Newsroom

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that, after his push, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved the Capital District Transportation Authority's (CDTA) application to join the "Small Starts" program, which opens them up to receive federal funds to expand Albany's bus system. Specifically, as a result of being accepted into the program, CDTA could now eligible to receive approximately $50 million in funding. Schumer urged CDTA to apply for "Small Starts" during... Read More

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Detroit Public Library and the Benjamin Shapell Manuscript Foundation to lend two letters exchanged between Abraham Lincoln and Westfield native Grace Bedell to the Chautauqua County Historical Society on the upcoming occasion of the 150 th anniversary of President Lincoln's assassination. Next year, Chautauqua County wishes to celebrate the life and legacy of Lincoln, as well as his connection to the town of Westfield, by displaying the letters... Read More

Today, at the new Western New York Veterans' Cemetery Site in Pembroke, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer joined with local veteran leaders to launch his campaign to name the new Western New York Veterans' Cemetery after decorated war hero and Western New York legend, "Wild Bill" Donovan. Donovan served as a Lt. Colonel in World War I and eventually went on to found and lead the Office of Strategic Services, a precursor to the CIA, during World War II. He remains the only American to earn all four... Read More

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $40,128 in federal funding for the Village of Speculator Volunteer Fire Department in Hamilton County. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and will be used to purchase new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE is designed to protect firefighters from serious injuries resulting from contact with chemical, physical or... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today joined former Senator Al D'Amato and called on FEMA to fund a $40 million project with federal Hurricane Sandy relief funds for a major flood protection project in the Village of Island Park, including the construction of a seawall, new drainage pipes and more. The project application was recently submitted by New York State to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and this critical first phase would consist... Read More

Today, at the Vietnam Memorial at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push to clear a long backlog of requests for lifesaving medical equipment at Buffalo's VA Hospital. Schumer said that doctors and patients at the Buffalo VA have been waiting too long to receive at least nine pieces of important equipment; in some cases, they have been waiting for over two years. Schumer explained that this is a problem that is plaguing VA... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on National Grid to begin providing 24hour advanced phone or mail notification to Long Island customers ahead of any inhome visit by a technician, like a meter reading. He said that this improved alert should be done first in Syosset, Herricks, Westbury and the surrounding communities, where a new burglary pattern has emerged involving two men that pose as National Grid utility workers to gain access to an individual's homes and burglarize them. So... Read More

Schumer Launches Two-Pronged Push – First, Urges Change To Fed Program To Get More Cops For Newburgh & Second, Pushes To Help Newburgh Get Highest Number  Of Cops Allowed Under Current Program Guidelines – 4  Newburgh Currently Seeking Fed Funds To Hire 4 Police Officers – Even This Number Would Make A Major Difference Since Not Enough Cops Are On Patrol  Schumer: Newburgh Should Be Able To Get Funds It Needs To Hire New Cops & Not Be Restricted By... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require childproof safety caps and clear warning labels on ecigarette liquid containers in order to address the alarming increase in related poisonings, particularly in children. Ecigarettes are sold in flavors like bubble gum, gummy bear, chocolate and vanilla, making them very attractive to children, and many parents are not aware of the dangerous, potentially lethal nature of this liquid if it is... Read More

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to reconsider its proposed consolidation of its Buffalo and Pittsburgh Regional offices, which would downgrade the Buffalo Regional Office to a SubRegional Office and move some services, including direct access to the Regional Director, solely to the Pittsburgh Regional Office. As a result of the proposed consolidation, the Pittsburgh Regional Office would serve as the primary office for Western... Read More

In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the agency to immediately direct car dealers that sell usedcars to change any policy which may potentially allow the sale of recalled vehicles without first fixing safety defects, putting usedcar buyers in harm's way. The letter comes in response to reports that usedcar dealers are selling cars subject to recall for safetyrelated defects while at the same time, advertising the used vehicles as having passed... Read More

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push to save the jobs of 65 visually impaired employees who make paper goods and other supplies for federal government agencies at the Binghamton Association for Visual Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc. (AVRE). Sixty percent of these employees are legally blind. Schumer explained that, as a result of a 1971 law authored by former New York Senator Jacob Javits, the federal government is required to purchase certain supplies and services from... Read More

Today, while standing at the intersection of 3 rd and 4 th Streets in Troy, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his campaign to prevent the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from reforming the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) in a way that would remove Troy from eligibility and deprive the City of approximately $2.5 million per year in funds it relies on. Currently, cities must have a population of at least 50,000 to be eligible for these community... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Tim Bishop announced that the Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta have agreed to renew the groundbreaking and successful North Shore overthewater helicopter route that was set to expire in August. The representatives said that this twoyear extension of the successful route is a critical step towards making the rule permanent and to expanding it to provide further relief,... Read More

Today, on a conference call with reporters, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push to increase federal funding for local bridge repair projects, which are currently receiving the same funding allocation for repairs and maintenance as they did in 2009 and are at risk of being shortchanged for at least another six years. Schumer explained that New York State currently receives $71 million per year from the federal government that must be spent on repairs and maintenance of local bridges... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced over $620,000 in funding to replace three culverts in the Ausable Watershed in Clinton and Essex Counties, which will enable fish to gain access to over 25 miles of streams, mitigate future flooding around Lake Champlain and reduce the cost of maintaining the culverts. Schumer explained that these culvert upgrades are needed for drainage purposes and to create passages that allow for water to easily flow, which will help limit future flooding and... Read More

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand launched their push to secure a $14 million federal grant that would spur the ongoing revitalization of the Glenwood Power Plant, and the surrounding area, by improving access to the site. Schumer and Gillibrand announced that they are seeking the funding for this project through the federal Department of Transportation's TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Grant program, which provides funding for road,... Read More

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that three Finger Lakes region airports will receive approximately $1.8 million in total funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for airport infrastructure and facility upgrades. Specifically, Penn Yan Airport in Yates County will receive $201,330 to conduct an airport pavement study for infrastructure upgrades and $198,000 for the purchase of snow removal equipment. Dansville Airport in Livingston County... Read More

Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that Dutchess County Airport will receive $1,000,800 in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for airport upgrades.   "I am pleased to add this federal investment to the list of 'arrivals' at Dutchess County Regional airport," said  Senator Schumer.  "We should always strive to achieve the highest standards of aviation safety, and this funding will support that goal by repairing and... Read More

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko today announced $1,558,815 in federal funding is being awarded to the Albany International Airport for needed snow removal equipment and security enhancements.  The funding is allocated through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. "Making sure our runways are clear for takeoff, especially during winter weather, is essential for the safety of our New York travelers,"... Read More