Every year, Chuck commits to traveling to all62 counties in New York to meet with constituents.
Standing at Samascott Orchards in Columbia County, which provides apples for Albany’s Nine Pin Cider, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed how Upstate NY cideries are being hit with a convoluted federal ‘Bubble Tax’ increasing costs and hindering the production of new delicious bubblier ciders and ciders mixed with fruits that people love. Schumer is now pushing a new bill, the Bubble Tax Modernization Act, to ‘pop’ this arcane fed tax law to help cidermakers add more of the popular fruitier & bubblier ciders to their taps, boost farmers, and help grow next phase of Upstate NY’s booming craft cider industry.
On June 26, 2024, following years of relentless advocacy to bolster Upstate New York’s wine industry, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that thanks to a massive $68.9 million federal investment he secured, Cornell and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have officially broken ground to construct America’s new, state-of-the-art National Grape Improvement Center in the heart of the Finger Lakes. Schumer said this new 70,000+ square foot facility will help establish Geneva, NY and the Finger Lakes as the center of innovation and R&D for wine and viticulture bringing new technology and top scientists to ensure New York’s and America’s wine grapes are the highest quality, hardy against diseases, and thrive in diverse climate conditions in order to produce wines that will be renowned worldwide.
On June 26, 2024, Senator Schumer visited the Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls to receive updates on two economic development projects he secured for Seneca County. Earlier this year Senator Schumer secured $500,000 to complete the renovation of the historic Knitting Mill's third and fourth floors as well as $3.5 million to complete the construction of Sewer District No. 1 along the Seneca Lake Shoreline.
On May 29, 2024, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer visited Lockheed Martin in Owego, on the heels of delivering $400 million for its vital Combat Rescue Helicopter (CHR) program, which had faced major potential cuts in the last appropriations cycle to highlight the facility’s critical work to national security. During the visit, Senator Schumer announced a new federally-funded partnership between Lockheed Martin and Intel to bolster the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R, which are made in Owego with cutting edge semiconductor technology, bringing critical new work to the facility as the feds make major investments thanks to his bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law.
On May 28, 2024, Standing at a decrepit former laundromat in Geneseo, after launching his push standing at the contaminated, long-abandoned former gas station brownfield site in Seneca County last year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced Seneca County and Livingston County will each receive a $1.5 million federal Brownfields Assessment Grant through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse contaminated properties across the Finger Lakes region.
Schumer said this major funding will be used to clean up eyesores that have long plagued the area like the abandoned Buisch’s gas station, Seneca Army Depot, shuttered Willard State Asylum campus, and dozens of other hazardous sites across the Finger Lakes, revitalizing these areas for new development and economic opportunities.
On May 28, 2024, standing at the Rainbow Bridge connecting Niagara Falls in Canada and New York, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today launched a push calling on the Canadian government to crack down on the use of ‘flagpoling’ – a practice of Canadians briefly exiting and reentering Canada to renew visas and work permits to skip bureaucratic paperwork processing delays.
May 20th, 2024, On the heels of the Biden administration announcing historic, new rules to protect the U.S. steel industry from China’s unfair trade practices, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer visited Nucor in Auburn to launch his all-out push calling on the feds to “strike while the iron is hot” to stop China and other countries from laundering steel through Mexico to avoid tariffs.
Schumer explained when cheap, Chinese-made steel products flood the market through Mexico, it hurts Central New York steel producers, like Nucor in Auburn, Crucible Steel in Syracuse, and Novellis in Oswego, which cannot compete with this unfair dumping.
Standing at an active lead pipe replacement site in Troy, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced Troy is set to receive $12.8 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, a major boost as the City now estimates it will need to replace nearly 2,800 thousand lead pipes. Schumer said this historic investment for Troy is only the start of federal funding beginning to flow from the Infrastructure Law to the Capital Region, and after he just delivered hundreds of millions more to NYS for communities to tap, he is pushing for communities to apply now to accelerate the removal of potentially toxic lead pipes and ensure the region’s families have the safe, reliable drinking water they deserve.
Standing at the notorious Foxhall Avenue rail crossing in midtown Kingston, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today launched a major push to secure up to $3+ million in federal funding for Kingston to help overhaul its Foxhall and Flatbush Avenues – primary corridors to the downtown – with increased safety infrastructure and walkability for residents.
Schumer explained these corridors have been the site of dozens of accidents stemming from poor pedestrian infrastructure, along with multiple individuals and vehicles hit at the CSX train crossings, and as the downtown grows, more residents are utilizing these roadways to access jobs, shops, and the waterfront.
On May 6, 2024,
Standing at the Great Sodus Bay Harbor with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) members and Sodus Bay residents, marina and business owners, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today revealed that the Buffalo Army Corps will begin the major $20 million reconstruction of the deteriorating Sodus Bay East Breakwall this summer thanks to Schumer securing the $20 million last year, which is the single largest federal infrastructure investment every in Sodus Bay. Schumer said for years, Lake Ontario communities have been devastated by severe floods because the East breakwall, the only barrier protecting Lake Ontario homes and businesses from flooding, has fallen into disrepair. Schumer said today USACE has put out its solicitation bid to move ahead on hiring a contractor, the final stage in the process to repair the vital Great Sodus Bay breakwall and now he is pushing to get shovels to hit the ground ASAP to finally deliver these long-awaited repairs for the Lake Ontario community.
“The Great Sodus Bay East Breakwall is vital to protecting the Lake Ontario community from violent flood damages, but for years has been in a state of disrepair, threatening residents’ safety and livelihood. I’ve watched as community members have worried their entire homes or businesses would be flushed out by Lake Ontario as flood after flood devastated neighborhoods, local businesses, and families in the region. That’s why I said enough is enough and fought tooth and nail to secure the largest single federal infrastructure investment ever in Sodus Bay of $20 million to ensure the feds take action and repair this breakwall for good,” said Senator Schumer. “Today, we are turning a corner to hire the federal contractor and move full steam ahead and get shovels in the ground! With repairs set to start this summer, we are making sure Lake Ontario communities are protected from damaging flood waves and ensuring Sodus Bay homeowners, marinas, businesses, boaters, and visitors can benefit from all this beautiful Sodus Bay offers, all while boosting the local economy and creating a steady stream of jobs, jobs, jobs.”
On April 25th, 2024, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer welcomed President Biden to The Martin J Rubinstien Museum of Science and Technology to announce $6.1 Billion from Schumer's CHIPS & Science Bill going to Micron to help fund their microchip fab in Onondaga County.
On Aprill 22, 2044, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer visited Stratton Air National Guard Base to double down on his calls for the Air Force to prioritize the recapitalization of the 109th Airlift Wing’s polar fleet and launch his push to secure up to $290 million in the defense appropriations bills to replace the two oldest aircraft in the fleet with two LC-130Js, the newest ski-bird model. Schumer explained these planes are the only ski-equipped heavy U.S. military aircraft capable of flying to the Arctic and Antarctica, and are vital to National Science Foundation research, maintaining national security to compete with China and Russia, and also life-saving rescue missions. Among the most notable is the rescue of legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin in Antarctica, after experiencing a medical emergency.
Unfortunately, after more than three decades of year-round service in harsh environments, these planes—several of which were built in the 1970s and operate on technology developed in the 1950s—are rapidly approaching the end of their service life, jeopardizing mission success, aircrew and operator safety, and U.S. national security. Schumer is now leading the charge to help replace these aircrafts and pushing the Air Force to make this needed investment in the Capital Region’s Stratton Air National Guard Base.
On April 22nd, 2024, Standing with Fort Drum firefighters and members of IAFF Local F-105, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer launched a major push to increase funding for the Fort Drum Fire Department after years of receiving significantly lower annual budgets from Army HQ. Schumer explained that, as a federal fire department serving Fort Drum and the North Country, the Fort Drum Fire Department uniquely depends on federal funding through U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) for its yearly budget, creating a different funding structure than other nearby local fire professional and volunteer departments.
Schumer said for years Fort Drum firefighters have received significantly less than they requested, most recently only receiving 25% of its requested funding from IMCOM, leaving the department unable to purchase replacements or fund repairs to critical equipment like protective gear, thermal imaging cameras, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders, firehoses, radios, flashlights and more. The senator personally wrote the Secretary of the Army to highlight this issue, and is launching an all-out effort to deliver the increased support they need to ensure this issue does not persist.
Standing at the Galleria at Crystal Run, amid a spike in large scale organized retail thefts, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to increase enforcement, and use all available measures including the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which helped curtail the mafia’s organized crime spree, to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft rings in New York.
The senator explained the RICO Act is a strong federal tool for the DOJ to bust criminal, retail theft organizations – which go far beyond run-of-the-mill shoplifters – in the Hudson Valley, and across the state to stop large-scale criminal operations who are hurting local businesses, driving up prices, inconveniencing consumers and risking community safety.
On April 2, 2024, standing in front of Victor Crossing Shopping Plaza, amid a spike in large-scale organized retail thefts, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to increase enforcement, and use all available measures including the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which helped curtail the mafia’s organized crime spree, to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft rings in New York.
The senator explained the RICO Act is a strong federal tool for the DOJ to bust criminal, retail theft organizations – which go far beyond run-of-the-mill shoplifters – in Rochester, Ontario County, and across the state to stop large-scale criminal operations who are hurting local businesses, driving up prices, inconveniencing consumers, and risking community safety.
Standing with Hudson Valley law enforcement, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today revealed that, for the first time in a decade, the key federal provision that makes fully-plastic undetectable ghost guns illegal could expire at the end of this week. Last night, after weeks of negotiations, Schumer helped secure an extension to reauthorize the bipartisan Undetectable Firearms Act in the government funding bill, and plans for a vote by the end of this week.
On March 4, 2024, standing at Cayuga Health in Ithaca, following the nationwide Change Healthcare cyberattack impacting healthcare providers across NY, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said he is calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to get all hands-on deck to help impacted New York hospitals recover from the impacts of this vicious ransomware attack. First, Senator Schumer said it is imperative federal law enforcement make this case a top priority, as it is a calculated attack on our nation’s critical healthcare system, and we must hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Second, Senator Schumer pushed for CMS to use its authority under the Accelerated and Advance Payment Program to make payments to hospitals in advance of receiving claims from them and to alleviate the financial burden healthcare providers are facing from this terrible cyberattack.
Standing at Rome Health in the Mohawk Valley following the nationwide Change Healthcare cyberattack last week impacting healthcare providers across NY, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today said he is calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to get all hands on deck to help impacted New York hospitals – like Rome Health – recover from the impacts of this vicious ransomware attack. Schumer explained that right now NY healthcare providers are struggling to get paid, process insurance claims, and fill prescriptions, with some seeing millions lost every day as result of this breach. The senator said if this cash-flow interruption continues, ripping larger holes on already strained budgets, it could lead to serious financial consequences for our most vulnerable hospitals.
After years of relentless advocacy to help GlobalFoundries grow in the Capital Region and to position Upstate NY as a global hub for semiconductor R&D and manufacturing, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced on Tuesday, February 20, that GlobalFoundries has reached a $1.5 billion preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) funding agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce under the CHIPS & Science Law. This is the first agreement for a New York company and is the largest potential award yet from the CHIPS Incentives Program funded by Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Law.
On February 19th, 2024, standing at Rochester Regional Health’s Riedman Health Center with doctors, who like many across the country have faced shortages of the brand new, potentially lifesaving Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) immunization for kids that was released just last year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer continued his two-pronged push in Rochester calling on the feds and medicine manufacturers to get all hands-on deck to ensure doctors across New York and America have the support they need to keep our kids safe.
On February 19th, 2024, standing with Onondaga County criminal prosecutors, Onondaga County Sheriffs, City of Syracuse police officers and local public officials, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today revealed that, for the first time in a decade, the key federal provision that makes fully-plastic undetectable ghost guns illegal is set to expire next month.
Schumer is now launching his push to reauthorize the bipartisan Undetectable Firearms Act to ensure undetectable, fully-plastic guns remain illegal and stop a potential influx of these weapons on the streets of New York. Schumer said that allowing this law to lapse would create a terrifying new reality of legally-made plastic firearms that could slip through metal detectors and other security, putting law enforcement and communities across America at risk.
On February 19, 2024, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed he secured $7.5 million in the Senate’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills to make long overdue repairs to Barcelona Harbor. Now, with final budget negotiations underway, he is launching his push to protect this vital funding in the final spending bills to deliver these much-needed dollars to Chautauqua County. The senator said the funding he secured will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to help restore the Harbor to full functionality by repairing the west breakwater, evaluating sediment management measures, and dredging the harbor, critical for the local tourism and jobs that rely on the harbor in Westfield.
On January 29, 2024, standing with Albany police officers, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed that, for the first time in a decade, the key federal provision that makes fully-plastic undetectable ghost guns illegal is set to expire next month.
On January 29th, 2024, standing at SUNY Upstate Medical University with doctors, who like many across the country have faced shortages of the brand new, potentially lifesaving Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) immunization for kids that was released just last year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer has launched his two-pronged push in Syracuse calling on the feds and medicine manufacturers to get all hands-on deck to ensure doctors across New York and America have the support they need to keep our kids safe.
In a letter to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Schumer said it is imperative that with new doses being distributed, those vaccines get to pediatric clinics on the frontlines ASAP, like those in Central NY, who have been seeing vaccine shortages. Schumer said it is especially important to get these doses to pediatricians because they are the first line of defense in protecting children and most often where parents go first. Secondly, the senator said it is vital the drug manufacturers work with all levels of the federal government to ramp up supply now, fix supply chain issues so that all those who need the vaccines are able to get it.
On January 29, 2024, after delivering a historic $113+ million in 2022 for Binghamton to establish its battery manufacturing & innovation hub, and then securing for the Southern Tier the prestigious federal Tech Hub designation late last year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer visited Binghamton University to announce that the Binghamton University-led Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine has won the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Regional “Innovation Engines” Competition. Binghamton was one of only 10 projects across the country chosen to receive $15 million for the next two years, with up to $160 million total over the life of the program from the NSF to supercharge growth and cutting-edge research in battery development and manufacturing in Upstate NY.
On January 22, 2024, standing at Western New York Pediatrics with doctors, who like many across the country have faced shortages of the brand new, potentially lifesaving Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) immunization for kids that was released last year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer launched his two-pronged push calling on the feds and medicine manufacturers to get all hands on deck to ensure doctors across New York and America have the support they need to keep our kids safe.