Press Releases
Schumer Statement from NSA Hearing Today
Sen. Chuck Schumers Opening Statement from todays Judiciary Committee hearing on the domestic spying program: Thank you Mr. Chairman. General Gonzales, I want to make a couple points that are important to keep in mind as we ask you questions. We all support a strong, robust, and vigorous national security program. Like everyone else in this room, I want the President to have all the legal tools he needs as we work together to keep our nation safe and free, including wiretapping. I appreciate… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer Reveals Upstate NY Vets Shortchanged $80 Million In Health Care In Proposed Budget: Monthly Co-Pay Slated To Almost Double, Plus A New $250 VA User Fee
Under the most recent federal budget proposal, more than 280,000 upstate New York veterans would be shortchanged almost $80 million in health care funding, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer revealed today. Schumer announced an amendment to the pending Emergency Supplemental spending bill, which would add $430 million to current funding for veterans health care, and send New York more than $15 million in additional funding for Vet Centers, mental health services, and general health care. This is … Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer Urges CSX, Norfolk Southern To Repair Bridges In Cheektowaga
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged CSX Rail Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation to repair three dilapidated and leadladen railroad bridges on Union Road in the Town of Cheektowaga. The town is unable to shoulder the burden of painting and potential lead abatement. With CSX and Norfolk Southerns assistance, there is a real possibility to transform a rusty eyesore into a positive community amenity, Schumer said. This is a great opportunity to turn three old railroad bridges int… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer Announces Town Hall Meeting On Quiet Zones For The Hamburg Community
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that, at his urging, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the CSX Corporation have agreed to participate in a town hall meeting with Hamburg community on March 1st. Last week, Schumer asked that representatives from the FRA and CSX come to Hamburg to and hear community concerns regarding noise from constant freight train horn blasts. Schumer has also invited representatives from Norfolk Southern to participate. Community leaders asked for … Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer Visits Lake Placid Fire Department To Launch New Effort To Save Federal Fire Grant Program
New York fire departments could lose out on $31 million for equipment, training, and vehicles under a new federal budget proposal, US Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today. Schumer unveiled his grassroots plan to restore full funding for Assistance to Firefighters Grant program (also known as FIRE grants) that has provided fire departments throughout New York $102 million since it began in 2001 but is now slated for severe cuts. Since 2001, Essex County Fire Departments have netted more tha… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer, Menendez, Weiner Demand National Parks Service Reopen The Statue Of Liberty By July 4th
Today Senator Charles E. Schumer, Senator Robert Menendez and Congressman Anthony Weiner called on the National Parks Service to reopen the Statue of Liberty by July 4th. Lady Liberty was shut down, like other monuments following September 11th and has since only been partially reopened. Visitors are still prohibited from climbing up to the Crown, one of the monuments most popular attractions. Americas symbol of freedom has sadly become a symbol of fear, Schumer said. When I was a child my fat… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer Announces More Than $40 Million For New Air Traffic Control Tower At LaGuardia
Today, Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has approved significant funding for a new air traffic control tower at LaGuardia Airport. Schumer said the new tower will help ease crippling flight delays at the airport and help controllers manage traffic on the runways in order to prevent more near aircraft collisions. Schumer has been actively lobbying the FAA to make the new tower a priority and wrote to Department of Transportation Secretary Mineta last N… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer Introduces Bill To Grant Supreme Court Expedited Review Of NSA Secret Spying Program
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today introduced legislation to allow the Supreme Court to rule on the National Security Agencys secret spying program. Schumer, who has been critical of the Administration for not consulting with Congress before enacting the program, said his legislation would put the controversial spying program on the fast track to Supreme Court consideration so the nations highest tribunal can definitively decide on the constitutionality and legality of the program. This is … Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer And Spitzer Announce Legislation To Ban Shipment Of Tobacco Through The U.S. Mail
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today announced that they have teamed up to support legislation to stop the shipment of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco through the U.S. Mail. At a joint news conference with Spitzer, held at New Yorks historic Farley Post Office, Schumer announced his bill that would prohibit mailing cigarettes through the United States Postal Service, impose fines of at least $1,000 per offense and jail time for repeat offende… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Levin And Schumer Question Escape Of Al Qaeda Prisoners In Yemen
Today, U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Chuck Schumer addressed the recent escape of Al Qaeda prisoners from a prison in Yemen, one of whom is the mastermind of the terrorist attacks on the USS Cole. Schumer is sending a letter to President Bush urging him to investigate this matter immediately by inspecting and evaluating all foreign prisons where Al Qaeda members are being held. The letter it is below: February 7, 2006 The Honorable George W. Bush President The White House 1600 Pennsy… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer Announces Legislation Allowing MTA Busses To Bring Staten Island Residents Directly To Bayonne, NJ Transit Hub
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Assemblyman Michael C. Cusick today announced legislation that would allow the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to link existing MTA bus lines to New Jersey Transits HudsonBergen Light Rail lines station at 34th street in Bayonne, NJ. Staten Islanders suffer from the longest commutes, and worst traffic in this city. A buslink between the North Shore of Staten Island and the Bayonne Transit hub is a nobrainer its cheap, its easy, it will cut commuting tim… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer To Mets: Name New Stadium For Jackie Robinson
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer sent a letter to Fred Wilpon, owner of the New York Mets, calling on him to name the new stadium scheduled to be built for the New York Mets after the late Jackie Roosevelt Robinson. Schumer said that Jackie Robinsons contributions to the game of baseball, the City of New York, and our country deserve a grand living and permanent monument. The Mets are the direct inheritors of the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball tradition and there is no better way to honor Jac… Continue Reading
07.25.06
In Wake Of National Body Part Transplant Scandal, Schumer To Unveil Critical Legislation To Regulate Tissue Transplants
Last week, amid reports of the growing scope of an under regulated tissue transplant industry, Senator Schumer wrote to the Food and Drug Administration calling for stronger regulatory oversight for tissue transplants and an accounting of how exactly contaminated tissue was transplanted into otherwise healthy patients. Since the FDA has not adequately responded to this problem, today Schumer unveiled legislation to properly regulate the tissue transplant industry. Schumer stood with Patricia Bat… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer Reveals: Airlines Seek New Rules To Disguise True Cost Of Tickets Adding Fuel Charges, Airport Fees, Other Surcharges At Very End, Ticket Listed For $300 Could Ultimately Cost $500
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed that major commercial airlines in the United States are lobbying to loosen advertising restrictions, which could lead to misleading prices for consumers. Currently airlines have to advertise the full fare for ticket prices, and are allowed advertise certain government mandated taxes and fees separately. Under the proposed regulation change supported by the legacy carriers, the airlines would be permitted to unbundle fares and define fees as they wis… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Strong Bipartisan Group Urges Senate Leaders To Help Implement Goals Of Dubai Ports Deal Bill And Ensure That Follow-Up Investigation Answers Security Concerns
Today, Senators Chuck Schumer (DNY), Norm Coleman (RMN), Bob Menendez (DNJ), Olympia Snowe (RME), Hillary Clinton (DNY), Susan Collins (RME), Tom Coburn (ROK), Jack Reed (DRI), Rick Santorum (RPA), and Frank Lautenberg (DNJ) sent a letter to Senate Leaders Bill Frist and Harry Reid urging them to cooperate in efforts to make sure that the security investigation of the Dubai ports deal meets the highest standards for protecting our national security. While a 45day investigation has finally been r… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Judiciary Dems Call On Specter To Urge Ashcroft, Comey, Others To Testify At Hearings On Secret Domestic Spying Program
Today all eight Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter urging him to call on more current and former high level Bush Administration officials including former Attorney General John Ashcroft, Deputy Attorneys General Jim Comey and Larry Thompson, and White House Chief of Staff Andy Card. Schumer and Feingold had previously sent a letter calling on Chairman Specter to expand and diversify the witness list so that the … Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer: New Evidence Suggests Oil Companies Could Be Intentionally Driving Prices Up For Summer Driving Season
As gas prices jumped 28.5 cents a gallon in the last three weeks alone, today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Federal Government to ensure that oil companies dont intentionally drive up prices before the summer months to increase their bottom line. Today Schumer sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission to urge them to closely monitor refining capacity and prices, which could rise even more as more Americans increase their travel this spring and summer. The Senator expressed co… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer Announces $300 Million For East Side Access, Funding For Second Avenue Subway
Today Senator Schumer released the following statement on the Department of Transportation requesting funding for East Side Access and the Second Avenue Subway: This funding shows that the Administration and the Department of Transportation have renewed their commitment to seeing these critical New York projects through until they are built. Both East Side Access and the Second Avenue Subway will meet commuter needs that have existed for far too long here in New York. These funds will help Lon… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Schumer Sends White House List Of Unanswered Questions That Must Be Answered About The Dubai Ports Deal
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer sent the following letter President Bush with a list of unanswered questions that must be answered about the Dubai Ports World acquisition of six major U.S. ports on the East Coast, including New York and New Jersey. This $6.8 billion deal is scheduled to be closed on March 2 and was approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) last month, although the President wasnt aware of it until after the approval. Except for cargo screening funct… Continue Reading
07.25.06
Dems Call on A.G. Gonzales to Recuse Himself from Abramoff Case
Today, 31 Democrats led by Sen. Chuck Schumer sent the following letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales urging him to recuse himself from the Abramoff case. Below is the letter and signatories. Schumer stated, If there was ever a case that was both sensitive and rife with potential conflict it is this one. The Attorney General can avoid any appearance of impropriety by recusing himself. February 16, 2006 The Honorable Alberto Gonzales United States Department of Justice 950 Pennsy… Continue Reading
