Press Releases
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND URGE FEMA TO APPROVE MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR WESTCHESTER ROCKLAND COUNTIES
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand urged FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate to approve New York State's anticipated request and declare a federal state of emergency for Westchester and Rockland Counties in light of the severe flooding in the Hudson Valley following Sandy. In their letter, the Senators pointed out that neighboring counties in New York City and Long Island have already received a major disaster declaration, and that the devastation in Westchester and… Continue Reading
11.01.12
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, HOCHUL HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANT WORK OF NFARS NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS DURING SANDY RESPONSE; URGE DOD TO CONSIDER LIFESAVING EFFORTS IN FUTURE BASE DECISIONS
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representative Kathy Hochul urged the Department of Defense (DoD) to closely examine the importance of the National Guard 107 th Airlift wing, based at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS), to both Western New York, the state, and the entire Northeast. They emphasized in their letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that the 107 th Airlift Wing, which has served as a proven resource in the Western New Yor… Continue Reading
10.31.12
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $2.5 MILLION DEPT. OF ENERGY AWARD FOR PLUG POWER IN THE CAPITAL REGION
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Plug Power in Latham, NY will receive a $2,500,000 award from the U.S. Department of Energy to retrofit 15 electric tow tractors with hydrogenpowered fuel cells, which will be deployed at two of FedEx's domestic airports in Memphis, Tennessee, and Oakland, California. Both sites, which are known for their high volume of traffic, will utilize lowcost natural gas as the feedstock to produce hydrogen. The first phase will consist of developin… Continue Reading
10.24.12
SCHUMER UNVEILS NATIONAL ONLINE PETITION IN SUPPORT OF MEDAL OF HONOR FOR WWI HERO, SERGEANT HENRY JOHNSON
Today, at Washington Park's Henry Johnson Statue in Albany, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced the launch of a national online petition to urge all decisionmakers to expeditiously award the Medal of Honor to the late World War I hero, Sgt. Henry Johnson. The decisionmakers include the Secretary of the Army, Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and President of the United States. In March 2011, Schumer and his staff revealed that they had uncovered gamechanging evidence t… Continue Reading
10.21.12
SCHUMER: NEW FEDERAL DECISION WILL COST NYERS AS MUCH AS $500 MILLION PER YEAR IN JACKED UP ELECTRICITY RATES CALLS FOR FEDS TO GO BACK TO DRAWING BOARD AND ISSUE NEW DECISION THAT WILL PREVENT RATE HIKES
United States Senator Charles E. Schumer, in a personal letter to Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), pressed the agency to immediately reconsider a decision that is likely to result in an electricity rate hike of up to $500 million for New York residents. In the recent decision, FERC disallowed companies with more efficient power plants from selling electricity at a lower rate to the New York market. Schumer requested that FERC go back to the drawing b… Continue Reading
10.16.12
AFTER SCHUMER, MALONEY PUSH, NPS APPROVES KAUFMAN ASTORIA STUDIOS APPLICATION FOR A 99 YEAR LEASE TERM
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney today announced that the National Park Service (NPS) has approved New York City's application for a 99 year lease term extension for the Kaufman Astoria Studios under the Historic Surplus Property Program. Kaufman Astoria Studios was designated a National Historic District in 1978. Earlier in October, Schumer and Maloney asked NPS to approve this application because it would allow the studios to expand its business and provide … Continue Reading
10.15.12
SCHUMER: WITH SPIKE IN PRICE OF IRON, COPPER, AND OTHER METALS, CROOKS ARE STEALING FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY UNIVERSITIES, HOMES, PARKS, BUSINESSES MORE LAUNCHES PLAN TO CRACK DOWN ON THEFT FROM CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ENDANGERS LOCAL RESIDENTS
Today, at the Playland Parkway in Rye, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer joined local law enforcement and other officials in Westchester County to crackdown on the recent rash of scrap metal theft in the city that threatens critical infrastructure, local residents, business owners and taxpayers. Due to the high price of iron, copper, and other metal on the market, theft in Westchester County has jumped significantly in recent years, and includes recent thefts at a Yonkers storage yard; theft of… Continue Reading
10.10.12
SCHUMER LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN TO SAVE EXPIRING TAX CREDITS FOR BUSINESSES HOSPITALS THAT HIRE VETS CREDIT IS A PROVEN SUCCESS GIVES EMPLOYERS, LIKE CROUSE HOSPITAL, UP TO $9,600 PER VET HIRED
Schumer: As More & More Vets Return from Battlefield, They Must Have Place to Work Today, at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer joined local veterans, including employees at the hospital, and revealed his plan to prioritize the extension of the Returning Heroes and Wounded Warriors Tax Credits, which are proven successes in incentivizing companies and organizations like hospitals to hire veterans and set to expire at the end of this year. Crouse Hospital already… Continue Reading
10.04.12
AFTER REPORTS OF HUNDREDS OF ITEMS STOLEN BY TSA AGENTS:SCHUMER CALLS ON FEDS TO PERFORM RANDOM, UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS OF AIRPORT SECURITY CHECKPOINTS TO ENSURE AGENTS ARENT STEALING TRAVELERS PROPERTY
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to immediately address the recent reports of their agents stealing property from luggage and security checkpoints at airports all over the country. Some of these stolen items include iPads, cameras, laptops and video game consoles. Schumer today wrote to TSA Administrator John Pistole, and asked him to implement random and frequent audits at checkpoints to immediately address this problem. Schum… Continue Reading
10.03.12
SCHUMER LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN TO SAVE EXPIRING TAX CREDITS FOR BUSINESSES THAT HIRE VETS CREDITS ARE PROVEN SUCCESSES GIVE COMPANIES LIKE PALADIN CENTER UP TO $9,600 PER VET HIRED
Today, at Paladin Center in Carmel, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer toured the Paladin Center and revealed his plan to prioritize the extension of the Returning Heroes and Wounded Warriors Tax Credits, which are proven successes in incentivizing companies to hire veterans and set to expire at the end of this year. Paladin already employs numerous veterans, and Schumer applauded their goal to hire more veterans in the future as they expand. He also urged other Hudson Valley businesses to simil… Continue Reading
10.02.12
SCHUMER CALLS ON FEDS TO CLEAR FINAL OBSTACLE TO GROUNDBREAKING ON CANANDAIGUA AIRPORT RUNWAY EXPANSION PROJECT WOULD PUT LOCAL WORKERS IN ONTARIO COUNTY ON THE JOB
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to fasttrack the approval of a final wetlands mitigation permit for the Ontario County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) to expand the runway at the Canandaigua Airport. Last month, Schumer announced over $7 million in Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) funding for the project, which would allow the Rochesterbased DiFiore Construction to increase the width of runway 1331, as well as extend the runway… Continue Reading
10.01.12
SCHUMER SECURES VITAL WAIVER FOR TOWN OF UNION TO RECEIVE HUD DISASTER RELIEF OVER ONE YEAR AFTER TROPICAL STORM LEE
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he has helped secure a crucial waiver from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that will finally allow the Town of Union to utilize funding that was awarded to the community after severe flooding damage from Tropical Storm Lee. Without this waiver, critical disaster relief awarded through HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) disaster relief funding could not have been obligated to make vital repairs to the commu… Continue Reading
09.30.12
SCHUMER REVEALS: WITH FARM BILL SET TO EXPIRE TODAY, PRICE OF MILK IN STORES COULD DOUBLE; HOUSE MUST PASS BIPARTISAN SENATE FARM BILL TO AVOID STICKER SHOCK AT THE SUPERMARKET
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed that unless the Farm Bill, which expires today, is renewed shortly, milk prices in stores across New York could double, according to agriculture economists. This is because starting tomorrow, October 1st, the nation will begin to revert to 1940's era agriculture policy until a new Farm Bill is passed. If carried out, the 1940's era policy requires the government to purchase nonfat dry milk, cheese and butter at prices significantly above current m… Continue Reading
09.27.12
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES BREAKTHROUGH DEAL WITH RENTAL CAR COMPANIES TO KEEP RECALLED VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced Thursday that he has reached an agreement with the top four rental car companies in the U.S. to stop the renting or selling of vehicles that have been recalled by their manufacturer. Under the agreement, rental car companies Enterprise/National/Alamo, Hertz/Advantage, Avis/Budget, and Dollar/Thrifty, as well as the American Car Rental Association, have all endorsed new legislation authored by Senator Schumer and his colleagues Bar… Continue Reading
09.25.12
SCHUMER URGES FED & NYS DOT TO RE-DIRECT EXPIRING INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING TO THREE SYRACUSE FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECTS & CREEKWALK THAT COULD REMOVE 100-PLUS HOMEOWNERS FROM FLOOD MAP FUNDS COULD PAVE WAY TO SAVING SYRACUSE FAMILIES THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
Today, overlooking Onondaga Creek, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on both the federal and NYS Department of Transportations to allow the City of Syracuse to keep a total of $1.2 million in federal infrastructure funding in Syracuse, that would otherwise be revoked at the end of this year under a recent Administration decision. Specifically, Schumer is urging that this unused federal funding be directed to the removal of three abandoned Jefferson Railroad Bridges over the Creek and oth… Continue Reading
09.25.12
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $70,000 FOR HUDSON VALLEY REGIONAL COUNCIL TO HELP STRENGTHEN LOCAL ECONOMY
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal grant worth $70,000 for the Hudson Valley Regional Council. The investment comes through the U.S. Economic Development Agency, and will be used to support the publicprivate partnership to strengthen the Hudson Valley's economy. "The bottom line is that the federal government should do everything it can to support economic development and get people back to work," said Senator Schumer. … Continue Reading
09.22.11
SCHUMER, IN EFFORT TO KEEP ONONDAGAS AIR-1 UP AND RUNNING, URGES FAA TO SPEED UP APPROVAL OF FLIGHT LICENSE BEFORE COUNTY LEGISLATURE VOTES ON FUNDING
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Federal Aviation Administration to speed up the approval of the Onondaga Sheriff's office's request for an FAA commuter charter license for its Air1 helicopter. The Sheriff's office has applied for an FAA license, which would allow the chopper to charge for its flights, thus relieving local taxpayers of the heavy operating costs. The County legislature is expected to vote on funding levels for the helicopter when it considers its budget for… Continue Reading
09.22.11
SCHUMER: STALEMATE AT PEACE BRIDGE HAS PRESCREENING PROGRAM STALLED AT THE GATE ASKS SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON TO BREAK THE LOGJAM
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to persuade the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) to finalize an agreement with American Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to establish prescreening of trucks and cargo on the Canadian side of the border. Moving the screening of trucks to the Canadian side of the border would clear the way for a new plaza, that would facilitate increased commerce and international tourism. It would also significantly reduce… Continue Reading
09.19.11
SCHUMER CALLS ON THE FDA TO PUT IN PLACE STANDARDS FOR JUICE CONCENTRATES AFTER QUESTIONS EMERGE OVER THE LEVEL OF ARSENIC FOUND IN CHINESE-PRODUCED CONCENTRATES
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put in place clear standards for imported fruit and vegetable juice concentrates and step up inspection of concentrates from countries that use toxic, inorganic arsenic in their pesticides, or with high levels of environmental contaminants. Schumer pointed out that, although serious questions exist over the methodology used by a daytime talk show last week that covered the subject of arsenic in apple jui… Continue Reading
09.19.11
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES GENESEE DEVELOPMENT CORP. SET TO RECEIVE $58,000 IN USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES WILL HELP MAKE NEW ALPINA FOODS YOGURT PLANT A REALITY, CREATE 50 JOBS
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation is set to receive $58,000 in US Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Program, for infrastructure upgrades in Genesee Valley AgriBusiness Park at the site for Alpina Foods. Alpina Foods is a dairy products company, and recently began work to construct its first U.S. yogurt plant in Batavia. Specifically, this investment will fund site preparation for the new yogurt plant by extendin… Continue Reading
