AIRPORT
Federal Funding Will Be Used For Major Runway Safety Improvements U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $5,023,500 in federal funding for Orange County Airport. This funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This federal funding will transform the Orange County Airport, located in the Village of Montgomery, by allowing it to make major safety upgrades to the main runway. The runway will… Continue Reading
08.04.15
SCHUMER URGES TOP MILITARY OFFICIAL TO PUT ADMIN HEADQUARTERS FOR NEW PHOTONICS CENTER IN HISTORIC SIBLEY BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER – WITH NEARLY 1 MILLION SQUARE FEET IN PRIME SPACE, SENATOR SAYS SIBLEY BUILDING IS THE PERFECT FIT TO HOUSE PHOTONICS HEADQUARTERS
DOD, Photonics Consortium Will Soon Decide The Location Of Administrative Headquarters For New Rochester Photonics Center; Schumer Successfully Secured Critical $110 Million Fed Funding For NYS Proposal Led By UR, RIT, SUNY Poly Consortium And Others To Create State-Of-The-Art Photonics Center Administrative Center Would Be The Anchor For The New Downtown Innovation Zone Centered At Sibley; Schumer Says With New RIT Business Incubator And Upcoming High Tech Of Rochester Incubator Creating Down… Continue Reading
08.03.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $248K IN FED FUNDING FOR SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Federal Funding Will Be Used For Improvements To The Airport's Terminals & Taxiways U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $248,400 in federal funding for two critical infrastructure projects at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport. This funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This federal funding will allocate $220,500 to enable improvements to airport terminals and upgrade f… Continue Reading
