Press Releases
Senators Collins and Schumer Call for Congressional Hearings on Rising OPEC Oil Pricesand their Legislation to Sell U.S. Oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
With the price of home heating oil rising rapidly, Senators Susan Collins (RME) and Charles Schumer (DNY) have called for Senate hearings on their legislation to offset production cutbacks from OPEC nations by selling oil from the federal government's Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The Senators also renewed their call for the Administration to use its authority to sell oil from the reserve. "The price of crude oil is now at $29.20 a barrel, nearly triple what it was less than a yea… Continue Reading
01.16.00
SCHUMER REVEALS THAT UP TO ONE-THIRD OF NEW YORK CITY, LONG ISLAND SENIORS LACK PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE; SURVEY OF AREA DRUG STORES SHOWS STAGGERING COST FOR ESSENTIAL MEDICATION
Underscoring the need to expand Medicare to include prescription drug coverage, US Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed that up to one third of New York City and Long Island seniors may not have prescription drug coverage and that nationally the average senior without prescription coverage spends $800 out of pocket each year filling critical prescriptions. "With so many seniors on fixed incomes, this is the kind of medicine that is hurting people," said Schumer. Schu… Continue Reading
12.20.99
STATEMENT OF SENATOR CHARLES SCHUMER ON SOUTHWEST AIRLINES' SERVICE FROM ALBANY AIRPORT
I am delighted today to welcome Southwest Airlines to Albany. Here, Southwest will find a business community looking to grow and expand and Southwest will be a welcome partner in that expansion. The Capital Region has some of the highest airfares in the entire country. Exorbitant fares in cities like Albany and across the state have had a crippling effect on the Upstate economy. Southwest's affordable air service will give a tremendous boost to the Capital Region's economy. The ann… Continue Reading
12.14.99
SCHUMER CALLS ON POSTMASTER GENERAL TO EXPLAIN ISLANDIA, HAUPPAUGE, RONKOKOMA ZIP CODE CONSOLIDATION
US Senator Charles E. Schumer has called for an explanation of the Long Island District US Postal Service's recent decision to consolidate the zip codes for Islandia, Hauppauge and Ronkonkoma. In a letter to US Postmaster General William J. Henderson yesterday, Schumer expressed concern over the proposed consolidation, which is slated to go into effect on March 11, 2000. "I understand how the new zip code may benefit the Village of Islandia," wrote Schumer. "However, I… Continue Reading
12.14.99
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES OVER $500,000 IN HOUSING GRANTS FOR ROCHESTER
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that two Rochester agencies have received a total of over $500,000 in funding under the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's Fair Housing Initiatives Program. The Housing Council in the Monroe County Area and the Monroe County Legal Assistance Corporation will use the funding to develop educational and outreach programs and implement testing and other enforcement programs to prevent and eliminate discrimination in housing. &qu… Continue Reading
12.09.99
US Senator Charles E. Schumer Opening Statement SEC Town Hall Meeting December 9, 1999
Thank you, and thank you Chairman Levitt for arranging this event to help New Yorkers make better investment decisions. We're here today because technology and a sustained economic boom has ushered in a new era of prosperity and democracy in our markets. Technology has revolutionized our markets from a bastion of the elite, to the provenance of everyone. Today 50% of Americans 78.7 million own equities compared to 42.5 million just 10 years ago. And 14 million started investing in equiti… Continue Reading
12.07.99
Schumer Brings Statewide Economic Development Initiative to Syracuse
US Senator Charles Schumer today brought to Syracuse his firstofitskind statewide economic development initiative to help attract new businesses, financial resources, and jobs to Central New York and other parts of the state. In a meeting at the OnCenter cohosted by the Metropolitan Development Association, Schumer met with local business, political and education leaders to develop a plan to spur growth in Central New York. " After a half decade of economic decline in Syracus… Continue Reading
11.22.99
SCHUMER BRINGS HHS SECRETARY SHALALA TO LONG ISLAND TO HOLD SENIOR ROUNDTABLE ON MEDICARE, PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT
US Senator Charles E. Schumer brought US Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna E. Shalala to Long Island today to hear New York seniors' concerns about Medicare. Schumer and Shalala held a rountable with seniors to discuss the Administration's Medicare proposal, particularly the importance of preserving Medicare's solvency and the plan to create a prescription drug benefit. "As I have traveled throughout Long Island and all of New York State, I have found that the… Continue Reading
11.19.99
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES TWO VICTORIES FOR UPSTATE NEW YORK
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced in a statement on the Senate floor that the Omnibus Appropriations Bill that the Senate is likely to approve today contains "good news for rural New Yorkers." The Omnibus contains both the Satellite Home Viewer Act and language regarding the Dairy Compact. The dairy language in the bill allows both Option 1A and the New England Dairy Compact to continue. The Satellite Home Viewer Act will allow rural residents the ability to once again rec… Continue Reading
11.19.99
SCHUMER, MCNULTY RESOLUTION HONORING AIR NATIONAL GUARD'S 109TH AIRLIFT WING PASSED BY CONGRESS
US Senator Charles E. Schumer and Rep. Mike McNulty today announced that both the Senate and the House of Representatives have unanimously passed a concurrent resolution "recognizing and honoring the heroic efforts of the Air National Guard's 109 th Airlift Wing and its rescue of Dr. Jerri Nielsen from the South Pole." The resolution, which was introduced by Sen. Schumer in the Senate and Rep. McNulty in the House, passed the Senate today and passed the House last week. … Continue Reading
09.07.99
Schumer Says City, State, Nation Face Crisis in Finding Qualified Teachers
New York New York students return to class this week as area schools struggle to fill classrooms with qualified teachers, a situation which is more severe in New York City, but worsening in the remaining 57 counties in the state, Senator Charles Schumer announced today at a press conference at PS 234 in Manhattan. Calling the quality of public school education in New York and America "the greatest threat to our future," Senator Charles Schumer (DNY) unveiled a comprehensive plan… Continue Reading
07.25.99
As Auto Thefts Plummet; Car Insurance Continues to Rise, Schumer Reports New York Auto Insurance Rates Still Third in the Nation Despite Falling Thefts, Injuries, and Fatalities
New York While car thefts in New York State plummet, the portion of automobile insurance rates specifically slated for motor vehicle theft continues to rise in New York, according to an analysis conducted by Senator Charles Schumer (DNY). Between 1993 and 1997 the number of cars stolen in New York State declined from 151,835 motor vehicles to 79,740, a 47% reduction in car thefts. Meanwhile, comprehensive auto insurance for New Yorkers the portion of auto insurance… Continue Reading
06.29.99
SCHUMER ON MEDICARE PROPOSAL: GREAT PLAN WITH ONE BIG FLAW - HURTS NY HOSPITALS
On the day after President Clinton released his Medicare proposal, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer outlined how the cuts in this plan, on top of the ones made under the 1997 Balanced Budget Amendment, would hurt in New York's hospitals. "Overall, I believe the president's plan is an excellent one. Any plan that can protect Social Security on into the second half of the 21 st century, modernize Medicare, bring a prescription plan that recipients want and need and bring… Continue Reading
05.26.99
SCHUMER LAUDS PRESIDENT'S NOMINATION OF VICTOR MARRERO TO FEDERAL DISTRICT JUDGESHIP
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that President Clinton has backed his recommendation and nominated Victor Marrero to be a judge in the Federal District Court for the Southern District in New York. "Victor Marrero has dedicated his career to public service," said Schumer. "Ambassador Marrero is a leader within the Hispanic community, and has represented the people of New York admirably at every level of government. Whether working in an international or local capacit… Continue Reading
04.21.99
Statement of Sen. Charles Schumer Response to the Shootings at Columbine High School April 21, 1999
Thank you Senator Kennedy for yielding me this time. This afternoon we are talking about education legislation and today all of our thoughts and prayers are about one school in Littleton, Colorado. Yesterday's massacre is all too familiar. It is America's recurring nightmare. It leaves us shocked and numb. It takes away our innocence. It makes children afraid to go to their school. This morning I had breakfast with my daughters I do that every day before they go to school usually … Continue Reading
04.05.99
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $2,448,000 IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FOR NEW ROCHELLE
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that New Rochelle has been awarded a $2,404,000 federal Community Development Block Grant and a $464,000 federal HOME Investment Partnership grant. Both programs are administered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. "This is a boost for New Rochelle's economy and quality of life," said Schumer. "This grant will help improve the city's infrastructure and public facilities to help attract businesses and ensure … Continue Reading
03.30.99
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $75,000 POLICE GRANT FOR NEWARK
Senator Charles E. Schumer, author of the 1994 Crime Bill, today announced that Newark has been awarded a $75,000 federal grant under the bill's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. The money will be used to hire one new community police officer as part of the bill's aim to add new cops to the beat. "As the author of the COPS program, I am proud to announce this grant," said Schumer. "In order to combat crime effectively, police departments must have… Continue Reading
03.30.99
SCHUMER LAUDS PROJECT EXILE SUCCESS IN ROCHESTER, CALLS FOR NATIONAL EXPANSION
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced the start of an aggressive bipartisan campaign in Congress to pass a $50 million initiative to expand Project Exile nationwide. Schumer announced his intention days after passing an amendment with Sen. Arlen Specter (RPA) to the 2000 Federal Budget which praises Rochester's success with Project Exile. Schumer was joined at a press conference by US Attorney Denise O'Donnell, Rochester Police Chief Robert Duffy, and representatives of federal, … Continue Reading
03.26.99
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $1,602,930 GRANT FOR ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
US Senator Charles E. Schumer has announced that Greater Rochester International Airport has been awarded a $1,602,930 grant by the US Department of Transportation. The money will be used for reconstruction of the airport's taxiway. "Bringing highquality, lowfare air service to Upstate New York is one of my highest priorities," said Schumer. "By picking up the costs for the reconstruction of Rochester International's taxiways, the federal government is relieving the… Continue Reading
03.24.99
SCHUMER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION PROTECTING CONSUMERS FROM UNSCRUPULOUS CREDIT CARD PRACTICES
US Senator Charles E. Schumer (DNY) today introduced legislation in the Senate that would end the practices credit card companies use to lure and overcharge customers. The "Consumer Credit Card Protection Amendments Act," introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. John LaFalce (DNY), would protect consumers from being assessed excessive fees and unfair penalties by their credit card companies. The legislation will be cosponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin (DIL). "Credit ca… Continue Reading