Press Releases
IN HISTORIC FIRST, SCHUMER-RECOMMENDED ELIZABETH WOLFORD OFFICIALLY SWORN IN AS WESTERN DISTRICT JUDGE WOLFORD IS FIRST-EVER WOMAN TO SERVE ON FEDERAL BENCH IN WESTERN DISTRICT
Today, Elizabeth Wolford, originally recommended for the federal bench by U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, was swornin as a federal judge for New York's Western District. Her swearingin is a historic first - she is now the first woman ever to serve on the federal bench in this district. Schumer has supported Ms. Wolford each step of the way. He originally recommended Ms. Wolford to the President for nomination, and supported her through her confirmation by the United States Senate in July 2013, … Continue Reading
05.05.14
SCHUMER: KEEPING DANGEROUS LAKE ERIE TOXIN FROM SPREADING INTO WNY DRINKING WATER IS ESSENTIAL DEMANDS EPA USDA ACT BEFORE THIS TOXIC BACTERIA CONTAMINATES WNY DRINKING WATER
Today, at the Erie Basin Marina in Buffalo, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to act quickly to curb the threat that toxic algae in Lake Erie is posing to Western New York drinking water. Schumer explained that conditions are ripe for a record algae bloom in Lake Erie and that the toxins that this algae produces, cyanotoxins, have the potential to contaminate local drinking water because local water treat… Continue Reading
05.02.14
SCHUMER: RICHMOND FIRE DEPARTMENT AT RISK OF LOSING $36K IN CRITICAL GRANT DUE TO EXPIRATION DATE SENATOR URGES FEDS TO EXTEND TIMETABLE SO RICHMOND CAN KEEP REMAINDER OF GRANT PURCHASE LIFE-SAVING RADIO EQUIPMENT
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged FEMA to extend the period of performance for the Richmond Fire Department's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) so they do not lose the over $36,000 remaining from the grant award. Schumer explained that Richmond has had to wait to purchase new radios until a new radio tower was constructed to make them functional. Schumer said that Richmond should not be unfairly punished for their practical decision, and instead be given more time to spend their … Continue Reading
05.01.14
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES, AFTER HIS PUSH, FEDS HAVE PROPOSED PLAN TO PUT WATERTOWNS SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER AT THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR REGAINING RESIDENCY SLOTS THAT WERE UNFAIRLY TAKEN AWAY SENATOR URGES C.M.S. TO IMPLEMENT RULE THAT WILL PRIORITIZE SAMARITAN FOR CRITICAL MEDICARE FUNDING RESIDENCY SLOTS
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that, after his push, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a new rule that would give critical medical residency slots back to Watertown's Samaritan Medical Center, slots lost over 3 years ago due to the hospital's residency program being misclassified. In 2011, Samaritan was misclassified as "not rural," which meant it subsequently lost medicare reimbursement for more than three of its residency slots. Since that tim… Continue Reading
05.01.14
SCHUMER: FOREIGN AIRLINES HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATING AGAINST ISRAELI CITIZENS, EVEN WHEN FLYING TO COUNTRIES THEY CAN LEGALLY ENTER; CITING FED LAW THAT PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION BASED ON NATL ORIGIN, CALLS ON DOT TO FINE AIR CARRIERS THAT DONT PERMIT ISRAELIS ONBOARD
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) to fine any airline that refuses to fly a person from America to a country that they have legal right to enter. Federal law prohibits discrimination by air carriers on the basis of national origin, however, this policy is not always enforced. Schumer pointed to a recent case of an Israeli citizen who was not permitted to book a Kuwaiti Airlines flight from New York City to London because the airline do… Continue Reading
05.01.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $13,000 FOR BELMONT FIRE DEPARTMENT IN ALLEGANY COUNTY
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $13,509 in federal funding for the Belmont Fire Department to replace aging hoses in their inventory. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). "These muchneeded federal funds will provide the assistance the Village of Belmont needs to replace their supply of hoses. First responders are our primary line of defense - they safeguard our residen… Continue Reading
04.25.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $981,000 USDA GRANT FOR WASTEWATER DISPOSAL PROJECT IN HASTINGS GRANT WILL IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT AND COULD RELIEVE PRESSURE ON LOCAL BUDGET
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced a $981,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Hastings in Oswego County. This federal funding will be used to improve the town's sewage system, which includes many onsite disposal systems that could potentially harm nearby groundwater. The USDA grant will help Hastings avoid wastewater failure and protect the local environment. "Access to an effective wastewater system is critical t… Continue Reading
04.25.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $1.9 MILLION IN FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR WATER LINE EXTENSION IN THROOP BRINGING CLEAN WATER TO TOWN
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced an $855,000 grant and $1,100,000 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Throop in Cayuga Country. This federal funding will be used to create a water system that provides access to clean drinking water for Throop residents who currently extract their water from wells with poor water quality and/or purchase bottled water for consumption. No water lines currently exist in Throop's Water District #1, hampering econ… Continue Reading
04.24.14
AFTER SIGNIFICANT PUSH, SCHUMER RECEIVES PERSONAL COMMITMENT FROM HEAD OF FDA THAT THEY WILL REVERSE COURSE ON RIDICULOUS SPENT GRAIN RULE THAT WOULD HAVE HURT NEW YORKS CRAFT BREWERS AND FAMILY FARMERS
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that, during a personal phone call with federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, he received a commitment from the commissioner that the FDA would reverse course on a proposed rule regulating "spent grain" - a rule that would be harmful to Upstate New York's burgeoning craft brew industry and its farmers. The FDA was attempting to regulate "spent grain" - a natural byproduct of the brewing process - in a way that co… Continue Reading
04.21.14
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT ELIMINATION OF ONE OF NIAGARA FALLS MOST VITAL FEDERAL PROGRAMS RULE CHANGE WOULD CUT CITY OFF FROM THE CDBG FUNDS THAT ARE SO VITAL TO ITS TURNAROUND SIMPLY BECAUSE POPULATION HAS SLIGHTLY DIPPED FROM 50K RESIDENTS TO 49K
Today, in Niagara Falls, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his campaign to prevent the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from reforming the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) in a way that would remove Niagara Falls from eligibility and deprive the City of over $2 million per year in funds it relies on. Currently, cities must have a population of at least 50,000 to be eligible for a yearly allocation of CDBG funds, and cities like Niagara Falls - which j… Continue Reading
04.21.14
SCHUMER URGES FDA TO REVERSE COURSE ON RIDICULOUS PROPOSED RULE THAT WOULD HURT NEW YORKS CRAFT BREWERS AND FAMILY FARMERS ALL AT ONCE FDA TRYING TO END AGE-OLD PRACTICE OF LETTING BREWERS SELL OR DONATE SPENT GRAIN TO FARMERS
Today at Saranac Brewery in Utica, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reverse course on a proposed rule that would be unnecessarily harmful to Upstate New York's burgeoning craft brew industry and its farmers, which are the lifeblood of the region. Specifically, the FDA is attempting to regulate "spent grain" - a natural byproduct of the brewing process - in a way that would prevent brewers from selling or donating it directly to farmers who use i… Continue Reading
04.16.14
SCHUMER TO FEDS: WHEN IT COMES TO SANDY RECOVERY, DONT FORGET ABOUT THE NORTH SHORE - CRITICAL SANDY REBUILDING PROJECTS HAVE NOT BEEN FUNDED BY FEDS IN TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today launched his effort to ensure that the federal government does not leave out North Shore Long Island communities, like North Hempstead, in funding Sandy rebuilding and resiliency efforts. The Town of North Hempstead has a number of critical recovery projects in the works, including rebuilding the town dock in Port Washington, repairing a number of critical bulkheads and seawalls, and completing sand removal, that have yet to be funded over 18 months after th… Continue Reading
04.16.14
SCHUMER MAKES SPIRITED IN-PERSON APPEAL TO LEADERS OF NYISO AND FERC TO SHELVE UNNECESSARY, NEW ELECTRIC-RATE-RAISING CAPACITY ZONE SENATOR IS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THEY WILL REVERSE COURSE AFTER HIS CONVERSATION
In separate inperson conversations, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer pressed Acting FERC Chairman Cheryl LaFleur and both the Chairman of the Board of the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), Robert Hiney, and NYISO Executive Director SteveWhitley to reverse course on the proposed new capacity zone in the Hudson Valley that would jackup rates on consumers by as much as 12%. FERC is currently rehearing an order, first proposed by NYISO, that would establish a new capacity zone in the Huds… Continue Reading
04.15.14
SCHUMER NY VET LEADERS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO HAVE FIRST WELCOME HOME PARADE FOR RETURNING IRAQ AFGHANISTAN TROOPS IN NYC; WITH LAST COMBAT TROOPS LEAVING AFGHANISTAN, CANYON OF HEROES TRADITION SHOULD CONTINUE - TIME TO START CAMPAIGN IS NOW
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, along with local veteran leaders, launched his campaign to have the first welcome home parade for America's post 9/11 troops in New York City. Specifically, he urged the Department of Defense (DoD) to work with the city of New York to begin planning such a critical event for our returning troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout history, the United States has held a parade in New York City for troops returning home from war, but one has yet to be planned for … Continue Reading
04.15.14
SCHUMER OPENS STATE-OF-THE-ART UTILITY CONTROL CENTER THAT WILL SAVE RATEPAYERS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HELP SAFEGUARD ELECTRIC GRID FROM FUTURE BLACKOUTS ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF $74 MILLION INVESTMENT IN SMART GRID THAT WILL PAY DIVIDENDS FOR DECADES TO COME
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer attended the grand opening of the new New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) Utility Control Center, which received a $74 million investment thanks in part to Senator Schumer's efforts to secure a $37 million Department of Energy (DOE) grant for Smart Technology Initiatives. Schumer said that this Utility Control Center - and the federal investment in smart grid technology - will lower energy costs for families and small businesses across New York, an… Continue Reading
04.15.14
SCHUMER: FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ANTI-VIOLENCE EFFORTS IN ROCHESTER-AREA SCHOOLS HAS BEEN DRAMATICALLY CUT, MAKING IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO PREVENT THE NEXT SANDY HOOK OR MAJOR SCHOOL STABBING LIKE RECENT INCIDENT NEAR PITTSBURGH SENATOR URGES FEDS TO RESTORE FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT CAN BETTER SECURE SCHOOLS LIKE FAIRPORT HIGH SCHOOL HELP KEEP ROCHESTER STUDENTS SAFE
Today at Fairport High School, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer revealed that federal funding for antiviolence efforts in schools has been dramatically cut over the past few years, leaving Rochesterarea schools without critical funding to implement safety programs that can help prevent horrific incidents like Sandy Hook or the recent stabbing attack at a Pittsburgharea high school. Schumer explained that these federal programs help schools purchase safety technology, provide safety training and f… Continue Reading
04.14.14
SCHUMER: FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ANTI-VIOLENCE EFFORTS IN SYRACUSE-AREA SCHOOLS HAS BEEN DRAMATICALLY CUT, MAKING IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO PREVENT THE NEXT SANDY HOOK OR MAJOR SCHOOL STABBING LIKE RECENT INCIDENT NEAR PITTSBURGH SENATOR URGES FEDS TO RESTORE FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT CAN BETTER SECURE SCHOOLS LIKE FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS HIGH SCHOOL HELP KEEP CNY STUDENTS SAFE
Today, at FayettevilleManlius High School, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer revealed that federal funding for antiviolence efforts in schools has been dramatically cut over the past few years, leaving Syracuse schools without critical funding to implement safety programs that can help prevent horrific incidents like Sandy Hook or the recent stabbing attack at a Pittsburgharea high school. Schumer explained that these federal programs help schools purchase safety technology, provide safety trainin… Continue Reading
04.14.14
SCHUMER: FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ANTI-VIOLENCE EFFORTS IN WESTERN NEW YORK SCHOOLS HAS BEEN DRAMATICALLY CUT, MAKING IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO PREVENT THE NEXT SANDY HOOK OR MAJOR SCHOOL STABBING, LIKE RECENT INCIDENT NEAR PITTSBURGH SENATOR URGES FEDS TO RESTORE FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP KEEP WNY STUDENTS SAFE
Today, at Cheektowaga Central High School, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer revealed that federal funding for antiviolence efforts in schools has been dramatically cut over the past few years, leaving Western New York schools without critical funding to implement safety programs that can help prevent horrific incidents like Sandy Hook or the recent stabbing attack at a Pittsburgharea high school. Schumer explained that these federal programs help schools purchase safety technology, provide safety… Continue Reading
04.10.14
IN CRITICAL MOVE FOR UPSTATE NY HONEY FARMERS, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES FDA HAS HEEDED HIS CALL AND WILL TAMP DOWN ON HONEY LAUNDERING BY REQUIRING PROPER LABELING OF PURE HONEY NEW RULES WILL PREVENT TAINTED OR FAKE FOREIGN PRODUCTS FROM CHINA AND ELSEWHERE FROM UNFAIRLY COMPETING
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)has heeded his call, as well as the repeated requests of U.S. honey producers, to crack down on the misbranding and adulteration of honey. The FDA has proposed new guidelines to ensure that a product can only be labeled honey if it is made from nectar; a product cannot be labeled as "honey" if it has anysweeteners, sugar or corn syrup added. These guidelines will help FDA, Customs and other enforcemen… Continue Reading
04.10.14
SCHUMER, HELLER, KIRK, REED, MURPHY, JOHANNS INTRODUCE CRITICAL BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT TO RE-AUTHORIZE AND EXTEND TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE PROGRAM DEAL IS ESSENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC SECURITY IN HIGH-RISK CITIES POST- 9-11
(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (DNY), Dean Heller (RNV), Mark Kirk (RIL) and Jack Reed (DRI) today announced that they have reached a crucial bipartisan agreement on legislation that will reauthorize and extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) program, which is set to expire at the end of 2014. Created in 2002, the TRIA program is a critical priority for highrisk cities post9/11. The program provides a federal backstop for insurance coverage against losses from deva… Continue Reading
