Press Releases
SCHUMER: DOD OFFICIALLY AGREES THAT MILITARY STEEL MUST BE 100% MADE IN THE USA, FROM PRODUCERS LIKE BUFFALO ARMORY AFTER SENATORS PUSH, FEDS REVERSE COURSE FROM RULE THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED MILITARY TO BUY STEEL FROM AROUND THE GLOBE, HURTING BUFFALO ARMORY
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Department of Defense (DoD) has heeded his call and officially restored the requirement that all U.S. military steel be 100% made in the U.S., boosting the strength of New York steel manufacturers like Buffalo Amory LLC in Tonawanda. In 2009, the DoD changed the definition of "domestically produced" to mean that only the secondary finishing process would have to be done in the U.S., which has meant that foreignmade steel can enter the … Continue Reading
04.08.13
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $275,000 FEDERAL GRANT FOR MONROE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS; INVESTMENT MEANS VITAL EQUIPMENT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced that the Clifton Fire Department, the Sea Breeze Volunteer Fire Department, and the Point Pleasant Fire District will receive a total of $279,639 in federal grants in Round 20 of the FY12 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… Continue Reading
04.04.13
SCHUMER SECURES COMMITMENT FROM NEW GREEK PEAK OWNERS TO PRESERVE ALL OF THE RESORTS NEARLY 1,000 JOBS AND ADD MORE IN THE NEAR FUTURE AFTER TURNAROUND SKI SEASON
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer secured a commitment from the new owners of Greek Peak in Cortland to preserve the nearly 1,000 jobs at the resort and add new ones during an expansion that is being considered. Schumer has long fought to keep the resort and all of its employees up and running during weatherinduced poor ski seasons and a financial hardship caused by a failed private lender. Schumer has repetitively said, allowing Greek Peak to shut down its slopes would leave thousands o… Continue Reading
04.02.13
SCHUMER LAUNCHES PLAN TO CREATE BOON FOR NY APPLE PRODUCERS; NEW DEFINITION OF HARD APPLE CIDER WILL LOWER TAXES ON PRODUCT, IMPROVE ABILITY TO COMPETE IN FOREIGN MARKETS, INCREASE FARMERS SALES
Today, at the Slyboro Cider House in Granville, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer unveiled a new plan to boost the sales for New York's over 20 existing hard apple cider producers and to allow the over 650 apple growers to expand their business and add this increasingly popular craft beverage to their product line. Schumer highlighted that the Capital Region boasts 3,648 acres of apple orchards that are primed to expand and produce more hard cider. Schumer explained that the alcohol content of … Continue Reading
03.28.13
SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO CLEAR ADMINISTRATIVE HURDLES AND PROVIDE CRITICAL FUNDING FOR NEW WYANDANCH LIRR STATION STATION IS VITAL COMPONENT OF WYANDANCH RISING
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to provide $2 million in badly needed funds for the design and construction of a new Wyandanch Train Station in the Town of Babylon. The Town has already secured $2 million in federal funding for other projects that no longer need the resources, but administrative hurdles could prevent the funds from being used in the most effective manner - towards the train station. Schumer today urged the Department of T… Continue Reading
03.27.13
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE TOWN OF HOPEWELL TO RECEIVE OVER $1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced that the Town of Hopewell has received a Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant for a total of $1,008,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The funding will be used to install new water mains and improve access to clean and purified water for Hopewell area residents along NYS Route 488 and County Road #47. "Supporting New York's rur… Continue Reading
03.25.13
SCHUMER JOINS DUTCHESS COUNTY HOPS FARMERS TO HELP BUILD FIRST MAJOR HOP YARD IN HUDSON VALLEY PROVIDE BOOST TO NY CRAFT BREWERS CALLS ON FEDS TO PROVIDE CRITICAL FINANCING TO GET PLAN OFF THE GROUND
Today, at Eastern View Nursery & Dutchess Hops in Lagrangeville, U.S. Senator Charles joined local Dutchess County hops farmers to help provide federal backing for New York's first major commercial 'hop yard' in Dutchess County. Specifically, Schumer urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide critical financing for the equipment needed to establish a cooperative of Hudson Valley hops farmers and craft breweries, that will produce locally… Continue Reading
03.25.13
SCHUMER: THOUSANDS OF JOBS IN HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURING ARE GOING UNFILLED AT COMPANIES LIKE FRYER MACHINE SYSTEMS IN PUTNAM COUNTY SENATOR JOINS BIZ LEADERS, WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO ENSURE FEDERAL TRAINING PROGRAMS BETTER MEET PRIVATE SECTOR DEMAND, CREATE NEW JOBS
Today, at Fryer Machine Systems in Patterson , U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer joined Putnam County business leaders and representatives of Westchester Community College to launch a plan that ensures local community colleges are working to match student skills with local hightech manufacturing openings. The legislation called the America Works Act restructures the way that workforce training programs are financed: under the bill, programs that provide portable, industryrecognized credentia… Continue Reading
03.25.13
SCHUMER REVEALS: GENERIC VERSION OF HIGHLY ADDICTIVE OXYCODONE PILL, AVAILABLE FOR FIRST TIME NEXT MONTH, WILL LACK ANTI-ABUSE PROTECTIONS, MAKING PAINKILLER EXPONENTIALLY MORE VALUABLE TO THIEVES AND ADDICTS PILLS WILL BE MUCH EASIER TO CRUSH, SNORT AND INJECT
New York, NY U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that he is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take steps to prevent a potentially significant increase in violent prescription drug thefts and addiction that could be caused by the release of a generic version of Oxycodone next month. A generic version of the highly addictive painkiller loses patent protection in April. There is currently no requirement that generic versions have the "antiabuse" features currently … Continue Reading
03.22.13
SCHUMER: BUFFALOS LONG-AWAITED NATIONAL VETERANS GOLDEN AGE GAMES ABRUPTLY POSTPONED BY VA; CALLS ON VA TO REVERSE COURSE AND MOVE FORWARD WITH EVENT AS PLANNED
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reverse its decision that would indefinitely postpone a sixday athletic event in Buffalo, "The 2013 Veterans Golden Age Games." The Buffalo community has been planning the event since 2007, which was projected to garner over $2 million and over 2,500 people were expected to attend the event, including 1,000 veterans. The VA has yet to state a specific reason for postponing the event although similar eve… Continue Reading
03.15.13
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE SENATE COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF BILL TO CREATE HARRIET TUBMAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARKS CALL FOR VOTE ON SENATE FLOOR
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced Senate committee passage of legislation to establish the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn as a National Historical Park, which will also encompass the Tubman Home for the Aged, the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church and Rectory. The bill also establishes the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Maryland. Schumer and Gillibrand are sponsors of the Senate legislation, in conjunction with Senator Ben Cardin… Continue Reading
03.08.13
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, BISHOP ANNOUNCE OVER $4 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CLEANUP AFTER SUPERSTORM SANDY IN SUFFOLK COUNTY
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Congressman Tim Bishop today announced $4,023,035 million of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding for Suffolk County, which will reimburse the cost of debris removal in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. "Superstorm Sandy destroyed neighborhoods throughout Suffolk County, creating a massive cleanup effort for Suffolk County's sanitation department and placing a burden on local taxpayers… Continue Reading
03.05.13
SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO UNLOCK FUNDING FOR NECESSARY SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT ORANGE COUNTY AIRPORT RUNWAY UPGRADES WOULD ENCOURAGE MORE BUSINESSES TO MAKE AIRPORT A HUB, SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to unlock critical funding necessary for the Orange County Airport to move forward with improvements to increase airport safety and spur economic activity. Specifically, Schumer urged the FAA to approve the airport's application for $2.5 million in funding through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for a critical runway realignment project, which will bring the airport into compliance with FAA's Runw… Continue Reading
02.27.13
SCHUMER: AFTER TRAGIC DEATH OF A CHILD, PARENTS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY REMAINDER OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT LAUNCHES PLAN TO REQUIRE PRIVATE LOAN COMPANIES TO FORGIVE DEBT IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEATH OF STUDENT BORROWERS, JUST LIKE FEDERAL LOANS DO
Today, during a press conference call, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer revealed new legislation called 'Andrew's Law', in honor of his constituent Andrew Prior, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver shortly after graduating from college. Andrew Prior had one federal loan and three outstanding private student loans at the time of his death, which were cosigned by Andrew's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Prior. The federal loan and two of the pr… Continue Reading
02.25.13
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES IMPORTANT PROGRESS IN PURSUIT TO KEEP ON RIVER GAUGES IN SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN SENATORS COLLABORATION WITH NOAA GIVES FEDS CONFIDENCE NECESSARY TO KEEP GAUGES ON UNTIL JUNE 1st
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced major progress in his pursuit to keep dozens of stream and river gauges in the Susquehanna River Basin online. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has announced that instead of March, when the gauges were slated to be shut off, the federal agency will now keep them online until June 1 st. USGS plans to keep these gauges online, based on confidence in Schumer's efforts to work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to pro… Continue Reading
02.22.13
SCHUMER: NEW YORKERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TAX DEDUCTIONS FROM SANDY STORM DAMAGE, BUT MANY DONT KNOW IT; CALLS FOR ADDITIONAL IRS ASSISTANCE CENTERS ACROSS NEW YORK CITY AND LONG ISLAND RIGHT NOW MANY IMPACTED NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NOT RECEIVING ASSISTANCE
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide additional Sandy services for taxpayers in areas that were seriously impacted by the storm In response to questions about tax treatment of Sandy payments or losses, the IRS has created special assistance hours and a Saturday Open House to taxpayers . The locations for these services are currently in neighborhoods that were not necessarily impacted by the storm. Schumer today called on the IRS to provid… Continue Reading
02.19.13
SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO EXPEDITE APPROVAL FOR ULSTER COUNTY TO CONVERT UNUSED RAIL TRACKS INTO SCENIC CATSKILL MOUTAIN RAIL TRAIL PLAN WOULD SPUR REGIONAL RECREATION TOURISM
Today at Kingston Point Rotary Park, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to swiftly approve Ulster County's request to "railbank" the abandoned Ulster and Delaware Rail Tracks between Ashokan Reservoir and the Walkway over the Hudson, to allow Ulster County to create the scenic Catskill Mountain Rail Trail (CMRT). This federal approval is the lynchpin for the project to move forward and create a beautiful recreational rail trail that would eventually p… Continue Reading
02.07.13
SCHUMER CALLS ON IRS TO SWIFTLY REVIEW LAUNCH NEW YORKS APPLICATION FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT STATUS EXPEDITED STATUS APPROVAL ENSURES LAUNCH CAN USE PROMISED GRANT FUNDING, INVEST IN NEW TECHNOLOGY IN BUFFALO
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to swiftly review a request by Launch New York to receive notforprofit status so that promised grant funding that hinges on this status, such as federal Economic Development Administration funding, is not delayed or lost altogether. Launch New York is a new Venture Development Organization led by the University at Buffalo. Typically, achieving notforprofit status can take about 18 months, but Schumer is urging the… Continue Reading
02.06.13
SCHUMER REVEALS: RECENT POLICE DATA SHOWS AN ASTOUNDING 43,000 INCIDENTS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK IN 2011 SENATOR CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF TOUGH LEGISLATION ON FLOOR THIS WEEK TO COMBAT ALARMING TREND IN NY
Today,U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on his colleagues to pass the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that would give law enforcement the necessary tools to fight back against rampant domestic violence throughout Upstate New York. Schumer's call comes amidst new figures from the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services that show about 43,782 domestic abuse incidents in which law enforcement was called to the scene in 2011 in Upstate New York. VAWA, which is expected to come… Continue Reading
02.05.13
SCHUMER: DOZENS OF LIFE-SAVING RIVER GAUGES IN SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN SET TO BE SHUT OFF IN MARCH SENATOR HIGHLIGHTS NEW WEATHER FORECASTING FUNDING IN DISASTER SUPP, CALLS ON FEDS TO PROVIDE $215,000 TO KEEP GAUGES ONLINE IN SOUTHERN TIER
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to set aside a portion of its disaster relief funding recently signed into law, in order to keep dozens of stream and river gauges in the Susquehanna River Basin online. Specifically, in the Sandy supplemental bill, NOAA received a pot of $25 million to "improve weather forecasting and hurricane intensity forecasting". The U.S. Geological Survey recently listed 18 stream gauges and 16 … Continue Reading
