Press Releases
AFTER FEDS GIVE GREEN LIGHT TO DANGEROUS POWDERED ALCOHOL – PALCOHOL- SCHUMER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO MAKE SUBSTANCE ILLEGAL & KEEP IT FROM HITTING STORE SHELVES AS SOON AS THIS SUMMER
Earlier this Week, The Federal TTB Approved Federal Labels for Palcohol - The Last Step Needed Before Product Hits Store Shelves As Early As Summer; Last Year, Schumer Called on the FDA to Step In And Investigate the Dangerous Product, But Shockingly No Action Was Taken Schumer Is Introducing Legislation in Senate to Make Production, Sale & Possession of Palcohol Illegal; Product Is Highly Concentrated, Easily Concealed, Can Be Snorted and Added to Food & Drinks Schumer: After Se… Continue Reading
03.11.15
SCHUMER LAUNCHES PUSH TO ENABLE FAMILIES TO USE FED “529 COLLEGE SAVINGS FUNDS” TO PURCHASE COMPUTERS TAX FREE – CURRENTLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW YORKERS WITH “529” PLANS CAN ONLY RECEIVE TAX BENEFIT WHEN PURCHASING SUPPLIES LIKE TEXTBOOKS, BUT NOT COMPUTERS
529 Accounts Are A Critical Tool Many Families Use To Save For College; As Long As Money Is Being Put Toward College or College-Related Expenses, It Can Be Withdrawn Tax Free - However, Computers Do Not Qualify For This Benefit & Families Are Hit With Significant Tax When Withdrawing Funds To Purchase a New Laptop or Desktop Schumer Pushes New Legislation To Make Computers Eligible For Tax Advantage; Computers Are A Critical Part of College Education & Should Get Same Treatment as Te… Continue Reading
03.11.15
SCHUMER CALLS FOR NEW LEGISLATION REQUIRING SAFETY STANDARDS FOR LIQUID DETERGENT PACKETS, INCLUDING CHILD-SAFE CAPS ON ALL CONTAINERS - THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN REMAIN AT-RISK OF INGESTING COLORFUL, EXTRA-TOXIC DETERGENT GEL PODS BECAUSE OF EASY-TO-OPEN LIDS
Research Suggests Over 700 U.S. Hospitalizations & 17,000 Poison Control Calls Involving Children Under 6 Years Old Ingesting Detergent Pods; In 2012, When New Product Hit U.S. Markets, Schumer Urged Feds to Require Child Safety Caps and Warning Labels on Containers, But Insufficient Action Has Been Taken Schumer Supports Federal Legislation to Set Mandatory Safety Standards for Liquid Detergent Pods, Including Child-Proof Packaging & Proper Warning Labels; Schumer Says Protections A… Continue Reading
03.10.15
AFTER ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES CUT TO ONE OF SOUTHERN TIER’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 DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS; CUTS COULD SLOW PROGRESS
Administration Proposed Cutting $200 Million from HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program In Upcoming Fiscal Year - Binghamton, Elmira & Ithaca Combined Received a Combined $3.5 Million Alone in 2014 & It Is A Major Driver In Local Development Projects CDBG Has Helped Southern Tier Municipalities Fund Transformational Development Projects - The City of Binghamton Has Used CDBG Funding for Neighborhood Housing Initiatives, Including Blighted Property Demolition; The Cit… Continue Reading
03.10.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, SERRANO, RANGEL, CROWLEY INTRODUCE BILL TO RENAME MORRISANIA POST OFFICE IN HONOR OF FORMER BOROUGH PRESIDENT AND THE FIRST PUERTO RICAN CONGRESSMAN IN US HISTORY, HERMAN BADILLO
History Maker Herman Badillo Served as Bronx Borough President & Was First Puerto Rican to Serve as Congressman; Badillo Also Served as NYC Deputy Mayor under Ed Koch Schumer, Gillibrand, Serrano, Rangel, Crowley Introduce Legislation to Rename Post Office in the Bronx After Herman Badillo Lawmakers: Dedication of Morrisania Post Office Will Be a Lasting Tribute to Herman Badillo's Steadfast Commitment & Dedication to New York City U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten … Continue Reading
03.09.15
SCHUMER: AT LEAST 95,000 UTILITY POLES ON LONG ISLAND HAVE BEEN TREATED WITH A HIGHLY TOXIC CHEMICAL KNOWN TO CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES; SENATOR URGES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATE THE USE OF “PENTA” ON WOODEN UTILITY POLES – CALLS ON PSEG TO SUSPEND FURTHER USE OF CHEMICAL ON POLES UNTIL COMPLETION
Schumer Highlighted Concern That The Toxic Chemical, Pentachlorophenol, Is Being Used to Treat New Wooden PSEG-LI Utility Poles & Could Leach Into Groundwater Over Long Term As Poles Deteriorate; Studies Suggest Penta Can Result in Neurological & Issues With Respiratory Tract, Kidney, Immune System & More Schumer Calls for Immediate Federal EPA Investigation Into the Potential Long-Term Health Impacts of Using Penta-Treated Poles - Notes That Previous Private Studies Are Narrow and … Continue Reading
03.09.15
SCHUMER: ANTHONY L. JORDAN HEALTH CENTER IN ROCHESTER NEEDS FED APPROVAL FOR CLOSE TO $2.4M IN “VITAL ACCESS PROVIDER” FUNDING; CENTER HAS BEEN WAITING TWO YEARS TO RECEIVE FUNDS – SENATOR URGES FEDS TO EXPEDITE RELEASE OF DESPERATELY NEEDED FUNDING TO HELP KEEP LIFE-SAVING AGENCY OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY
Anthony L. Jordan Health Corp. in Rochester Provides Approximately 30,000 Patients Living in Poverty With Valuable Health Services, But is Currently Operating Without $2.4M in Medicaid Funds It Has Been Promised - Funding Has Been Awaiting Fed Approval For Over Two Years & Jordan Health Center Has Been Forced To Expend Its Own Reserves to Cover The Gap Schumer Urges Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services to Quickly Approve Anthony Jordan's Application for Fed Funds; Funding Will Help… Continue Reading
03.08.15
SCHUMER: NEW GAO REPORT REVEALS THAT FAA’S COMPUTER SYSTEM IS DANGEROUSLY VULNERABLE TO HACKERS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO SONY-LIKE TAKEOVER OF SYSTEM BY CYBER-CRIMINALS WHILE THOUSANDS OF PLANES ARE IN AIR; CALLS ON FAA TO EXPEDITIOUSLY IMPLEMENT ALL EXPERT-RECOMMENDED CYBERSECURITY UPGRADES
According to A GAO Report Released This Week, the FAA Is Highly Vulnerable to Hackers Because Agency Has Yet to Fully Implement System-Wide Upgrades to Computer Systems, Like Establishing Multiple Necessary Firewalls to Protect Against Unauthorized Intruders Schumer Urges That the FAA Quickly Implement All Cyber Security Safety Upgrades Recommended in GAO Report To Protect Against Growing Threat to Hacking of Air Traffic Control Systems - FAA Has Been Working to Implemented Some Recommended C… Continue Reading
03.06.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FEDS TAKE CRITICAL STEP TOWARD LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR FINCH PAPER, WHICH IS UNDER THREAT FROM PRODUCERS IN CHINA & OTHER COUNTRIES WHO ARE UNFAIRLY DUMPING HUGE AMOUNTS OF PAPER INTO U.S. – FEDS HAVE CONCLUDED THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT IMPORTS ARE HURTING INDUSTRY; NEXT STEP IS FOR DEPT. OF COMMERCE TO DETERMINE POTENTIAL ACTION TO LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
Schumer, in Visit to Glens Falls Last Month, Urged Fed International Trade Commission To Protect Finch and Its 600 Glens Falls Workers Against Potential Unfair Tactics From China Finch Has Lost Millions of Dollars' Worth of Sales Over Last 18 Months Due to Unfairly Priced Imports Schumer: Trade Case Could Level the Playing Field for Finch & Its Workers U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the International Trade Commission (ITC) reached an affirmative prelimina… Continue Reading
03.05.15
SCHUMER: FED FUNDS ARE CRUCIAL TO KEEPING INTACT QUALITY RESOURCES & EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AT CASH-STRAPPED LAKE SHORE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – CALLS ON FEDS TO APPROVE FED AID FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT
Lake Shore CSD Encompasses Large Portion of the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, Which Means Parts of the District are Exempt from School Tax Levies - Schumer Says Feds Have a Way to Make Up for this Gap, Through the "Federal Impact Aid" Program In Last 5 Years, Lake Shore Central School District in Erie County Has Lost Over $20 Million in Funding; Has Been Forced To Close Elementary Schools & Cut Much-Needed Services - Fed Funding Crucial to Provide Much-Needed Resources and Ensure Qualit… Continue Reading
03.04.15
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
