Press Releases
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 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 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: 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 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
04.14.14
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
04.10.14
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
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
04.07.14
SCHUMER - STANDING WITH NEIL PATRICK HARRIS, BRYAN CRANSTON OTHER LEADING BROADWAY ACTORS MAKES FINAL PUSH TO GIVE BROADWAY PRODUCTIONS LIVE THEATER MAJOR TAX BREAK; BILL WILL ATTRACT NEW INVESTMENT CREATE HUNDREDS OF NEW JOBS IN NY ON GREAT WHITE WAY
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today joined actors Neil Patrick Harris, Bryan Cranston, other top Broadway actors and characters, as well as a number of Broadway producers, as he announced his campaign to give Broadway and live theater productions a major tax break that will encourage investment and spur job creation on the Great White Way. Schumer today called for passage of his key amendment that would change the federal tax code and create equal tax treatment for live theater by extending it… Continue Reading
03.26.14
FEDS PLANNING OVER 50% CUT IN NUCLEAR SECURITY FUNDING TO NYPD; SCHUMER DEMANDS IMMEDIATE REVERSE IN CUTS
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today warned that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning on cutting funding to New York City from the federal "Securing the Cities" program in the upcoming year by over 50%. The dramatic and unexpected drop in funding would deal a major blow to the New York Police Department's (NYPD) radiation detection initiative, the importance of which was underscored yesterday when President Obama said his biggest fear was a nuclear weapon going o… Continue Reading
03.20.14
SCHUMER DEMANDS FERC UNDO ORDER THAT WOULD UNFAIRLY JACK UP ELECTRIC RATES IN ULSTER ORANGE COUNTIES AFTER BRUTAL WINTER OF HIGH ENERGY COSTS, NEW FEDERAL ORDER COULD BREAK THE BANK FOR HOMEOWNERS
Today, at Poughkeepsie City Hall, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to undo an order that would unfairly hike electric rates in Ulster and Orange Counties in the coming months, given that consumers have endured a brutal winter of high energy costs and that the new zone may be unnecessary given inprogress energy upgrades. In January, FERC reapproved a proposal by the New York Independent System Operators (NYISO) - which operates and administers … Continue Reading
03.12.14
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES USDA GREEK YOGURT PILOT PROGRAM WILL EXPAND TO 12 STATES STARTING IN SEPTEMBER, INCLUDING NEW YORK
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will expand its already successful Greek yogurt pilot program to eight new states, in addition to New York and three other states that participated from September to November 2013. Schumer said that from September 2014 to June 2015, New York, Arizona, Idaho, Tennessee, California, Iowa, Connecticut, Illinois, North Carolina, Vermont, Washington and Mississippi will partake in the pilot program. The contract … Continue Reading
03.11.14
SCHUMER: OAK ORCHARD HARBOR WILL RECEIVE A LARGE MAINTENANCE DREDGE TO INCREASE HARBORS CAPACITY WILL ALLOW RECREATIONAL TRAFFIC TO MOVE MORE EFFICIENTLY PROVIDE A BOOST TO LOCAL ECONOMY
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Oak Orchard Harbor will receive a large maintenance dredge this year, valued at $420,000 and funded through the Sandy Supplemental Appropriations bill. Schumer met with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Buffalo District Director LTC Beaudoin who confirmed the USACE's plans and estimated the dredge is scheduled to be completed by around June 15, 2014. Schumer has long fought for Oak Orchard Harbor to be dredged, especially since Superst… Continue Reading
03.05.14
SCHUMER CALLS FOR FIRST STATEWIDE HEROIN DATABASE LACK OF INFORMATION HINDERS NY LAW ENFORCEMENTS ABILITY TO COMBAT HEROIN CRISIS; DRUGSTAT WILL ALLOW LOCAL COPS, HOSPITALS TOXICOLOGISTS TO TRACK CRIMES OVERDOSE PATTERNS
Today, on a press conference call, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched a twopronged plan to combat the rising epidemic of heroin abuse in New York and around the country. First, Schumer called on the President's Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to establish a detailed framework and implementation plan for New York counties to set up "DrugStat", a firstever informationsharing database that would track heroin and other drugrelated crimes, overdoses, deaths, hospital admissions … Continue Reading
02.28.14
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND URGE HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY TO BOOST NEW YORKS SHARE OF CRITICAL ANTI-TERROR FUNDING AS NYC REMAINS TOP TERROR TARGET IN THE NATION
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today urged U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson to provide New York with a boost in antiterror funding given that the federal budget this year for state and local homeland security funding increased by an estimated 16 percent. New York City remains the top terror target in the nation and federal funds are used to protect New York's transit systems, ports and urban nonprofits against security threats and terrorist attacks. With this… Continue Reading
02.24.14
SCHUMER SLAMS IOC FOR DECISION TO HOST OLYMPIC GAMES IN SOCHI, RUSSIA CALLS ON IOC TO REVISE PROCESS AND PLACE GREATER WEIGHT ON BASIC LIBERTIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD OF POTENTIAL HOST COUNTRIES BEFORE AWARDING THEM THE GAMES
New York, NY - Following the conclusion of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today slammed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its decision to award the Winter Olympics to Russia, a country with a long list of human rights violations. Schumer called on the IOC to consider potential host countries' human rights records before awarding them with the world's premier international sporting event. Schumer cited antigay laws, abuses of workers' rights, and an… Continue Reading
02.20.14
SCHUMER: NY SUSQUEHANNA WESTERN RAILWAY NEEDS EXPIRED SHORT-LINE RAIL TAX CREDIT TO CONTINUE NEEDED TRACK MAINTENANCE AND KEEP RAIL LINES SAFE SENATOR LAUNCHES PLAN TO RESTORE CAPITAL FUNDING FOR RAIL IMPROVEMENTS
Today at the New York Susquehanna and Western Railway Headquarters, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push for the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act to restore and extend a crucial tax credit to shortline railroads, like the New York Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYSW), for infrastructure improvement projects through 2016. Schumer explained that the NYSW is an important connector for New York businesses to ship their products to regional terminuses and beyond… Continue Reading
