Press Releases
Schumer: Over $670,000 Coming To Southern Tier Fire Organizations
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced over $930,000 in federal funds for eleven fire departments in the Southern Tier 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 (DHS). "This is a great day for Southern Tier fire departments," said Schumer. "In the brave new post9/11 world, our first responders must be well trained and well equipped to deal … Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: More Than $127,000 Awarded To Nurse Training Programs In New York City
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the CUNY Research Foundation and Trustees of Columbia University will receive a combined $127,175 in federal funds for nurse training programs. The money was awarded through the Advanced Education Nursing Traineeships Grant Program and it will create opportunities for nurses trainees, help to advance their medical education and ultimately, improve health care in New York. CUNY will receive $18,693, and $108,482 will go to Trustees of Columbia Un… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Joins Rochester Business Leaders To Discuss Alternatives To Passport Rule That Take Into Account Security And Fast Ferry
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today joined Rochester business leaders to discuss the local impact of a new proposal to require passports at the USCanada border. Speaking with Fast Ferry officials, Schumer detailed the importance of securing our border, and heard from community leaders concerned with the economic impact of requiring passports to travel to or from Canada and the US. Schumer specifically addressed how progress with the Fast Ferry could be impacted if new proposal is approved as it … Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: USTR Rejection of China Trade Investigation Ignores Problem
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued a statement this afternoon rejecting the China currency section 301 petition. Senator Chuck Schumer, author of the China Free Trade Act and the Currency Manipulation Definition Act, issued the following statement in response: For a third time, the Administration is turning a blind eye to Chinas unfair trade practices. While I appreciate that the Bush Administration conceded this week for the first time that Chinas policies are damaging to th… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: The Myth Of The Ginsburg Precedent
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer delivered a speech to the American Constitution Society today to talk about the Myth of the Ginsburg Precedent. Schumer, the ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Courts, will be highlighting the many questions that Justice Ginsburg and other Supreme Court nominees have answered at past hearings. The text of the prepared speech follows: I want to thank the American Constitution Society for hosting this event. The Senate is only five days away fro… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: Feds Will Start Binghamton Depot Property Disposal Process Within Two Weeks; Chenango Valley School District Can Then Acquire It
At the urging of US Senator Charles E. Schumer, the General Service Administration (GSA) has announced that the Binghamton Depot property will begin the disposal process within the next two weeks. Schumer secured the timeline from the GSA so the Chenango Valley School District can move forward with its plans to purchase the land and build a new athletic complex. In early March Schumer urged GSA Administrator Stephen Perry to issue a status report as soon as possible and detail the next steps for… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Urges DHS To Grant Montserratians Deferred Enforced Departure Allows Them Another 12-18 Months To Get Affairs In Order
As over 500 Montserratians face immediate deportation after being denied an extension of Temporary Protected Status, today Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Department of Homeland Security to grant the refugees and their Americanborn children Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). DED status is given to refugee groups in the US, who have no other way to stay here legally if they would be put in danger by returning to their home countries. It allows the refugees to stay here for an additiona… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Calls For Passengers To Be Checked With Terror Watch Lists Before Planes Depart
News reports today indicate that an Alitalia Flight on its way to Boston from Milan, Italy has been diverted because a passengers name matched a name on the Terrorist Watch List. Sen. Schumer, longtime advocate for better aviation and homeland security released the following statement: Sen. Chuck Schumer said, Just last week, an Air France flight was diverted because the passenger list was not checked before the flight departed. This is becoming a regular occurrence, and it should be a wake up… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: Thousand Island Bridge At Alexandria Bay Right Place For Innovative Border Crossing Plan That Keeps Traffic Moving While Maintaining Secure Border
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced he is supporting Alexandria Bay for the second site for implementation of a Shared Border Management plan at the U.S.Canadian border. Schumer lobbied aggressively to launch the first pilot program at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, where the inspection facility will be on the Canadian side of the border. A 2004 agreement brokered by Schumer requires a second border site at which the customs facility is located on the U.S. side and today Schumer said A… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Sen. Schumer And Ambassador Wilson Ask For Suspension Of Roves National Security Clearance
Today U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and Ambassador Joseph Wilson called for the suspension of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Roves security clearance until the investigation of the leak of CIA Agent Valerie Plames identity is resolved. Also, Schumer is cosponsoring an amendment to Homeland Security spending bill, offered by Sen. Carl Levin which would suspend or revoke security clearances for federal employees who have disclosed classified information. Schumer said, I was the first to cal… Continue Reading
08.02.06
To Bring Gas Prices Down, Schumer Demands FTC Block Newly Announced ChevronTexaco-Unocal Merger
With gas prices hitting record highs around the country, as consumers pay 49 cents more now than they were paying last year at this time, and with summer just around the corner threatening to push gas prices even higher, U.S Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the FTC to block the ChevronTexacoUnocal merger and to review the ExxonMobil merger and the ChevronTexaco mergers to asses their impact on gasoline prices and retail competition. Additionally, he led a letter from 10 Senators to the FTC u… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Statement For Local Advisory Panel On Montrose VAMC
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today testified via phone to the CARES Local Advisory Panel, outlining the importance of the community advisory board and his commitment to maintaining the critical services provided at Montrose VA hospital. Schumer, who visited the Montrose VA hospital and testified to the CARES Local Advisory Panel in 2003, successfully lobbied to maintain impatient domiciliary and rehabilitation services. Statement of Senator Charles E. Schumer for the CARES Local Advisory Pa… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer, Clinton Announce Key Senate Panel Backs Over $57 Million For National Technical Institute For The Deaf At Rochester Instutte Of Technology
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $57,279,000 under the FY06 LaborHHS Appropriations Act for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology. The bill, which was approved by the Committee last week, 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 lob… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: Over $20,000 Coming To Southern Tier Economic Growth, Inc.
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that $20,189 in federal funds was awarded to Southern Tier Economic Growth, Inc. for research that will lead to the creation of a business development strategy for the sevencounty region centered on Chemung County. The funds are being awarded through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). "This is great news for the Southern Tier," Schumer said. "It is important for the area to have a plan to ensure a flourishing economy. Both lo… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Gas Prices At Record Highs In Rochester And The Finger Lakes Region; Schumer Again Urges Deployment Of Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer again called on President Bush to use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to bring down recordhigh gas prices. According to today's reports, barrels of oil traded for $65.85 on Wednesday and the national average per gallon of regular gasoline was $2.56 on Wednesday, and in some areas exceeded $3.00 per gallon. In the Finger Lakes Region today, the average regular gasoline price was even higher, selling for $2.61 per gallon, up 10 percent from last mont… Continue Reading
08.02.06
In Wake Of London Bombings Schumer Asks Administration, Congress Must Reconsider Defeat Of Mass Transit Homeland Security Funding
Subway stations, bus lines and commuter rail lines are still vulnerable to terrorist attack and need federal support to bolster security efforts, Senator Charles E. Schumer warned today. Just last week after the first attack on London, the Senate inexplicably rejected a 1.16 billion dollar increase in mass transit security funding. In addition, the MTA is unable to spend its federal money where it is needed most. Though the MTA is desperately in need of more bombsniffing dogs, overtime for polic… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer on Emergency Aid for Victims of Hurricane Katrina
Mr. President, tonight our nation is experiencing one of the most tragic and heartrending natural disasters in our history. Entire towns have been destroyed. Lives upturned, families lost, and the chaos we have all watched unfold continues even tonight. Our hearts go out to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and all of the Gulf states affected by Hurricane Katrina. And our prayers go out most of all to those still stranded in New Orleans and those who have lost loved ones. The images on TV a… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: Bureau Of Prisons Process Must Be Examined And Fixed Immediately, Pen Pal Privileges For Terrorists Must Stop
Today Senator Charles E. Schumer sent a letter to Harley G. Lappin, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons asking for an immediate investigation into the outrageous cases of maximum security prisoners who were convicted of bombing the World Trade Center in 1993 encouraging future terrorist attacks from their jail cells. News reports indicate that individuals convicted of committing terrorist acts against the United States have been allowed to spread their hateful propaganda and recruit futu… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Response To Bush News Conference
Today President George W. Bush held a press conference to encourage the Congress to move forward to pass major legislation including an energy bill and his Social Security privatization plan. Sen. Chuck Schumer released the following statement in response to the Presidents news conference: The Presidents energy bill is of, by, and for the large energy companies, and it does far too little to encourage the number one way we can become independent of foreign oil conservation. Moreover, the House… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Proposes Legislation To Ensure That Passport Alternatives Are Allowed At US-Canada Border
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today introduced federal legislation to reverse plans for a passport requirement at the USCanada border. Schumer filed an Amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, mandating that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accept more affordable and accessible alternatives to passports. A vote on the amendment is expected this week during consideration of the overall bill on the floor. Passage of the overall bill is expected sometime this w… Continue Reading