Press Releases
SCHUMER REVEALS: DESPITE RECENT NEAR-COLLISION ON JFK RUNWAY & OTHER NEAR MISSES, FAA HAS NOT INSTALLED RUNWAY LIGHTING SYSTEMS USED TO PREVENT CRASHES AT NY’S 3 MAJOR AIRPORTS, WHILE AGENCY HAS PUT SYSTEM IN PLACE IN OTHER CITIES; SENATOR DEMANDS FAA GET SYSTEM ON-LINE AT NY AIRPORTS IMMEDIATELY– NATION’S BUSIEST AIRSPACE
New York's 3 Major Airports, Including JFK, Have Long Been Scheduled to Get New Runway Lighting Systems to Prevent Runway Accidents By Using Automatic Flashing Red Lights Embedded Along the Runway to Warn Pilots of Unsafe Crossing Schumer: In Light of Near-Miss at JFK's Runway This Past Weekend, FAA Must Move Full Speed Ahead on Runway Lighting Construction at NY’s Airports In light of the recent near-collision at JFK Airport, and a series of other collisions or near-misses in recent yea… Continue Reading
01.23.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEW YORK WILL RECEIVE ADDITIONAL $33 MILLION FROM FEDERAL LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO HELP SENIORS AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES OFFSET THE COST OF HEATING THEIR HOMES – SECOND INSTALLMENT OF LIHEAP FUNDING WILL HELP NEW YORKERS IN MIDST OF COLD WINTER
New York State to Receive $33 Million in Additional LIHEAP Funds, Bringing Total Assistance to More Than $377 Million, Most in Country Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that New York State will receive an additional $33,337,670 in heating assistance funds. The funds were allocated through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' (HHS) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Schumer and Gillibrand said this additional $33 million will… Continue Reading
01.22.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $154 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR LONG BEACH’S SOUTH NASSAU COMMUNITIES HOSPITAL TO REBUILD FORMER LONG BEACH MEDICAL CENTER THAT WAS DAMAGED BY SUPERSTORM SANDY
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Millions in FEMA Funding to Rebuild an Essential Facility at Former Long Beach Medical Center Site to Provide Barrier Island Residents With Vital Medical Services South Nassau Communities Hospital's Take-Over of Long Beach Medical Center Hinged on This Massive Federal Funding U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $154 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance will be obligated to South Nassau Com… Continue Reading
01.20.15
SCHUMER CALLS ON ADMINISTRATION TO INCLUDE A ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY REPRESENTATIVE AT THE WHITE HOUSE SUMMIT ON CYBERSECURITY & CONSUMER PROTECTION – SCHUMER SAYS RIT, AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN FIELD, SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO IMPROVE TECHNOLOGIES THAT PROTECT CONSUMERS
RIT Has Proven Expertise in Cybersecurity Field & Was Named 'National Center of Excellence in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense Education' Through the Year 2021 - Schumer Says RIT is a Leader in Preparing Future Professionals to Meet Challenges of Industry & is Well-Positioned to Contribute to National Summit Schumer: RIT is Critical Piece of Puzzle in Ensuring America is Prepared to Protect Our Constantly Changing Information Infrastructure - Include a Rep At This Year's Natio… Continue Reading
01.20.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES, AFTER HIS PUSH, BUFFALO VA HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE 5 PIECES OF CRITICAL LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT THAT HAVE BEEN IN BACKLOG FOR YEARS – PUSHES FEDS TO CONTINUE CLEARING BACKLOG & APPROVE 4 ADDITIONAL PIECES OF EQUIPMENT VITAL FOR WNY VETERANS IN NEED
Schumer Called on Feds to Expeditiously Clear 9 Pieces of Equipment For Hospital That Were Stuck in Backlog, Some Since 2012 - Today, Schumer Announces 5 Major Pieces of Medical Equipment Have Been Awarded & Are Headed to Buffalo VA Schumer Vows to Continue Fighting for Additional 4 Pieces of Vital Medical Equipment, Says Vets Should Not Have To Wait Years For The Life-Saving Equipment They Need Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that, after his push, the Buffalo V… Continue Reading
01.19.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES THAT MOTHER OF AVONTE OQUENDO - VANESSA FONTAINE - WILL BE HIS GUEST TO THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION; WILL CALL FOR PASSAGE OF 'AVONTE'S LAW'
Bill Will Create & Fund a Program To Provide Voluntary Tracking Devices for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Who Often Bolt From Parents, Caregivers or Schools U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that he is bringing Avonte Oquendo's mother, Vanessa Fontaine, to the State of the Union as his guest. Schumer has invited Ms. Fontaine in order to draw attention to an issue that is very important to them both: passage of his legislation, called "Avonte's Law". Schumer's legisla… Continue Reading
01.19.15
SCHUMER: LONG-AWAITED PLAN TO INVESTIGATE & CLEAN UP POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS RADIOACTIVE WASTE AT FORMER SYLVANIA CORNING PLANT IN HICKSVILLE IS LAGGING – AT-RISK RESIDENTS HAVE WAITED YEARS FOR ARMY CORPS TO CLEAN UP RADIOACTIVE URANIUM LEFTOVER FROM 1950’s COLD WAR GOVT NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM
Schumer Also Pushes to Increase Funding for Fed Program To Clean Up Radioactive Sites; Program Has Been Woefully Underfunded for Years - There Are 7 New York Sites With Radioactive Contamination; Additional Funding Is Needed To Move Remediation Projects Forward In the 1950s, Sylvania Corning Plant Produced Nuclear Fuel Rods for Power Plants That Use Uranium & Thorium, Which Contaminated Soil & Groundwater at Site on Cantiague Rock Road in Hicksville U.S. Senator Charles E. … Continue Reading
01.18.15
SCHUMER REVEALS: BOMB-MAKING IN HOMES IS SHOCKINGLY NOT ILLEGAL, TYING LAW ENFORCEMENT’S HANDS IN PREVENTING TERRORIST ATTACKS; IN WAKE OF AL QAEDA RELEASING NEW, DANGEROUS BOMB-MAKING RECIPE TO INCITE U.S. TERRORIST ATTACKS, SENATOR LAUNCHES PLAN TO CRIMINALIZE HOMEMADE EXPLOSIVES
Schumer Unveils Plan to Criminalize Explosive -Making Without a License, Which Gives Federal ATF Officials the Authority to Arrest Would-Be Terrorists Before Further Terrorist Activity Takes Place; Law Enforcement Has One Hand Tied Behind Its Back In Combating Elevated Terror Threat Schumer: Trend of Homemade Explosives Used By Would-Be Terrorists- Plus Boston Marathon Bombers- Demonstrate Law Enforcement Need Every Tool Available To Thwart Terrorists U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer toda… Continue Reading
01.17.15
SCHUMER, BLUMENTHAL RAISE RED FLAGS ON FHWA TESTING OF POTENTIALLY-DEFECTIVE GUARDRAILS
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) wrote Gregory Nadeau-Acting Administrator of the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)-to express ongoing concerns regarding the FHWA's evaluation of defective ET-Plus guardrail and end terminals. The Senators each wrote Nadeau late last year urging the FHWA to ensure thorough and adequate testing of ET-Plus guardrail and terminals. The Senators found the FHWA's response and public comments to these concerns to be ina… Continue Reading
01.16.15
SCHUMER PUSHES FEMA TO FULLY FUND CRITICAL REPAIRS TO KINGSTON’S SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FLOODED BY HURRICANE SANDY – FEDS APPROVED INITIAL COST ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS, BUT RECENT DISCOVERY OF ADDITIONAL DAMAGE HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED PRICE TAG; SCHUMER URGES FEMA TO RE-CONSIDER KINGSTON’S APPLICATION & COVER ENTIRE $6M IN COSTS
Schumer Urges FEMA Administrator to Cover Maximum Possible Amount; City Has Agreed To Cover Some Costs, but With Price Tag Now at $6M, Kingston Needs Fed Help - With Fed Funds, Kingston Will Replace Parts of the Electrical System & Raise Equipment to Avoid Future Damage from Rondout Creek Flooding; FEMA OK Would Get Project Underway Schumer to FEMA: Cost of Repairs to Kingston Sewage Treatment Plant Should Be Approved ASAP Today, at the Kingston Sewage Treatment Plant, U.S. Senator C… Continue Reading
01.16.15
SCHUMER CALLS FOR PLANNED EXPANSION OF ROUTE 17 TO BE EXTENDED ALL THE WAY TO MONTICELLO – WITH MAJOR INCREASE IN TRAFFIC EXPECTED DUE TO NEW CASINO, STOPPING RT. 17 EXPANSION IN WALLKILL DOES NOT MAKE SENSE; PLEDGES TO MAKE PASSING MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE BILL A TOP PRIORITY
Expanding Rt. 17 Has Been A Major Schumer Priority for Years; Extending Rt. 17 Expansion Into Sullivan County Will Require Mix of Fed Infrastructure Funds, As Well As Funds From NYSDOT & Developer - Schumer Pushes For Enhanced Fed Infrastructure Bill To Help Cover Costs; Says Expansion of Rt. 17 is Prime Example of National Infrastructure Needs Schumer: Expanding Rt. 17 Into Sullivan County Key To Avoiding Traffic in Orange County & Maximizing Full Potential of All The Region's Econo… Continue Reading
01.16.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $3.8 MILLION FOR MTA TUNNEL AND BRIDGE EMERGENCY REPAIRS
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will receive more than $3.8 million in federal funding for repairs to tunnels and bridges damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The reimbursement will cover the costs of work done to restore and protect the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Queens Midtown Tunnel, Bronx/Whitestone Bridge, Cross Bay Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, Marine Parkway Bridge, Throgs/Neck Bridge, Tri-Borough/RFK Bridge… Continue Reading
01.16.15
SCHUMER REVEALS: TWO RECENT INSTANCES OF DRONES ENCROACHING INTO WESTCHESTER COUNTY AIRPORT AIRSPACE SHOW DRONE USE HAS BEGUN TO PUT LOCAL PASSENGER FLIGHTS AT RISK – SENATOR TO CALL ON FEDS TO GET NEW DRONE REGULATIONS OUT THE DOOR ASAP TO KEEP AIR TRAVELERS SAFE, GIVE DRONE USERS PROPER GUIDELINES
Schumer To Say that the FAA & The Office of Management & Budget Must Expedite the Release of New Drone Regulations That Would Draw Clear Lines for Legal & Illegal Drone Usage - The FAA Has Been Developing Drone Privacy & Usage Guidelines for Years; FAA Rule Has Made Some Progress & Is Now Sitting at Office of Management & Budget for Review Schumer: FAA Drone Rules To Protect Westchester Fliers' Physical Safety & Give Legitimate Drone Users Clear Guidelines Have Be… Continue Reading
01.16.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $1.2 MILLION IN FEDERAL SANDY AID FOR TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD’S MANORHAVEN BEACH PARK
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $1 Million in FEMA Funding for Permanent Repairs to Manorhaven Beach Park as a Result of Superstorm Sandy U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced over $1.2 million in federal funding for the Town of North Hempstead to make permanent repairs at Manorhaven Beach Park, following Superstorm Sandy. The Public Assistance award is being provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under authority of Section 406 of th… Continue Reading
01.15.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND RENEW CALL FOR 2015 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TO BE HELD ON GRASS, NOT ARTIFICIAL TURF; URGE FIFA TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH PLAYERS IN ADVANCE OF 2015 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Schumer, Gillibrand: FIFA Should Level the Playing Field for Women's World Cup U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand with six other U.S. Senators today renewed their call for organizers of the 2015 International Association of Federation Football (FIFA) Women's World Cup, to work with players to reach an agreement on the playing surface. The Senators sent a letter to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, following a meeting between players and FIFA officials in Zurich earlier this wee… Continue Reading
01.15.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $1.5 MILLION IN USDA FUNDING FOR GREATER ADIRONDACK CONSERVATION PROJECTS
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1.5 million in federal funding for Greater Adirondacks agricultural conservation projects. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and will be used to improve water quality, soil health, and resolve habitat issues in and around the Upper Hudson River, St. Lawrence River, Black River and Lake Champlain Watershed. The award is part of four grant… Continue Reading
01.14.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $13 MILLION IN FED FUNDS FOR DELAWARE RIVER WATERSHED CONSERVATION
Funding Will Support Agriculture, Soil, Water Conservation & Assist Local Farmers Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $13 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is headed to New York State to partner with the America Farmland Trust to implement conservation projects in the Delaware River Basin watershed. The funding was allocated through the USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and will allow New Y… Continue Reading
01.14.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $16 MILLION IN FED FUNDS FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN WATERSHED CONSERVATION
Projects Include Targeting Conservation Practices for Optimal Environmental Benefits & Monitoring Conservation Effectiveness - Senators Have Led Fight to Improve Lake Champlain Watershed, A Key Economic Driver for North Country Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $16 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is headed to New York State and the state of Vermont to implement conservation projects in the Lake Champlain wat… Continue Reading
01.14.15
SCHUMER: KEY PROGRAMS PROVIDING $16 MILLION PER YEAR IN MEDICARE PAYMENT TO RURAL UPSTATE NY HOSPITALS AT RISK OF EXPIRING IN NEXT FEW MONTHS – SENATOR ANNOUNCES BI-PARTISAN LEGISLATION TO AVOID CUT; IF LEGISLATION FAILS, COULD BE DISASTROUS FOR JOBS, HOSPITALS, QUALITY OF CARE ACROSS THE STATE
Clock is Ticking to Extend Critical Funding for Rural Hospitals Across The State - These Hospitals Treat Tens of Thousands of Patients & Some Face Cuts of Over $1 Million, A Tough Pill For Any To Swallow Schumer: Rural Hospitals Need Fed Funds To Continue Providing Quality Health Care Today, on a conference call with reporters, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push to extend a Medicare payment program that is critical to the health of rural hospitals across Upstate N… Continue Reading
01.13.15
SCHUMER: FEDS SHOULD PRIORITIZE RESILIENCY PROJECTS THROUGHOUT GATEWAY NATIONAL PARK; CALLS ON DEPT. OF INTERIOR TO PROVIDE $10M IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR RESTORATION PROJECTS AT JAMAICA BAY, RIIS BEACH, FORT TILDEN, FLOYD BENNETT FIELD & CANARSIE PIER
Schumer Urges DOI to Fund Critical Gateway Projects, Including Restoration of West Pond, Improvements at Riis Beach, Restoration of Jacob Riis Bathhouse, Shoreline Softening at Floyd Bennett Field, Revitalization of Canarsie Pier & More Schumer Calls for Funding to Include Long-Term Planning Project to Allow More People to Easily Access Gateway via Public Transportation, Biking & Walking U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the Department of Interior (DOI) to provide fundi… Continue Reading