Newsroom

After yesterday's freak tornado that tore a path of destruction through the Bay Ridge and Sunset Park neighborhoods of Brooklyn, today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to expedite the preliminary disaster assessment for the area. The preliminary disaster assessment is the first step toward securing federal aid for individuals and local businesses that suffered severe damage or lost revenue in the wake of the tornado. Schumer asked that FEMA have... Read More

Standing at the base of the iconic and aging Brooklyn Bridge, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed that federal short funding of vital highway and bridge maintenance programs has left New York's aging infrastructure in a state of disrepair .  Schumer said that Federal Highway Trust Fund finances have deteriorated and will be insolvent by approximately $4 billion in 2009 and $10 billion by 2010 while at the same time 27.1% of the nation's 590,750 bridges are rated structurally... Read More

Following recent reports that seven FSA offices are slated for closure across upstate New York, today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to jettison its proposed plan to close sixteen additional Rural Development and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) county offices across the state. The mass closings would force the state's already struggling farmers to drive greater distances to take advantage of the offices' vital resources.   "This... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that a loan of $2,006,470 has been awarded to the Town of Potsdam in St. Lawrence County by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program as a Community Facility Direct Loan.  The Town will use the funds to construct a new town hall.   "This is great news for the Town of Potsdam," Schumer said. "The construction of a new town hall will enable local government to better serve the needs of the... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that a loan of $4 million has been awarded to Aurora Ice Association, Inc of East Aurora in Erie County.  The funds are being awarded through the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program as a Community Facility Guaranteed Loan. Federal funds will be used to construct an indoor ice arena.   Schumer wrote a letter to USDA secretary Mike Johanns in support of Aurora Ice Association's application for this... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that a loan of $35,000 has been awarded to the Village of Ilion in Herkimer County by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program as a Community Facility Direct Loan.  The Village will use funds to purchase equipment for Ilion's rescue vehicles.   "This is great news for Herkimer County," Schumer said. "We can never truly repay our first responder s for their heroic efforts and dedication to... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that two fire departments in St. Lawrence County will receive federal grants totaling $155,045 from the 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).   The Gouverneur Volunteer Rescue Squad will receive a $19,195 grant to be used for operations and safety.   The Nicholville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., will receive a $135,850 Vehicle Acquisition grant to purchase a new tanker... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Owls Head - Mt. View Fire Department in Owls Head, in Franklin County, will receive a federal grant totaling $19,000 from the 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The grant will be used to improve operations and safety and is part of the first round of DHS FY07 AFG program awards to several fire departments throughout the country. "This funding will go a... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that a loan of $1,605,000 has been awarded to the Village of Hudson Falls in Washington County. The funds are being awarded through the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program as a Water and Waste Disposal Loan. Federal funds will be used to replace the water line serving the Village.                                                       "This is great news for the Village of Hudson Falls," Schumer... Read More

Today, in a keynote speech before the American Constitution Society (ACS), Senator Charles E. Schumer (DNY) expressed disappointment over the most recent Supreme Court term and pledged to oppose any of President Bush's future nominees to the Supreme Court, barring extraordinary circumstances.   "In his confirmation hearing, Chief Justice Roberts equated his role to that of an umpire in a baseball game-someone who doesn't make the rules, but instead applies them," Schumer said.  "Unfortunately,... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that two departments in Western New York will receive federal grants totaling $191,288 from the 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).   The Knapp Creek Vol. Fire Department, Inc., in Cattaraugus County will receive a $27,727 grant and the Scranton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., in Erie County will receive a $163,561 grant.   The two grants will be used to improve... Read More

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the full Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (TTHUD) FY08 Appropriations Bill, which includes $200,000 for the City of Rochester's Lead Hazard Prevention Program.   The bill also includes language that extends the discretionary funds already allocated for the Renaissance Square Project. The bill will now proceed to the Senate Floor as... Read More

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the full Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (TTHUD) FY08 Appropriations Bill, which includes $200,000 for the St. Lawrence County Regional Rural Broadband Expansion project.  The bill will now proceed to the Senate Floor as the next step in the appropriations process.  Schumer and Clinton worked closely with members of the... Read More

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the full Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (TTHUD) FY08 Appropriations Bill, which includes $200,000 to build a new YMCA in Schenectady; $200,000 for the Civic Center of Moreau, Inc. to build a new Community Center; and $200,000 to improve WiFi service in the City of Albany.   The bill will now proceed to the Senate Floor as the next... Read More

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the full Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education FY08 Appropriations Bill which includes $600,000 for the Rochester Area Colleges Center for Excellence in Math and Science; $250,000 for the Rochester General Hospital; and, $250,000 for the Catholic Family Center.  The Appropriations Committee also approved the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies which... Read More

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the full Senate Appropriation Committee has approved the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education FY08 Appropriations Bill which includes $500,000 for the Albany Medical Center's Virtual Learning Center and $500,000 for Hudson Valley Community College in Rensselaer County .  The bill will now proceed to the Senate Floor as the next step in the appropriations process.  Schumer and Clinton worked closely with... Read More

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that $200,000 has been awarded to the City of Buffalo's Lower East Side Weed and Seed site to reduce violent crime and drug activity through community policing initiatives.   The funds are being awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Weed and Seed Program.   "This is great news for the City of Buffalo," said Schumer.   "These funds are going toward a program that works to shut down violent criminals and reduce drug activity.  ... Read More

With staggering backlogs at passport processing centers that serve New York City and the country, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that his bill to break the passport logjam was unanimously approved by the full Senate today and now will go to the House of Representatives for consideration. As amended, Schumer's legislation (S. 966) would give the Department of State flexibility to rehire retired Foreign Service employees to staff overwhelmed passport processing centers that are... Read More

Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the full Senate Appropriations Committee approved $1.6 million in federal funds for New York City arts and education. The funds will go toward educational programs and facilities at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Brooklyn Public Library and the New York Hall of Science through the FY08 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill. "When people think of New York City, they think of our vibrant,... Read More

As the summer Lyme disease season kicks in to full swing in New York City, today U.S. Senators Christopher J. Dodd, Charles E. Schumer, and Chuck Hagel today reintroduced their bipartisan Lyme disease prevention, education and treatment legislation.  This summer could be one of the worst seasons on record for Lyme disease in the metro area as reported Lyme disease cases are up 35 percent in New York City since 2001.   "Lyme disease often goes unnoticed for months, yet can be devastating for... Read More