Press Releases
Senators Feinstein, Warner, Schumer, DeWine Introduce Legislation to Reestablish Assault Weapons Ban
ix months following the expiration of the federal assault weapons ban, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (DCA), John W. Warner (RVA), Charles Schumer (DNY), and Mike DeWine (ROH) today introduced legislation that would reestablish the ban in federal law. Since the assault weapons ban was allowed to expire, it has been open season for criminals who want the most dangerous types of militarystyle assault weapons, Senator Feinstein said. Let there be no doubt, these weapons are the weapons of choice … Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Reveals: Egregious Loophole Makes Millions Of New Yorkers Soc. Sec. Numbers Accessible At Touch Of Computer Button; Potential For Identity Theft Is Enormous
Millions of New Yorkers are at risk for identity theft, Senator Charles E. Schumer revealed today as he exposed a giant flaw in an information database that allows almost anybody's personal information to get into the wrong hands. Schumer sent a letter to the head of Westlaw, a data search company based in Minnesota, asking that an egregious loophole in their Internetbased PeopleFind be disabled for use by its clients. The program allows subscribers to log in, type in the name of the person … Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Secures Key Provision In Senate Energy Bill That Would Create New Markets For Plug Power In Latham
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that he has secured a major provision in the Senate Energy Bill that would offer tax credits for telecom businesses purchasing stationary fuel cells, a move that could open up new markets for Plug Power. Schumer, a member of the Senate Finance Committee lobbied aggressively for the provision and said that telecom companies would be encouraged to purchase from Plug Power because of a 30percent business energy credit for the purchase of qualified fuel … Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: Federal Dollars Coming To Village Of Laurens
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that a $220,000 grant and a $980,000 loan was awarded to the Village of Laurens to assist in replacing the water distribution system. The funds are being awarded through the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program as a Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant. "This is great news for the Village of Laurens," Schumer said. "The water system is critical to the livelihood of the community and the he… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: Rochester/Finger Lakes Region Faces Severe Shortage Of Volunteer Firefighters Senator Unveils New Plan To Boost Recruitment
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today unveiled a new proposal to support volunteer firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) providers in Rochester/Finger Lakes region. Joined by volunteer firefighters who shared their recruitment struggles, Schumer announced his legislation, the Supporting Emergency Responders Volunteer Efforts (SERVE) Act to offer a $1,000 tax credit for active members of volunteer firefighting and EMS organizations. Schumer specifically addressed the recruitment and rete… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: Over $1.86 Million Coming To North Country Fire Departments For Fire Operations And Safety
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced over $1.86 million in federal funds for North County fire departments and organizations to pay for fire operations and fire safety. The funds are being awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This is a great day for fire departments in the North Country, said Schumer. Firefighters and emergency professionals put their lives on the line every day and it is imperative that we do… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer-Levin: Presidents Social Security Proposals In Trouble, Privatization Plus Deep Benefit Cuts Worse Than Privatization Alone
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Rep. Sander Levin (DMI) held a joint conference call to respond to President Bushs announcement last night that he wanted to not only privatize Social Security, but also include a plan that would deeply cut benefits to lower and middle class families. Schumer, a member of the Senate Finance Committee and Chairman of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, and Levin, the senior Democrat on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security have both bee… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Modesty And Stability On The Bench: How John Roberts Can Convince Democrats To Vote For Him
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Courts, spoke to the National Press Club at a luncheon today to discuss the nomination of Judge John G. Roberts to the U.S. Supreme Court. In particular, Schumer addressed how Judge Roberts can convince Democrats to vote for his nomination in the coming weeks and months. Below is the text of the speech: MODESTY AND STABILITY ON THE BENCH: HOW JOHN ROBERTS CAN CONVINCE DEMOCRATS TO VOTE FOR HIM I want to… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Lobbies For 2007 USA Hockey National Championships In Amherst
As the Youth Council deliberates on a location for the 2007 USA National Hockey Championships, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today wrote to the Director of Youth Ice Hockey at USA Hockey Inc. to urge the organization to choose Amherst, New York as the host of the 2007 USA Hockey National Championships. Amherst is the ideal location for host of the championship, as Western New York has long been a hotbed of hockey enthusiasm. Amherst is the perfect place to host this event, Schumer said. They… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer, Clinton, Slaughter, Reynolds And Higgins Call On Department Of Labor To Look Harder For Bethlehem Steel Records
enators Chuck Schumer (DNY) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (DNY) were joined by Representatives Louise Slaughter (DNY), Tom Reynolds (RNY) and Brian Higgins (DNY) in writing to the Department of Labor (DOL) to request an immediate search for additional records about uranium rollings conducted at the Bethlehem Steel plant in Lackawanna, NY during the 1950s. Under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act (EEOICPA), DOL has the responsibility to set eligibility dates for former Beth… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: DOJ Exported Prison Contractors With Checkered Pasts To Rebuild Iraqi Prisons
In June of 2004, Senator Charles E. Schumer asked the Department of Justice to investigate and report on how the Department hired at least three individuals to oversee the reconstitution of Iraqs prison system, despite credible allegations of serious misconduct when those individuals previously served as prison officials in the United States. The Justice Department referred the matter to its Inspector General and today Schumer received the Inspector Generals report on this matter. During the I… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Announces Key Senate Panel Backs Increased Funding For Brookhaven National Laboratory
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $18 million for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and $36.5 million for the Center for Functional Nanomaterials at Brookhaven National Laboratory in the FY06 Energy and Water Appropriations Committee Report. The bill must now be approved by the full Senate before being sent to a House and Senate Conference Committee and eventually being signed into law. Schumer had aggressively lobbied member… Continue Reading
08.01.06
Schumer Meets With Canadian Ambassador To Urge DHS To Treat Fast Ferry As Land Crossing Under Any Passport Proposal
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer met late Wednesday with the Canadian Ambassador to the United States, Frank McKenna, and announced they would urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to treat the Fast Ferry, which provides service from Rochester to Toronto, as a land crossing under The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). In its current form, WHTI proposes two implementation dates: December 31, 2006 for air and sea crossings; and December 31, 2007 for land crossings. Schumer and Mc… Continue Reading
08.01.06
Schumer Announces Over $13,000 for Washington County Crime Control and Prevention Programs
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that $13,730 has been awarded to Washington County by the U.S. Department of Justices Office of Justice Programs (OJP) under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The federal funds will be used for crime control and prevention programs. When it comes to protecting our citizens, we need to be tough on crime and smart on prevention," Schumer said. These much needed funds will help to bring the quality people and firstrate… Continue Reading
08.01.06
Schumer Announces Over $640,000 For Legal Aid Society Of Northeastern New York
U. S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced $647,615 for the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Inc. by the U.S. Department of Justices Office on Violence Against Women. The federal funds will be used to provide legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Domestic violence is an awful problem in our communities, Schumer said. Battered women should never have to think twice about whether or not to report their abusers, and creating comprehensive l… Continue Reading
08.01.06
At Schumers Urging, Federal Officials Hold Meeting On Passport Proposal With North Country Leaders
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today testified via telephone at a meeting with officials from the U.S. Department of State who are in Plattsburgh to discuss the options for required documentation for travel at the U.S.Canada border. Alcy Frelick, Senior Advisor for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) heard directly from North Country business and community leaders as they brainstorm options for secure documentation when crossing the border. Since September, Schumer and his staff had… Continue Reading
08.01.06
Schumer Announces Final Fed Approval For Linde Ceramics Workers Under Nuke Worker Benefits Program
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt has approved former Linde Ceramics workers for access to the Nuclear Worker Benefit Program via an administrative action known as a Special Exposure Cohort. Last month, in a letter to Secretary Leavitt, Schumer stressed his support of the Linde Ceramics case, and also urged Leavitt to support Bethlehem Steel workers entry to the benefits program under the same clause. The… Continue Reading
08.01.06
Schumer Releases New Survey Of Dutchess County Gas Prices Proposes Excess Oil Company Profits Go To Victims Of Katrina
In light of high gas prices in Dutchess County, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called for temporary windfall profit levy on oil companies. Schumer released a survey that shows the range of gas prices throughout Dutchess County, and expressed serious concern that people could be profiting in the wake of the devastation caused by recent hurricanes. Schumers bill would impose a levy on big oil windfall profits and get revenue to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief efforts, forcing … Continue Reading
08.01.06
Schumer Supports House Bill To Rename Staten Islands Rosebank Post Office In Memory Of Vincent Palladino
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today sent a letter to the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in support of the bill introduced by Vito Fossella on July 14, 2005. Fossellas bill, H.R.2183 will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 567 Tompkins Avenue in Staten Island, New York, as the "Vincent Palladino Post Office." The bill will rename the Rosebank Post Office in memory of Vincent Palladino. Its only fitting that the institution where… Continue Reading
08.01.06
Schumer Secures Meeting For North Country Leaders On Passport Proposal With Federal Officials
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today he has secured a meeting from officials at the U.S. Department of State who will travel to Plattsburgh on October 19th to discuss the options for required documentation for travel at the U.S.Canada border. Alcy Frelick, Senior Advisor for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will hear directly from North Country business and community leaders as they brainstorm options for secure documentation when crossing the border. Schumer has been aggressi… Continue Reading
