Press Releases
SCHUMER URGES DEPT OF AGRICULTURE TO SWIFTLY REVIEW AND APPROVE PLAN TO BUILD NEW ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINES NEXT TO EXISTING POWER LINES, RATHER THAN ACROSS KRENZER FAMILY FARM OR THROUGH HOMEOWNERS PROPERTIES IN CHILI & HENRIETTA NEW PLAN IS SUPPORTED BY ALL PARTIES INVOLVED
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to swiftly review and approve a popularly supported plan, submitted by Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) just last week, that would build the new RG&E transmission lines next to existing New York Power Authority (NYPA) power lines, rather than across the fourthgeneration Krenzer Farm or through other Town of Chili and Town of Henrietta homeowners' properties. Schumer explained that protecting thi… Continue Reading
07.17.14
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES THAT, AFTER HIS PUSH, ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY WILL RECEIVE SIGNIFICANT FED. FUNDING TO CONTINUE 10-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH NAVY RIT CAN NOW CONTINUE REHABBING & MODERNIZING CRITICAL MILITARY DEFENSE EQUIPMENT THAT PROTECTS OUR TROOPS
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that, after his urging, the U.S. Navy has expedited and awarded federal funds to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) so they may continue their over tenyear publicprivate partnership to find and develop costeffective ways of rehabbing and upgrading equipment for military personnel. This is all a part of the Department of Defense's (DOD) effort to extend the life of their equipment and protect military personnel serving overseas. Today, RIT is … Continue Reading
07.17.14
SCHUMER CALLS ON RECENTLY CONFIRMED OMB DIRECTOR DONOVAN TO PRIORITIZE & EXPEDITE REVIEW OF NEW REGS ON DANGEROUS, CRUDE-CARRYING DOT-111 TANK CARS SCHUMERS PUSH COMES AFTER NEW INFO SHOWS HUNDREDS OF CRUDE OIL TRAINS TRAVEL THROUGH NYS EACH MONTH
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the recentlyconfirmed Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Shaun Donovan to expedite the review of a proposed rule to regulate DOT111 tank cars, which are the most commonly used means of rail transport for highlyflammable crude oil even though the cars have proven to be prone to rupture during derailments. Schumer's push comes in light of information released just two days ago showing that 44 trains, with hundreds of t… Continue Reading
07.16.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $310,000 FOR TWO FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN CORTLAND AND TOMPKINS COUNTY
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $311,850 in federal funding for the Cortlandville Fire District in Cortland County and the Dryden Fire Department in Tompkins County. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). The fire departments will use these federal funds to purchase 70 new selfcontained breathing apparatuses (SCBA). "These muchneeded federal funds will help the C… Continue Reading
07.11.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, MAFFEI ANNOUNCE NEARLY $50,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE AMBER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT IN MARIETTA
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Dan Maffei today announced that the Amber Volunteer Fire Department in Marietta has been awarded $49,970 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Amber Fire Department will use this grant to purchase a new air compressor to fill selfcontained breathing apparatuses. "These muchneeded funds will allow the Marietta Fire Department to invest in the equ… Continue Reading
07.09.14
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES, AFTER HIS PUSH, CDTA HAS BEEN ACCEPTED INTO FED. SMALL STARTS PROGRAM; OPENS CDTA UP TO SIGNIFICANT FED. FUNDING TO EXPAND BUS RAPID TRANSIT LINE NEW BRT LINE WOULD BOOST LOCAL ECONOMY, MAKE TRANSPORTATION MORE CONVENIENT & ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FOR CAPITAL REGION RESIDENTS
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that, after his push, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved the Capital District Transportation Authority's (CDTA) application to join the "Small Starts" program, which opens them up to receive federal funds to expand Albany's bus system. Specifically, as a result of being accepted into the program, CDTA could now eligible to receive approximately $50 million in funding. Schumer urged CDTA to apply for "Small Starts" during… Continue Reading
07.08.14
SCHUMER: IN HONOR OF 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLNS PASSING, CHAUTAUQUA RESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO HISTORICAL LETTERS OF WESTFIELDS OWN GRACE BEDELL, WHO INSPIRED LINCOLN TO GROW HIS FAMOUS BEARD SENATOR PUSHES FOR LETTERS TO BE DISPLAYED IN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY FOR FIRST TIME EVER
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Detroit Public Library and the Benjamin Shapell Manuscript Foundation to lend two letters exchanged between Abraham Lincoln and Westfield native Grace Bedell to the Chautauqua County Historical Society on the upcoming occasion of the 150 th anniversary of President Lincoln's assassination. Next year, Chautauqua County wishes to celebrate the life and legacy of Lincoln, as well as his connection to the town of Westfield, by displaying the letters … Continue Reading
07.07.14
SCHUMER LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO NAME NEW WNY VETERANS CEMETERY AFTER WNY HERO WILD BILL DONOVAN SENATOR JOINS WITH DOZENS OF LOCAL VETERANS FOR FIRST VISIT TO NEW VETERANS' CEMETERY SITE FIRST IN BUFFALO-ROCHESTER AREA
Today, at the new Western New York Veterans' Cemetery Site in Pembroke, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer joined with local veteran leaders to launch his campaign to name the new Western New York Veterans' Cemetery after decorated war hero and Western New York legend, "Wild Bill" Donovan. Donovan served as a Lt. Colonel in World War I and eventually went on to found and lead the Office of Strategic Services, a precursor to the CIA, during World War II. He remains the only American to earn all four… Continue Reading
07.07.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $40,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR VILLAGE OF SPECULATOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT IN HAMILTON COUNTY
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $40,128 in federal funding for the Village of Speculator Volunteer Fire Department in Hamilton County. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and will be used to purchase new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE is designed to protect firefighters from serious injuries resulting from contact with chemical, physical or ele… Continue Reading
07.07.14
SCHUMER, JOINED BY FORMER RIVAL DAMATO, CALLS ON FEMA TO APPROVE $40 MILLION IN FED SANDY RELIEF FOR ISLAND PARK TO BUILD CRITICAL STORM MITIGATION IMPROVEMENTS; SANDY DAMAGED 95% OF HOMES, TWO SCHOOLS & STORES - PLAN FOR NEW SEAWALL & DRAINAGE PIPE WILL BETTER PROTECT FROM FUTURE STORMS
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today joined former Senator Al D'Amato and called on FEMA to fund a $40 million project with federal Hurricane Sandy relief funds for a major flood protection project in the Village of Island Park, including the construction of a seawall, new drainage pipes and more. The project application was recently submitted by New York State to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and this critical first phase would consist … Continue Reading
07.02.14
SCHUMER: BUFFALO VA HOSPITAL SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR YEARS TO RECEIVE CRITICAL LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT SENATOR CALLS ON NEW VA SECRETARY TO CLEAR UP DANGEROUS BACKLOG & GET MEDICAL EQUIPMENT OUR WNY VETERANS NEED
Today, at the Vietnam Memorial at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push to clear a long backlog of requests for lifesaving medical equipment at Buffalo's VA Hospital. Schumer said that doctors and patients at the Buffalo VA have been waiting too long to receive at least nine pieces of important equipment; in some cases, they have been waiting for over two years. Schumer explained that this is a problem that is plaguing VA hospita… Continue Reading
07.01.14
SCHUMER: BURGLARS POSING AS NATIONAL GRID UTILITY WORKERS ARE ROBBING ELDERLY HOMEOWNERS IN NASSAU COUNTY; URGES NATIONAL GRID TO IMMEDIATELY PROVIDE 24-HOUR ADVANCED PHONE NOTIFICATION BEFORE IN-HOME METER READINGS & OTHER VISITS, WITH NAME OF TECHNICIAN & APPOINTMENT TIME
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on National Grid to begin providing 24hour advanced phone or mail notification to Long Island customers ahead of any inhome visit by a technician, like a meter reading. He said that this improved alert should be done first in Syosset, Herricks, Westbury and the surrounding communities, where a new burglary pattern has emerged involving two men that pose as National Grid utility workers to gain access to an individual's homes and burglarize them. So fa… Continue Reading
07.01.14
SCHUMER LAUNCHES PUSH TO GET NEW COPS FOR CITY OF NEWBURGH FED PROGRAM TO HIRE COPS UNFAIRLY RESTRICTS SMALL CITIES WITH HIGH CRIME RATES LIKE NEWBURGH FROM GETTING COPS THEY NEED AND DESERVE
Schumer Launches Two-Pronged Push - First, Urges Change To Fed Program To Get More Cops For Newburgh & Second, Pushes To Help Newburgh Get Highest Number Of Cops Allowed Under Current Program Guidelines - 4 Newburgh Currently Seeking Fed Funds To Hire 4 Police Officers – Even This Number Would Make A Major Difference Since Not Enough Cops Are On Patrol Schumer: Newburgh Should Be Able To Get Funds It Needs To Hire New Cops & Not Be Restricted By Arbitrary Limits Today,… Continue Reading
06.29.14
SCHUMER: E-CIGARETTE RELATED POISONINGS, PARTICULARLY AMONG CHILDREN, HAVE SKYROCKETED IN NY THIS YEAR LIQUID NICOTINE LOOKS & SMELLS LIKE CANDY, BUT CAN BE LETHAL IF INGESTED; URGES FEDS TO REQUIRE CHILD-SAFE CAPS & PROMINENT WARNING LABELS ON VIALS
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require childproof safety caps and clear warning labels on ecigarette liquid containers in order to address the alarming increase in related poisonings, particularly in children. Ecigarettes are sold in flavors like bubble gum, gummy bear, chocolate and vanilla, making them very attractive to children, and many parents are not aware of the dangerous, potentially lethal nature of this liquid if it is ingest… Continue Reading
06.26.14
SCHUMER: FED PROPOSAL COULD SHIFT CRITICAL LABOR RELATIONS RESOURCES FROM BUFFALO TO PITTSBURGH, LEADING TO DELAYS IN LABOR ELECTIONS & INVESTIGATIONS SENATOR PUSHES TO ENSURE UPSTATE NEW YORK WORKERS & BUSINESSES DO NOT LOSE IMPORTANT ACCESS TO CENTRALLY-LOCATED WNY REGIONAL NLRB OFFICE
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to reconsider its proposed consolidation of its Buffalo and Pittsburgh Regional offices, which would downgrade the Buffalo Regional Office to a SubRegional Office and move some services, including direct access to the Regional Director, solely to the Pittsburgh Regional Office. As a result of the proposed consolidation, the Pittsburgh Regional Office would serve as the primary office for Western Pennsylvan… Continue Reading
06.24.14
VISUALLY IMPAIRED SOUTHERN TIER RESIDENTS, OF WHICH 60% ARE LEGALLY BLIND, WHO MAKE PAPER GOODS AND OTHER MATERIALS FOR FED. GOVERNMENT FEDS MUST COMPLY WITH 1971 LAW REQUIRING CERTAIN SUPPLIES BE PURCHASED FROM NON-PROFITS EMPLOYING THE BLIND
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push to save the jobs of 65 visually impaired employees who make paper goods and other supplies for federal government agencies at the Binghamton Association for Visual Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc. (AVRE). Sixty percent of these employees are legally blind. Schumer explained that, as a result of a 1971 law authored by former New York Senator Jacob Javits, the federal government is required to purchase certain supplies and services from n… Continue Reading
06.24.14
SCHUMER URGES FTC TO CRACK DOWN ON USED-CAR DEALERS WHO CAN SELL CARS UNDER SAFETY RECALL TO UNWITTING CUSTOMERS
In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the agency to immediately direct car dealers that sell usedcars to change any policy which may potentially allow the sale of recalled vehicles without first fixing safety defects, putting usedcar buyers in harm's way. The letter comes in response to reports that usedcar dealers are selling cars subject to recall for safetyrelated defects while at the same time, advertising the used vehicles as having passed r… Continue Reading
06.23.14
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT POTENTIAL ELIMINATION OF ONE OF TROYS MOST IMPORTANT FEDERAL PROGRAMS RULE CHANGE WOULD CUT CITY OFF FROM THE CDBG FUNDS THAT ARE SO VITAL TO REVITALIZING THE CITY SIMPLY BECAUSE TROYS POPULATION HAS DIPPED BELOW 50K IT IS 54 RESIDENTS SHORT!
Today, while standing at the intersection of 3 rd and 4 th Streets in Troy, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his campaign to prevent the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from reforming the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) in a way that would remove Troy from eligibility and deprive the City of approximately $2.5 million per year in funds it relies on. Currently, cities must have a population of at least 50,000 to be eligible for these community developm… Continue Reading
06.20.14
SCHUMER, BISHOP: FAA HAS AGREED TO RENEW SUCCESSFUL AND GROUNDBREAKING OVER-THE-WATER NORTH SHORE HELICOPTER ROUTE FOR TWO YEARS - RULE WAS DUE TO EXPIRE IN EARLY AUGUST
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Tim Bishop announced that the Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta have agreed to renew the groundbreaking and successful North Shore overthewater helicopter route that was set to expire in August. The representatives said that this twoyear extension of the successful route is a critical step towards making the rule permanent and to expanding it to provide further relief, an… Continue Reading
06.18.14
SCHUMER: MORE THAN 2,200 UPSTATE NY BRIDGES IN DIRE NEED OF REPAIRS ARE AT RISK OF BEING SHORT-CHANGED FOR REPAIR PROJECTS DUE TO OUTDATED FUNDING FORMULA SENATOR PUSHES TO INCLUDE MORE FUNDS FOR LOCAL BRIDGE REPAIRS IN TRANSPORTATION BILL CURRENTLY MOVING THROUGH CONGRESS
Today, on a conference call with reporters, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push to increase federal funding for local bridge repair projects, which are currently receiving the same funding allocation for repairs and maintenance as they did in 2009 and are at risk of being shortchanged for at least another six years. Schumer explained that New York State currently receives $71 million per year from the federal government that must be spent on repairs and maintenance of local bridges… Continue Reading
