Every year, Chuck commits to traveling to all62 counties in New York to meet with constituents.
On 10/14/21 standing with Long Island seniors, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said recent predictions of winter heating price spikes are cause for concern that demands new federal action. Schumer said predictions that gas and heating bills on Long Island could rise 21%-26% require a two-pronged federal push involving the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its home energy assistance office. Schumer, called on HHS to release Long Island’s federal funds as the applications are logged and he said those applications across the Island are now available for seniors and others to fill out. The federal account was funded with more than 3 billion last year, and is at no risk of failing to make payments, but the Senator wants all payments to New Yorkers expedited given the recent pricing predictions. Schumer also announced that he will seek a $100 million increase in the federal program via the upcoming budget, in anticipation of higher energy costs associated with supply chain waves induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Seniors spoke about the cost of home heating and advocates and local officials joined Schumer to talk about the tens-of-thousands of Long Islanders who tap these federal dollars each year and the millions of dollars that the Island depends on to help seniors and working families afford their energy bills.