Press Releases
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, de BLASIO ANNOUNCE $190M IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TWO NEW FERRY BOATS FOR STATEN ISLAND; UPDATED BOATS WILL OFFER CRITICAL RESILIENCY IN THE FACE OF FUTURE STORMS LIKE SANDY
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced $191,550,000 in federal funding for two new storm resilient ferry boats on Staten Island, Staten Island Ferry Facilities' Floodproofing Resilience Upgrade and Ferry Landings Resilience Upgrades at strategic locations citywide. Earlier this month, Schumer and Gillibrand urged the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide federal funding for these upgrades as part of the third tranche of disaster F… Continue Reading
09.15.14
SCHUMER: NEW STUDY SHOWS, FLAME-RETARDANTS IN FURNITURE AND EVERYDAY ITEMS LIKE CHILDRENS TOYS, PAJAMAS & PILLOWS ARE HIGHLY TOXIC, HARM GREATLY OUTWEIGHS BENEFIT; SCHUMER UNVEILS FIRST BILL TO BAN 10 MOST TOXIC FLAME RETARDANTS PLAN CRITICAL TO PROTECT KIDS FROM DEVELOPMENTAL DANGERS & CANCER
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today, for the first time, unveiled legislation that will ban the top ten noxious flame retardants from upholstered furniture and children's products, such as changing table pads, portable crib mattresses, pajamas, nap mats and nursing pillows. Schumer's legislation finally responds to experts and scientists that have repeatedly sounded the alarm on the danger of toxic flame retardants that have been found to cause developmental delays in children from longterm ex… Continue Reading
09.11.14
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES, FOLLOWING HIS PUSH, ARMY CORPS HAS PROVIDED FED WETLANDS REVIEW FOR FORMER BETHLEHEM STEEL SITE IN HAMBURG THAT ALLOWS CONSTRUCTION TO GET UNDERWAY WITH KEY HURDLE CLEARED, SCHUMER TO PUSH FEDEX TO COMMIT TO SITE, BRING 400 JOBS
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced, following his push, the U.S. Army Corps (USACE) agreed to expedite a key review of wetlands on the vacant former Bethlehem Steel property in Hamburg, a site that FedEx could potentially turn into a major distribution center and a location for up to 400 new jobs, and delivered the final review to Hamburg officials today. Schumer visited the Bethlehem Steel site on Monday and wrote a letter to the USACE urging them to issue this review as quickly as… Continue Reading
09.11.14
SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO SWIFTLY APPROVE REQUEST BY LIVINGSTON COUNTY COMPANY, AMERICAN ROCK SALT, TO EXTEND LOCAL RAILROAD LINE; EXTENSION WOULD ENABLE COMPANY TO INCREASE PRODUCTION, CREATE 30 NEW JOBS & HELP RETAIN 150 PERMIT MUST BE GRANTED BY THE END OF THE MONTH OR ELSE PROJECT WILL BE PUT ON HOLD
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to swiftly establish and approve protocols that would allow a Livingston Countybased company, American Rock Salt (ARS), to build a railroad extension that would bring jobs and revenue to the area. Schumer explained that ARS is the U.S.'s largest salt producing mine and an important employer in the region. ARS currently has proposed a project that would extend the rail line it uses in Mt. Morris, where it is loc… Continue Reading
09.10.14
SCHUMER, DURBIN INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO STEM RECENT TIDE OF CORPORATE INVERSIONS BY LIMITING EARNINGS STRIPPING BILL WOULD CURTAIL MAJOR INCENTIVE CAUSING U.S. COMPANIES TO MERGE WITH FOREIGN COMPANIES TO SKIRT U.S. TAXES
Today, Senators Charles E. Schumer (DNY) and Richard Durbin (DIL) unveiled the text of their new legislative proposal to address the recent wave of corporate inversions, specifically targeting the practice of earnings stripping. In earnings stripping, one of the most egregious practices of corporate inversions, inverted companies load their U.S. subsidiary up with excessive debt that is "owed" to the foreign headquarters so they can deduct interest payments on this debt, further allowing the com… Continue Reading
09.09.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $500,000 FOR PERINATAL NETWORK OF MONROE COUNTY
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $532,933 in federal funding for the Perinatal Network of Monroe County. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and will be used to support and provide caseworkers for eight prenatal care centers in Rochester. "This muchneeded funding is great news for the Perinatal Network of Monroe County, which will use these funds to… Continue Reading
09.09.14
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES, AFTER HIS PUSH, HAWKINSVILLE DAM IN BOONVILLE WILL BE SAVED, NOT TORN DOWN; DECISION TO SAVE DAM WILL HELP PRESERVE WELL WATER LEVELS & ENHANCE SUMMER RECREATION SEASON SENATOR URGED NYS DEC TO WORK WITH LOCALS & DEVELOP PERMANENT PLAN TO PRESERVE HISTORIC DAM
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that, after his push, the Hudson RiverBlack River Regulating District has unanimously voted to preserve the Hawkinsville Dam in Boonsville instead of tearing it down. The vote means an environmental assessment focused only on preservation will soon begin. In June, Schumer urged the regulating district and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to work together to save the dam after an ongoing study of the dam's impacts r… Continue Reading
09.03.14
SCHUMER LAUNCHES PUSH TO SAVE JOBS OF MORE THAN 100 BLIND OR VISUALLY-IMPAIRED UTICA-AREA RESIDENTS WHO PLAY CRITICAL ROLE IN FED GOVERNMENT SUPPLY CHAIN, ASSEMBLING, PACKING & DISTRIBUTING PRODUCTS FOR GOV AGENCIES FEDS MUST COMPLY WITH 1971 LAW REQUIRING CERTAIN SUPPLIES BE PURCHASED FROM NON-PROFITS EMPLOYING THE BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Today, at the Central New York Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Utica, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched a push to save the jobs of more than 100 blind Uticaarea residents who make paper goods and other supplies for federal government agencies, in addition to playing an integral role within the federal government's supply chain. Schumer explained that, as a result of a 1971 law authored by former New York Senator Jacob Javits, the federal government is required to purcha… Continue Reading
09.03.14
SCHUMER: TOWN OF KINGSBURY SEWER SYSTEM DOES NOT EXTEND TO LOCAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, FORCING STORES TO CLOSE & DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS TO BE PUT ON HOLD; TOWN IN DESPERATE NEED OF FUNDS TO EXPAND SEWER, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN CUT OFF FROM FED PROGRAMS SENATOR PUSHES NEW PLAN TO ACCESS FUNDS TO EXPAND KINGSBURY SEWER, SPUR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT & CREATE JOBS
Today, at Kingsbury Town Hall in Hudson Falls, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push to secure funding that will help the Town of Kingsbury begin a critical expansion of its sewer system to include the town's commercial district along Route 32. Currently, Kingsbury's sewer system does not reach the main commercial corridor, and businesses in that area are forced to use septic systems or smaller sewage lines that are much more expensive than the main Kingsbury lines. This has slowe… Continue Reading
09.03.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE HAS AGREED TO PURCHASE UP TO $25 MILLION IN SURPLUS CONCORD GRAPE JUICE TO STABILIZE PRICES FOR GRAPE GROWERS IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will use up to $25 million in Section 32 funds to purchase concord grape juice for use in domestic nutrition programs. The grape industry currently has a surplus of Concord grapes thanks to a large 2014 crop. The Senators had written the USDA to help purchase some of this surplus product to ensure that prices remain stable for the industry. New York has 281 growers and ov… Continue Reading
08.26.14
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES COMMERCE DEPT. HAS APPROVED CRITICAL CROSMAN SUBZONE, THE SECOND PART OF LARGER FOREIGN TRADE ZONE FOR ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES LOCAL BUSINESSES & CROSMAN CAN NOW INCREASE MANUFACTURING & ADD JOBS; CROSMAN FTZ WILL LEVEL PLAYING FIELD WITH FOREIGN COMPETITORS & MOVE JOB-CREATING PRODUCTION BACK FROM CHINA TO U.S.
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that a Foreign Trade Subzone for Crosman Corporation in Ontario County has been approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce. This is the second of two critical approvals for a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) in Ontario County and four adjoining counties throughout the RochesterFinger Lakes region. This approval comes on the heels of the first approval of a larger foreign trade zone (FTZ) for Ontario County and four of its neighboring counties, Wayne, Sen… Continue Reading
08.20.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEARLY $50,000 VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANT FOR 5 SPOKE CREAMERY IN ORANGE COUNTY
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $49,893 in funding for 5 Spoke Creamery in Orange County. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) ValueAdded Producer Grant (VAPG) program and will be used to revamp their marketing strategy to raise brand awareness and increase sales. Senator Gillibrand wrote a letter to USDA Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack, in support of the application. "A healthy dairy in… Continue Reading
08.19.14
TONKO, SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, ANNOUNCE NEARLY $900,000 TO FUND NEW PLANE DE-ICING EQUIPMENT AT ALBANY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Paul Tonko and U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that Albany International Airport will receive $898,200 in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fund the final phase of installation for the new glycol treatment system. This phase includes decommissioning of a section of the previous system, an important investment in the airport's operational infrastructure and commitment to the longterm sustainability and … Continue Reading
08.15.14
SCHUMER LAUNCHES PUSH TO SECURE FED FUNDS TO ESTABLISH PROGRAM AT NORTH COUNTRY COMMUNITY COLLEGE THAT WOULD RE-TRAIN LOCAL VETERANS & UNEMPLOYED IN NEW FIELD OF MECHATRONICS PROGRAM WOULD HELP LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO ARE OUT OF WORK LAND HUNDREDS OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING JOBS AT LOCAL COMPANIES
Today, at the North Elba Town House in Saranac Lake, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push to secure federal funding to establish a program at North Country Community College (NCCC) that would retrain local veterans and unemployed persons in the growing field of mechatronics. Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field that incorporates engineering, mechanics, electronics, and other technical work. According to SUNY, the field of mechatronics is a rapidly growing industry and is expect… Continue Reading
08.14.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $100,000 FOR RAPIDS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT IN NIAGARA COUNTY
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $107,383 in federal funding for the Rapids Volunteer Fire Department in Niagara County. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). Rapids Fire Department in Niagara County will use the federal funds to purchase new turnout gear. Turnout gear typically includes coats, pants, boots, gloves, helmets and hood for interior firefighting. The cos… Continue Reading
08.10.14
SCHUMER REVEALS: WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE, FITBIT BRACELETS & SMARTPHONE APPS ARE TRACKING USERS MOVEMENTS AND HEALTH DATA THAT COULD BE SOLD TO THIRD PARTIES; CALLS FOR FTC TO REQUIRE MANDATORY OPT-OUT OPPORTUNITY BEFORE ANY PERSONAL DATA CAN BE SOLD
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer revealed today that personal health and fitness data - so rich that an individual can be identified by their gait - is being gathered and stored by fitness bracelets like 'FitBit' and others like it, and can potentially be sold to third parties, like employers, insurance providers and other companies, without the users' knowledge or consent. Schumer said that this creates a privacy nightmare, given that these fitness trackers gather highly personal information on … Continue Reading
08.08.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $14,000 FOR DUANESBURG VOLUNTEER FIRE DISTRICT IN SCHENECTADY COUNTY
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $14,724 in federal funding for Duanesburg Volunteer Fire District. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). The federal funding will be used to purchase critical rope rescue equipment. "With this funding, the Duanesburg Fire Department will be able to purchase the muchneeded rescue gear they require to effectively do their jobs," sai… Continue Reading
08.06.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $23,000 FOR NEW HAVEN VOLUNTEER FIRE CORP IN OSWEGO COUNTY
.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced the New Haven Volunteer Fire Corporation will receive a $23,741 federal grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. AFG awards are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and are designed to help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources ne… Continue Reading
08.06.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $1.4 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS THROUGH U.S. DEPT OF AGRICULTURE FOR TWO GENESEE COUNTY WATER PROJECTS
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,485,000 in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Grant funding for two Genesee County water projects. The Town of Oakfield will use its $750,000 in federal funds to construct a new water district. The Town of Oakfield's water system serves more than 150 residents and one commercial user. All of these users currently rely on private wells, many of which are drying up and contain contaminants. This new tow… Continue Reading
08.05.14
SCHUMER: WAR ON HEROIN IS RAGING IN PUTNAM & ROCKLAND COUNTIES AND THE FEDS NEED TO GET INVOLVED SENATOR LAUNCHES PUSH TO DESIGNATE BOTH COUNTIES AS HIGH-INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREAS, WHICH WILL MEAN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, INTELLIGENCE, COORDINATION TO HELP DISRUPT DRUG RINGS & STAMP OUT HEROIN EPIDEMIC
Today, at the Putnam County Sherriff's Department, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the President's Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to designate both Putnam and Rockland Counties as federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), which will help both counties address recent and disturbing upticks in heroin usage and drugrelated crime by improving coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as providing equipment, technology and additio… Continue Reading
