Press Releases
SCHUMER REVEALS: WITHOUT FED FUNDS, SOUTHERN TIER SCHOOLS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SAFELY REOPEN; COSTS OF PPE, PHYSICAL BARRIERS & OTHER SUPPLIES COULD BADLY DRAIN LOCAL RESOURCES, MAKING IT MUCH HARDER FOR SOUTHERN TIER DISTRICTS TO OPEN SAFELY; SENATOR PUSHES PLAN TO COVER THOSE COSTS WITH FED DOLLARS IN ‘COVID-4’ & ALLOW SCHOOLS TO SAFELY REOPEN
Schumer Says Local Schools, Like Those Across The Southern Tier, Have Some State & Federal Guidelines To Reopen Safely Amid COVID-19, BUT Not Enough Fed Funds To Afford Them; Pushes New Plan To Inject $175B Into Nation's K-12 Schools To Meet The Need And To Keep Students, Teachers, Workers Safe Without Fed Funds To Cover Massive Cost Of PPE, Barriers, Cleaning Supplies, & More, Local Budgets Would Be Crushed, Local Taxes Could Rise & Some Schools Eligible to Open Based on Public He… Continue Reading
08.13.20
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEARLY $6 MILLION IN FEMA FUNDING FOR FIREFIGHTERS
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $5,333,677.90 in federal funding to provide essential PPE, training, and supplies for firefighters responding to the COVID-19 outbreak across New York State. Additionally, the Morrisvile Fire District received $642,857.14 to purchase emergency rescue vehicles. This federal funding was administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s Assist… Continue Reading
08.13.20
SCHUMER REVEALS: ROCHESTER NEW YORK’S POSTAL SERVICES—ALONG WITH ITS 2200 WORKERS & DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICES—FACE A GIANT AXE UNLESS ADMIN FINALLY MEETS IN THE MIDDLE & NEGOTIATES ‘COVID-4’ BILL; SENATOR STANDS UP FOR ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKE REGION’S POSTAL CUSTOMERS, WORKERS, COMMUNITY POST OFFICES & DEMANDS CRITICAL SERVICES REMAIN
Without Coronavirus Fed Relief, Rochester's Postal Operations Will Fizzle, Impacting Jobs, Businesses & Everyday Service Like Vital Medicine, Checks, Packages and More Schumer Met One-on-one With Postmaster & Warned Against Inaction and Atrophy; Senator Cited Delayed Medications, Paychecks & More In Plea To Get Stamp Of Approval On Rochester-Finger Lakes Region's USPS Funds Schumer: Even A Back Of The Envelope Calculation Shows Rochester Would Be Amongst The Hardest Hit If Action … Continue Reading
08.13.20
SCHUMER REVEALS: WESTERN NEW YORK’S POSTAL HUBS—ALONG WITH THEIR NEARLY 6100 TOTAL WORKERS & DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICES—FACE A GIANT AXE UNLESS ADMIN. FINALLY MEETS IN THE MIDDLE & NEGOTIATES ON ‘COVID-4’; SENATOR ONCE AGAIN STANDS UP FOR DISTRIBUTION CENTER WORKERS, MAIL CARRIERS, NEIGHBORHOOD POST OFFICES & ADVOCATES FOR CRITICAL SERVICES VITAL TO COMMUNITIES AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
Western New York Is Home To 3 Postal Distribution Centers, Including Buffalo Facility Schumer Fought To Save In 2012—BUT Without Coronavirus Fed Relief, WNY’s Postal Engine Could Fizzle, Impacting Election, Jobs, Businesses & Everyday Services Like Mail Pickup And Prescription Deliveries Schumer Just Met 1-On-1 With Postmaster & Warned Against Inaction; Senator Cited Delayed Medications, Paychecks, Influx Of Mail-In Ballots & More In Plea To Get Stamp Of Approval On WNY USPS Funds Schumer:… Continue Reading
08.12.20
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND CALL ON CON EDISON FOR ANSWERS REGARDING MASSIVE POWER OUTAGES IMPACTING NEW YORKERS
Following Superstorm Sandy And Winter Storms, New York Public Service Commission Issued Recommendations To Fix Systemic Problems, But Many Current Concerns Echo Past Complaints And Must Be Immediately Addressed NEW YORK, NY - Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand wrote a letter to Consolidated Edison CEO John McAvoy expressing deep concern over the prolonged power outages facing hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers after Tropical Storm Isaias. More than one week afte… Continue Reading
08.12.20
SCHUMER REVEALS: LONG ISLAND’S POSTAL HUB—ALONG WITH ITS 7,500 TOTAL WORKERS & DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE—FACE A GIANT AXE UNLESS ADMIN. FINALLY MEETS IN THE MIDDLE & NEGOTIATES ON ‘COVID-4’; SENATOR STANDS UP FOR LI PLANT’S WORKERS, NEIGHBORHOOD POST OFFICES & DEMANDS CRITICAL SERVICES REMAIN
Of All The USPS Processing Plants In The Nation, Melville's Is One Of The Most Important Because It Serves Tri-State Area-BUT Without Coronavirus Fed Relief, LI's Postal Engine Could Fizzle, Impacting Jobs, Businesses & Everyday Service Schumer Just Met 1:1 With Postmaster & Warned Of Inaction; Senator Cited Delayed Medications, Paychecks & More In Plea To Get Stamp Of Approval On LI USPS Funds Schumer: Even A "Back Of The Envelope" Calculation Shows LI Post Office Op… Continue Reading
08.12.20
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEARLY $12 MILLION FOR 37 NEW YORK COLLEGES IN STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM FUNDS
USDE Funds Will Be Used To Provide Opportunities For Academic Development And Motivate Students Toward The Successful Completion Of Their Education $11.9M Will Provide Federal Support For Low-Income & First-Generation, And Disabled College Students Senators: Federal Support Will Empower All New York College Students U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $11,998,837 in federal funding for colleges throughout New York from the U.S. Departm… Continue Reading
08.11.20
AS HE NEGOTIATES FAIR RELIEF TO BENEFIT ALL AMERICANS IN ‘COVID-4’, ON A VIDEO CONFERENCE CALL WITH CEOS OF CHOBANI AND FEEDING AMERICA, SCHUMER RENEWS HIS COMMITMENT TO EXPANDING SNAP BENEFITS AND EXTENSION OF P-EBT TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY DURING THE PANDEMIC; SENATOR HAS PUSHED FOR INCREASED SNAP FUNDING IN EACH COVID RELIEF BILL
Schumer-Negotiation Previous COVID Legislation Added Flexibility To SNAP Program And Ensured Students Who Depend On Schools For Meals Would Have Access To Nutritious Food Even While Schools Were Closed; CARES Act Also Provided $15 Billion In Funding For Increased SNAP Coverage Schumer Says While Important Progress Has Been Made, Far Too Many Americans Are Still Going Hungry As The Pandemic Stretches On; Senator Will Continue To Push For 15% Increase In SNAP Funding, Extension Of P-EBT, And Inc… Continue Reading
08.10.20
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, & BRINDISI ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $800,000 IN GRANT FUNDING FOR AREA COLLEGES
Grants Will Help Support Students and Boost Graduation Rates Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Anthony Brindisi today announced more than $800,000 in grant funding for Utica College, Binghamton University, and Cazenovia College. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Education's Student Support Services (SSS) program, whose goal is to increase college retention and graduation rates. Utica College and Binghamton University were each awarded $261,888.00 and … Continue Reading
08.10.20
AFTER SENATOR’S 2013 INTERVENTION WITH BAUSCH HEALTH – FORMERLY VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS – KEPT JOBS & LENS PRODUCTION IN ROCHESTER, AGAIN SCHUMER ADVOCATES FOR REGION; FOLLOWING RECENT NEWS OF BAUSCH SPLITTING INTO TWO COMPANIES, SCHUMER, IN PHONE CALL TO CEO JOSEPH PAPA, SECURES CONFIRMATION BAUSCH HEALTH WILL MAINTAIN ROCHESTER PLANT, POSSIBLY EVEN ADD JOBS
Schumer Also Urged that New B+L Spinoff Headquarters Be Moved Back to Rochester; Last Week, Bausch Health Announced Spin Off Of Its Faster-Growing Eyecare Business From Its Core Pharmaceutical Business; Company Hopes Split Will Give Eyecare Business Room For Growth Schumer, Following Call To Bausch Health CEO, Says He Has Received Assurance That New Spinoff Will Benefit Rochester Plant & Could Bring More Jobs to Rochester Schumer: B+L's Flagship Eyecare Manufacturing and R&D Campus i… Continue Reading
08.10.20
SCHUMER: PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS LEAVE OUT MONEY FOR STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, MONEY TO REOPEN SCHOOLS SAFELY & EXCLUDE COVID-19 TESTING, TRACING & TREATMENT; SENATOR ASKS TRUMP & GOP TO MEET DEMOCRATS IN THE MIDDLE & COME UP WITH AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL HELP AMERICANS AND NY-ERS
President's Golf Club Executive Orders Do Next To Nothing For Upstate New York & Beyond- And Actually Make Things Worse With Schools & Local Budgets On The Line Schumer: These Executive Orders Will Do Next To Nothing For Us; GOP Must Regroup U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, today, highlighted some of the glaring deficiencies in President Trump's just-announced 'Executive Orders’ that are cause for serious concern amidst the public health and economic crisis dealt by the coronavirus… Continue Reading
08.07.20
SCHUMER REVEALS: AS UPSTATE NEW YORK ECONOMIES CONTINUE TO RECOVER FROM PANDEMIC, NY HEMP FARMERS HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS WITH PROPOSED USDA GUIDELINES THAT WOULD HINDER GROWTH & DEVASTATE FUTURE OF HEMP INDUSTRY; HOWEVER, USDA SHUTS UPSTATE FARMERS OUT OF FED PROCESS, LEADING TO PROBLEMATIC, IMPENDING FINAL RULES; SENATOR CALLS ON USDA TO IMMEDIATELY HALT REG IMPLEMENTATIONS, HEAR OUT UPSTATE HEMP PRODUCERS & MAKE CRITICAL IMPROVEMENTS TO FINAL PLAN TO HELP NY HEMP FARMS HARVEST POTENTIAL
Last Year, Schumer Successfully Called On USDA To Extend Comment Period On Hemp Reg Plans; However, Despite Numerous Suggestions And Input From Upstate Hemp Farmers, USDA Made No Significant Change During The Extended Timeline And Issues Remain Unaddressed As Financial Struggles From COVID Impact Upstate Economies, Senator Says Substance Of Imminent Interim Final Rules May Devastate Future For Upstate Hemp Farmers Schumer: Amend Hemp Regulations And Let Budding Industry Take Flight In Upstat… Continue Reading
08.07.20
AFTER TROPICAL STORM ISAIAS RIPPED THROUGH THE HUDSON VALLEY THIS WEEK, THOUSANDS ARE STILL LEFT WITHOUT POWER; SCHUMER CALLS HUDSON VALLEY ELECTRIC COMPANIES’ TOP BRASS TO DEMAND EXPEDITED TIMELINE AND IMPROVED COMMUNICATION TO HELP NEW YORKERS LEFT IN THE DARK
Three Days After Isaias Tore Through The Hudson Valley, State Of Emergency Has Been Declared And Over 400,000 New Yorkers Are Still Without Power As Crews Work Diligently Throughout The Week, Communication From Company Leaderships Lacks; Senator Calls CEO & Demands Expedited Restoration Times & Immediately Improve Communication With Customers And Local Officials Schumer: NY-ers Left In The Dark Again, They Need Power AND Answers With over 400,000 New Yorkers still without power thre… Continue Reading
08.06.20
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $300K IN FEMA FUNDING FOR FIREFIGHTERS
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $327,456.49 in federal funding to provide essential PPE for New York's firefighters responding to COVID-19. The federal funds are administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) - COVID-19 Supplemental Program. "From the peak of the pandemic to normal times, our brave firefight… Continue Reading
08.06.20
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, MORELLE ANNOUNCE $9.2 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN ROCHESTER
CARES Act Funding Will Help Offset the Region's Public Transit Costs Incurred Due To Loss In Ridership During COVID-19 Pandemic U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Joe Morelle today announced $9.2 million in federal funding for the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA). This federal funding was allocated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) through the CARES Act and will help ensure the RGR… Continue Reading
08.05.20
FOLLOWING REPORTS OF NEW PENALTIES FOR BOATERS CROSSING INTO THE CANADIAN SIDE OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER MID-TRANSIT, SCHUMER CALLS FOR COMMON SENSE, CLEAR, & CONSISTENT CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL ENFORCEMENT; FINES FOR BOATS ON WATER & UNDOCKED, HURT ALREADY-DEVASTATED CROSS-BORDER TOURISM INDUSTRY IN NORTHERN NEW YORK
Standard Practice In Travel Enforcement For Boaters On The St. Lawrence River Has Historically Allowed Free Cross-Border Transit As Long As Boats Do Not Dock; Recently, U.S. Boat Tour Companies And Recreational Boaters Have Been Warned By Canadian Officials of Fines If They Cross Border Mid-Transit Due To COVID-19 Restrictions Senator Says North Country Boaters Are Unfairly Being Punished Since U.S. Authorities Have Not Implemented A Similar Policy; If Boaters Do Not Dock & Remain On Water… Continue Reading
08.04.20
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, RICE ANNOUNCE NEARLY $3 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO RESOLVE HEMPSTEAD BEACH EROSION DUE TO FLOODING AND TROPICAL STORMS
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice today announced $2,861,087 in federal funds to repair beach erosion associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'easter, and to prepare for future damage caused by flooding and severe storms in the Town of Hempstead. The funding was administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal… Continue Reading
08.04.20
SCHUMER: AS MADISON COUNTY CONTINUES TO RECOVER FROM COVID-19 AND CHILDREN GET READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, MANY STILL DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT—OR ANY—ACCESS TO BROADBAND; SENATOR CALLS FOR USDA TO APPROVE $15 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING TO ADDRESS THE COUNTY’S DIRE INTERNET ACCESS NEEDS
The COVID-19 Has Revealed Serious Broadband Access Disparities In Rural Communities Throughout Upstate New York; As Madison County Communities Are Encouraged To Stay At Home, Broadband Access Has Never Been More Vital Senator Fought For Additional $100M In CARES Act To Fund These New Grant Programs & Provide Broadband Access For Rural Communities; Says Funding Should Be Put To Use In Communities That Need It Most Schumer To USDA: It's Time To Close The Gaping Digital Divide In Madison Co… Continue Reading
08.04.20
SCHUMER: AS LIVINGSTON COUNTY CONTINUES TO RECOVER FROM COVID-19 AND CHILDREN GET READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, OVER 40% OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY STILL DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT- OR ANY- ACCESS TO BROADBAND; IN LIVINGSTON ON FRIDAY, SENATOR CALLED FOR USDA TO IMMEDIATELY APPROVE $14.4 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING TO ADDRESS THE COUNTY’S INTERNET ACCESS NEEDS
The COVID-19 Access Has Revealed Serious Disparities In Rural Communities Throughout Upstate New York, Especially Exacerbating The Digital Divide; As Livingston County Communities Are Encouraged To Stay At Home, Broadband Access Has Never Been More Vital Senator Fought For Additional $100M In CARES Act To Fund These Grant Programs & To Provide Broadband Access For Rural Communities; Says Funding Should Be Put To Use In Communities That Need It Most Schumer To USDA: It's Time To Close The … Continue Reading
08.04.20
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEARLY $12 MILLION IN EMERGENCY FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CORONAVIRUS TESTING ACROSS NEW YORK STATE
Funding Will Expand New York's Testing Ability During the COVID-19 Health Crisis U.S. Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $11,649,036 in federal funding to help health centers respond to and contain the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. The funding was allocated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Expanding Capacity for Coronavirus Testing (ECT) program. "As New York rebuilds and recovers from this unprec… Continue Reading
