Press Releases
HOLDING BACK COLUMBIA COUNTY FARMERS FROM COMMERCIALLY GROWING INDUSTRIAL HEMP, USED TO MAKE VARIETY OF DIFFERENT GOODS LIKE CLOTHES AND PAPER; SENATOR ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR BIPARTISAN SENATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW CAPITAL REGION FARMERS TO GROW NEW CROP WITHOUT HARSH RESTRICTIONS
Currently Hemp Is Classified As A Controlled Substance, Putting It On Par With Other Substances Like Heroin And Other Opioids Due To Trace Amounts Of THC; However, Senator Says Industrial Hemp Can Be Used To Make Paper, Clothing, Plastics And Even Fuel Bipartisan Bill Removes Fed Roadblock That Obstructs Hemp's Full Potential As an agricultural commodity In Columbia County; Senator Says New Bill Empowers States To Act As Primary Regulators of Hemp, Allows For Hemp Researchers To Apply For Rese… Continue Reading
07.03.18
SCHUMER VISITS BREWERY OMMEGANG TO PUSH FOR A PLAN TO HELP BOLSTER FAST-GROWING CRAFT BREW INDUSTRY IN OTSEGO COUNTY AND THE SOUTHERN TIER: LEGISLATION TO PERMANENTLY CUT SMALL BREWERIES EXCISE TAX IN ½ AND INCREASED FEDERAL RESOURCES TO FAST TRACK RELEASE OF SEASONAL AND SPECIALTY BEER
Standing At Brewery Ommegang Schumer Unveils Push To Support Legislation That Will Enable Them, And Small Otsego County Breweries Like Red Shed Brewery, Butternuts Beer And Ale, And Council Rock Brewery, To Fully Tap Their Business Potential New York State Craft Beer Industry Supports Nearly 60,000 Jobs In NY & Has A $4 Billion Economic Impact- Cutting Taxes On Dozens Of Small Brewing Operations In The Southern Tier Will Allow Small Breweries To Hire More Employees, Buy More Equipment, Boos… Continue Reading
07.03.18
SCHUMER CALLS ON NASA TO SEND ASTRONAUT TO UPCOMING COMMUNITY STARWALK EVENT ON THE WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON; SERIES WILL HELP EXPAND WALKWAY’S FOOTPRINT IN HUDSON VALLEY AS WELL AS BOOST OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP EDUCATE AND INSPIRE NEXT GENERATION OF AMERICAN STEM STUDENTS AND SCIENTISTS
The Recently Announced STARWALK Series, By The Walkway Over The Hudson is Designed To Bring The Local Communities And Tourists Alike To The Walkway Over The Hudson State Park while learning About Astronomy Schumer Calls On NASA To Send Astronaut To The Walkway Over The Hudson To Attend Upcoming STARWALK Series Event; NASA Presence Would Inspire And Engage Local Community Students Of All Ages, As Well As Tourists On Importance Of Science Research And Education Schumer To NASA: Help Launch Walkw… Continue Reading
07.03.18
SCHUMER: EISENHOWER LOCK VISITORS’ CENTER ON THE SAINT LAWRENCE SEAWAY IS FALLING APART AT THE SEAMS; CALLS FOR KEY INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES; SENATOR SAYS EISENHOWER VISITORS’ CENTER IS TOO IMPORTANT TO NORTH COUNTRY ECONOMY AND TOURISM TO BE IGNORED BY THE FEDS
Senator Says Over 60,000 People, From 49 States And 21 Countries, Visited the Saint Lawrence Seaway Last Year; Despite The Steady Stream Of Tourism, The Center Hasn't Been Updated In Roughly 60 Years, Creating Safety Concerns & Inhibiting Tourism To The North Country Schumer Calls On The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation To Continue To Invest In The Seaway, Including The Construction Of A New Visitor Center And Other Infrastructure Key To Seaway Operations Schu… Continue Reading
07.02.18
SCHUMER REVEALS: SYRACUSE SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD OFFICE HAS THE STATE’S LARGEST CASE BACKLOG; AVERAGE WAIT TIME FOR A HEARING IS ALMOST TWO YEARS; SENATOR SAYS SYRACUSE FIELD OFFICE URGENTLY NEEDS NEWLY AVAILABLE FED FUNDING TO HELP CUT WAIT TIMES & IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE
With Over 9K Cases Pending, Syracuse SSA Field Office Faces The Largest Case Backlog In NYS; And Average Wait Time For An Appeals Hearing is over 620 Days Schumer: Syracuse SSA Field Office Can't Keep Up With Requests Due To Lack of Resources And Rate of New Retirees; New Dollars Secured in Recent Legislation Could Help Cut Down On Wait Times Schumer: Central New York Seniors Are Tired Of Listening to Hold Music U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer today revealed that withou… Continue Reading
07.02.18
ON THE EVE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY, JEFFERSON ROAD MAIN POST OFFICE STILL REFUSES TO APPROVE SCHUMER’S REQUEST TO ALLOW VETERANS TO DISTRIBUTE POPPIES & FLAGS OUTSIDE POST OFFICE; SENATOR RESPONDS BY INTRODUCING NEW BILL TO LIFT USPS’ BAN, SANCTIONING ROCHESTER VETERANS, WHO PROTECTED AND DEFENDED US, TO RIGHTFULLY HANDOUT POPPIES & FLAGS FOR VETERAN HOLIDAYS ONCE AND FOR ALL
In Response To An Incident At The Jefferson Road Post Office, Where VFW and Local Veterans Were Stopped From Selling Poppies To Raise Money For Veterans Groups, Schumer Today Announced The Introduction Of The RAISE VET FUND Act The Legislation Would Authorize Congressionally Chartered Veterans Organizations To Sell Flags, Poppies And Like Items At USPS Facilities To Fundraise At Holiday Times Schumer: Whether it's Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or Flag Day, When a Veteran's 'P… Continue Reading
07.02.18
AHEAD OF JULY 4TH HOLIDAY, SCHUMER LAUNCHES A MAJOR PUSH TO MAKE CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL EASIER AND FASTER FOR WESTERN NEW YORK RESIDENTS; SENATOR SAYS EXPANSION OF NEXUS PROGRAM TO BUFFALO NIAGARA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WOULD MAKE PROGRAM MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR WNY RESIDENTS AND REDUCE EGREGIOUS WAIT TIMES AT WNY BRIDGES
Senator Says Holiday Weekend Wait Times At The Border And At Airport Security Can Be A Nightmare; Nexus Card Holders Cross Border More Quickly And Can Take Advantage Of TSA Precheck Lines At The Airport Schumer Will Urge U.S. Customs and Border Protection To Work with Canada Border Services Agency To Approve an Additional Nexus Enrollment Center, and Work with NFTA, the Peace Bridge Authority, and the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission to Make Nexus Expansion Plan a Reality Schumer to CBP: Why … Continue Reading
06.28.18
SCHUMER-BACKED BILL THAT WILL CREATE FIRST-EVER NATIONAL FIREFIGHTER CANCER REGISTRY PASSES CONGRESS; BILL NOW HEADING TO PRESIDENT’S DESK FOR SIGNATURE
Schumer's Multi-Year Effort To Pass Legislation That Would - For The First Time Ever - Create A National Registry That Will Help Medical Professionals More Effectively Track And Treat Firefighters With Cancer Schumer Says Firefighters Are Exposed To A Range Of Harmful Toxins And May Be At Increased Cancer Risk; Senator Says Newly Passed Legislation Will Help Protect The Lives Of Our Brave First Responders In New York And Beyond & Urges The President To Sign The Bill ASAP Schumer: Ne… Continue Reading
06.27.18
AFTER GILLIBRAND, SCHUMER CALLED OUT ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS FOR ATTEMPTING TO COVER UP DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES STUDY ON DANGEROUS EFFECTS OF PFAS CHEMICALS, REPORT HAS FINALLY BEEN RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC
Top EPA and Other Administration Officials Had Previously Attempted To Keep Secret a Study Showing That PFAS Pose a Danger to Human Health at Exposure Levels that are Seven to Ten Times Lower than What EPA Had Told the Public Gillibrand, Schumer Led the Call on EPA Administrator to Release Department of Health and Human Services Study to the Public U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer … Continue Reading
06.26.18
DURING IN-PERSON MEETING WITH NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATOR GORDON-HAGERTY, SCHUMER URGES NNSA TO FINALIZE NEW 5-YEAR WORK AGREEMENT BETWEEN LASER LAB AND DOE; SENATOR MAKES CLEAR TO ADMINISTRATOR THAT FINALIZED COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS NEEDED FOR LAB TO CONTINUE ITS GROUNDBREAKING NATIONAL SECURITY RESEARCH
With Current Cooperative Agreement Between U Of R Laser Lab And DOE's NNSA Slated To Expire Soon, Schumer Urges NNSA To Finalize New Agreement Running From 2019 Through 2023; Senator Says U Of R's Laser Lab Is Important To National Security And The Future Of American Innovation And Must Stay Fully Operational Schumer To DOE: With Current 5-Year Agreement Expiring This Fall, Focus Like a Laser Now To Finalize New 5-Year Agreement During an in-person meeting with the Department of Energy (DOE)… Continue Reading
06.25.18
OVER 350 HOMEBOUND VETERANS IN ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES THAT GET CANANDAIGUA VA HOME-BASED PRIMARY CARE DEALT BLOW BY NEW U.S. POSTAL POLICY; SCHUMER URGES USPS TO REVERSE NEW POLICY THAT IS BANNING CANANDAIGUA VA FROM PARKING & STAGING VITAL HOME VISITATION VEHICLES AT 10 LOCAL POST OFFICES; SENATOR SAYS THE NEW POLICY WILL MAKE IT HARDER TO PERFORM HOME VISITATIONS FOR AREA VETS
For The Last Year, The Canandaigua VA And USPS Have Had A Parking Agreement In Place That Allowed The VA To Park Government Owned Home Visitation Vehicles At 10 Post Offices in Greece, Irondequoit, Churchville, Macedon, Lima, Clarendon, Holley, Victor, Farmington, Shortsville; Last Week USPS Revoked the Parking Agreement Schumer Urges USPS To Immediately Reverse The Determination And Allow Agreement To Stand, Senator Says USPS new Ban Means VA Medical Workers Can See Fewer Homebound Veterans P… Continue Reading
06.25.18
STANDING WITH WESTCHESTER RESIDENTS, SCHUMER URGES IRS TO STAND DOWN ON THEIR ATTEMPT TO CHALLENGE NEW YORK STATE’S NEW TAX LAW THAT WILL SAVE HOMEOWNERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL TAXES; SENATOR SAYS TAX PLAN UNFAIRLY TARGETS WESTCHESTER AND LOWER HUDSON VALLEY HOMEOWNERS WHO HAVE HIGHEST PROPERTY TAXES IN THE NATION
New NYS Law Allows For Westchester, Rockland And HV Residents To Receive Tax Credits for Charitable Donations to the State, Which Can Be Deducted Against Federal Taxes; This Will Help Ease The Tax Hike Caused by The New Tax Law's $10,000 State and Local Deduction Cap Schumer Urges IRS To Stand Down And Cease Attempts To Impede Westchester and HV Homeowners Ability To Replace Valuable Deductions Lost In Tax Bill Schumer To IRS: Rule In Favor Of New York State Law Standing with Wes… Continue Reading
06.22.18
AFTER MAJOR PUSH BY SCHUMER AND GILLIBRAND, JUST-PASSED SENATE DEFENSE BILL APPROVES $14 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NEW TRAINING CENTER FOR NFARS; SENATORS SAY TRAINING CENTER WILL IMPROVE MISSION READINESS
Schumer And Gillibrand Today Announced That The Newly Passed NDAA Authorizes $14 Million In Federal Funding For Key Infrastructure Upgrades At NFARS, Including The Construction Of A New Training Center; Senators Say Upgrades Are Vital To NFARS' Mission Readiness And Vow To See Funding Through The Appropriations Process Senators: New Training Center Will Enhance The Capabilities Of The Units Serving At NFARS U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand toda… Continue Reading
06.22.18
AS NEW YORKERS CONTINUE TO SUFFER DUE TO PFAS CONTAMINATION, SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE THAT AFTER THEIR PUSH, $20 MILLION TO STUDY THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF PFAS WATER CONTAMINATION PASSES SENATE
The Recently-Passed Senate Defense Bill Provides $20 Million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to Conduct a Public Health Assessment for Sites Affected by PFAS Contamination Schumer, Gillibrand Fought to Include this Funding in the Senate Defense Bill Following Multi-Year Effort to Secure this CDC-Led Study U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that the recently pas… Continue Reading
06.22.18
SCHUMER URGES WORKERS COMPENSATION BOARD TO APPROVE 9/11-RELATED DEATH COMPENSATION FOR LONG-SUFFERING FAMILY OF STATE TROOPER AND FALLEN9/11 HERO, LAWRENCE LAKEMAN; SENATOR SAYS DECADE-PLUS WAIT IS TOO LONG FOR THIS FAMILY TO RECEIVE THE COMPENSATION THAT THEY DESERVE
Lawrence W. Lakeman Fell Ill And Died From Pancreatic Cancer Stemming From His Work As A 9/11 First Responder; His Widow And Children Have Yet To Be Compensated By State Workers Compensation Board For His Service And Sacrifice Workers Compensation Board Denied Initial Claim Because Lakeman's Widow Did Not File Within Two Years Of Her Husband's Death; However, Pancreatic Cancer Was Recognized As An Eligible 9/11 Disease In 2014; Audra Lakeman Filed In August Of 2015 Schume… Continue Reading
06.21.18
AFTER MAJOR PUSH BY SCHUMER AND GILLIBRAND, JUST-PASSED SENATE DEFENSE BILL APPROVES $14.2 MILLION FEDERAL FUNDING TO ENHANCE PERIMETER SECURITY AT ROME LAB
The Air Force Research Laboratory In Rome, New York Is Nation's Premier Research Organizations For Command, Control, Communications, Cyber and Intelligence Technologies Schumer and Gillibrand Today Announced That The Newly-Passed NDAA Authorizes $14.2 Million In Federal Funding For Security Enhancements At The Lab; Senators Say They Will Work Tirelessly Through The Appropriations Process To Ensure That The Lab's Anti-Terrorism Perimeter Security And Entry Control Point Is Fully Funded By The … Continue Reading
06.21.18
SCHUMER REVEALS: US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND AIR FORCE CONTINUE TO DRAG THEIR FEET AND DELAY THE RELEASE OF SITE INVESTIGATION REPORT OF TOXIC PFC POLLUTION AT STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE; SCHUMER DEMANDS DOD FINISH AND RELEASE LONG OVERDUE REPORT – AND IMPROVE POOR COMMUNICATION WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES
PFC Compounds Continue To Pollute The City Of Newburgh's Primary Drinking Water Source, Washington Lake, In Addition To Many Of The Nearby Waterways And Estuaries; The DOD And Air Force, Thus Far, Have Failed To Adhere To Their Own Remediation Schedule And Have Left Newburgh Residents and Local Stakeholders In The Dark In Letter To Air Force Secretary Wilson, Schumer Expresses Frustration At The Slow Pace Of The Clean-Up And The Poor Communication And Coordination With Impacted Communities; Cal… Continue Reading
06.20.18
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN CYBER DEFENSE EDUCATION DESIGNATION
Designation is Awarded to Universities that Offer Rigorous Bachelor's and Graduate Degree Programs that Prepare Students for the Nation's Cyber Defense Needs Today, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the University at Albany has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA), in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The CA… Continue Reading
06.18.18
SCHUMER DEMANDS FEDS EXTEND DEADLINE FOR GLEN COVE TO FINISH FERRY PROJECT; RISK OF LI LOSING CRITICAL $16M IN FEDS FUNDS WOULD HURT LOCAL TAXPAYERS & DEAL BLOW TO REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Despite 'Round-The-Clock Effort, Glen Cove Could Miss Fed Deadline Of Jan 1st To Complete Game-Changing Transpo Project That Would Better Connect City With Manhattan Schumer Says Feds Should Work With Glen Cove & NYSDOT To Extend Deadline & Allow Glen Cove To Finish Ferry Project Strong, Keep Their $16M, Build Terminal, Dredge Creek & Then Set Sail Schumer To Feds: Don't Claw-Back LI Fed Funds & Don't Needlessly Sink Glen Cove Ferry On the heels of local worry that the… Continue Reading
06.18.18
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $100,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR DRUG PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN THE NORTH COUNTRY TO ADDRESS THE SCOURGE OF OPIOIDS
Funding Will Help North Country Drug Initiatives Address Opioid-Related Deaths Through Coordinated Prevention and Treatment Efforts U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $100,000 in federal funding for two opioid prevention programs in the North Country. Specifically, the Alliance for Better Communities in Jefferson County and the Massena Drug-Free Community Coalition in St. Lawrence will each receive $50,000, respectively. The fundi… Continue Reading
