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U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced legislation that would overhaul the criteria the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to determine highthreat area funding. Schumer will offer his bill as an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Specifically, Schumers bill calls on DHS to compile a new inventory of all current threats, critical infrastructure vulnerabilities, and national monuments and icons located in high threat areas. This report from the... Read More

As the negotiations continue between National Grid and LIPA, today Senator Charles E. Schumer called for the repowering of the Northport power plant to be a part of the final agreement. With KeySpan being sold to National Grid, Schumer said today that the pending partnership of National Grid and LIPA presents a onceinalifetime opportunity to repower, or modernize, the Island's largest and dirtiest power plant at Northport, a widely desired and sorely needed action that was left out of the... Read More

As a number of insurance companies that underwrote the World Trade Center have yet to categorically commit to provide the required insurance payouts necessary to rebuild the site, today Senator Charles E. Schumer sent them a letter prodding them to immediately make good on their commitments. Schumer believes that despite changes to the WTC plan under the new agreement between the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Larry Silversteins companies, the insurers of the Ground Zero site have... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Greece Central School District will receive $399,374 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Educations Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Demonstration Program. The grant will be used to support counseling programs in target elementary schools. Our children deserve the resources they need to excel in school, Schumer said. It is essential they have access to counseling and developmental programs and experts they can trust.... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, in a meeting Friday, called on federally chartered housing entities, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to develop a concrete plan to help address the Fort Drum housing issues. As a member of the Senate Banking and Housing Committee, Schumer is working to provide the federal resources and expertise necessary to make sure affordable housing in place for Ft. Drums new troops and the community at large. In January, Schumer attended the Fort Drum Housing Summit with local... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sending temporary living trailers to areas damaged by last months flooding. Schumer, who earlier this month called on David Paulison, head of FEMA to move the trailers to New York swiftly, said the counties that have been approved to receive the trailers are Broome, Delaware, Chenango, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga, and Ulster. The two counties that... Read More

Washington, DC Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer announced that legislation to honor Lt. Michael Patrick Murphy was passed yesterday by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs. Senator Clinton and Senator Schumer, who was a cosponsor, welcomed approval of the bill which would designate the United States Postal facility located in Patchogue, NY as the Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy Post Office Building. Lt. Murphy, a U.S. Navy SEAL, was killed at age 29... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer released the following statement as followup to his meeting yesterday with Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson: I spoke with Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and emphasized the importance of keeping the Bills in Buffalo and protecting smallmarket teams. He said he wants to do both of those things, and well be meeting shortly to discuss how to move forward. In the meantime, Ive spoken with Tim Russert who will help us with this effort, and Ill be reaching out to other... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced a bipartisan campaign for an additional $2.92 billion for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as part of an emergency spending bill. Schumer, joining a coalition of Democratic and Republican Senators urged, the Senate Leadership to take immediate action on the emergency designation funding. So far New York State has received approximately $263 million, and this additional funding could bring the total to an estimated $471 million for... Read More

In last nights State of the Union, the President addressed the need for alternative energy technologies, and today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Administration to look at dozens of energy technology companies in New York, like those that comprise New Energy New York (NENY), are already on the cutting edge of research. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman, Schumer lobbied the Administration to look at New York companies when deciding grants and... Read More

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, Franklin County Fire Departments have netted more... Read More

Today, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer released the following statement regarding the new record trade deficit numbers reported by the U.S. Census. The U.S. trade deficit for 2005 was $726 billion, a 17.5% increase from the record set in 2004. The trade deficit is now about 6% of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). Schumer said, These exploding trade deficit numbers are not a sign of strength; they are a sign of weakness. They indicate a slow bleeding at the wrists economically for the United... Read More

In two weeks control of the Port of New York and New Jersey will be handed over to Dubai Ports World, a Dubai Company that is owned and operated by the United Arab Emirates. This $6.8 billion deal is scheduled to be closed on March 2nd and was approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) last month. The approval allows the UAE company to take control of significant operations at six ports on the East Coast, including: New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans,... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced a grant of $83,537 to the Family Enrichment Network Infant / Toddler Center awarded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The federal funds will provide quality daycare to children and their families. This is great news for Greater Binghamton, Schumer said. This grant for the Family Enrichment Network will not only help to teach our children earlier in life, but will also provide a safe environment with quality professionals while their... Read More

In the past months, as workers prepare to tear down the Deutsche Bank building that still stands at Ground Zero, tiny bits of human remains have been found on the roof and in air vents. Many of these pieces of bone are as small as one sixteenth of an inch. Identifying these fragments is painstaking work that is currently done by the medical examiners office who is still working to find everything as the demolition proceeds. In an effort to expedite the process and widen the search, today Senator... Read More

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 the... Read More

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... Read More

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 into... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More