Press Releases
SCHUMER CALLS FOR RAPID TURNAROUND FROM USDA FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE, BOTH FOR BUD VINE DAMAGE; POLAR VORTEX LIKELY DAMAGED OVER HALF OF ALL GRAPE BUDS IN UPSTATE NY
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer visited 21 Brix Winery in Portland to call on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide swift relief to vineyards who have suffered major crop damage from the extreme cold weather this winter through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) and be ready to approve a crop disaster declaration so emergency loans can be made available. Following crop losses due to inclement weather and other natural disaster, growers often suffer from cash flow problems th… Continue Reading
02.11.14
SCHUMER URGES NAVY TO ALLOW CITY OF BEACON TO ACCESS DISPLAY HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS FROM U.S.S. FORRESTAL JAMES FORRESTAL, FIRST SEC. OF DEFENSE, IS A FAVORITE SON OF BEACON
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer wrote Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to request the Navy History and Heritage Command (NHHC) work with stakeholders from the City of Beacon Historical Society and allow them to borrow and display historic artifacts from the U.S.S. Forrestal, a famous decommissioned Navy warship. The Historical Society and City are in the process of applying to the Navy for these loans. The U.S.S. Forrestal is named after the last cabinetlevel Secretary of the Navy, and the first… Continue Reading
02.10.14
SCHUMER URGES JETBLUE TO ESTABLISH FIRST-EVER SERVICE TO ALBANY INTL AIRPORT SENATOR JUST HELPED ENSURE JETBLUE COULD SECURE NEW FLIGHT SLOTS
Today at the Albany International Airport, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer joined airport and local officials to urge that JetBlue Airlines to establish a firstever presence in the Capital Region, which would boost competition and availability of lowcost flights from Albany to popular JetBlue destinations. Senator Schumer was an early advocate of slot divestiture in the recent U.S. AirwaysAmerican Airlines merger in order to increase competition and provide new opportunities for low cost carrier… Continue Reading
02.10.14
SCHUMER: CELL PHONE THEFT IN SYRACUSE HAS SPIKED, UP 64% OVER PAST TWO YEARS SENATOR ANNOUNCES LEGISLATION TO CRACKDOWN ON BLACK MARKET FOR CELL PHONES THAT WILL MAKE TAMPERING WITH THE UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OF A STOLEN CELL PHONE A FEDERAL CRIME
Today at the Syracuse Police Public Safety Building, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced legislation that will make it a federal crime to tamper with the unique identification number of a cell phone by imposing a multiyear criminal penalty, in the wake of a dramatic spike in cell phone thefts in the Syracuse area. Since 2011, cell phone thefts are up 64% in the City of Syracuse, and almost all of them either involve a gun, knife, or other forms of violent threats. As a percentage of all r… Continue Reading
02.06.14
ON EVE OF SOCHI OLYMPICS, SCHUMER RELEASES LETTER TO IOC PRESIDENT IN SUPPORT OF PRINCIPLE 6 CAMPAIGN
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today sent the following letter to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach in support of the Principle 6 campaign. Principle 6 is a campaign inspired by the values of the Olympic charter. It is a way for athletes, spectators and global supporters to celebrate the Olympic principle of nondiscrimination and speak out against Russia's antigay laws before the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. A copy of Senator Schumer's letter is below. Dear Preside… Continue Reading
02.03.14
SCHUMER: FEMA MUST EXPEDITE RELEASE OF FUNDS TO HELP KEEP THE LIGHTS ON AT LAKE SHORE HOSPITAL UNTIL A BUYER OPERATOR IS FOUND; HOSPITAL IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF $1 MILLION IN ALREADY-APPROVED REIMBURSEMENT BEING HELD AT FEMA
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expedite the release of over $1 million in alreadyapproved reimbursements owed to the TLC Health Network from outstanding Project Worksheets (PW) to keep Lake Shore Health Care Center open until a buyer can be found. The TLC Health Network is currently navigating Chapter 11 bankruptcy and struggling to keep Lake Shore up and running, as it quickly draws down on remaining available funds. They are… Continue Reading
01.28.14
SCHUMER: JUST-RELEASED FARM BILL REPORT INCLUDES MAJOR VICTORIES FOR UPSTATE NY DAIRY, FRUIT, VEGETABLE FARMERS MORE CALLS ON COLLEAGUES TO SWIFTLY PASS BILL
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed the details of the justreleased Farm Bill conference report, outlined how they benefit key Upstate New York industries, and urged his colleagues in the Senate and House to pass the final bill as quickly as possible. On a conference call, Schumer detailed several major areas in which the farm bill will be a major boost to fruit and vegetable farmers, dairy producers, maple tappers, farmers markets and other New York businesses, like Hickey Freeman. I… Continue Reading
01.27.14
SCHUMER CALLS ON FEDS TO KEEP KINGSTON SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE OPEN FOR BUSINESS; PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION WITH POUGHKEEPSIE OFFICE COULD PUT ESSENTIAL SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES OUT OF REACH FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ULSTER COUNTY SENIORS
Today, at the Ulster County Offices, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Social Security Administration (SSA) to abandon plans to consolidate the Kingston Office into the Poughkeepsie Office, in order to keep essential social security services nearby for Ulster County seniors. Schumer highlighted that thousands of seniors each month and roughly 95 seniors a day, often disabled, rely on the close proximity of the Kingston office in order to secure their hardearned social security benefi… Continue Reading
01.22.14
SCHUMER SECURES CRITICAL NEW REACH STACKER, DUMP TRUCK, GENERATORS SECURITY CAMERAS FOR PORT OF OSWEGO NEW EQUIPMENT WILL HELP PORT OF OSWEGO EXPAND CAPACITY, INCREASE TRAFFIC, AND IMPROVE PORT SECURITY
Today, at the Port of Oswego, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer met with the newlyinstalled Director of the Port of Oswego and announced that he has secured on behalf of the Port a new reach stacker - a piece of equipment like a forklift used to unload heavy cargo - a new dump truck, and two new generators. Schumer secured this new equipment from the Federal Surplus Property Program, which offers public law enforcement agencies like the Port Authority the chance to acquire used equipment. Schume… Continue Reading
01.15.14
SCHUMER RECEIVES COMMITMENT THAT JFK WILL GET ADDITIONAL CUSTOMS AGENTS AS PART OF $165 MILLION BUDGET BOOST FOR U.S. CUSTOMS BORDER PROTECTION; EXTRA MANPOWER WILL SPEED UP LONGEST CUSTOMS WAIT TIME IN COUNTRY
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he has received a commitment that John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will be assigned additional customs agents as the result of increased appropriations for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as part of the Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations bill. This bill has boosted CBP's funding by $165.7 million in order for the agency to hire 2,000 new agents nationwide. Specifically, the bill increases CBP's overall budget to $10.6 billion, whi… Continue Reading
01.15.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND SECURE FUNDING TO KEEP BROOKHAVENS ION COLLIDER OPEN AND RUNNING - ADDITIONAL 50 MILLION FOR NATION'S NUCLEAR PHYSICS PROGRAM WILL KEEP ONLY REMAINING ATOM SMASHER IN COUNTRY OPEN
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Omnibus Appropriations bill, released last night and set to pass Congress, will increase funding to the nation's Nuclear Physics program by an additional $50 million for next fiscal year to a total of $569.9 million, allowing the Brookhaven National Lab's (BNL) ion collider to stay open and running. The BNL collider was put at major risk last year when a recommendation from the Nuclear Science Advisory Comm… Continue Reading
01.14.14
SCHUMER: ROCHESTER LASER LAB WILL RECEIVE $64 MILLION IN FUNDING THROUGH APPROPRIATIONS BILL; BOOST IN FUNDING WILL KEEP ROCHESTER AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF HIGH TECH ENERGY RESEARCH
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that, after his push, the FY2014 Appropriations Bill includes $64 million for the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). This is $5.25 million more than the $58.75 million allocated to the Lab last year under sequestration. This new funding will allow the University of Rochester to continue the critical work being done at its lab, particularly as it relates to the future of the United States through its research into fusion… Continue Reading
01.14.14
AFTER SENATORS PUSH, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES THAT CUSTOMS BORDER PROTECTION WILL GET $165 MILLION BOOST TO HIRE 2,000 NEW AGENTS NATIONWIDE LAST WEEK, SCHUMER SECURED COMMITMENT FROM DHS SECRETARY TO PRIORITIZE PEACE BRIDGE FOR NEW AGENTS
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations bill has boosted the funding for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by $165.7 million in order for the agency to hire 2,000 new agents nationwide. Specifically, the bill increases CBP's overall budget to $10.6 billion, which is over $220 million more than FY2013. Schumer explained that $165.7 million of the new funding was explicitly prescribed "for the purpose of hiring, training, and equipping new U.S. … Continue Reading
01.14.14
AFTER PUSH, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES THAT THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WILL RECEIVE $169 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING THIS YEAR; PROGRAM HELPS SENIORS AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES OFFSET THE COST OF HEATING
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that, after his push, the FY2014 Appropriations Bill will increase federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to $3.4 billion, up $169 million from FY2013. In light of record low temperatures and extreme weather throughout Upstate New York last week, Schumer called on appropriators to increase funding for LIHEAP this year. Schumer explained that, even outside of this year's extraordinary need for greater LIHEAP… Continue Reading
01.07.14
SCHUMER LAUNCHES PLAN TO HELP REDEVELOP THE SIBLEY BUILDING, A HISTORIC LANDMARK IN DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER PUSHES TO SECURE $45 MILLION IN NEW MARKETS TAX CREDITS TO BRING NEW LIFE TO HISTORIC BUILDING, REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN ECONOMY CREATE JOBS
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced his push to secure $45 million in federal New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) needed to make the $190 million redevelopment of the historic Sibley Building in Rochester a reality. With its large footprint that spans longer than a football field in downtown Rochester, Schumer said the Sibley building could be an anchor of economic development in the east end of downtown, but, now, it is only 30% occupied. Therefore, Schumer wrote Treasury Secretary … Continue Reading
12.17.13
AS WINTER SETS IN, SCHUMER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO HELP PREVENT DEATHS FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
As winter sets in, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer joined his colleague Senator Amy Klobuchar (DMN) to introduce legislation to help prevent deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning in New York. The legislation would allow the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to provide support for public safety education and encourage installation of safe and reliable carbon monoxide detectors. The legislation would require the CPSC to establish a grant program to provide assistance to states and local gover… Continue Reading
12.17.13
SENATE PASSES SCHUMER-AUTHORED RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY; RESOLUTION COMMENDS ORGANIZATIONS SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION EMPOWERING VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
U. S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the U.S. Senate has passed his resolution congratulating the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) on the occasion of its 100 th anniversary. It passed the Senate this past Friday with unanimous consent. The resolution, which was cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 28 other Senators, commends the JDC for the important work it has done over the course of the past one hundred years in vulnerable communities around the world. … Continue Reading
12.16.13
SCHUMER, BLUMENTHAL REVEAL: FEDERAL RAIL SAFETY AUTHORITY WOEFULLY UNDERFUNDED - ONLY HAS FUNDS TO INSPECT 1% OF RAIL NATIONWIDE; SENATORS PUSH FOR FUNDS FOR FRA TO HIRE MORE INSPECTORS TO INSPECT INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY SYSTEMS AT RAILROADS AROUND NY AND US
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Richard Blumenthal revealed that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the nation's chief rail safety overseers, is woefully underfunded and unable to fully evaluate existing and future rail safety programs across the nation's freight and passenger railroads. The agency lacks the resources to inspect 99% of the nation's rails and to sufficiently prepare for the oversight of new safety measures. Schumer and Blumenthal announced that they will fight f… Continue Reading
12.16.13
SCHUMER: THIS WEEK, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A FULLY OPERATIONAL PLASTIC HANDGUN WAS LEGALLY MADE USING A 3D PRINTER OPENS DOORS TO FELONS, TERRORISTS AND THE MENTALLY ILL MAKING WEAPONS WITH EASE IN THEIR HOUSE; SCHUMER ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN TO OUTLAW PRACTICE
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced he would be supporting legislation to ban guns produced cheaply and easily, by anyone, in their home, with a 3D printer. These printers, using digital blueprints, can produce 3D objects using hard, molded plastic. They have been around for more than a decade, and are a miraculous technology that could revolutionize manufacturing. However in recent years there has been a push to use them to make plastic, fully functional guns that can slip through… Continue Reading
12.16.13
SCHUMER: SCORES HAVE BEEN INJURED OR PUT AT RISK BY CUT-RATE BATTERIES FROM CHINA AND ELSEWHERE EXPLODING IN THEIR CELLPHONES CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION BY FEDERAL PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today warned about a serious and growing problem - cell phone batteries that rapidly expand and even explode, causing fires, burns and other injuries. Schumer said that there have been over 60 reported incidents of phone batteries smoking, catching fire or exploding over the last two years - and those are just the ones that were voluntarily reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), so the problem could be much more wide spread. Incidents have in… Continue Reading
