Press Releases
Schumer Meets With NARS Commander; Pledges To Fight To Support Base In 2005
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today met with the Commander of the Niagara Air Reserve Station (NARS), Colonel Jim Roberts, to discuss ongoing operations at NARS as well as efforts to enhance the station and support its personnel. NARS is home to the 914th Airlift Wing and the 107th Air Refueling wing, both of which have served as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Niagara Air Reserve Station is critically important to the local economy and to our military. The men and women of the 914th Airl… Continue Reading
08.02.06
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 Warns: Pediatric Vaccine Stockpile Nearly Empty Millions Of New York Kids Health At Risk
With news that the Federal governments stockpile of vaccines for common childrens sicknesses is dwindling to an all time low, with drug makers unwilling to make more to fill the stockpile because of a grudge match over federal bookkeeping rule, today Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Securities Exchange Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services to come up with an exemption for vaccine makers when it comes to counting revenue. The stockpile, which is supposed to contain ov… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Reveals: Safety Gap On Inter-City Chinatown Buses; Rated Dangerously Low On Safety By Feds
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed that cheap Chinatown bus services and a number of other bus tour providers are sorely lacking in passenger safety. According to Federal criteria, Chinatown buses do much worse than other companies in several Safety Evaluation Areas (SEA), which rate a bus services drivers, vehicles, and overall safety management. Recent accidents on a few of these Chinatown buses have raised serious questions about the safety of passengers riding to and from New Yor… Continue Reading
08.02.06
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: Federal Dollars Coming To Town Of Gaines
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that a $183,700 grant and a $115,000 loan was awarded to the Town of Gaines to assist in extending the public water supply. 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 Town of Gaines," Schumer said. "The water system is critical to the livelihood of the community and the health of local … Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Calls Rumsfeld To Lobby For Lockheed Martin's Bid For Marine One Contract
US Senator Charles E. Schumer in a phone call late Wednesday personally pushed Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to use his influence to help award Lockheed Martins Owego plant a massive multimillion dollar presidential helicopter contract. Schumer, who has been aggressively lobbying the Pentagon, said that Lockheeds US 101 is unsurpassed in exceeding all safety and security requirements. Schumer spoke with Rumsfeld, who was receptive to Schumers request that this decision be made on the meri… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: White House Meeting Today A Good First Step, But Consultation Must Be Real On Supreme Court Nomination
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Courts, spoke on the floor today calling for real consultation in the Supreme Court nomination process. He repeated his call for the President convene a summit on the nomination and also pointed to an important statement from President Bush today in which he agreed that a nominees philosophy matters. Schumer has suggested numerous times that a Supreme Court nominees philosophy is a key factor in decidin… 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
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 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: 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
With NY Gas Prices Approaching Record Highs, Senator Demands President Release Oil Reserves To Drop Gas Costs
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today vowed to fight to lower prices for New Yorkers who are already paying more than 21 cents per gallon more for gas than last year, as analysts warn another 24 cent hike could be just around the corner. Schumer today unveiled a new study showing that the average New York family with two cars is paying $255 more this year than last year and is leading a bipartisan coalition of Senators in calling on the Administration to release stored government oil reserves th… 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
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
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
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
