Press Releases
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
Sen. Schumer, 34 Other Lawmakers File Petition Calling For Action Against China's Unfair Currency Manipulation
Senator Charles E. Schumer (DN.Y.) and Rep. Sander Levin (DMI) joined by 33 other members of the Senate or House of Representatives today filed a petition under section 301(a) of the Trade Act of 1974. The petition calls on the Administration to take concrete action against China's currency manipulation. Specifically, the petition demands that USTR take action by filing a WTO case against China if it does not immediately eliminate the undervaluation of its currency. Such action would create … 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
08.02.06
Schumer, Dems Display New Soc. Sec. Calculator, Shows Average American Loses Big In Bush Privatization Plan
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, Senate Leaders Harry Reid, Dick Durbin, and Debbie Stabenow today unveiled a new Social Security calculator that demonstrates to Americans what they could lose under the Bush Privatization Plan. The calculator is now available on the websites of most Senate Democrats. The Democratic Leadership team also announced that Senate Democrats are going to take it back to their states as a tool to be used during public events and meetings throughout the upcoming Senate Re… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: Federal Dollars Coming To Town Of Chateaugay
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Town of Chateaugay was awarded a $79,100 grant and a $35,000 loan to assist in replacing the water system infrastructure and a $371,200 grant and a $50,000 loan to assist in constructing a new sewage treatment plan. 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 Chateaugay," Sch… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer, Levy Announce New Push For Federal Funding For New County-Wide 311 System
Senator Charles E. Schumer and Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy today announced a new effort to secure federal funding for a 311call system that Suffolk County residents can use for nonemergencies not covered by the county's 911emergency call system. "Establishing a communication management system in Suffolk County is a winwin situation. It frees up 911, ensuring it is only used for emergencies. The 311 system will provide residents with a much needed resource for any nonemergency … Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer-Collins: 15 Senators Demand U.S. Take Stronger Action Against Saudis For Egregious Violations Of Religious Freedoms
Today, Senators Charles Schumer (DNY) and Susan Collins (RME) were joined by thirteen colleagues from both sides of the aisle in sending a letter to Secretary Condoleezza Rice to express appreciation for the Department of States 2004 designation of Saudi Arabia as a country of particular concern (CPC) for its systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. The Senators also expressed a strong desire to see the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia defined … Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer:$1.1 Million Coming To Greater Glens Falls Development Corporation
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that $1.1 million in federal funds was awarded to the Greater Glens Falls Development Corporation to assist in the funding of a business incubator and education facility. The funds are being awarded through the Economic Development Administration's Public Works Program in the U.S. Department of Commerce. "This is great news for Glens Falls and the entire region," Schumer said. "The business incubator and education facility will bri… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Secures Key Provision For Surescan Corp Of Endicott In Senate Appropriations Bill
US Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that he secured a measure that would allocate $50 million for the next generation of homeland screening technology, a move that means SureScan will be one of a few companies able to compete for this money once they are certified by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Schumer, who first brought the TSA to meet with SureScan in 2003, lobbied aggressively for inclusion of the language in the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations bill whi… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Senate Dem Leaders Write To Urge Bush, Frist, Hastert To Immediately Denounce Inflammatory Remarks By Their Supporters
U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer, Harry Reid, Dick Durbin, and Debbie Stabenow sent a letter today urging President Bush, Senator Frist, and Speaker Hastert to immediately denounce a number of inflammatory comments made by conservative leaders openly threatening sitting judges. Many of these remarks, some by sitting members of Congress others by conservative leaders, might be misused to provide unstable individuals some justification for using violence against judges who dont rule in their favor. S… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Details Plans To Lower Home Heating Prices In Face Of Huge Winter Storm
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today vowed to fight to lower prices for New Yorkers who are paying more than 30 percent more for home heating oil this winter. Schumer today unveiled a new study showing that the average New York household using home heating oil is paying approximately $329 more this year than last year and called on the Administration to pressure Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reverse its recent decision to abandon a price target band, a significan… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Gas Prices At Record Highs; Schumer Again Urges Deployment Of Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (DNY) again called on President Bush to use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to bring down recordhigh gas prices. According to todays reports, barrels of oil traded for $66.27 on Monday and the national average per gallon of regular gasoline was $2.55 on Monday, and in some areas exceeded $3.00 per gallon. In New York State the average regular gasoline price was even higher, selling for $2.61 per gallon on Monday. In March, the national average retail… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Announces Over $241,000 for Capital Region Crime Control and Prevention Programs
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that $241,913 has been awarded to organizations in the Capital Region by the U.S. Department of Justices Office of Justice Programs (OJP) under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The City of Albany will receive $150,000, Schenectady County will receive $57,980 and the City of Troy will receive $33,933. The federal funds will be used for crime control and prevention programs. When it comes to protecting our citizens, we ne… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: Shortage Of Volunteer Firefighters On Long Island Looms - Unveils New Plan To Boost Recruitment
As a shortage a volunteer fire fighters threatens departments in Nassau and Suffolk County who rely on a nearly all volunteer fire fighting force, US Senator Charles E. Schumer today unveiled a new proposal to support volunteer firefighters and emergency medical support (EMS) providers on Long Island. Standing with volunteer firefighters who shared their recruitment struggles, Schumer announced his legislation, the Supporting Emergency Responders Volunteer Efforts (SERVE) Act, which offers a $1,… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: Over $221,000 Coming To Village Of Margaretville
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that a $221,000 grant was awarded to the Village of Margaretville to assist in locating additional well supply. The funds are being awarded through the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program as a Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant (ECWAG). "This is great news for the Village of Margaretville," Schumer said. "The water system is critical to the livelihood of the community and the health … Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Announces Legislation To Allow Secure Alternatives To Passports At Us-Canada Border Accepted By Senate
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced federal legislation to reverse plans for a passport requirement at the USCanada border has been accepted the Senate. Schumer supported a bipartisan Amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, sponsored by Senator Byron Dorgan (DND) mandating that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cannot exclusively require passports for entry into the United States. Passage of the overall bill is expected tonight, at which time the b… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer: Rove's Lawyer Says It Wasn't Rove Who Orchestrated Leak Of CIA Operative Name, But It Would Be Nice To Hear It From Rove Directly
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer led the push in Congress for an aggressive investigation into the leaking of the identity of C.I.A. officer, Valerie Plame. Schumer called for an immediate investigation into the CIA leak and ensured that Jim Comey appointed an independent prosecutor, Fitzgerald. He also called for Alberto Gonzales and John Ashcroft to recuse themselves from the case. He released the following statement today in reaction to reports the Roves attorney denies any wrongdoing by his c… Continue Reading
08.02.06
Schumer Demands Answers From State For MT Picture Display Workers
US Senator Charles E. Schumer urged New York States Department of Labor today to immediately release extended unemployment insurance and job retraining benefits to those who lost their jobs at MT Picture Display. Schumer wrote a letter to New York State Commissioner of Labor to Linda Angello, calling on her to release funds due to workers so they can support their families and advance their job searches. In his letter, Schumer seeks answers on behalf of the workers, including how workers should … Continue Reading
08.02.06
New Schumer Survey Reveals Scores Of Previously Undisclosed MTBE Leaks Located In Rochester Pose Dangerous Threat To Public Health
Standing at the site of one potentially cancercausing MTBE spill like the dozens that threaten the environment and public health in the Rochester area, Senator Charles E. Schumer released a new list of MTBE hotspots. The previously undisclosed list of MTBE spills in Monroe County identifies threats to residential homes, commercial properties, and water supply sources. If a specific special interest provision included in the Energy Bill passed by the House is not removed, the enormous cleanup cos… Continue Reading
08.02.06
New Schumer Survey Reveals Scores Of Previously Undisclosed MTBE Leaks Located In Capital Region Pose Grave Danger To Public Health
Standing at the site of one potentially cancercausing MTBE spill like the dozens that threaten the environment and public health in the Capital Region, Senator Charles E. Schumer released a new list of MTBE hotspots. The previously undisclosed list of MTBE spills in the Capital Region identifies threats to residential homes, commercial properties, water supply wells, and the Hudson River. If a specific special interest provision included in the Energy Bill passed by the House is not removed, the… Continue Reading