url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-announces-major-25-million-fed-investment-in-south-brooklyn-marine-terminal-for-development-of-wind-turbine-assembly-center-35th-st-pier-improvements-bring-nyc-one-step-closer-to-being-offshore-wind-supply-chain-hub-and-are-win-for-community-local-jobs-environment_nys-manufacturing,SCHUMER ANNOUNCES MAJOR $25 MILLION FED INVESTMENT IN SOUTH BROOKLYN MARINE TERMINAL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF WIND TURBINE ASSEMBLY CENTER; 35TH ST. PIER IMPROVEMENTS BRING NYC ONE STEP CLOSER TO BEING...,2021-12-23,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Schumer, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams & Enviro Justice Orgs Previously Pushed Investment In New Hub At South Brooklyn Marine Terminal

Community Protection Act (CLCPA), Which Schumer Backed, Requires 70% of NY’s Electricity Come From Renewable Resources By 2030, Driving Demand For Offshore Wind

Schumer: The Dawn Of Robust Renewable Energy Production In NYC Will Happen At Sunset Park Terminal In A Frontline Community

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced that – following his direct advocacy multiple times to USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg – South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) 35th Street Pier Expansion Project was awarded nearly $25 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Grant program.

Schumer previously stood with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and environmental justice leaders in Sunset Park, Brooklyn to push for a multi-million dollar investment to upgrade SBMT’s port infrastructure and to include SBMT as a key port for New York’s strategy to support offshore wind development. Schumer also made direct calls to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to urge approval of this federal funding for the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. Schumer said infrastructure improvements to the 35th Street Pier are needed to make South Brooklyn Marine Terminal a regional hub in offshore wind construction. Upgrades to the port will result in 344 jobs and the offshore wind activity is estimated to create 3,274 full-time jobs.

“I am proud we secured this massive $25 million federal investment to help the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal reach new heights, boost the local economy, and blow a gust of new life into our fight against climate change,” said Senator Schumer. “This project is a true win-win-win that will create hundreds of good-paying union jobs, including for residents of this frontline Brooklyn community, boost New York’s clean-energy manufacturing sector, all while combatting climate change in big, bold ways. Brooklyn has the wind at its back with this announcement, and the future looks very bright.”

“With this fed investment, Sunset Park Terminal can positon New York State to manufacture offshore wind technology while leading the way in clean energy deployment. This site is primed to be up and running quickly with investments like this one, providing New York a critical foothold in the offshore wind supply chain and its tremendous opportunities for new jobs. This also helps the state, too, because seventy-percent of New York’s electricity has to come from renewable resources by 2030 as part of the CLCPA I helped push,” Schumer said.

The local wind turbine assembly center would generate more than 1,500 megawatts of clean energy here in the city, positioning New York to play a significant role in the offshore wind supply chain, which will create thousands of jobs across the state.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-gillibrand-announce-over-75-million-in-federal-funding-to-support-watertowns-samaritan-medical-center-and-loretto-health-in-syracuse-covid-response,"SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $7.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT WATERTOWN’S SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER & LORETTO HEALTH IN SYRACUSE COVID RESPONSE",2021-12-23,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Hospitals, Long-Term Care Facilities & Health Centers Heroically Responded To COVID Outbreak, Ripping Holes In Their Budgets To Obtain PPE, Cleaning/Disinfecting Facilities, Testing, Tracing, And More

Senators Say FEMA Funding – At A 100% Federal Cost Share – Will Reimburse Samaritan Medical Center & Loretto For Costs Related to Pandemic Response

Schumer, Gillibrand: Federal Funding Will Help Keep Up The Fight Against COVID-19

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $4,512,600 for the Loretto Health & Rehabilitation and $3,035,960 for the Samaritan Medical Center from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to cover costs associated with emergency protective measures taken for their COVID responses. The funds reimburse each for expenses related to providing COVID-19 laboratory testing and testing supplies, used to test their employees ensuring that individuals did not spread the virus to staff, patients, or the local community as they provided direct care and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is provided at a 100% federal cost share, which Schumer fought hard to include for NY since the pandemic began.

“Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, Loretto in Syracuse, and so many other entities throughout New York heroically stepped up by increasing spending, while experiencing significant revenue loss, and working ceaselessly to help New York beat back the virus. I am proud to deliver this vital federal support to help these essential medical facilities recover and continue to keep our communities safe,” said Senator Schumer. “Upstate New York and its hospitals have been amongst the hardest hit in the nation, and with this funding, the continuing frontline fight being waged by our health care system and its incredible workforce will receive the dollars they need, and so very much deserve, to keep saving lives.”

“Health care providers have lost billions of dollars during the pandemic due to spiking costs and slashed revenues,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This federal support will help ensure that Samaritan Medical Center and Loretto can maintain staffing levels, provide PPE, and continue to keep our Watertown and Syracuse communities safe as we encounter and fight new variants of COVID-19. I’ll keep working to help New York medical facilities offset operating costs so that they can continue to provide quality care to every New Yorker.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-with-holiday-travel-in-full-swing-and-covid-19-cases-surging-in-upstate-ny-senator-calls-fema-top-brass-directly-to-urge-them-to-immediately-deploy-200-new-mobile-covid-testing-sites-in-new-york-to-stop-the-spread-and-keep-our-communities-safe,"SCHUMER: WITH HOLIDAY TRAVEL IN FULL SWING AND COVID-19 CASES SURGING IN UPSTATE NY, SENATOR CALLS FEMA TOP BRASS DIRECTLY TO URGE THEM TO IMMEDIATELY DEPLOY 200 NEW MOBILE COVID TESTING SITES IN NEW...",2021-12-23,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"With Omicron Now On-The-Move Across Upstate, Schumer Says Expanding Access To Testing ASAP Is Critical Key To Keeping Variant Under Control

Senator Wants FEMA Mobile Testing Sites To Launch In Struggling Upstate Communities That Can’t Keep Up With Rising Cases

Schumer: Winter + Variants = Perfect Storm For Surging Cases; Feds Must Get Upstate NY The Support It Needs On The Frontlines Of Latest COVID Wave

With COVID’s Omicron variant spreading and Upstate New York overwhelmed by the latest surge, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer launched a major push to get the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expand testing capacity and support for Upstate communities. Schumer made a personal call to FEMA Assistant Administrator Keith Turi and Acting FEMA Region 2 Administrator Chad Gorman to urge them to deploy 200 mobile testing sites in New York, 100 across New York State and an additional 100 in New York City. Schumer said that expanding access to testing is key to stopping the spread of COVID-19, especially as we enter the peak of holiday travel and the heart of the harsh winter months.

“Upstate New York is seeing record high COVID cases, and with variants like Omicron already here, we must stop the spread in its tracks and that means testing testing testing. That is why I am calling on FEMA to immediately deploy mobile testing sites across Upstate New York, to give struggling communities the support they need to keep their residents safe,” said Senator Schumer. “Especially as people travel over the winter holidays, easy access to testing is critical to ensure the safety of themselves and loved ones. FEMA must provide Upstate communities the support they need to protect public health and to stay ahead of this variant into the winter.”

New York State yesterday saw a record over 28,000 new coronavirus infections over a 24-hour period, signifying a significant increase in case counts from just a week ago.

Schumer’s request comes on the heels of his successful push for the federal government to provide free at-home tests to New York community health centers & mobile sites. President Biden announced earlier this week that the federal government would deliver 500 million free at-home rapid testing starting in January. Schumer said that these at home testing kits in tandem with 200 mobile testing sites in the communities that need them most is vital to protecting the health of New Yorkers.

“We now have the testing infrastructure and tools we didn’t have early on in the pandemic,” said Schumer. “It’s one of the keys to stop this surge and keep recovery going.”

According to the World Health Organization, the most effective steps individuals can take to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus is to keep a physical distance of at least 6-feet; wear a well-fitting mask; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue; and get vaccinated.

A copy of Senator Schumer’s original letter to FEMA appears below:

Dear Administrator Criswell:

I write today to ask for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) assistance as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent increase in cases due to the Omicron variant. The spike in cases has brought upon an increased demand for testing that is sure to strain the already robust testing infrastructure in New York City. In addition to supporting the City of New York’s request for an increased supply of at-home test kits, I ask that FEMA authorize the opening of 100 mobile test sites in New York City, and 100 additional mobile test sites across the rest of the state, including in Long Island.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, FEMA has played a central role in New York City’s fight against COVID-19. While I am grateful for these efforts and for the work of FEMA staffers, I ask that FEMA continue this partnership and build on its efforts as cases increase due to the Omicron variant. On December 21, 2021 New York City recorded its highest 7-day daily average of cases at nearly 9,500 cases. As reports of daily cases and hospitalizations continue to trend upward, it is vital that FEMA provide the City with the necessary resources to help slow this spread. With more testing capabilities in the form of at-home kits and testing sites, the City can better gauge the trends of this variant and provide more accurate guidance and information to residents.

Thank you again for your leadership and assistance over the past year as New York and the nation continue battling COVID-19. FEMA has been an invaluable partner in combatting this pandemic and I ask that as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly you continue this partnership and swiftly provide New York City the increased at-home testing kits requested in their letter to the Administration and authorize the opening of 100 testing sites across the City and 100 additional sites across the State.

I appreciate your attention to this important matter and look forward to your response. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-and-barragn-urge-epa-to-strengthen-standards-for-freight-pollution-sources,Booker and Barragán Urge EPA to Strengthen Standards for Freight Pollution Sources,2021-12-21,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Cory Booker and Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán led 48 of their colleagues in encouraging the Environmental Protection Agency to update technology standards for freight-related sources of pollution to address the high levels of air pollution in communities surrounding our nation’s freight shipping facilities and freight transportation corridors.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Booker, Barragán and their colleagues also requested information regarding EPA’s regulatory schedule for updating freight-related emissions standards, technology assessments for mobile and non-mobile freight sources, and opportunities available to streamline rulemaking to update several emissions standards by 2025.

“We appreciate the EPA’s demonstrated commitment to combatting environmental racism and advancing equal access to clean air, land and water. We specifically applaud the steps the EPA has taken to set criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. We encourage you to expand these efforts to include other freight sources, including locomotives, ocean-going vessels, and aircraft,” the members of Congress wrote.

In the 10-20 years since the EPA has updated emissions standards for mobile and non-mobile freight-related emissions sources, new control technologies have become available, including zero-emissions and electric options. There are significant opportunities for reducing toxic air pollution in environmental justice communities while addressing the climate crisis.

Senator Booker and Congresswoman Barragán were joined on the letter by Senators Richard Durbin (Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Edward J. Markey (Mass.), Christopher Murphy (Conn.), Alex Padilla (Calif.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Bernard Sanders (Vt.), and Congressmembers Alan Lowenthal (Calif.), Adriano Espaillat (N.Y.), Emmanuel Cleaver (Mo.), Yvette Clarke (N.Y.), Bobby Rush (Ill.), Suzanne Bonamici (Ore.), Grace Napolitano (Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Earl Blumenauer (Ore.), Doris Matsui (Calif.), Barbara Lee (Calif.), Karen Bass (Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Jimmy Gomez (Calif.), Sean Casten (Ill.), Jared Huffman (Calif.), Frederica Wilson (Fla.), Jesús “Chuy” García (Ill.), Linda Sánchez (Calif.), Adam Smith (Wash.), Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.), Donald Payne (N.J.), Mike Quigley (Ill.), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (Ga.), Ro Khanna (Calif.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (Del.), Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) Ted Lieu (Calif.), Brenda Lawrence (Mich.), Veronica Escobar (Texas), Mark DeSaulnier (Calif.), Betty McCollum (Minn.), Janice Schakowsky (Ill.), Judy Chu (Calif.), A. Donald McEachin (Va.), Madeleine Dean (Pa.), Jerry McNerney (Calif.), Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (N.Y.), and Marie Newman (Ill.).

The letter was also supported by the following environmental and health organizations: Earthjustice, GreenLatinos, Pacific Environment, Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, American Lung Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-leads-colleagues-in-calling-on-us-department-of-education-to-suspend-wage-garnishment-of-student-loan-borrowers,Booker Leads Colleagues in Calling on U.S. Department of Education to Suspend Wage Garnishment of Student Loan Borrowers,2021-12-21,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"Washington, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to suspend administrative wage garnishment of student loan borrowers. The letter comes nearly a month before student loan and interest payments are set to resume on January 31, 2022.

“Currently, over 9 million borrowers are in default on more than $180 billion in federal student loan debt,” wrote the lawmakers to USDOE Secretary Miguel Cardona. “A disproportionate number of these borrowers are people of color, first-generation college students, veterans, parents, people with disabilities, and students who will not complete college. Even before the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, these borrowers in default were subject to aggressive collection measures, some of which only the federal government can utilize to collect on student loans. In addition to having to pay exorbitant fees, borrowers in default could expect to see their wages, tax refunds, and even Social Security checks confiscated. Low-income families that had their Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refund checks seized by the federal government were often left in worse situations with limited access to jobs and housing, and fewer resources to cover basic necessities.”

The lawmakers continued by highlighting that the USDOE’s “current intention to resume these collection efforts in a couple of months, as cash-strapped borrowers struggle to recover from a still-ongoing pandemic, will likely result in significant financial harm.” As such, they asked the Department “to automatically remove eligible borrowers from default status” and “to suspend administrative wage garnishment and other forced collections until of the end of the COVID-19 national public health emergency.”

Furthermore, the lawmakers urged the USDOE “to conduct an analysis of the disparate effects of these practices on Black, Latino and Indigenous people with student debt as part of any comprehensive review of the student loan debt collection system.”

The lawmakers concluded that reforming the harmful wage garnishment process “would play a critical role in our nation’s recovery efforts and would protect the most financially vulnerable student loan borrowers. We appreciate your prompt attention to our urgent request.”

The letter follows Senators Booker and Elizabeth Warren’s Ending Administrative Wage Garnishment Act of 2020, legislation introduced nearly a year ago that will suspend wage garnishments for those who have defaulted on their student loans and revise income-drive repayment plans.

The letter was co-signed by Senators Warren (D-MA), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bob Casey (D-PA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-call-on-vaccine-manufacturers-to-immediately-step-up-vaccination-efforts-in-other-countries-fight-global-covid-19-pandemic,"Senators Call On Vaccine Manufacturers To Immediately Step Up Vaccination Efforts In Other Countries, Fight Global COVID-19 Pandemic",2021-12-21,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and nine other senators called on Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Moderna to increase COVID-19 vaccines to low- and middle-income countries to help tackle the global disparities in accessing the vaccine. This follows a bipartisan letter that Schatz and Brown led in October calling on President Biden to provide more U.S. leadership and step up efforts to increase global vaccine access to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Vaccines represent the world’s best hope at containing the COVID-19 pandemic, but our goals for effectively responding to the pandemic will remain out of reach unless we successfully ramp up our global vaccination effort and get more shots in arms as quickly as possible,” the senators wrote.

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also joined the letter.

The full text of the letters is available here: Letter to Johnson & Johnson | Letter to Pfizer | Letter to Moderna

A copy of the letter to Pfizer can be found below:

Dear Dr. Bourla,

We write with grave concerns about Pfizer’s commitment to providing vaccines for low-income and middle-income countries. We commend the company on its ground-breaking work in developing and manufacturing one of the most effective mRNA vaccines currently on the market, and we urge you to take immediate action to work with the Biden Administration, our international allies, and global public health experts to make the Pfizer vaccine immediately more widely available to communities around the globe and to tackle the ongoing significant disparities in global COVID-19 vaccine supply and access. Without a stronger commitment from you and your company, millions of preventable deaths will occur.

Vaccines represent the world’s best hope at containing the COVID-19 pandemic, but our goals for effectively responding to the pandemic will remain out of reach unless we successfully ramp up our global vaccination effort and get more shots in arms as quickly as possible. While more than 6.5 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered around the world, they have been concentrated in high-income countries. Less than 10 percent of people living in low-income countries have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and efforts to expand low-income and middle-income countries’ access to vaccines have stalled. Despite a significant contribution from the United States, the COVAX international vaccine aid program has fallen hundreds of millions doses short of its vaccine distribution goals. All vaccine manufacturers outside China missed their 2020 production targets by 96 percent, and are projected to miss their initial 2021 targets by about 50 percent.

If global vaccination rates do not improve, the virus will continue to threaten lives and our global economy. This situation prolongs the need for booster shots to maintain the vaccines’ protection and creates dangerous conditions for the emergence of new variants that are potentially resistant to vaccines. In our global society, there is no question that these variants will spread to the United States; when that happens, our current vaccines may not be sufficient to protect the population. This is not just a hypothetical problem: the latest variant of concern—Omicron—clearly points to the need for swift and urgent action around the world.

If the pandemic is not controlled, there will be dire consequences in human and public health terms. Already, over five million people around the world have died of COVID-19. If current trends in vaccination rates and preventative measures such as mask wearing continue, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington projects that by March 1st 2022 there will be approximately 6.26 million reported deaths – and nearly 13.63 million reported and unreported deaths – due to COVID-19. Among the remaining 230 million people who contract COVID-19 and survive, almost 25 percent are likely to continue to experience chronic symptoms known as long covid, which will impact their long-term physical and psychological health as well as the health of our global economy.

Continuing to allow the global pandemic to run rampant will also hurt the United States’ economy. High rates of infection in low-income and middle-income countries have reduced their capacity to meet factory production targets and maintain global shipping networks, thus creating supply chain delays that contribute to inflation and damage American companies’ ability to deliver goods and services. Furthermore, American cities and states continue to lose tourism revenue due to the pandemic. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Americas saw a 68 percent drop in international tourist arrivals in 2020 and a 65 percent shortfall in 2021, with improvements not expected until 2023 or 2024 if current trends continue. Lastly, the pandemic has curtailed the entry of international university students and workers into the United States, with travel restrictions likely to remain in place for those who cannot access vaccinations. These limits mean that the American economy will miss out on substantial financial, intellectual, and social contributions from these groups.

As a pioneer in developing a highly effective mRNA vaccine, Pfizer is in a unique position to bring a swift end to the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. We appreciate Pfizer’s commitment to provide 1 billion vaccine doses to the U.S. government at not-for-profit prices for donation to low-income and middle-income countries, and the company’s efforts to ensure expanded and equitable access to its COVID-19 treatment pill.

However, more work is urgently needed in the short-term. Experts have estimated that another 4.5 billion doses are needed to fully vaccinate 80 percent of the world’s seven billion people over the age of five years, and up to 6 billion additional doses may be needed in 2022 for booster shots to reinforce the efficacy of vaccines given to individuals in 2021.

Pfizer is in a strong financial position to significantly increase its contribution to global vaccination efforts and has a responsibility to do so. Although the company did not accept any American federal funding while developing the vaccine, the German government provided a $445 million grant to Pfizer’s partner firm, BioNTech, to expand vaccine trials and production capacity. Furthermore, the United States government coordinated scientific expertise and research infrastructure, provided Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the market launch of the vaccine, and pre-ordered doses early in the development process to ensure healthy sales.

Given all this public support, and the fact that Pfizer is expected to earn about $36 billion in 2021—and up to $54.5 billion in 2022 according to some projections—from sales of its COVID-19 vaccine, it is reasonable to expect the company to make a sizeable contribution to global vaccination efforts. By all accounts, Pfizer is able to do so without undercutting investment in the development of future mRNA technology or payouts to shareholders, as individual stock returns have increased by 52 percent since the end of 2019.

Working to increase global access to the COVID-19 vaccine is consistent with Pfizer’s Statement of Purpose, which includes a commitment to health equity in obtaining access to the vaccine. It is time to move beyond statements of principle and take more substantial concrete steps to get shots in arms around the world.

We are dismayed at Pfizer’s continued prioritization of vaccine orders for high-income countries, lack of transparency about where COVAX and other low and middle-income countries are in the queue for vaccine deliveries, and resistance to sharing its technology and immediately ramping up global vaccine production. There are many important ways in which Pfizer can make a more substantial contribution to global vaccination efforts and save countless lives. We call on the company to:

Provide more vaccine doses at not-for-profit prices to COVAX and low-income and middle-income countries as quickly as possible;

Increase the transparency of its processes and records, especially regarding the status of vaccine deliveries and the priority placed on fulfilling orders from COVAX compared to other countries;

Waive indemnification so that doses can be delivered to refugees and internally displaced persons to address urgent humanitarian needs;

Work with international partners such as COVAX to address financial and logistical challenges to equitable vaccine delivery;

Immediately increase manufacturing capacity and facilitate technology transfers with fair royalties, by engaging with international partners such as the World Health Organization to develop and resource additional mRNA facilities around the world; and

Engage with the Biden Administration to identify other barriers to global vaccination efforts beyond supply, and implement additional strategies to expand access to mRNA vaccines.

Thank you for your urgent attention to the matter of global disparities in vaccine supply and access. We stand ready to work with you to bring a swift end to the global pandemic.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-schumers-visit-and-direct-advocacy-wyoming-county-community-hospital-awarded-over-18-million-to-combat-recent-surge-of-covid-19-cover-rising-costs-and-keep-the-western-ny-community-safe-,"FOLLOWING SCHUMER’S VISIT AND DIRECT ADVOCACY, WYOMING COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AWARDED OVER $1.8 MILLION TO COMBAT RECENT SURGE OF COVID-19, COVER RISING COSTS, AND KEEP THE WESTERN NY COMMUNITY...",2021-12-21,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Schumer Visited Wyoming County To Call On Feds To Reevaluate WNY Growing COVID Crisis & Get $$ Out Quickly To Where It’s Most Needed

Now, After Schumer’s Push, Wyoming County Community Hospital Has Received Over $1.8M In Pandemic Relief To Help Just In Time For The Harsh Winter Months

Schumer To Wyoming County: Help Is On The Way!

Following his visit to push for struggling Western New York hospitals to get the help they need, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced the federal government has heeded his call and that Wyoming County Community Hospital has received $1,836,381 from the next round of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) created by the CARES Act. Earlier this month Wyoming County declared a state of emergency in an effort to fight back against a rise in COVID-19 cases and variants like Omicron. Schumer said that this new funding will help Wyoming County Community Hospital combat the spread of COVID-19, cover rising costs, and ensure they have the resources to keep the community safe.

“Western New York hospitals are on the frontlines battling the many variants of COVID, I saw firsthand the tremendous need for assistance in my visit to Wyoming County last week and promised I would fight to get this money out quickly. Now, I am proud to deliver over $1.8 million in federal assistance for the Wyoming County Community Hospital to help them continue their essential work to keep our community safe,” said Senator Schumer. “As majority leader, I am proud to have championed multiple COVID-19 relief bills including the American Rescue Plan which provided these pandemic relief funds and I will continue to fight to ensure our hospitals and communities have all the help they need to stop the spread and meet the rising demand as we enter the winter months.”

Joseph McTernan, CEO of the Wyoming County Community Health System said, “We are extremely grateful to Senator Schumer for his advocacy in helping secure this funding for WCCH. With COVID infection rates again spiking in our community, we need all hands on deck to both care for the increasing number of patients being admitted for care while addressing the burden of increased costs required to provide this care. We appreciate Senator Schumer’s support for significantly impacted hospitals like WCCH to access this critical relief funding as we continue to navigate the pandemic and serve the community.”

Senator Schumer has delivered over $13.5 billion in grant funding to NY hospitals and providers through the Provider Relief Fund alone with billions more still awaiting to be disbursed. In addition, the Senator has secured tens of billions of dollars in much-needed relief including through various legislation and programs that delivered low-cost loans to providers, staved off potentially disastrous federal cuts to Medicare payments and increased payments to the New York Medicaid program that have helped NYS from instituting drastic cuts in provider reimbursements and consumer benefits.

In the April 2020 CARES Act, Schumer led the charge in Congress to create the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) - managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - with to provide funding to healthcare providers and hospitals caring for patients with COVID-19 and who suffered high expenses and lost revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although initially funded at $100 billion, Schumer led the charge in Congress further to successfully add an additional $86.5 billion to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) throughout the last year through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enactment Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and the American Rescue Plan.

A copy of Schumer’s original letter to HHS appears below:

Dear Secretary Becerra,

I write to request that the Department of Health and Humans Services (HHS) take into consideration the uptick in COVID-19 cases in certain areas of the country such as Western New York and the Finger Lakes Region when calculating the payments to providers that will be made in the upcoming General Distribution from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). Hospitals and providers in this area, such as Wyoming County Community Hospital, are working day and night to care for patients amid intense financial pressures and need this funding in order to deal with the increase in COVID-19 cases that are crowding their hospital beds. I also ask that these funds be made swiftly; New York providers – especially those in Upstate New York – cannot be made to wait for this direly needed relief.

As you well know, New York has suffered huge losses during the course of this pandemic. While a robust vaccination and testing program has kept the state from reliving the worst of the pandemic’s early days, parts of the state continue to experience high levels of coronavirus caseloads. As of December 10th, 2021, the three counties in New York with the highest daily average number COVID-19 cases per 100,000 are all found in Western New York: Orleans (103), Wyoming (103), Genesee (100). The caseloads in these counties and other areas of New York have increased to such a high level, that 32 hospitals across the state report having 10% or less of available bed capacity open to admit new patients. Due to these critical conditions, New York State has mandated that these hospitals suspend elective procedures until bed capacity improves. The combination of high costs associated with treating COVID-19 patients and the loss of high-revenue-producing elective procedures is damaging the financial health of hospitals such as Wyoming County Community Hospital and highlighted the need for more federal support through programs like the Provider Relief Fund.

In the April 2020 CARES Act, Congress created the PRF with an initial $100 billion in support for providers caring for patients with COVID-19 and who suffered high expenses and lost revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Congress further supplemented the fund with an additional $86.5 billion over the next year through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enactment Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and the American Rescue Plan.

As of December 10th, 2021, your Department has sent out over $130 billion in funding from the PRF across three phases of General Distributions and eight targeted allocations, the most recent being the $8.5 billion in American Rescue Plan’s Rural payments. These General Distributions were made using various formulas based on revenues and losses reported in past years’ Medicare and Medicaid cost reporting, tax filings and other financial information. The targeted allocations were based on a wider variety of factors including in some cases the level of COVID-19 admissions at a hospital provider.

In September 2021, HHS announced that up to $17 billion would be made available in a new PRF General Distribution and solicited applications from providers across the country for this funding. The information collected in these applications to develop the formula that will calculate these General Distribution payments once again only considered past tax filings, cost reporting data and other financial information. It does not consider the rising levels of COVID-19 in hard-hit areas such as Upstate New York.

In light of the ongoing increase in COVID-19 cases, I ask that your Department refer to its past practices at the height of the pandemic and incorporate data into the General Distribution formula that captures the enormous burdens placed on providers who are treating patients and saving lives in areas with high rates of COVID-19 cases. I also call on the Department to make these determinations swiftly and distribute the funds as soon as possible. Providers like Wyoming County Community Hospital need these funds now, and communities like those in Western New York cannot afford to wait any longer.

I thank you and your Department for your excellent service during this crisis.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-to-receive-nearly-5-million-for-school-meal-programs-to-help-feed-children-keep-kids-healthy,"Hawai‘i To Receive Nearly $5 Million For School Meal Programs To Help Feed Children, Keep Kids Healthy",2021-12-20,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that Hawai‘i will receive $4,933,437 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund school food programs. This new federal funding will provide meals for children, assisting families facing food insecurity and helping to address food shortages due to supply chain issues.

“Kids throughout Hawai‘i get a nutritious meal at school every day,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “While we work to address supply chain issues, this new federal funding will support Hawai‘i families by making sure their children continue getting these high-quality meals.”

This new funding is part of $1.5 billion in USDA grants for states and school districts to address supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and make sure increased food costs don’t harm school meal programs. It includes grants from USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service program for school districts to improve the quality and consistency of school meals; from USDA Foods to purchase food products and offset supply chain disruptions; and from USDA’s Local Food for Schools program to purchase domestic foods and strengthen local food systems.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-congratulates-newly-named-commissioners-on-presidents-advisory-commission-on-asian-americans-native-hawaiians-and-pacific-islanders,"Schatz Congratulates Newly Named Commissioners On President’s Advisory Commission On Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, And Pacific Islanders",2021-12-20,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement congratulating newly named commissioners to President Biden’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI). Commissioners with Hawai‘i ties include Amy Agbayani, Kimberly Chang, Kerry Doi, Michelle Kauhane, and Daniel Dae Kim.

“Amy, Kimberly, Michelle, Daniel, and Kerry are all well respected community leaders and will make excellent commissioners. They will bring strong, diverse voices to the commission and continue the important work of advocating for the AANHPI communities in Hawai‘i and across the country. I congratulate them and look forward to working with commission to support Hawai‘i’s AANHPI communities,” said Senator Schatz.

According to the White House, the commission will advise the president on ways to advance equity and opportunity for AANHPI communities. The commission will also advise the president on policies to address anti-Asian xenophobia, ways to build capacity in AANHPI communities through federal funding and policies to address the intersectional barriers that AANHPI women, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities face.

The full list of commissioners follows:

Amy Agbayani

Dr. Amefil (Amy) Agbayani is an Emeritus Assistant Vice Chancellor for student diversity and equity, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. Agbayani was born in the Philippines and received her education from the University of the Philippines, East West Center and the University of Hawai‘i. She is a former chair of the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission, conducts research on AANHPI in higher education, member of the Patsy T. Mink PAC and The Legal Clinic for immigrant justice Hawai‘i.

Teresita Batayola

Teresita Batayola is the President and Chief Executive Officer of International Community Health Services, Washington state’s largest Asian and Pacific Islander non-profit health center providing comprehensive health care to all those who need affordable care, especially immigrants and refugees. Batayola is an advocate for health care access, equity, and addressing social determinants of health. ICHS has received awards for its high quality of care and Batayola has been recognized in the Puget Sound Business Journal’s Award for Outstanding Business & Philanthropic Contributions, Woman of Courage Undaunted from the University of Washington Women’s Center, and the Filipino Women’s Network’s Most Influential Filipino Woman in the World.

Ajay Bhutoria

Ajay Bhutoria is a Silicon Valley technology executive, community leader, speaker, and author that has been recognized for his work. He is a passionate advocate for the South Asian and AAPI communities in the areas of small businesses, educational opportunities, immigration issues, and technological advancement. His expertise in the areas of organizational transformations and change management has supported critical advancements within the AAPI community, and he is committed to the creation of a compassionate and empowering environment for all.

Luisa Blue

Luisa Blue retired from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in August 2020 after serving as an Executive Vice President for four years, one of the highest ranking AAPI officials in the labor movement. During her term was responsible for the SEIU Asian Pacific Islanders Civic Engagement and Leadership program, a member of the Racial Justice Task Force, chair of the Environmental and Climate Justice Committee, and chair of the Ethical Culture Committee. She served on the SEIU Executive Board prior to her election as Executive Vice President. Luisa continues to be active in the community and serves on the Asian Health Services Community Board, a Trustee on Alameda County Health Systems Board of Trustees, and Vice President of the AAPI Victory Alliance Board. Luisa is the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren.

Kimberly Chang

Kimberly Seu Gin Chang, MD, MPH, born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i in a six generation kama‘āina family, is a board-certified family physician in Oakland, California, at Asian Health Services, a federally qualified community health center. Dr. Chang has dedicated her 20+ year career to focusing on the health of the underserved AANHPI community, including people vulnerable to and affected by human trafficking and exploitation, developing national clinical and health policy recommendations for this issue. Dr. Chang has received numerous awards, most recently the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 2020 Emerging Public Health Professional Award and the 2021 UCSF Alumni Humanitarian Service Award. She received her undergraduate degree from Columbia College of Columbia University, her medical degree from the University of Hawai‘i, her MPH from Harvard with the Commonwealth Fund Minority Health Policy Fellowship, and her residency training at UCSF. Dr. Chang currently serves as the Vice Speaker of the House for the National Association of Community Health Centers, and as expert faculty for Health Partners on Intimate Partner Violence + Exploitation at Futures Without Violence.

Emily Chen

Emily Chen is Chief of Research at Olshan Realty and manages the Private Wealth Real Estate Services, providing brokerage expertise along with research and consulting capabilities. She co-founded the Olshan Luxury Market Report, a weekly real-time snapshot of the Manhattan residential real estate market, which became the industry standard and revolutionized how the market is analyzed and evaluated. A former National Big Sister of the Year, Chen serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and is on the Executive Committee. Chen is a graduate of Georgetown University and Co-Founder and Executive Producer of Stand Up for Georgetown.

Kerry Doi

A 4th generation Japanese-American born on a Hawai‘i plantation, Mr. Kerry Doi has spent his life combatting hate and solidifying his commitment to social and economic justice. For over 46 years, Mr. Doi has dedicated his work to the cause and the community development space through his leadership at Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE) – one of the nation’s largest Asian-led community development organizations serving 40,000 minority, low income individuals annually through workforce, small business, environmental justice, affordable housing, and early childhood education. He has served on numerous local, state, and national boards including his current appointments as Chair of the CA Community Economic Development Association, Vice Chair and Treasurer of the LA Housing Partnership, and member of the LA County Small Business Commission.

Grace Huang

Grace Huang, J.D., is a Taiwanese-American attorney who has advocated on behalf of the rights of survivors of domestic and sexual violence for almost 30 years as a legal services lawyer, attorney in private practice, and policy advocate. She currently is the Director of Policy at the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, where she focuses on federal policy to address the needs of survivors in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Ms. Huang serves on the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence, on the Washington State Women’s Commission. Ms. Huang also co-chairs the Alliance for Immigrant Survivors, working to address the needs of survivors of gender-based violence in the immigration system.

Victoria Huynh

Victoria Huynh is currently the Senior Vice President of the Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc. (CPACS), the largest nonprofit in the Southeast to focus on issues and concerns of AANHPI communities, especially women, children, and families. For more than a decade, Huynh has advocated for equitable language access, promoted local civic engagement, protected immigrant rights, championed cultural competency, and developed vital social service programs within the immigrant and refugee communities in Atlanta, Georgia. Mrs. Huynh’s experiences in her limited English proficient (LEP) Vietnamese Refugee household, fuels her passion for community building, strategic planning, and policy work within immigrant and refugee spaces. She is an MBA candidate and currently serves as consultant, board member, and panelist on various boards influencing state and local funding, nominations, and programs that impact communities of color.

Mia Ives-Rublee

Mia Ives-Rublee, MSW, is currently the Director of the Disability Justice Initiative at the Center for American Progress. She obtained her Master’s in Social Work at University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill. She was also recognized as one of Glamour Women of the Year in 2017, She the People’s 20 Women of Color in Politics to Watch in 2020, and received the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award from the UNC School of Social Work. Ives-Rublee works at the intersection of disability, race, and gender, helping promote equity and opportunity for marginalized communities through policy and organizing.

Kamal Kalsi

Dr. Kamal Singh Kalsi, LTC, USAR is an emergency medicine physician from New Jersey that has served in the Army for 20 years and was awarded a Bronze Star medal for his work taking care of hundreds of combat casualties on the front lines in Afghanistan. He has transitioned into the Army reserves, and now serves as a senior advisor for Policy Vets and a Fellow of the Truman National Security Project’s Defense Council. He founded the Sikh American Veterans Alliance (SAVA) in order to promote diversity, religious freedom, and service.

Michelle Kauhane

Michelle Kauhane is the Senior Vice President of Community Grants & Initiatives at Hawai‘i Community Foundation. Previously, she served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement where she engaged in lending and investment services deploying capital in underserved native Hawaiian communities statewide. Michelle has a background in non-profit management, organizational leadership, community based economic development and public policy advocacy. She has served on numerous local and national boards and currently sits on the Community Advisory Council at the Federal Reserve of San Francisco to offer perspectives on the economic and financial service needs of low- and moderate- income populations in Hawai‘i. She is a graduate of Gonzaga University.

Daniel Dae Kim

Daniel Dae Kim is an award-winning actor, director and producer. In addition to his series regular roles on TV’s LOST and THE HOT ZONE: ANTHRAX, Kim starred as the King of Siam in Lincoln Center’s Broadway production of the KING AND I. In addition to his numerous credits as an actor, he is developing both film and television projects as a producer with his company, 3AD. His current projects include THE GOOD DOCTOR currently airing on ABC. Recently, he also turned to advocacy, joining the Asian American Foundation, where he serves a Co-Chair of the Advisory Council. Mr. Kim can next be seen as an actor in the live action adaptation of AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER. He currently lives in Hawai‘i with his family.

Kevin Kim

Kevin D. Kim is a seasoned attorney, entrepreneur, and public servant. He is a co-founder of Abakidz, a mental math program. In public service, Mr. Kim was the first Korean American to win a NYC primary election as a 2009 Democratic nominee for a NYC Council seat, then served as the first Asian American commissioner of the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA), and now serves as the first Korean American Member of the Board of Trustees of the City University of New York (CUNY) where he chairs the Audit Committee. He has served on the boards of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), Korean American Association of Greater New York (KAAGNY), American Red Cross – Queens Chapter, Friends of THIRTEEN, International Student Conferences, Inc. (ISC), Korean American Community Foundation (KACF), and the Fordham Law School Voting Rights and Democracy Project (Advisory Board). Mr. Kim received his B.A. and M.A. from Stanford University and his J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and a member of the Columbia Law Review.

Sarah Min

Sarah Min is an advocate and former media executive. Min promotes the advancement of mission-driven organizations who are transforming how to use technology, media and person-to-person outreach to mobilize people and change perceptions about women and people of color. From 2013-2019, Min was an independent consultant, working with clients such as HBO, Penguin Random House and other nonprofits, Previously, she served as Executive Vice President for, Marketing & Corporate Development for ScrollMotion, an enterprise software company. Min also was the Managing Editor of Vibe and Domino magazines, a director at media company Bertelsmann, as well as President of literary publishing company McSweeney’s. She serves as a director on nonprofit boards, including Color of Change and EMILY’s List, and has been engaged in grassroots organizations, including the Korean American Community Foundation and the Asian American Power Network. Sarah holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BS in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Simon Pang

Emigrated from Singapore in late 1989, Pang has been in banking industry since 1981. Pang is currently an Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of Royal Business Bank. He is active in community service and was appointed to positions in statewide nonprofit organizations, including California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, California Highway Patrol Citizens Advisory Board member, Los Angeles County Sheriff Youth Foundation Board member, US-Sino Friendship Association President, US-Sino Aviation Heritage Foundation Honorable Chairman. He has also served as a National Governing Board Member and National Diversity Coalition Advisor with the national nonprofit Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs.

Ai-jen Poo

Ai-jen Poo is an award-winning organizer, author, and a leading voice in the women’s movement. She is the Executive Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Director of Caring Across Generations, Co-Founder of SuperMajority, Co-Host of Sunstorm podcast and a Trustee of the Ford Foundation. Ai-jen is a nationally recognized expert on elder and family care, the future of work, and what’s at stake for women of color. She is the author of the celebrated book, The Age of Dignity: Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America.

Naheed Qureshi

Naheed Qureshi is Head of Policy Partnerships at Instacart. Ms. Qureshi has had an extensive 20-year career in civil rights, including serving as a founding board member and later deputy director of Muslim Advocates and as co-chair of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Hate Crimes and Bigotry Task Force. Ms. Qureshi started her career in the U.S. Department of Justice Attorney General’s Honors Program and has also worked at the Civil Rights Division in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the City of Los Angeles, and the national legislative office of the ACLU. Ms. Qureshi received a B.A. in political science from the University of Wisconsin and J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. The daughter of immigrants from Pakistan, she was raised in Wisconsin and is an avid Packers fan.

Raynald Samoa

Dr. Raynald Samoa is an endocrinologist at the City of Hope and his current research projects include a faith-based community-centered diabetes prevention program in the San Gabriel Valley investigating a social-connectedness modified approach. Dr. Samoa served as the Lead for the National Pacific Islander COVID-19 Response Team and has authored several manuscripts describing the impact of COVID-19 on Pacific Islander communities. He has testified to the House of Representative Ways and Means Committee during a session entitled The Disproportionate Impact Of Covid-19 On Communities Of Color. He currently is the technical assistance lead for the Healing Association of Pacific Islander Physicians, a professional organization associated with the National Association of Organization of Pacific Islander Organizations.

Sonal Shah

Sonal Shah is a social impact and innovation leader that has launched and led social impact efforts in academia, government, and the private and philanthropic sectors for over 25 years. She is the Founding President of The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), starting the largest philanthropic effort to serve the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Prior to TAAF, Shah founded and led Georgetown University’s Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation, providing students a first-hand opportunity to work on social impact projects in the public, private, and social sectors. She served as Deputy Assistant to President Obama and created the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, worked on international development at the Department of Treasury, and led social impact efforts at Google and Goldman Sachs. She serves on the boards of TAAF, Oxfam America, the Century Foundation, and the National Democratic Institute.

Smita Shah

Smita N. Shah is an engineer, entrepreneur, and civic leader serving as President and CEO of Chicago-based SPAAN Tech, Inc, a multi-disciplinary firm with expertise in public and private infrastructure projects including transportation, aviation, and facilities. Shah serves in various roles with the Chicago Plan Commission, M.I.T., the Museum of Science and Industry, After School Matters, Delhi Chicago Sister Cities Program, YPO, the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, and the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. She is a member of the board of MacLean Fogg Company and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Economic Club of Chicago. Shah earned her Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University, her Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from M.I.T., and a Post Graduate Certificate in Management Studies from Oxford University.

Robert Underwood

Robert A. Underwood is a former Member of Congress representing Guam for 10 years. He is also President Emeritus of the University of Guam and has the distinction of being the longest serving President of the university. He has served the nation as Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the founding Chair of the Asian Pacific Islander Scholarship Fund. As a scholar and activist, he has served his region and his people as a passionate advocate for the respect and maintenance of the Chamoru language and the empowerment of the peoples of Micronesia.

KaYing Yang

For more than three decades, KaYing has been a social justice advocate who has built and led community organizing, public policy engagement, and development efforts locally, nationally, and globally. She began her career as a community organizer and executive manager providing social services and advocacy for the protection of refugees and immigrants in Minnesota at the Women’s Association of Hmong and Lao. She then went on to defend and promote immigrant and human rights by serving in a number of organizations including the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, the International Organization for Migration, the International Finance Corporation, and the Coalition of Asian American Leaders in Minnesota. All of her work comes from a deep experience having come to the United States as a Hmong refugee at the age of seven in 1976 where she experienced firsthand the struggles faced by communities experiencing generational trauma and poverty.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-to-hawaii-k-12-schools-adopt-cdc-testing-guidance-keep-students-safely-in-school-stop-interruptions-in-learning,"Schatz To Hawai‘i K-12 Schools: Adopt CDC Testing Guidance, Keep Students Safely In School, Stop Interruptions In Learning",2021-12-20,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) called on the Hawai‘i Department of Education and the Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) to adopt, as feasible, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “test-to-stay” (TTS) guidance which allows students to stay in school if they are exposed to COVID-19, reducing time away from school and stopping learning loss.

“With this new protocol, we can recoup thousands of days of learning. We have to be as aggressive as possible in preventing learning loss and giving every student an opportunity to learn as much as they can,” said Senator Schatz.

“TTS policies will allow students to stay in school even if they are exposed to COVID-19 thereby minimizing the number of days students would otherwise miss and helping to reduce the learning loss that can occur during traditional quarantine at home,” Schatz wrote in his letters to Hawai‘i Interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi and HAIS Executive Director Philip Bossert. “Initial data from case studies show that schools with TTS policies have similar transmission rates as non-TTS schools.”

The full text of the letters can be found below and is available here.

Dear Interim Superintendent Hayashi/Dr. Bossert:

I write to make you aware of new “test-to-stay” (TTS) guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for K-12 schools. I encourage the Hawai‘i Department of Education/ Hawaii Association of Independent Schools to adopt TTS policies as appropriate and feasible, and to work with the Hawai‘i Department of Health in providing TTS guidance to complex areas and schools.

TTS policies will allow students to stay in school even if they are exposed to COVID-19, thereby minimizing the number of days students would otherwise miss and helping to reduce the learning loss that can occur during traditional quarantine at home. As the CDC notes, specific TTS policies may vary, but they follow the same principles: a combination of vaccination of eligible students and staff, frequent testing, contact tracing, masking inside schools, distancing between students, ventilation, handwashing, and staying home when sick. Taken together, exposed students can remain in school in lieu of quarantining at home. Initial data from case studies show that schools with TTS policies have similar transmission rates as non-TTS schools.

The CDC’s science brief with the recent TTS updates can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/transmission_k_12_schools.html

The CDC’s guidance on COVID-19 testing in schools can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/what-you-should-know.html

I appreciate your attention to this matter, and your collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-gillibrand-announce-over-16-million-in-federal-funding-to-support-economic-growth-in-low-income-and-distressed-communities-across-new-york,"SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $16 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN LOW-INCOME & DISTRESSED COMMUNITIES ACROSS NEW YORK",2021-12-20,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Senators Say Awards Build Capacity of CDFIs, Helping Meet the Unique Needs Of Economically Underserved Communities And Disadvantaged Small Businesses

Schumer, Gillibrand: Investment Into Vulnerable Communities Is Critical To Recovery Of Entire NY Economy

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $16,006,830 in federal funding for 28 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) across New York. The funding was allocated by the Department of the Treasury through the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) and includes both financial assistance and technical assistance awards to support the services offered by CDFIs. The senators said the funding will be used to invest in the capacity and capital programs offered by CDFIs, empowering them to grow, achieve organizational sustainability, and support low-income and distressed communities by contributing to their revitalization and expanding access to capital and other critical assistance for disadvantaged small businesses.

“The CDFI Fund is a vital stream of federal investment that supports financial services to New York’s most vulnerable communities and expands access to capital and support for disadvantaged small businesses,” said Senator Schumer. “I have made it a high priority to fund the CDFI program and deliver this critical assistance to New York to help to uplift our most vulnerable neighborhoods, businesses, and families who are still struggling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and boost recovery efforts across the state. I will continue to fight to protect critical investments like these for our communities and make sure New York gets the federal investment it needs to fully recover and come back stronger.”

“This critical CDFI funding will support New York’s underserved communities, low-income neighborhoods, and small businesses,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This significant federal investment is great news for New York State and will put over $16 million back into the businesses and communities that need it most. I will keep fighting in the Senate for the resources needed to stimulate local businesses, bolster support for our communities, and create sustainable jobs.”

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) provides small businesses and community development projects with capital investment unavailable in their local economies. The program funds projects that work to revitalize low-income and underserved communities. Some CDFIs focus their programs on an immediate region of service while others are national in the scope of their work, including projects and investments in New York.

A breakdown of the funding appears below:

Organization

City/State

Award

Accompany Capital, Inc.

New York, NY

$676,530

Alternatives Venture Fund Inc. Ithaca, NY

$125,000

BOC Capital Corp

Brooklyn, NY

$701,530

Brooklyn Alliance Capital Inc

Brooklyn, NY

$125,000

Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union

Brooklyn, NY

$476,530

CheckSpring Community Corporation

Bronx, NY

$676,530

Community Development Venture Capital Alliance

New York, NY

$701,530

Disability Fund, Inc.

Rockville Centre, NY

$1,090,000

Equitable Facilities Fund

New York, NY

$125,000

Finest Federal Credit Union

New York, NY

$125,000

Grameen America, Inc.

New York, NY

$1,046,530

Habitat for Humanity NYC Fund, Inc.

New York, NY

$125,000

Harlem Business Alliance, Inc.

New York, NY

$125,000

Launch New York, Inc.

Buffalo, NY

$225,000

Local Initiatives Support Corporation

New York, NY

$3,440,000

Lower East Side Peoples Federal Credit Union

New York, NY

$476,530

National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions

New York, NY

$625,000

Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union

New York, NY

$676,530

New York University FCU

New York, NY

$701,530

Nonprofit Finance Fund

New York, NY

$1,201,530

Oswego County FCU

Oswego, NY

$590,000

Renaissance Economic Development Corporation

New York, NY

$701,530

Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union

Syracuse, NY

$125,000

The Urban Empowerment Fund

New York, NY

$125,000

The Working World, Inc. dba Seed Commons

New York, NY

$525,000

USAlliance Federal Credit Union

Rye, NY

$125,000

Utica Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc

Utica, NY

$200,000

Seneca Nation of Indians Federal Credit Union

Irving, NY

$150,000

TOTAL:

$16,006,830

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-secures-historic-295-million-to-make-the-port-of-albany-one-of-the-nations-first-large-scale-offshore-wind-tower-manufacturing-facilities-after-direct-advocacy-to-the-transportation-secretary-schumer-delivers-29m-to-create-550-permanent-new-jobs-bolstering-the-us-domestic-clean-energy-supply-chain-and-capital-region-economy-and-strengthening-the-fight-against-climate-change,"SCHUMER SECURES HISTORIC $29.5 MILLION TO MAKE THE PORT OF ALBANY ONE OF THE NATION’S FIRST LARGE-SCALE, OFFSHORE WIND TOWER MANUFACTURING FACILITIES; AFTER DIRECT ADVOCACY TO THE TRANSPORTATION...",2021-12-20,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Schumer, A Long-Time Advocate For The Port of Albany, Called Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Directly To Advocate For The Funding Multiple Times

Senator Says Port of Albany Project Will Be One Of The Most Significant Job-Creating And Green-Energy Economic Development Projects in Capital Region’s History

Schumer: $29.5M Will Be The Wind In The Port Of Albany’s Sails & Blow New Life Into Albany Economy & Our Fight Against Climate Change

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced that – following his direct advocacy to the USDOT – the Port of Albany Offshore Wind Tower Manufacturing Project was awarded $29.5 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Grant program.

Schumer a longtime advocate for the Port of Albany’s revitalization, made direct calls to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg multiple times to urge approval of this transformative funding for the Capital Region. Schumer said the project will be one of the first large-scale offshore wind tower manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and is expected to create an estimated 500 construction jobs and 550 direct and full-time new manufacturing and support jobs.

“The Port of Albany Offshore Wind Manufacturing Project will be one of the most significant job-creating, renewable-energy economic development projects in the Capital Region’s history. I made it clear to Secretary Buttigieg that Albany has all of the right ingredients to be one of the nation’s first large-scale offshore wind tower manufacturing facility. I am proud to have secured this massive $29.5 million federal investment to help the Port of Albany reach new heights, boost the region’s local economy, and blow a gust of new life into our fight against climate change,” said Senator Schumer. “This project is a true win-win-win that will create hundreds of good-paying union jobs, boost New York’s clean-energy manufacturing sector, all while combatting climate change in big, bold ways. Albany has the wind at its back with this announcement, and the future looks very bright.”

Rich Hendrick, CEO of the Port of Albany, said, “This funding comes at a pivotal time for the Port of Albany’s offshore wind project and would not be possible without the strong support from Senator Schumer. This funding will support building the infrastructure necessary to support the type of heavy cargo that will be manufactured by our offshore wind partners. The project will bring hundreds of jobs to the Capital Region and add to the Port’s significant contributions to the Capital Region economy. Offshore wind will play an important role in managing climate change, transforming energy production and reducing harmful emissions. The Port of Albany is excited to play a part in this critical industry and looks forward to working with our surrounding community on this important project. We thank Senator Schumer and Secretary Buttigieg for their support and commitment to getting this done.”

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, “I am so thankful to Senator Schumer for securing this $29.5 million grant - funding that is vital to ensuring the nation’s first offshore wind manufacturing facility opens at the Port of Albany as soon as possible. I will continue to work closely with Senator Schumer to create a workforce training center in the South End because we both agree our residents who live near the Port of Albany should have every opportunity to secure the good-paying careers that will be created through this transformative investment.”

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said, ""This 29 1/2 million dollar commitment to offshore wind power at the Port of Albany is another investment that will benefit not only the county and our state but help reduce our carbon footprint and continue to make New York a leader in the production of renewable energy across the country. This project will also be responsible for 150 wind towers built each year and will bring with it 500 construction jobs and 300 long-term, high skilled jobs.""

Schumer said the Port of Albany manufacturing facility will have the fabrication and assembly capabilities to support the projects being developed in and off the coast of New York State as well as many future national offshore wind projects. Schumer explained that currently many of the offshore wind tower components are only available outside of the U.S. making this project critical in strengthening the U.S. domestic clean energy supply chain. The senator said that this recently secured funding would ensure Upstate New York becomes the national hub for new wind technology manufacturing.

Schumer also said that this increased investment for the Port of Albany would significantly boost its competitiveness in expanding and attracting major employers like General Electric (GE) to manufacture wind turbines in Upstate New York. Earlier this year, Senator Schumer reached out directly to GE CEO, H. Lawrence Culp Jr. to express his support for GE expanding in the region to manufacture their new Haliade-X wind turbines in New York, specifically mentioning the Port of Albany as a key asset for building up the Capital region as a national hub for wind turbine manufacturing.

Senator Schumer has a long history fighting to help revitalize the Port of Albany. In 2016, Schumer secured $17.6 million for the Port of Albany through the USDOT Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. This funding supported a complete overhaul of the Port of Albany including reconstructing the entire outdoor maritime terminal, building a new warehouse, expanding the wharf, and significantly improving the port roadways. Schumer then personally visited the Port of Albany in 2019 to see the progress and continue his commitment to the Port of Albany’s economic expansion.

In addition to the recently announced funding, Schumer said the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) that was recently signed into law, provides more than $17 billion for port and waterway infrastructure, including $2.25 billion over five years for the DOT’s Port Infrastructure Development Program. Schumer also secured $7.5 billion over five years for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants and $3.2 billion over five years for the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant Program, both of which can support port infrastructure development, and IIJA added port infrastructure as an eligible use of the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program.

A copy of Schumer’s original letter of support to Secretary Buttigieg appears below:

Dear Secretary Buttigieg,

I am pleased to write in support of the application submitted by the Port of Albany to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2021 Port Infrastructure Development Program grant (PIDP) to support the development of the United States’ first offshore wind tower manufacturing facility at the Port of Albany that is a partnership with Equinor and Marmen/Welcon. The Offshore Wind Tower Manufacturing Port Project grant application outlines the planned investment, substantial positive renewable energy and community benefits, as well as new job creation and major local investment.

The Port of Albany manufacturing facility will have the fabrication and assembly capabilities to support the projects being developed in New York State as well as many future national and regional offshore wind projects. Currently, the offshore wind tower components are only available outside of the U.S. The entire construction project is planned for more than $350 million investment including investment from Port, private and state of New York sources.

This project will create 550 jobs and likely to generate important additional economic benefits in New York State. It is expected that hundreds of construction jobs will be created to develop the site and an additional level of indirect jobs that are spurred by the planned manufacturing and maritime activities. Further, it is expected that this facility will generate substantial annual regional investments in direct payroll and procurement expenditures. This is precisely how we move the economy ahead with projects that invest in the green economy and have local benefits.

The PIDP funds are vital to reducing project risk and maximizing optionality during this unusually fluctuating international economic market. Energizing a green economy is key to our future. I applaud the Port of Albany for its foresight, and sincerely hope the application meets with your approval.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-build-back-better-act,Schatz Statement On Build Back Better Act,2021-12-19,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the Build Back Better Act.

“The planet doesn’t have the flexibility for anyone to give up. The planet is heating up, and reacting in real time to increases in greenhouse gases by giving us more frequent and severe storms, drought, hurricanes in December, and 100 degree weather in the Arctic. The planet is not going to pause its warming process while we sort our politics out. We owe it to future generations to figure out what can pass, and pass it. And to keep doing that, every year, at every level of government, for the foreseeable future. Despair is not an option. Righteous indignation turned into action absolutely is. We keep fighting.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-to-noaa-proposed-bay-closures-on-hawaii-island-and-maui-will-needlessly-restrict-locals-from-ocean-recreation,Schatz To NOAA: Proposed Bay Closures On Hawai‘i Island And Maui Will Needlessly Restrict Locals From Ocean Recreation,2021-12-18,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today called on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to hold off on a new proposed rule for ""time-area closures"" that would close several bays on Hawai‘i Island and Maui from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every day, and restrict local ocean access to residents during those hours.

“The proposed rule will foreseeably deny Hawai‘i residents and visitors access to the ocean, to protect dolphins that are already strongly protected under another, separate rule that went into effect on October 28, 2021. I believe NOAA owes it to the people of Hawai‘i to halt further action on time-area closures, and focus instead on how to implement its October 28th rule,” Senator Schatz wrote in his letter to NOAA Administrator and Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Rick Spinrad.

The full letter can be found below and is available here.

Dear Undersecretary Spinrad:

I am concerned that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has proposed a new rule to impose time-area closures for five well-used bays on the islands of Hawai‘i and Maui (Kealakekua Bay, Hōnaunau Bay, Kauhakō Bay, and Makako Bay) to everyone between 6am and 3pm every day. This heavy-handed proposal will limit local access to the ocean, and I question whether it is necessary.

The time-area closures have been justified as protection for spinner dolphins, but the dolphins that use these bays are already protected by a recent NOAA rule that clearly and unambiguously prohibits swimming with, approaching, or remaining within 50 yards of a spinner dolphin within 2 nautical miles of the Hawaiian Islands. With this strong protection for the dolphins already in place, it is easy to understand criticism that the time-area closures needlessly duplicate existing rules.

Worse, the indiscriminate scope of the closures apply to residents and visitors alike, regardless of whether their actions will impact the dolphins or not. This means that a range of activities that do not harm spinner dolphins will effectively be forbidden during the hours of the closure, including: shore casting, spear fishing, free diving, exercise swimming, and surfing. In addition, I note that these restrictions will apply regardless of whether dolphins are present or not, which only substantiates concerns that the proposed rule is not necessary.

In conclusion, the proposed rule will foreseeably deny Hawai‘i residents and visitors access to the ocean to protect dolphins that are already strongly protected under another, separate rule that went into effect on October 28, 2021. I believe NOAA owes it to the people of Hawai‘i to halt further action on time-area closures, and focus instead on how to implement its October 28th rule. In addition to requesting your personal attention to this matter, I ask that my letter be included with the public comments on the proposed rule.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senators-booker-and-scott-introduce-comprehensive-legislation-addressing-sickle-cell-disease,Senators Booker and Scott Introduce Comprehensive Legislation Addressing Sickle Cell Disease,2021-12-17,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tim Scott(R-SC) introduced the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act. This legislation would direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to create a Medicaid demonstration program to improve access to comprehensive, high-quality, outpatient care - including clinical and support services - for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL 07) and Congressman Michael C. Burgess (R-TX 26) introduced the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act in the House last week.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that disproportionately impacts people of African descent. Among the most notable symptoms of SCD is severe, debilitating pain, but people with SCD also experience complications like stroke, acute chest syndrome, and organ damage. Sadly, individuals with SCD have a significantly lower life expectancy than the overall population.

While some advancements in the field have been made recently, many with SCD are not receiving the level of care needed to adequately manage the disease. A Medicaid demonstration program, such as the one outlined in the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act, could significantly improve the quality of care SCD patients receive. Additionally, any improvements made as a result of this demonstration program would have the potential to meaningfully improve care for all SCD patients as approximately half of SCD patients in the U.S. are enrolled in Medicaid according to CMS data. Further, this demonstration program shows a lot of promise in saving money, as it aims to reduce patients’ reliance on costly emergency room care.

“People with sickle cell disease have for too long suffered from an underinvestment in federal funding and attention,” said Senator Booker. “The Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act would improve access to high-quality, comprehensive care for SCD patients and would be the greatest investment in SCD patients and care since our Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act that passed into law in 2018. I am proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Scott.”

“Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S., affecting one in every 365 Black Americans,” said Senator Scott. “Yet despite the prevalence of SCD, research and treatments remain far too limited. I’m proud to support today’s legislation that will help our medical community better treat individuals with this painful disease.”

“Sickle Cell Disease Association of America welcomes the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act and hopes that this will improve access to quality medical care for more individuals with sickle cell disease,” said Lewis Hsu, MD, PhDChief Medical Officer, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.

“We applaud Senators Booker and Scott for acknowledging and addressing the problem of lack of comprehensive care for individuals living with SCD,” said American Society of Hematology President Martin S. Tallman, MD. “As hematologists, we know that individuals living with SCD lack access to comprehensive care to manage their condition to avoid serious complications. Unfortunately, this means that these individuals – who are already burdened by a devastating disease – do not receive care that is holistic and tailored to their unique needs. The introduction of the new bill, which would provide an organized approach to primary and preventative care for individuals with SCD, is a crucial first step toward improving outcomes for the SCD community. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Senators Booker and Scott and other members of Congress to ensure that all people living with sickle cell disease get the care they need.”

“Representing African-American physicians across the nation, the National Medical Association (NMA) continues to advocate for and find solutions to eliminate health disparities faced by individuals with Sickle Cell Disease. We proudly support the Sickle Cell Comprehensive Care Act, which authorizes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to create a program for Medicaid beneficiaries living with Sickle Cell Disease, particularly young adults and pregnant persons. This innovative policy improves access to comprehensive outpatient care, specialists and resources in an effort to combat this disease and address critical gaps in care. The NMA understands that passage of this legislation is a crucial step in improving health outcomes and quality of life for this underserved population, as we strive to achieve equitable health care for all,” said Rachel Villanueva, MD FACOG, National President of National Medical Association.

Throughout his time in the Senate, Booker has raised awareness for sickle cell disease and advocated for equitable funding, increased attention, and better access to treatments and care for people with SCD. The Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act builds upon this work, including his bipartisan Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act that he introduced with Senator Scott and which passed and was signed into lawin 2018. Additionally, earlier this week, Senators Booker and Scott’s resolution designating September as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Month unanimously passed in the Senate.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/new-law-brings-more-than-224-million-in-new-funding-to-strengthen-hawaiis-roads-and-bridges-improve-safety-for-hawaii-families,"New Law Brings More Than $224 Million In New Funding To Strengthen Hawai‘i’s Roads And Bridges, Improve Safety For Hawai‘i Families",2021-12-17,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that Hawai‘i will receive $224,069,212 in federal funding to improve the state’s roads, bridges, and highways and implement strategies to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries. The federal funding from the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will also fund programs to cut traffic congestion, in turn reducing emissions and improving air quality.

“These crucial investments will rebuild our roads, bridges, and highways to make them safer and more resilient for everyone,” said Senator Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing. “The bipartisan infrastructure bill is already helping our state, and I’m proud to have supported it.”

This new funding is part of $52.5 billion in funding for Federal-aid Highway Program apportionments, an increase of more than 20 percent from last year. Federal-aid Highway Program funds are authorized by Congress to assist states in construction, reconstruction, and improvement of highways and bridges on eligible Federal-aid routes and for other special purpose programs and projects. This annual funding is based on a statutory formula contained in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed into law in November. Hawai‘i is expected to receive at least $2.8 billion in funding from the new law.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-gillibrand-announce-newly-passed-infrastructure-dollars-will-be-used-to-clean-up-superfund-sites-in-elmira-town-of-vestal-and-niagara-county,"SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEWLY-PASSED INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS WILL BE USED TO CLEAN UP SUPERFUND SITES IN ELMIRA, TOWN OF VESTAL, AND NIAGARA COUNTY",2021-12-17,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Of the 49 Backlogged Sites on the National Priorities List Receiving Funding, 3 New York Locations Prioritized For Hazardous Waste Cleanup

Projects in Elmira, Town of Vestal, and Niagara County Funded Following Schumer, Gillibrand Securing Record-Breaking Funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that due to funding secured through the bipartisan infrastructure and jobs package, the Environmental Protection Agency will accelerate hazardous waste cleanup in Elmira, the Town of Vestal, and Niagara County. Some of these projects have been listed on the EPA National Priorities List (NPL) for decades waiting for federal funding. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand fought to bring this critical funding back to New York to finalize hazardous waste cleanup at these sites. Because of this funding, the EPA will now facilitate the long-term cleanup of hazardous waste at the Vestal Water Supply Well 1-1 in Vestal, Facet Enterprises, Inc. in Elmira, and Eighteen Mile Creek in Niagara County.

“The recently-passed Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Law includes a surge of new funding for the federal Superfund program that we fought hard to deliver, and those dollars are now being put to use to jumpstart long-delayed clean-ups at toxic sites in Elmira, the town of Vestal, and Niagara County,” said Senator Schumer. “Cleaning up these toxic sites in Elmira, Vestal, and Niagara County is critical to protect the public health, clean up our environment and pave the way for economic regeneration at these locations. I applaud the EPA and President Biden for focusing on improving the Superfund program and moving quickly to put these infrastructure dollars to use to benefit the public and create new jobs.”

“I’m thrilled to announce that key Superfund sites located in Elmira, the town of Vestal, and Niagara County are receiving the funds needed to clean up hazardous waste in these communities. This critical funding is a direct result of the bipartisan infrastructure package and will help clean up these sites in order to keep the surrounding communities safe from exposure to harmful, toxic waste,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The health of New Yorkers should not be put at risk due to toxic waste dumps – period. I fought alongside Senator Schumer to secure and deliver this funding, and I am grateful to the Biden administration for quickly disbursing this money.”

The Vestal Water Supply Well 1-1 Superfund site located in Vestal, New York was one of three production wells in the Vestal Town Water District 1 intended to provide drinking water to several water districts in the area. Well 1-1 is moderately contaminated with several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and will receive thermal soil treatment. Other soil in the area contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) will be excavated and removed from the site.

The Facet Enterprises, Inc. facility is a 31-acre parcel of land in the Village of Elmira Heights. The facility was previously used to make products such as bicycle parts, automobile engine components and small arms for the military. Vapors from chemical contamination, primarily trichloroethylene (TCE), have seeped into more than 65 properties in the vicinity of this site. TCE can produce emissions that rise through the soil and potentially affect indoor air quality, a condition known as vapor intrusion. The EPA will use these federal funds to install vapor mitigation system to remove harmful chemicals from soil where there is potential for vapor intrusion, specifically trichloroethylene (TCE).

The Eighteen Mile Creek Superfund site located in Niagara County flows north for approximately 15 miles, discharging to Lake Ontario in Olcott. The Eighteen Mile Creek Corridor extends from the Creek's headwaters at the Barge Canal to Harwood Road in Lockport and contains most of the site's sediment, soil, and groundwater contamination. The federal funding will be used to excavate and dispose of lead and PCB contaminated sediment within the Creek Corridor. Additionally, soil at adjacent upland commercial properties will be excavated and disposed.

The Superfund program was established by Congress in 1980 to investigate and facilitate cleanup of the nation’s most complex, uncontrolled, and abandoned hazardous waste sites. Only sites added to the NPL are eligible to receive federal funding for long-term permanent cleanup. The EPA’s Superfund program operates under the “polluter pays” principle, giving the EPA the authority to require polluters to take responsibility for cleanup of the environmental contamination they caused. EPA adds sites to the NPL when mismanagement of contamination threatens human health and the environment.

The Senators outlined the sections of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act related to cleaning up pollution below:

$3.5 billion available for 5 years for the Remedial account within the Hazardous Substance Superfund. This section of the bill would allow the Environmental Protection Agency to invest in clean-ups and continue moving forward on remedial actions for Superfund sites.

$1.2 billion for the Brownfields competitive grants while raising grant caps for half of the competitive grant funding under this section ($600 million).

$1.5 billion equally distributed over 5 years for State and Tribal Assistance Grants: Brownfields This section of the bill would provide significant investment into the Brownfields program to help communities, States, Tribes and others to assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse contaminated properties.

$300 million for Brownfields categorical grants to support the development and progress being made under state-led Brownfields efforts. All state cost share requirements for this section have been waived.

$14.45 billion from reinstating certain Superfund fees that will be collected over the next 10 years and provide a steady stream of funding to clean up Superfund sites.

Senators Schumer and Gillibrand have long fought to address water contamination, expedite Superfund designations, and remove PFAS to protect public health in New York State. In 2017, following a multi-year push, the senators announced the EPA’s designation of Hoosick Falls as a Superfund site to facilitate cleanup of PFOA at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-delegation-calls-on-congressional-leaders-for-immediate-and-ongoing-federal-funding-to-respond-to-red-hill-water-contamination-crisis,Hawai‘i Delegation Calls On Congressional Leaders For Immediate And Ongoing Federal Funding To Respond To Red Hill Water Contamination Crisis,2021-12-16,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Kaiali‘i Kahele (D-Hawai‘i) today called on congressional leaders for their immediate assistance in securing federal funding to respond to the water contamination crisis at the Red Hill bulk fuel storage facility (RHBFSF).

“We must bring the full power of Congress to bear on the Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure that it is spending every dollar it has available to address this emergency right now,” the delegation wrote in their letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate and House Appropriations Committee Chairs. “We respectfully request your commitment to work with us to ensure that DoD senior leaders understand the gravity of the situation and commit whatever resources are required to identify, isolate, and remediate the source of the contamination; make impacted military and civilian families whole; and put in place water treatment and filtration to ensure the drinking water is safe for the public.”

The delegation made clear that resolving the water contamination crisis will take significant resources and federal funding must be robust and ongoing, writing, “We know that there are long-term questions that we must resolve around the future of RHBFSF. Whatever the final analysis on RHBFSF’s future, the immediate funding that Congress provides in the next available must-pass spending bill will ensure that we can deal with the future of the facility and its pipeline infrastructure in a responsible and safe manner, without any additional risks to public health or the environment.”

The full text of the delegation letter can be found below and is available here.

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, and Chairs Leahy, DeLauro, Tester, McCollum, Heinrich and Wasserman Schultz:

We write to inform you of an ongoing emergency on the island of Oahu and request your immediate assistance to secure the federal funding necessary to prevent permanent damage to Oahu’s federally designated sole-source groundwater aquifer. Since November 20, 2021, fuel from the World War II-era Red Hill bulk fuel storage facility (RHBFSF) has contaminated the Navy’s water system that services the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Ford Island, Ewa Beach, and Aliamanu areas. This fuel leak has affected almost 100,000 residents, forcibly displaced more than 3,500 military families into temporary lodging, and sickened many with rashes, sore throats, stomach pain, headaches, diarrhea and vomiting, and oral chemical burns.

In the last twenty months, RHBFSF has experienced fuel leaks at an increasingly alarming rate. While the Navy has not identified the source of the most recent fuel contamination, two previous leaks provide some explanation. On May 6, 2021, approximately 1,618 gallons of jet fuel leaked from a distribution pipeline inside RHBFSF because of an operator error during the transfer of fuel. At the time, the Navy said that its catchment system collected all but 38 gallons of the fuel. However, the commander of Pacific Fleet has now called these facts into question and reopened the investigation to determine the total fuel that leaked and why the Navy could not accurately account for missing fuel. On November 20, 2021, the Navy reported another leak of approximately 14,000 gallons of a mix of water and fuel in RHBFSF’s lower tunnel. That water-fuel mix released after an operator collided with a fire suppression line and ruptured it. The Navy has not explained how fuel got into the fire suppression line, including if it is fuel associated with the May 2021 release or some other leak. Regardless, the Hawai‘i Department of Health tested the water in the Navy’s Red Hill shaft and well adjacent to the fuel facility, detected gasoline- and diesel-range hydrocarbons at levels up to 350 times what the state considers safe, and recommended that users stop using the water.

Importantly, these recent fuel leaks follow a years-long effort by state and federal regulators to improve the safety of RHBFSF following a January 2014 leak when about 27,000 gallons of jet fuel leaked from a fuel tank. The Navy concluded that the cause of that specific leak was poor contractor performance during a routine tank repair. However, it also learned that the Navy ignored the alarm from its own leak monitoring system when it sounded. The 2014 accident and the leaks that followed are indicative of a Navy organizational culture at RHBFSF where safety and accountability are given inadequate attention—a culture that persists today.

We recognize that this is an ongoing public health emergency, and the Navy will need to continue to work with state and local regulators to address this crisis. It must also communicate its long-term needs to Congress so that we can provide the federal funding to protect the people of Hawai‘i and our service members and their families from continued threats to the drinking water. Nevertheless, we request your immediate assistance to make available all appropriate federal resources in the short-term to address this emergency. Specifically, we ask the following:

Demand the Department of Defense spare no expense to address the immediate crisis:

We must bring the full power of Congress to bear on the Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure that it is spending every dollar it has available to address this emergency right now. We are deeply concerned that despite this being a crisis of its own making, the Navy may be reluctant to spend the money required to meet the moment because of concerns about unknown future emergency needs or simply not wanting to own the long-term costs associated with this crisis.

We respectfully request your commitment to work with us to ensure that DoD senior leaders understand the gravity of the situation and commit whatever resources are required to identify, isolate, and remediate the source of the contamination; make impacted military and civilian families whole; and put in place water treatment and filtration to ensure the drinking water is safe for the public. Congress should assure the department that it will backfill its expenses in the next available funding bill so that it can continue to commit the serious resources needed to protect the people of Oahu from any continued public health threat, but DoD must act right away.

Fund future requirements as part of the next must-pass spending bill: We ask for your commitment that Congress will provide robust funding to support ongoing federal activities to improve safety and operations at RHBFSF. The next must-pass spending bill should provide the Navy, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Health and Human Services, and other federal agencies the resources they need to monitor, detect, and ultimately prevent future fuel leaks. While we will continue to work with federal, state, and local stakeholders to identify their precise needs, we see immediate funding requirements in three key areas:

Environmental protection: Congress must provide funding to maintain a local lab that can regularly test water samples at the concentration level that is necessary to ensure the drinking water remains safe. This lab should also have the capability to rapidly test contaminated soil to accurately assess any level of contamination. While the Navy has started the process to establish this lab at the University of Hawai‘i, we need to ensure it is well resourced for the long term. We also need to provide funding to strengthen EPA’s oversight of the Navy’s management of RHBFSF. Because it is clear that the Navy has failed to manage RHBFSF to a standard that protects the health and safety of the people of Hawai‘i, the EPA should take on a more involved oversight role of the facility. It has the expertise and the public’s trust in terms of safely managing underground fuel storage tanks, but it needs funding for this expanded oversight mission.

Infrastructure improvements: Congress must provide funding to rapidly improve the safety of RHBFSF’s pipeline system and other critical facility infrastructure. While the Navy has provided sustainment dollars to repair and modernize the fuel tanks and fire suppression system, the department has woefully underinvested in the pipelines that move fuel between the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam piers and the fuel farm. Portions of this decades-old pipeline system date back to the Second World War and are not managed in accordance with federal pipeline standards. We need a massive investment of sustainment funds to harden the facility’s infrastructure against accidents that could happen in the short run even as we deal with the future of RHBFSF. We also need to install leak detection systems in the underground tunnel network; make other emergency repair actions to critical facility infrastructure; and bring the pipeline network into compliance with the standards set by other federal agencies to help guard against future fuel leaks.

Study future risks: Congress must fund an urgent, comprehensive investigation of the RHBFSF fuel system to map out the underground network used to transfer fuel from the refueling pier to the fuel tanks so we can identify other future vulnerable points within the system, even as we make improvements in the short term. The Navy currently uses 1940s schematics of the pipeline system to inform its understanding of the network, and it does not know the extent of the infrastructure or its vulnerabilities.

We also need an independent hydrology study and ground water flow mapping study that will give state and local regulators, and the Navy, better information about the immediate and long-term risks surrounding RHBFSF. The underground fuel tanks are 100 feet above the island of Oahu’s federally designated sole source aquifer, the southern Oahu basal aquifer, which provides 20 percent of Oahu’s drinking water. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply has warned that a catastrophic fuel leak could cause a long-term contamination of the aquifer and threaten public health. Part of that concern stems from the uncertainty around how any fuel leak, including a catastrophic one, would move within the volcanic rock underneath RHBFSF, including if it would migrate in unpredictable ways toward groundwater aquifers or other drinking water wells.

These short-term investments are critical to address the ongoing contamination of the Navy’s drinking water system and to shore up RHBFSF to prevent future fuel leaks. We know that there are long-term questions that we must resolve around the future of RHBFSF. Whatever the final analysis on RHBFSF’s future, the immediate funding that Congress provides in the next available must-pass spending bill will ensure that we can deal with the future of the facility and its pipeline infrastructure in a responsible and safe manner, without any additional risks to public health or the environment.

Thank you for your support of our request and your effort to ensure that the people of Hawai‘i have access to safe drinking water, now and into the future.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/key-committee-advances-schatz-hirono-bipartisan-legislation-to-protect-coral-reefs,"Key Committee Advances Schatz, Hirono Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Coral Reefs",2021-12-16,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) applauded the Senate Committee on Commerce’s unanimous passage of their Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021 (S. 46). First introduced in August 2019, the bill would reauthorize and modernize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, strengthen NOAA’s Coral Reef program, and give new and innovative tools and resources to the non-federal partners who are closest to the crisis in American coral reefs: states, territories, and local communities. The bill unanimously passed the Senate in December 2020, but stalled in the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of the 116th Congress. The senators reintroduced the bill in January of this year.

“Our coral reefs have been pushed to the brink of extinction, and we need to act now to save them,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill would put federal funding in the hands of states and territories to manage and restore the coral reefs that our communities, oceans, and coasts depend on.”

“So much of Hawai‘i’s economy and culture rely on healthy coral ecosystems. With coral health declining due to outside pressures like pollution and climate change, our partners on the ground urgently need the tools provided by this bill to conserve and restore these important resources,” said Senator Hirono. “Now that the bill has passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee, I look forward to working with Senators Rubio, Schatz, and Scott to get this bill signed into law.”

The Coral Reef Conservation Act, which expired more than 15 years ago, was designed to promote the conservation of our nation’s reefs. In recent years, the decline in the nation’s coral reefs has only become more severe. The Restoring Resilient Reefs Act directs federal funding and technical assistance to states for the restoration and management of coral reef ecosystems, while incentivizing increased state and local investment in coral reef management capacity. The bill encourages innovative public-private Coral Reef Stewardship Partnerships among agencies, research centers, and community stakeholders; codifies and updates the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force; ensures that our national coral strategy is informed by a robust local stakeholder engagement process; and allows for emergency grants for coral disasters, among other measures.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/after-visiting-rochesters-hickey-freeman-earlier-this-year-schumer-calls-agriculture-secretary-vilsack-directly-to-urge-the-usda-to-release-desperately-needed-pandemic-relief-payments-to-wool-trust-fund-recipients_would-provide-much-needed-boost-to-domestic-textile-manufacturers-like-hickey-freeman-and-support-recently-announced-100-job-expansion,"AFTER VISITING ROCHESTER’S HICKEY FREEMAN EARLIER THIS YEAR, SCHUMER CALLS AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK DIRECTLY TO URGE THE USDA TO RELEASE DESPERATELY NEEDED PANDEMIC RELIEF PAYMENTS TO WOOL TRUST...",2021-12-16,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"American Textile Factories, Like Hickey Freeman, Stepped Up During The Pandemic To Manufacture Critical PPE For Their Community While Facing Tremendous Economic Losses

Schumer In Personal Call With Secretary Of Agriculture Says Pandemic Relief Payments To Wool Trust Fund Recipients, Like Hickey Freeman, Should Be Released ASAP To Get These Companies On The Road To Recovery

Schumer: USDA Must Help Patch Up The Significant Losses Faced By Textile Industry, Give Hickey Freeman The Support They Need To Continue To Grow And Support 100 New Jobs

Following his visit earlier this year to announce 100 new jobs after fighting for years to keep the Hickey Freeman factory in business, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer made a personal call to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary, Tom Vilsack, to urge the USDA to provide pandemic relief payments to domestic textile manufacturers like Hickey Freeman, which have sustained tremendous pandemic-induced losses. On the call, Schumer said Congress has already allocated funds under the CARES Act so the USDA would have the necessary resources to offer support to an array of business impacted by the pandemic and that the USDA can use this funding to aid the domestic textile industry, including companies like Hickey Freeman, as it recovers from the pandemic.

“Companies like Hickey Freeman stepped up to help their communities in the pandemic while facing tremendous economic losses. That’s why I called Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to urge him to use the funding in the CARES Act to provide desperately needed relief to domestic textile manufacturers like Hickey Freeman,” said Senator Schumer. “This funding, in tandem with recent wins like my Make PPE In America Act in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, would provide critical support for the continued growth of this 122-year-old Rochester icon. I will continue to fight tooth and nail so that Hickey Freeman can fully recover and maintain their robust presence in Rochester.”

Stephen Granovsky, CEO of Hickey Freeman parent company Rochester Tailored Clothing said, “The last 20 months have been a tremendously challenging time for our factory and employees. To restore our company to health and compete successfully, we appreciate the support of Senator Schumer, who has so many times before answered our call and worked tirelessly on our behalf. Hickey Freeman is once again leading our industry and we are forever thankful to the Senator.”

Schumer explained that companies like Hickey Freeman are recipients of the USDA’s Wool Trust Fund which compensates the domestic suit industry for the competitive disadvantage that results from an unfair “tariff inversion” where the duty on the imported finished product is lower than the duty on the inputs used to make the product here at home. The program is essential to put companies like Hickey Freeman back on a level playing field with overseas suit competitors who import suits into the U.S. without ever having to pay the same wool duties as U.S. suit producers. Without the Wool Trust Fund, Hickey Freeman’s overseas competitors would have an unfair leg-up while putting our own U.S. manufacturers like Hickey Freeman in the lurch for making suits in the USA.

During the pandemic, however, the industry was hit hard by decreased consumer spending, cancelled formal events, and shifts in demand. Thus, Schumer said additional support beyond what the Trust Fund can provide is needed to protect the domestic market, allow companies to recover from the pandemic, and help businesses, like Hickey Freeman, expand and create new jobs.

Schumer said the CARES Act included additional funds to the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), which can be used to assist industries as they continues to recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic and that the USDA should use this funding to support the domestic textile industry, including companies like Hickey Freeman.

Schumer has long fought to keep Hickey Freeman in business in Rochester. In 2009, when Hickey Freeman’s parent company at the time, Hartmarx, declared bankruptcy, threatening a liquidation and closure of the Rochester factory, Schumer led the charge to save this factory. Schumer successfully urged Hartmarx’s creditor, Wells Fargo, to continue providing Hartmarx with the credit they needed to continue manufacturing jobs in Rochester, saving hundreds of jobs. Ultimately, in 2012 Schumer helped save Hickey Freeman from bankruptcy, by shepherding a deal that allowed Grano Retail’s Luxury Men’s Apparel Group (LMAG), in partnership with Hickey Freeman Brand owner Authentic Brands Group (ABG) to take over the Hickey Freeman Rochester factory in 2013. In the time since, Schumer support helped LMAG and Hickey Freeman secure new contracts to manufacture suits for Dillard’s Department Store as well as for Ralph Lauren’s Blue Label line of Polo suits and sports jackets, and even for Hickey Freeman to help produce clothing for the 2016 Team USA Olympic Team.

In 2014, Schumer was instrumental to first secure legislation in that year’s federal Farm Bill to extend the Wool Trust Fund’s authorization for five years through 2019 and to secondly restore adequate trust fund payment levels to address several years when the Trust was underfunded. In December 2018, Schumer secured the provision in the Federal Farm Bill that fully funded the federal Wool Trust Fund program through 2023 which saves Hickey Freeman as much as $3 million a year in relief from unfair tariffs. The Wool Trust Fund was set to expire in 2019, and while the House of Representatives’ version of the Farm Bill included a provision to extend the trust fund until 2023 it also called for the Fund to be cut by 50% which would have jeopardized the viability of Rochester’s Hickey Freeman factory. Fortunately, Schumer secured a provision in the Senate’s version of the Farm Bill and in the final bill that was signed into law in December 2018 that not only extended the Trust Fund program until 2023, but also fully funded it at 100%. As a result of these efforts, Hickey Freeman’s Rochester factory is one of the few remaining US-based suit and apparel manufacturers.

A copy of Schumer’s letter to Secretary Vilsack sent earlier this year appears below:

Dear Secretary Vilsack,

I am writing to ask that the U.S. Department of Agriculture provide additional support for domestic manufacturers of tailored clothing and wool and cotton textile products. These manufacturers and producers have faced incredible challenges over the past year and a half and I urge USDA to use its existing authority and funding through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to assist this industry as it continues to recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic.

As you know, the Pima Agriculture Cotton and Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund programs were established to support the domestic textile industry, including companies in New York State like Hickey Freeman Tailored Clothing and Martin Greenfield Clothiers, and level the playing field to ensure domestic manufacturers and their U.S. workforce could compete against foreign manufacturers. Past support from the Trust Funds has been invaluable to the domestic textile industry. However, during the pandemic the industry was hit hard by decreased consumer spending, cancelled formal events, and shifts in demand. Additional support beyond what the Trust Funds can provide is needed to protect the domestic market, allow companies to recover from the pandemic, and help businesses expand into new markets.

I urge you to use a portion of the CCC funding to help fill this gap. The CCC can be used to expand or develop new domestic markets and increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities. At the offset of the pandemic, Congress allocated additional funds for the CCC under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act so USDA would have the necessary resources to offer support to agricultural producers impacted by the pandemic. Using this funding to support the domestic textile industry as it recovers from the pandemic would be consistent with this goal.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has both the authority and the funding to provide essential relief to this hard-hit industry. I ask that you seriously consider disbursing payments through the CCC to ensure domestic manufacturers and producers receive the support they need to recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic by specifically making a payment in an amount equal to the greater of what the Trust Fund recipient companies received in 2019 or 2020.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact my staff.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-gillibrand-announce-more-than-130-million-in-federal-funding-for-new-york-airports-,"SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $130 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NEW YORK AIRPORTS",2021-12-16,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $136,977,897 in federal funding for 59 airports across New York State. The FY22 funding was allocated through the recently enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and can be used for improvements related to runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport-transit connections and roadway projects.

“Air travel was severely impacted during the pandemic, and this tremendous investment from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, which I championed in the Senate, will help New York’s airports and local economies take off,” said Senator Schumer. “Upstate Airports connect businesses and residents and allow economic opportunities to cruise in. As majority leader, I am proud to land this significant funding for New York’s airports and will continue to fight for the resources needed to fully recover and reach new heights.”

“New York’s airports connect our state with the world, creating economic opportunity, facilitating tourism, and providing a safe and efficient travel experience,” said Senator Gillibrand. “That’s why I’m proud to have voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to deliver this historic investment to over 50 airports across New York State. These funds will allow our airports to recover from the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic and meet the ever-increasing demand for air travel. I’ll keep fighting for federal resources to bolster and modernize New York’s infrastructure.”

A full list of recipients is below:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-airports-set-to-receive-nearly-50-million-to-improve-infrastructure-safety,"Hawai‘i Airports Set To Receive Nearly $50 Million To Improve Infrastructure, Safety",2021-12-15,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that Hawai‘i airports will receive $49.3 million in new federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The new funding will help support airport infrastructure projects that improve safety and operations efficiency, cut congestion, and reduce the airport’s impact on the environment and neighboring communities.

“Hawai‘i’s airports will soon be getting millions to help make it safer and easier for passengers to fly,” said Senator Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing. “The historic infrastructure law we passed last month is already delivering funding to support our airports, roads, and transit systems, and we expect even more in the coming months and years.”

The nearly $50 million in funding for Hawai‘i airports includes:

$5.9 million for airports on Kauai

$21.2 million for airports on Oahu

$1.2 million for airports on Molokai

$1 million for Lanai Airport

$9.5 million for airports on Maui

$10.4 million for airports on Hawai‘i Island

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-ftc-announcement-of-rulemaking-consideration-on-algorithmic-decision-making,Schatz Statement On FTC Announcement Of Rulemaking Consideration On Algorithmic Decision-Making,2021-12-15,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) today released the following statement after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it was considering initiating a rulemaking under Section 18 of the FTC Act to ensure algorithmic decision-making does not result in unlawful discrimination. The announcement follows calls from Schatz to take action on this decision-making.

“Algorithms are used everywhere, and their malicious use causes real harm to Americans every day. I’m glad to see Chair Khan and the agency take this step to crack down on companies using discriminatory algorithms. It’s crucial that we address this. I encourage the FTC not only to pursue its Section 18 authority to ensure accountability for the use of these algorithms, but to consider additional enforcement under other statutes including the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.”

Last week, Senator Schatz led calls in the Senate Commerce Committee encouraging the FTC to use its authority to more closely scrutinize these algorithms. Earlier this year he reintroduced the Data Care Act, legislation which would require websites, apps, and other online providers to take responsible steps to safeguard personal information and stop the misuse of users’ data, and the Platform Accountability and Consumer Transparency (PACT) Act, which would empower the FTC to make platforms’ manual and automated content moderation practices more transparent and prevent companies from using Section 230 as a defense against government, including the FTC and Department of Justice, civil actions to protect consumers.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-gillibrand-announce-more-than-1-million-in-federal-funding-to-expand-access-to-broadband-in-the-southern-tier-and-finger-lakes,"SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO EXPAND ACCESS TO BROADBAND IN THE SOUTHERN TIER AND FINGER LAKES",2021-12-15,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Today, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $1,094,614 in federal funding for the towns of Dryden and Caton to expand access to broadband internet. The funding was allocated through the Appalachian Regional Commission and will be used to install fiber optic cables and establish telecommunications towers to provide broadband services to over 4,000 households and roughly 300 businesses in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes that currently lack reliable internet access.

“Long before COVID-19, rural and urban communities throughout the Southern Tier and Upstate New York have struggled to close the digital divide. Reliable, fast internet access isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity required to create good-paying jobs, to communicate, to access health care, to shop, and to learn,” said Senator Schumer. “I am proud to deliver this investment which will help the Town of Dryden and the Town of Caton close the digital divide. I’ll continue fighting tooth and nail to bring the Southern Tier’s broadband infrastructure into the 21st century.”

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, millions of New Yorkers have relied on the internet to work, learn, receive health care, and see their loved ones,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Yet in too many of our rural communities, internet access is unreliable or nonexistent, meaning that the more than 1 million households in New York State that lack broadband are cut off from critical services and economic opportunity. This funding is an important step to help close the digital divide and spur economic growth in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes. I’ll keep fighting to ensure that every New Yorker, regardless of zip code, has access to fast, reliable internet.”

""We are happy ARC is supporting Dryden Fiber, which will provide residents, educators, and businesses in Dryden with fast, reliable and affordable municipal broadband internet service,” said Dryden town supervisor, Jason Leifer. “Dryden Fiber will begin construction and serve customers in 2022.""

“This is great news for Dryden residents and a major boost for our project,” added Dryden deputy town supervisor, Dan Lamb. “We are fortunate to have federal leaders, like Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand, who recognize the importance of expanding internet access in rural areas.”

The Town of Caton will receive $470,000 to establish four new broadband telecommunications towers to bring broadband services to the communities of Caton and Lindley. The Town of Dryden will receive $624,614 to install 13.5 miles of fiber optic cabling that will service 50 public school buildings, 4 vocational school campuses, 28 public libraries, and multiple universities.

Senators Schumer and Gillibrand have been longtime advocates for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and expanding high-speed internet access in the Southern Tier. In the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Schumer and Gillibrand secured $1 billion for the ARC over 5 years, increasing the budget to $200 million per year through 2026, including $20 million per year in dedicated funding to deploy high-speed internet across the region. The legislation also includes nearly $2 billion for USDA’s ReConnect Program for the construction or improvement of facilities that provide broadband services in rural areas and $14.2 billion to create a permanent, sustainable Affordable Connectivity Benefit that will provide a $30 per month voucher for low-income families to use toward any internet service plan of their choosing. Schumer said this investment would provide additional support for broadband, economic development, infrastructure, and workforce development programs to improve the quality of life and create new business growth and job opportunities across the Southern Tier and throughout Upstate NY. Over the last decade, the ARC has helped fund over $32 million in essential projects for Upstate NY, helping create or retain over 4,400 jobs. Projects have included expanded access to high-speed internet, projects to reduce energy costs, support for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and workforce training.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-cardin-sanders-introduce-legislation-to-create-special-envoy-to-monitor-and-address-islamophobia,"Booker, Cardin, Sanders Introduce Legislation to Create Special Envoy to Monitor and Address Islamophobia",2021-12-14,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced the Combating International Islamophobia Act, legislation that would require the Department of State to establish a Special Envoy for tracking and combatting Islamophobia globally. The creation of the Special Envoy will also help lawmakers and other government officials better understand anti-Muslim hatred and violence, allowing for the development of a comprehensive strategy that will establish U.S. leadership in addressing Islamophobia worldwide.

The legislation is the Senate companion to a House bill introduced by Representatives Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-9). The House is expected to consider Omar and Schakowsky’s bill for passage as early as today.

In a recent survey conducted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), 69% of American Muslims responded that they have personally experienced anti-Muslim bigotry or discrimination since 9/11. In March, the United Nations Human Rights Council cited discrimination and hatred toward Muslims had risen to “epidemic proportions.”

“We’ve witnessed in recent years an alarming rise in Islamophobia both in the United States and globally that has threatened the religious freedom, well-being, and lives of Muslims,” said Sen. Booker. “Establishing a Special Envoy at the State Department is an important step that we should take to develop a comprehensive plan to reverse this trend and position the U.S. as a global leader in combating hate.”

“For over a decade, we have seen a rise in Islamophobia around the country and around the world. The United States should be a global leader in fighting such intolerance. So I am proud today to be joining my Senate colleagues in introducing the Combating International Islamophobia Act. This bill would elevate our commitment to freedom of religion and further protect the rights of Muslims everywhere, ” said Senator Cardin, who serves as the Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance for the 57-nation Organization Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly.

""The Council on American-Islamic Relations thanks Senator Cory Booker for introducing a Senate companion to the Combating International Islamophobia Act,” said Nihad Awad, Executive Director of CAIR. “It is important to American Muslims, and Muslims around the world that Congress supports the creation of a U.S. Special Envoy at the Department of State to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia. Passing this act into law will equip our nation with the necessary tools to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Muslims here in the United States and abroad, given the transnational nature of Islamophobic hate.""

""CAIR New Jersey thanks Senator Cory Booker for introducing the Combating International Islamophobia Act,” said Selaedin Maksut, Executive Director of CAIR-New Jersey. “By monitoring and confronting the rising tide of global Islamophobia, the U.S. can help ensure the religious freedom of Muslims around the world. The New Jersey Muslim community supports the creation of a special envoy position to monitor and combat this rising tide of anti-Muslim hate – and the Combating International Islamophobia Act would make this special envoy position a reality.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-norcross-celebrate-expansion-of-the-enterprise-center-into-new-jersey,"Booker, Norcross Celebrate Expansion of The Enterprise Center Into New Jersey",2021-12-14,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"Newark, NJ - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-01) celebrated the New Jersey launch of The Enterprise Center, a nonprofit organization that has secured contracts to create two distinct entities: the New Jersey Minority Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center and the Camden Cares Business Center. Through these contracts, The Enterprise Center will help minority-owned businesses in New Jersey access capital, business development opportunities, and contracts to grow their operations as well as provide technical assistance, training services, and funding application support to COVID-impacted businesses in Camden.

Citing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on minority small business and historical racial inequities within the financial system, Booker urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to establish a Minority Business Center in New Jersey earlier this year. Over the past years, he has also worked to ensure that the MBDA is permanently authorized, an effort that was recently signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal.

“The devastating economic effects of this pandemic have disproportionately impacted minority small businesses across America, with nearly half of Black and one-third of Latino small businesses being forced to shut down - some permanently,” said Sen. Booker. “However, we know that minority businesses and entrepreneurs were struggling even before the pandemic, and historic inequities and barriers were merely exacerbated by this crisis. That is why I’ve fought to make the MBDA permanent and fought to open the first Minority Business Center here in New Jersey so that our residents don’t have to travel out of state to access these services. As it launches today, I know that The Enterprise Center will offer critical resources and assistance to our state’s underserved small businesses for years to come.”

“We know that our financial institutions can and need to be better if we’re going to expand equal opportunity to everyone in our community,” said Rep. Norcross. “I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for accessible education and career training, and I know that having The Enterprise Center in Camden will help level the playing field by opening doors to opportunity and increasing access to vital resources for local minority-owned businesses.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senate-passes-booker-scott-resolution-raising-awareness-of-sickle-cell-disease,"Senate Passes Booker, Scott Resolution Raising Awareness of Sickle Cell Disease",2021-12-14,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Tim Scott’s (R-S.C.) resolution designating September as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Month.

“Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in our country, and yet research, treatment, and awareness efforts for the disease still lag far behind other chronic illnesses,” said Senator Booker. “More work and research remains to be done, and we must continue to raise awareness of sickle cell disease and ensure that communities that are largely affected by this condition have equitable access to care and treatments that help improve their health. I am proud to lead the Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month resolution with Senator Scott and I will continue to champion federal initiatives to raise awareness, improve access to care, and help find a cure for this disease.”

“Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S., affecting one in every 365 Black Americans,” said Senator Scott. “Yet despite the prevalence of SCD, research and treatments remain far too limited. With this resolution, we commit to raising awareness and seeking out legislation that will help our medical community fight—and one day, cure—this painful disease.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-hawaii-sees-rise-in-cyberattacks-schatz-legislation-to-help-fight-cybercrime-passes-senate,"As Hawai‘i Sees Rise In Cyberattacks, Schatz Legislation To Help Fight Cybercrime Passes Senate",2021-12-14,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate last week passed the Better Cybercrime Metrics Act, legislation authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that would help fight cybercrime and help keep people safe from online scams. The bipartisan bill will improve data collection on cybercrimes, giving law enforcement and policy makers more tools to understand the size and scope of cybercrime in the United States.

“To protect people and fight online crimes, including scams and hacks like those we’ve seen recently in Honolulu against our public transit and water systems, we need to understand how often, when, and where they’re happening. With our bipartisan bill now one step closer to becoming law, we’ll soon be equipped with the data we need to go after criminals and provide more support to victims of cybercrime,” said Senator Schatz.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are targets of cybercrime incidents that cost billions of dollars. Whether done through online scams and fraud, corporate data breaches, or ransomware attacks, the cost of cybercrime has been increasing annually, from $3.5 billion in 2019 to $4.2 billion in 2020, and impacts an estimated 300,000 to 700,000 victims each year. This month, cyberattacks against Honolulu’s TheBus and Handi-Van’s public transit systems and the Board of Water Supply have left passengers without rides and employees with their personal data exposed.

Unfortunately, these numbers are likely low, as there are no comprehensive metrics on the scale and impact of cybercrime in the United States, or on law enforcement efforts against them. Only 10 to 12 percent of all estimated cybercrime victims report cybercrime incidents in the United States, while other estimates have put that number much higher.

The Better Cybercrime Metrics Act will give law enforcement a clearer picture of online crimes in the United States by requiring the FBI to integrate cybercrime incidents into its current reporting streams to better understand all the types of crime that Americans face. As cybercriminals continue to target vulnerable populations, this data will help lawmakers make an informed case for policy changes to curtail the cybercrime wave, keep Americans safe, and bring these criminals to justice.

The Better Cybercrime Metrics Act will:

Require the FBI to report metrics on cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime categories, just as they do for other types of property crime;

Encourage local and federal law enforcement agencies to report incidents of cybercrime in their jurisdictions to the FBI;

Authorize a study at the National Academies of Science to create a taxonomy for cybercrime incidents in consultation with federal, state, local, and tribal stakeholders, criminologists, and business leaders that would inform the FBI’s reporting of cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime; and

Require the Bureau of Justice Statistics at the Department of Justice and the Census Bureau to include questions related to cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime as part of its annual National Crime Victimization Survey.

The legislation is supported by the National White Collar Crime Center (NWC3), former U.S. Attorney and Los Angeles Police Commissioner Eileen M. Decker, the Cybercrime Support Network (CSN), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and the Major County Sheriffs of America.

The bill now heads to the House of Representation for consideration. The full text of the bill is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-391-hawaii-health-care-providers-to-receive-nearly-37-million-in-federal-covid-19-relief-funding-to-respond-to-pandemic-help-families-get-health-care,"Schatz: 391 Hawai‘i Health Care Providers To Receive Nearly $37 Million In Federal COVID-19 Relief Funding To Respond To Pandemic, Help Families Get Health Care",2021-12-14,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that 391 health care providers in Hawai‘i will receive $36,994,939 in federal funding to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and continue providing health care for families across the state. The payments will support health care providers who have experienced revenue losses and expenses related to the pandemic. This funding, from the Department of Health and Human Services, focuses in particular on smaller providers and providers serving the most vulnerable communities.

“As we continue battling the pandemic, it’s incredibly important that our health care providers have the resources they need to provide high-quality care to families across Hawai‘i,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This new federal funding will help these providers keep their doors open and keep people safe and healthy.”

This new funding is part of the $178 billion Provider Relief Fund authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021. The grants will allow health care providers to recruit and retain staff, purchase masks and other supplies, modernize facilities, or undertake other projects in response to COVID-19. Today’s announcement follows last month’s announcement of $43 million in federal funding under the American Rescue Plan for 240 rural health care providers to provide care for families across the state.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-schumers-push-danone-extends-upstate-ny-contracts-to-2023-danone-originally-planned-to-terminate-almost-100-northeast-dairy-farms-but-schumer-intervened-and-secured-contract-extension_-assistance-to-impacted-farms-and-resources-to-help-farmers-stay-in-operation--,"FOLLOWING SCHUMER’S PUSH, DANONE EXTENDS UPSTATE NY CONTRACTS TO 2023; DANONE ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO TERMINATE ALMOST 100 NORTHEAST DAIRY FARMS, BUT SCHUMER INTERVENED AND SECURED CONTRACT EXTENSION,  ...",2021-12-14,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"When Danone North America Announced Plans To Leave Organic Dairy Farms In Upstate, Schumer Immediately Began Working To Ensure These Struggling Farmers Would Have All Resources Made Available To Help Them Survive

After Schumer’s Direct Advocacy, Danone Will Now Extend Dairy Contracts Till 2023, Make Transition Payments To Farmers, & Provide Access To Farm Financial Consultants To Affected Farms

Following news that Horizon Organic, a subsidiary of multinational food conglomerate Danone, planned to terminate contracts with organic dairy farmers across the northeast, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced Danone has heeded his call to provide financial support and resources to Upstate New York dairy farms impacted by their decision and importantly also to extend the contracts until 2023, which were previously set to expire in August 2022, to ease the impact on farmers and give them time to transition. Schumer wrote a letter to Danone in October calling for the continued support of affected farms and said the commitment he secured from Danone will help ensure farmers have the resources and time they desperately needed to transition and remain in operation.

“New York’s dairy farmers are the lifeblood of the Upstate economy and produce some of the best dairy the nation has to offer. I’m pleased that Danone heeded my call, stepped up, and provided the impacted farmers contract extensions and the needed resources to ensure their long-term economic viability,” said Senator Schumer. “This is a wonderful early Christmas present for the dairy farmers and will allot them critical additional time and the financial payments they deserve as they move forward. I am thankful that Danone responded to my request, and I will continue to closely monitor the situation and fight to make sure these dairy farmers have all the support needed in this difficult period.”

Specifically, after Schumer’s direct advocacy, Danone has now said that they will:

Provide affected producers the option to extend their current contract an additional six months, for a total of 18-months, ending on February 28, 2023.

Provide a transition payment of an additional amount per hundredweight on the milk Danone purchased from these producers. Danone also is providing this additional financial support to the Northeast farmers who have already exited the network after receiving the non-renewal notification, by providing such transition payment for the milk purchased in the last six months of their relationship.

Provide access, at no cost to the farmer, to farm financial consultants that specialize in providing support for the agriculture community to help plan the future of their farms.

Schumer said that this support will help ease the impact of the contract termination on the organic dairy community and create a greater window of opportunity for the farms to plan for the future.

In addition to his direct advocacy with Danone, Schumer also recently called on U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to move to close organic loopholes and use whatever funding sources and programs available to support small and mid-sized organic dairy farmers ASAP. Specifically, he called on Secretary Vilsack to act on the Origin of Livestock Rule, which was first initiated in 2015, to close a loophole that has allowed large-scale producers in some states to rotate animals in and out of organic management and sell under an organic label. The senator argued that not only does this practice threaten the livelihoods of small- and mid-size organic dairy farmers, but it also undermines consumer confidence in the organic label, leading to an overall negative view of the entire industry. Therefore, Schumer called on USDA to finalize the Origin of Livestock rule, and close the loophole in organic dairy farming.

Schumer also called on USDA to use any and all tools at the agency’s disposal to support the farmers affected by Danone’s decision to terminate contracts and work with stakeholders to expand market channels for their products. This includes expanded support through the USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers program, targeted investments in processing capacity and transportation efficiencies for businesses that can contract with these farmers, as well as temporary price supports to allow these farmers to transition to new markets.

Senator Schumer’s original letter to Danone appears below:

Dear Mr. Grant,

I write to inquire about Danone’s recent decision to terminate a reported eighty-nine contracts with organic dairy farms in the Northeast. According to the Albany Times Union report from September 17, 2021, more than half of the farms impacted —forty-six—are located in Upstate New York, including seventeen in just Washington County – nearly 20% of the county’s farms. Considering the significant impact to Upstate New York farms, communities, and local economies, most in the North Country region, I ask that you provide some detailed information regarding Danone’s recent decision to terminate the contracts, how this decision was reached, the projected timeline, and what communication and resources have been and will be provided to the impacted farms across the state.

With Danone North America located in White Plains, New York, I’m confident that Danone is aware that New York’s organic dairies produce some of the best organic dairy products in the nation and our dairy farmers are a vital part of our state’s culture and economy. As of 2019, New York had approximately 600 organic dairy farms which produced more than 386 million pounds of milk and represented about $121 million in sales. Many of the New York organic farms Danone contracted with made the transition to organic farming specifically to work with Danone in order to secure a reliable and sustainable income source and become more environmentally-conscious to combat the ever-growing challenges presented by climate change. Losing contracts with Danone will create additional hardships for our organic dairy farmers, many of whom are still struggling to recover from the supply chain disruptions, shifts in consumer demands, and other economic hardships exacerbated by the global health and economic crises of the past year.

I seek to gain clarity regarding Danone’s recent decision. Your replies to the following question would be deeply appreciated:

Can you please confirm the number of New York farms that have been notified of contract termination and their locations across the state?

What is the timeline and process for termination?

Can you explain why the contracts were terminated and what process Danone underwent to come to this decision?

What services, opportunities, and/or relief will be provided to the impacted farms and farmers?

What aid, if any, will Danone be giving to the impacted farms to gain employment or contracts elsewhere?

Once these contracts are complete, how many farms in New York State will Danone be working with and what is the average herd size at those farms?

As you may know, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently reopened their comment period regarding the Origin of Livestock rule. Currently, the statute is somewhat vague and has created an unequal playing field for organic producers in New York. What, if any, role did the USDA’s Origin of Livestock rule play in this decision?

In New York our organic dairy farms are sewn into the very fabric of Upstate New York. It is critical that these organic dairy farms receive the support they need to remain in operation and the information necessary to map out their futures.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to receiving your response.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hawaii-island-selected-as-finalist-for-up-to-100-million-grant-to-support-local-farmers-help-grow-agricultural-economy,"Schatz: Hawai‘i Island Selected As Finalist For Up To $100 Million Grant To Support Local Farmers, Help Grow Agricultural Economy",2021-12-13,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the Hawai‘i Island Coalition was named a finalist for the Biden Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge and will receive $500,000 to further develop a proposal for between $25 and $100 million in potential future grant funding. If successful, the coalition would use the funds to create jobs, train workers, and expand the market reach of Hawai‘i Island’s farmers.

“This announcement is great news for the Big Island and the state,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Investing in agriculture will create jobs, support families, and grow our local economy. I’ll do everything I can to get this application over the finish line and make sure Hawai‘i secures this federal funding.”

The Hawai‘i Island Coalition, led by Hawai‘i County, seeks to create a robust agricultural economy that corrects past systemic barriers to growth that are unique to islands, while also helping respond to economic downturns due to the pandemic and natural disasters. The coalition aims to divert 20 percent of Hawai‘i’s food import market to local producers, creating thousands of new jobs and stimulating the specialty export market. If successful in securing the larger grant, the coalition would build an industrial park, train workers, and increase food processing and production capacity.

The Economic Development Administration launched the Build Back Better Regional Challenge with funds provided by the American Rescue Plan, which Congress passed – and Senator Schatz supported – earlier this year. The challenge leverages $1 billion to boost economic recovery from the pandemic and rebuild American communities, with 30 winners receiving grants worth between $25-100 million to develop local initiatives. The Hawai‘i Island Coalition is one of 60 finalists selected from 529 applications.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-his-direct-advocacy-schumer-announces-binghamtons-new-energy-ny-project-selected-as-one-of-nations-first-awardees-for-phase-1-of-build-back-better-challenge-bringing-500k-and-a-national-spotlight-on-the-southern-tier-as-an-emerging-battery-manufacturing-hub-and-putting-the-project-in-the-running-for-up-to-100-million-federal-investment,"FOLLOWING HIS DIRECT ADVOCACY, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES BINGHAMTON’S NEW ENERGY NY PROJECT SELECTED AS ONE OF NATION’S FIRST AWARDEES FOR PHASE 1 OF BUILD BACK BETTER CHALLENGE, BRINGING $500K AND A NATIONAL...",2021-12-13,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"BBB Regional Challenge Phase 1 Grant Will Provide $500,000 In Technical Assistance Funding To Develop Proposal To Supercharge Southern Tier Battery Manufacturing And Allow Project To Compete In Exclusive Phase 2 For Up to $100 Million Award To Transform The Southern Tier Economy

Senator Says Project Brings Together Major Regional Stakeholders: Binghamton University, SUNY Broome, Rochester Institute of Technology, NY-BEST, And More To Turn Upstate New York Into A Battery Manufacturing Powerhouse

Schumer: Southern Tier’s New Energy NY Project Being Selected As A BBB Challenge Finalist Is A Game Changer That Will Put Broome County On The Map For Battery Manufacturing

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced that following his direct advocacy the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has selected the Binghamton University-led New Energy New York battery manufacturing project as a Phase 1 awardee and finalist for investment through the American Rescue Plan’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Schumer said that as a Phase 1 awardee the project will receive $500,000 in technical assistance funds to develop its proposal to expand research, development, testing, and workforce assets to meet the demand of the emerging battery manufacturing industry in the Southern Tier and Upstate NY. If fully funded, the project estimates that over a 10 year period as many as 8,000 jobs new direct jobs would be created as a result of this effort, with the potential to support or sustain thousands of additional indirect jobs. Schumer explained that as a finalist, the project will have the exclusive opportunity to compete for up to a $100 million federal award to the region through the EDA to implement the proposed projects.

“This is BIG news for Binghamton. The Southern Tier has long been a home to innovation, as the birthplace of IBM, flight simulation and virtual reality, and it continues to do groundbreaking research through world-renowned institutions like Binghamton University. Now, many more will see what I’ve long-known: the Southern Tier has all the right ingredients to be the nation’s next battery manufacturing and research hub,” said Senator Schumer. “This award will bring $500 thousand into the region and make the New Energy NY project eligible for an up to $100 million federal award to transform the Greater Binghamton area and broader Upstate New York region, create thousands of jobs, fuel the innovation necessary to combat climate change, and importantly strengthen a critical area of the U.S. domestic manufacturing supply chain. I am proud to have fought for the New Energy NY project to be selected for Phase 1 and I will continue to fight tooth and nail to secure the final award and supercharge this growing area of the Upstate New York economy.”

""We've worked for so many years to advance battery storage technologies and now more than ever, these advancements are needed to not only create jobs and improve the regional economy, they are crucial to our nation's energy goals and energy security efforts,"" said M. Stanley Whittingham, Binghamton University distinguished professor, researcher and 2019 Nobel prize winner in chemistry. ""Our NENY proposal can turn our region into an energy technology hub that has the potential to turn out advancements that will have national and global impacts. We are excited to get working on the next phase and thank Sen. Schumer and the Economic Development Administration for understanding and seeing the potential of this initiative.""

""When Stan Whittingham and Per Stromhaug discussed this proposal with me, it just made so much sense. With the appropriate support, we can become a national hub for battery innovation, manufacturing and workforce development,"" said President Harvey Stenger, Binghamton University. ""We thank Sen. Schumer for his support on this as well as all that he does for our University and we thank the EDA for understanding and supporting our vision and providing us the necessary resources to move this forward.""

Schumer said that the Build Back Better Regional Challenge received 529 Phase 1 applications from across the United States, and the New Energy NY project was one of 60 proposals selected as a Phase 1 awardee. Schumer emphasized that receiving this award and entering the competition for Phase 2 funding will shine a national spotlight on Binghamton and the Southern Tier as a rapidly growing battery-manufacturing hub, prime for investment and new jobs.

Schumer explained that specifically, funding through the EDA would be used in planning for a battery technology and manufacturing center hosted by Binghamton University, with a focus on further supporting economic resurgence in an underdeveloped area of the Southern Tier. In addition, the proposal would also build on regional programs to help spur entrepreneurship, climate justice, and workforce training through higher education partnerships. Project collaborators include a wide swath of the region’s universities, including Binghamton University, SUNY Broome, SUNY Corning Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology, as well as NY-BEST and other key stakeholders like IncubatorWorks, Clean Fight NY as well as county and state government entities.

The $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge, funded by the American Rescue Plan that Schumer crafted and led to passage earlier this year, is designed to assist communities nationwide with accelerating economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and building local economies that will be resilient to economic disruptions. The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is being implemented as a two-phase program. In Phase 1, the EDA will provide $500,000 technical assistance grants to a select group of awardees. Those selected as Phase 1 awardees will be considered “finalists” and the grants will be used by the finalists to prepare more detailed applications to compete for a Phase 2 federal grant to implement transformational projects that benefit their respective geographic regions and that are aligned around a holistic approach to building and scaling strategic industries. In Phase 2, the EDA will award 20-30 regional coalitions $25 million to $75 million, and up to $100 million, for selected projects to grow new regional industry clusters or scale existing ones through planning, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, workforce development, access to capital, and more.

A copy of Senator Schumer’s original letter of support for the New Energy New York proposal appears below:

Dear Secretary Raimondo,

I write in strong support of the joint “New Energy New York” proposal submitted by Binghamton University, SUNY Broome, Rochester Institute of Technology, and New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology (NY-BEST) to the U.S. Economic Development Administration Build Back Better Regional Challenge. This project is critical to the ongoing manufacturing and development of lithium-based batteries in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions of Upstate New York.

Following the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical, now more than ever, that we continue our investment in strengthening the U.S.’s domestic energy supply chain. The proposed initiative seeks to facilitate this goal by expanding existing research, development, testing, and workforce assets to meet the increasing demand in the electric vehicle, battery, and stationary grid storage markets. The Southern Tier and Finger Lakes are home to a growing lithium ion manufacturing industry, with a gigafactory set to open in 2022 in Endicott, NY.

Specifically, funding through the EDA would help take essential steps in the planning for a battery technology and manufacturing center hosted by Binghamton University further supporting economic resurgence in an underdeveloped area of the Southern Tier. In addition, the proposal would also build on regional programs to help spur entrepreneurship, climate justice, and workforce training programs through higher education partners. The vast coalition assembled for this project speaks to the tremendous value and unwavering commitment of the community to bolstering this emerging manufacturing in Upstate NY.

I applaud Binghamton University, SUNY Broome, Rochester Institute of Technology, NY-BEST, and their regional partners for the ongoing role they continue to play in the economic development of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes, and sincerely hope the application meets with your approval.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-his-direct-advocacy-schumer-announces-centerstates-smart-systems-cluster-selected-as-one-of-nations-first-awardees-for-phase-1-of-build-back-better-challenge-bringing-500k_and-a-national-spotlight-to-central-ny-and-the-mohawk-valley-as-a-rising-global-semiconductor-uas--quantum-computing-tech-hub-proposal-aims-to-create-5000-jobs-prime-white-pine-for-chips-investment--train-the-regions-workforce-for-emerging-tech-fields-,"FOLLOWING HIS DIRECT ADVOCACY, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES CENTERSTATE’S “SMART SYSTEMS CLUSTER” SELECTED AS ONE OF NATION’S FIRST AWARDEES FOR PHASE 1 OF BUILD BACK BETTER CHALLENGE, BRINGING $500K  AND A...",2021-12-13,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"BBB Regional Challenge Phase 1 Grant Will Provide $500,000 In Technical Assistance Funding To Develop Proposal To Bolster CNY Tech Economy And Allow Cluster To Compete In Exclusive Phase 2 For Up to $100 Million Grant To Transform Regional Economy

CenterState CEO’s Smart Systems Proposal Aims To Grow Central NY And Mohawk Valley Semiconductor And UAS Industries, Quantum Computing, STEAM Education And Training, And Boost Upstate Tech Ecosystem

Schumer: BBB Challenge Grant Is A Game Changer For CNY; Fed Award Will Be The Green Light CNY Needs To Attract Major Employers To Shovel Ready Sites & Become A Cutting Edge Global Tech Hub

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced that following his direct advocacy, the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has selected CenterState’s Smart Systems Cluster project as a finalist and Phase 1 awardee for investment through the American Rescue Plan’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Schumer said this means the project will receive $500,000 in technical assistance funds to develop its proposal to expand the region’s semiconductor manufacturing industry, grow existing UAS and quantum computing industries, create over 5,000 new jobs, train workers to enter in-demand fields, and make critical infrastructure updates to White Pine and Marcy Nanocenter to attract major employers and their supply chains. Schumer explained that as a finalist the project will have the exclusive opportunity to compete for up to a $100 million federal award to the region through the EDA to implement the proposed projects.

“This is BIG news for Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. Now, many more will see what I’ve long-known: Central New York has all the right ingredients to be a major national tech and semiconductor hub! This award will provide $500,000 the region to compete for the exclusive next phase of this major national competition, making CenterState Smart Systems Cluster eligible for an up to $100 million federal grant to put the region on the map as a global tech hub, primed for more growth and job creation in industries like semiconductor manufacturing, quantum computing and UAS,” said Senator Schumer. “This project would make critical investments in infrastructure to get sites like White Pine and the Marcy Nanocenter ready for investment by major employers, promote job training to deliver a topnotch workforce, and transition cutting edge research into new startup companies. I am proud to have fought for the EDA to select the Smart Systems Cluster in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley for the Build Back Better Challenge and will continue to fight to secure the final award and help them receive further federal investment to drive the Upstate economy into the future.”

“This region is uniquely positioned to accelerate it’s already strong growth trajectory as a smart cities hub through this investment. The Build Back Better program will enable us to leverage regional experience in cluster development to scale our support to existing Smart Systems industries and those looking to find growth within our region. Furthermore, this investment aligns with our vision of equitable progress through large-scale workforce training programs. These resources are being matched with strategies and expertise to ensure that progress is driven forward rapidly. This award validates that our region is poised for growth within the industry and highlights how we are well positioned to connect those growth opportunities to the resources and talent needed to succeed. We are incredibly grateful to Senator Schumer for his stalwart dedication to this community, and for his leadership and vision that made this program possible,” said CenterState CEO President & CEO Rob Simpson.

Schumer said that the Build Back Better Regional Challenge received 529 Phase 1 applications from across the United States, and CenterState’s Smart Systems Cluster was one of 60 proposals selected as a Phase 1 awardee. Receiving this award will shine a national spotlight on Central New York and the Mohawk Valley as a rapidly emerging tech hub in the semiconductor, quantum computing, UAS and other critical tech industries.

Schumer explained that the CenterState NY Smart Systems Cluster proposal focuses on eight priority projects for accelerating innovation and growth in Upstate New York:

White Pine Commerce Park Infrastructure Improvements And Expansion

Marcy Nanocenter Flex Space Development (semiconductor supply chain)

Oswego County Industrial Park Expansion (semiconductor supply chain)

UAS Infrastructure Enhancements At The New York UAS Test Site

Centerstate CEO Tech Garden High-Tech Business Incubator Expansion in Downtown Syracuse To Attract Start Ups

Advanced Manufacturing Training With Educational Institutions To Build A Workforce Pipeline For In Demand Jobs

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics or STEAM Education School At A Renovated High School In Downtown Syracuse To Address Tech Skills Gaps And Train Youth For Jobs

Quantum Computing Research Investment And Infrastructure at Rome Lab’s Innovare Advancement Center

The project is backed by major regional stakeholders including CenterState CEO (lead), Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNYRPDB), Onondaga County, Oneida County, Oswego County, the City of Syracuse, Mohawk Valley EDGE, Rome Lab’s Innovare Advancement Center, Griffiss Institute, the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR), SUNY Upstate, Syracuse University, SUNY Morrisville, Onondaga Community College, Cayuga Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, Syracuse City School District, OCM BOCES, Operation Oswego County and more. Schumer said this vast coalition speaks to the tremendous value the project holds for the community and broad support for seeing the area emerge as a regional tech hub.

The $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge, funded by the American Rescue Plan that Schumer crafted and led to passage earlier this year, is designed to assist communities nationwide, with accelerating economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and building local economies that will be resilient to economic disruptions. The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is being implemented as a two phase program. In Phase 1, the EDA will provide $500,000 technical assistance grants to a select group of awardees. Those selected as Phase 1 awardees will be considered “finalists” and the grants will be used by the finalists to prepare more detailed applications to compete for a Phase 2 federal grant to implement transformational projects that benefit their respective geographic regions and that are aligned around a holistic approach to building and scaling strategic industries. In Phase 2, the EDA will award 20-30 regional coalitions $25 million to $75 million, and up to $100 million, for selected projects to grow new regional industry clusters or scale existing ones through planning, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, workforce development, access to capital, and more.

A copy of Senator Schumer’s original letter of support for Centerstate Smart Systems appears below:

Dear Secretary Raimondo:

I am pleased to write in support of the application submitted by CenterState CEO to the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Build Back Better grant program.

Serving as the Lead Institution, CenterState CEO is joined by Cayuga Community College, the City of Syracuse, the CNY Regional Planning and Development Board (CNY RPDB), the Griffiss Institute, Mohawk Valley Community College, Mohawk Valley EDGE, the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR), OCM BOCES, Onondaga Community College, Onondaga County, Oswego County, SUNY Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), SUNY Upstate Medical University, the Syracuse City School District, and Syracuse University. Each partner organization will also work within their existing networks to engage established and newly identified partners in the region.

This coalition has already identified and carefully vetted eight priority projects for the CenterState NY Smart Systems Cluster. With funding, the CenterState NY Smart Systems Cluster will; support infrastructure investments at the White Pine Megasite, build a flex space facility at Marcy Nanocenter at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, expand a shovel-ready site in Oswego County Industrial Park to drive Oswego County supply chain readiness, expand the CenterState CEO Tech Garden high-tech business incubator to attract additional startups, continue development of UAS infrastructure around the New York State UAS Test Site, launch smart systems cluster advanced training consortium to build a training pipeline for career opportunities in advanced manufacturing, renovate a historic high school in downtown Syracuse to address the tech skills gap and provide Career & Technical Education (CTE), and invest in quantum computing research and infrastructure.

I applaud CenterState CEO and partners for their foresight and sincerely hope the application meets with your approval.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-his-direct-advocacy-schumer-announces-western-new-york-advanced-manufacturing-cluster-selected-as-one-of-nations-first-awardees-for-phase-one-of-build-back-better-challenge-bringing-500k-and-a-national-spotlight-to-buffalo-and-wny-as-a-manufacturing-hub-putting-the-project-in-the-running-for-up-to-100-million-federal-investment-,"FOLLOWING HIS DIRECT ADVOCACY, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES WESTERN NEW YORK ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CLUSTER SELECTED AS ONE OF NATION’S FIRST AWARDEES FOR PHASE ONE OF BUILD BACK BETTER CHALLENGE, BRINGING $500K...",2021-12-13,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"BBB Regional Challenge Phase 1 Grant Will Provide $500,000 In Technical Assistance Funding To Develop Proposal To Bolster WNY Advanced Manufacturing Sector And Allow Cluster To Compete In Exclusive Phase 2 For Up to $100 Million Grant To Transform The Western NY Economy

Western New York Advanced Manufacturing Cluster Would Scale Up Innovation, Advance Inclusive Workforce Development, And Develop Infrastructure To Rapidly Expand The Growing Advanced Manufacturing Sector In WNY

Schumer: WNY’s Selection As One Of Nation’s First BBB Challenge Finalists Is A Game Changer—One Step Closer To Making WNY A Global Tech Hub!

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced that following his direct advocacy the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has selected the Western New York Advanced Manufacturing Cluster as a finalist and Phase 1 awardee for investment through the American Rescue Plan’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Schumer said this means the project will receive $500,000 in technical assistance funds to develop its proposal to scale up Western NY’s advanced manufacturing infrastructure, spark innovation, and enhance workforce development programs. Schumer explained that as a finalist the project will have the exclusive opportunity to compete for up to a $100 million federal award to the region through the EDA to implement the proposed projects.

“This is BIG news for Buffalo and the entire WNY region. Now, many more will see what I’ve long known: Western New York has all the right ingredients to be the nation’s next tech hub! This award will provide $500,000 to the region to compete for the exclusive next phase of this major national competition, making the Western NY Advanced Manufacturing Cluster proposal eligible for an up to $100 million federal grant to revolutionize the region’s manufacturing sector, revitalize Buffalo’s East Side, and train the next generation for good paying jobs,” said Senator Schumer. “I am proud to have fought to ensure the WNY Advanced Manufacturing Cluster was selected by EDA as a finalist for the Build Back Better Challenge and will continue to fight to secure the final award and receive further federal investment to drive the Upstate economy into the future and solidify WNY’s place as the advanced manufacturing epicenter of the US.”

Schumer said that the Build Back Better Regional Challenge received 529 Phase 1 applications from across the United States, and the WNY Advanced Manufacturing Cluster was one of 60 proposals selected as a Phase 1 awardee. Receiving this award and entering the competition for Phase 2 funding will shine a national spotlight on Buffalo and Western New York as a rapidly growing advanced manufacturing hub.

Schumer explained that the Western New York Advanced Manufacturing Cluster proposal, submitted by the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council, would help train over 1,600 individuals for a career in tech over a 3-year period. The project would also work to fill gaps in the Western NY innovation ecosystem that will enable the region to become a national hub in key industries like vaccine production, utility infrastructure components, industrial gases, and precision motion control. The project would also reverse environmental degradation left by the region’s industrial past by cleaning up and revitalizing properties, including parts of Buffalo’s East Side, to attract new investment and create new jobs. The proposal also focuses on developing a more diverse, highly skilled workforce to meet the needs of growing employers and expand opportunity for more workers to access high-paying jobs. The project is supported by a vast coalition including the University at Buffalo, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Invest Buffalo Niagara, Launch NY, Buffalo Manufacturing Works, Northland Workforce Training Center, Goodwill of Western New York, SUNY Alfred, the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation, and many more.

The $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge, funded by the American Rescue Plan that Schumer crafted and led to passage earlier this year, is designed to assist communities nationwide, with accelerating economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and building local economies that will be resilient to economic disruptions. The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is being implemented as a two phase program. In Phase 1, the EDA will provide $500,000 technical assistance grants to a select group of awardees. Those selected as Phase 1 awardees will be considered “finalists” and the grants will be used by the finalists to prepare more detailed applications to compete for a Phase 2 federal grant to implement transformational projects that benefit their respective geographic regions and that are aligned around a holistic approach to building and scaling strategic industries. In Phase 2, the EDA will award 20-30 regional coalitions $25 million to $75 million, and up to $100 million, for selected projects to grow new regional industry clusters or scale existing ones through planning, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, workforce development, access to capital, and more.

A copy of Senator Schumer’s original letter of support for the Western New York Advanced Manufacturing Cluster appears below:

Dear Secretary Raimondo:

I am pleased to write in support of the application submitted by the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council (WNY REDC) to the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Build Back Better grant program.

In 2011, the five westernmost counties of New York State formed a broad-based coalition as the WNY REDC. This coalition of government, business and community leaders quickly developed “A Strategy for Prosperity,” a regional economic development plan for targeted economic development. Since, WNY REDC partners have collaborated on: improved advanced manufacturing competitiveness; increased innovation through access to applied research and scaled testing facilities; improved productivity through the adoption of increased export assistance; prepared formerly industrial and manufacturing sites for expansion; grew an appropriately skilled workforce to meet advanced manufacturing labor needs.

With funding, WNY REDC, working with a diverse coalition of partners and secured matching funds of over $147,000,000, will pursue a range of projects including innovation and manufacturing, workforce development and infrastructure to support the region.

I applaud Western New York Regional Economic Development Council their foresight and

sincerely hope the application meets with your approval.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-announces-transit-supercharge-for-critical-nyc/bronx/long-island-projects-penn-access-creating-one-seat-ride-to-penn-and-4-new-bx-stations-will-be-fast-tracked_lirr-east-river-tunnels--will-get-rehabed-for-safe-commute-under-schumer-deal-amtrak-will-also-commit-additional-500-million-to-penn-access-in-exchange-for-mtas-432-million-for-east-river-tunnels,"SCHUMER ANNOUNCES TRANSIT SUPERCHARGE FOR CRITICAL NYC/BRONX/LONG ISLAND PROJECTS; PENN ACCESS, CREATING ONE-SEAT RIDE TO PENN & 4 NEW BX STATIONS, WILL BE FAST-TRACKED & LIRR EAST RIVER TUNNELS ,...",2021-12-13,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Schumer Led Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Package Through Senate To Create A Record $30B Account NY Transit Projects Will Now Tap; Will Allow Fast-Track and Resources for Penn Access & East River Tunnels (ERT); Previous ‘Clash’ Over $432 Million For ERT Now Solved As Badly-Damaged Sandy Tunnels Poised For Work

Meanwhile, Penn Access Supercharging Will Create One-Seat Train Ride For East, South Bronx & Westchester to Penn, 4 NEW Bronx Stations; Reduced Travel Time, Access To Major Job Market & Overall Convenience Will Help Drive Transportation Relief For Countless NY Commuters

Schumer: A Transit Supercharge Is Coming To NYC, The Bronx, Westchester & LI – And It Means Billions In Investment Along With Jobs

Announcing a ‘transit supercharge’ for two critical New York City, Bronx, Westchester and Long Island transportation projects --Penn Access and the East River Tunnels— U.S. Senator Charles Schumer detailed the deal he just brokered between the MTA and Amtrak to make substantial breakthroughs and progress on both projects.

Schumer said that because the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Bill passed the Senate, he was able to leverage new funding for Penn Access and the LIRR’s East River Tunnels (ERT). Schumer negotiated the deal between Amtrak and the MTA to advance both Penn Access, and its new rail line for transit-needy South and East Bronx, and the East River Tunnel rehab work, which is so vital to the hundreds of thousands of LIRR commuters.

“Critical New York City, Bronx and Long Island transit projects are getting supercharged today,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “Today’s agreement with Amtrak and the MTA will fast-track Penn Access, bringing a new mass transit line to the transit-starved Bronx, totaling four new stations. In addition, the agreement will break the logjam stalling the urgent need to repair and upgrade the Sandy-damaged East River Tunnels, which are vital to LIRR riders. Under the deal I brokered, which was made possible by the historic rail finding we delivered in the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Law, Amtrak will commit a huge, $500 million investment to the Penn Access new Metro North line in the Bronx. And the MTA will commit up to a massive $432 million in rehabbing the East River Tunnels, which were badly-damaged during Sandy and have been a priority project for me and for the hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders who depend on them every single day.”

“So, we have two critical projects: Penn Access, for the people of the Bronx and Westchester, and the East River Tunnels, for the people of Long Island, that will get fast-tracked, supercharged and move Forward with historic investment, and that is something to celebrate,” Schumer added.

Schumer said, the longtime ‘clash’ over the ERT’s $432M is now solved. Schumer further revealed that there is now a $30 billion dollar in federal rail funding for the Northeast, which he secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure law, that both projects can tap to get their work complete, and said he will push for both of these projects to receive maximum federal rail grants from programs funded in the Bipartisan Infrastructure law. In terms of the two projects, Schumer detailed their timelines and construction specifics as he officially declared these two important projects ‘supercharged.’

Schumer has long advocated for both the Metro-North Penn Access project and for repairing the East River Tunnels, which were badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy flooding. The former is an MTA-led project while the latter is being spearheaded by Amtrak. In detailing the $30 billion federal funds now available to New York, Schumer said the $6 billion he secured in the BIF for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor account plus the $24 billion in FRA Federal-State Partnership Northeast Corridor grants, unlocked the ability for both agencies to pursue both projects—but only if they could come to an agreement.

Schumer said an agreement was needed because Amtrak is the owner of the East River Tunnels and the stretch of track Metro-North seeks to use for Penn Access, but MTA LIRR is a significant user of the East River Tunnels and MTA Metro-North is the sponsor and lead on the Penn Access project.

“Like the transit system itself, this was all a little complicated, but also clear in terms of what needed to be done, so I signaled green-lights all the way in my negotiations, because we had to get going and act on both projects,” Schumer said of his sit downs with both Amtrak and the MTA.

When it comes specifically to Penn Access, Schumer added, “I have long supported the effort to expand transit access to the people of the East and South Bronx, as well as southern Westchester, by establishing new Metro North stops along the existing Amtrak line. I stood in Co-Op City with local leaders and called on Amtrak and Metro-North to come to the negotiating table and hammer out the framework for this urgently-needed project, and since then I have secured more billions in federal funding for the MTA to continue their capital projects in spite of the COVID pandemic drop in ridership. But now, we have even more funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and we will use them here and now to prioritize projects like Penn Station Access that increase racial and socioeconomic equity in our transit system.”

As part of his deal, Schumer got Amtrak to commit $500 million for the Penn Access project, and, in turn, the MTA committed up to $432 million for the East River Tunnel (ERT) project, which is the exact amount that has been in contention since at least October of 2019, according to Newsday. With these commitments secured by Schumer both projects can now advance.

Schumer said, with Amtrak’s commitment, the MTA board will now be in a position to award a contract for construction of Penn Access imminently. And with MTA’s commitment on ERT, Schumer said the framework now exists for Amtrak to advance an application to FRA to apply for $24 billon pot of funds to repair the East River Tunnels. The ERT agreement means that if the ERT project is awarded an 80% federal share from the FRA grant program, MTA and NJT will cover the rest of the local share. Both Penn Access and ERT will pursue FRA Federal-State Partnership grants to reduce the local and Amtrak shares and Schumer is extremely confident they will be awarded federal funds.

SCHUMER’S PROJECT DETAILS:

Schumer said the East River Tunnels are a critical part of the transportation system across Long Island and in the New York metro area, carrying more than 300,000 passengers daily. Despite being maintained and operated by Amtrak, the four single track tunnels are a shared regional asset and provide invaluable service to both the railroad and major regional transit agencies. Superstorm Sandy badly damaged the East River Tunnels with approximately 14 million gallons of floodwaters. According to Amtrak reports, corrosive salts and chlorides from the storm continue to impact the tunnels' underground structures. Over time, delays and breakdowns involving the East River Tunnels have increased and Schumer said that this problem will undoubtedly get worse if repairs are not made.

“The East River Tunnels are the most important link in the commute of hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders and a problem in one tunnel---like we have seen in the past—creates a nightmarish domino effect for the entire LIRR system, and that’s not acceptable, and now it will be addressed,” Schumer added.

""Our city and our borough is long due for an overhaul of its mass transit systems. The agreement made possible by Leader Schumer will finally ensure the Bronx has increased access to the rest of New York City and Westchester with four new Metro North stations. This historic investment will bring working and historically underserved families shorter commute times as well as much needed access to jobs, healthcare, and education. New Yorkers deserve reliable mass transit and I look forward to working with Leader Schumer to ensure our city's transit system is both accessible and equitable for all commuters,"" said Rep. Torres.

“This deal to advance Metro-North Penn Access and expand rail lines in the Bronx, such as in Co-op City, is critical,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16). “We need transit justice and funding for these projects brings us one step closer to achieving that. I am honored to join Senator Chuck Schumer in working to bring more commuter options to the Bronx connecting through Penn station. I will also work to further support this project as needed in Congress so that we can create more cleaner, convenient options for constituents in the Bronx, including working to ensure working class commuters aren’t burdened with the high cost of access to transit options.”

""New York can't fully recover from the pandemic without our transit agencies effectively and efficiently moving millions of people around the region each day,"" Governor Hochul said. ""Today's announcement is a critical step forward as we work to transform New York's transportation system into a model for the 21st century, and I want to thank Senate Majority Leader Schumer for his leadership and partnership to advance these important infrastructure priorities.""?

“We are fortunate to have Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer fighting to deliver a ‘transit supercharge’ for Penn Access and the East River Tunnels. I’ve been a strong supporter of the need for greater connectivity between Westchester and the East Side. This will have a positive impact on workers and commuters in Westchester, especially as more people return to the office. I also stand strongly with Senator Schumer in advocating for these projects to receive the maximum federal rail grants available as part of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure bill that he delivered for New Yorkers,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said.

“The Metro-North Penn Access project is incredibly important for communities here in the Bronx that are underserved by public transportation,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said. “Building these four new train stations will change people’s lives for the better - making it easier for people to get to work, to school and to go about their daily lives. The Assembly Majority has fought to get communities that are underserved access to public transit, including putting $250 million into the state budget for Penn Access. Thank you to Senator Schumer for working with the MTA to make this a reality.”

“Senator Schumer has secured an astonishing $500 million investment from Amtrak for Penn Access to address the transit deserts in the East and South Bronx,” said Assemblymember Karines Reyes. “The supercharged Metro North expansion, set to finish in 2027, will bring four new stations to the Bronx, expanding access to downtown and Westchester County. This rollout not only confronts the socioeconomic inequality that Bronxites face, but also tackles climate concerns with new mass transit alternatives to driving.”

“Many of my Bronx constituents rely heavily on public transportation for their daily commutes,” said Assemblymember Kenny Burgos. “Unfortunately, lack of transit options have made it difficult for everyday Bronxites. Fast-tracking Penn Access will transform the Bronx and make the lives of its residents much easier. I applaud Senator Schumer for his tireless efforts in ensuring resources that will make public transportation more accessible for our borough.”

“I applaud Senator Schumer’s record efforts in Washington, earmarking roughly $500M to adding critical transit infrastructure in the Bronx, via the new MTA Penn Access line—including stations in my own council district such as Morris Park and Van Nest/Parkchester,” said NYC Councilmember Mark Gjonaj. “Direct lines to Penn Station will afford a wealth of new work and recreational opportunities to Bronxites, many of whom feel they have too few transit options available. The more mobile we can make our constituency, the more prosperous they can become.”

“The Bronx has long been at a disadvantage when it comes to transportation access, but with the new funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that was passed in the US Senate, riders in Co-Op City, Morris Park, Parkchester/Van Nest and Hunts Point will now have an alternative to driving to get to their destination,” said Council Member & BP-Elect Vanessa L. Gibson. The Metro North expansion in the Bronx will also be a game changer with economic development opportunities and infrastructure investments that are sorely needed in our borough as we attempt to recover from the devastating impact COVID-19 had on our borough. I want to thank our Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the entire New York Delegation for their commitment to fighting for transportation equity for all New Yorkers and I look forward to seeing this important project come to fruition as the next Bronx Borough President.”

“Today’s announcement from Senator Schumer’s office in partnership with Amtrak and the MTA is great news for the people of the Bronx and District 13,” said NYC Councilmember-Elect Marjorie Velasquez. The Metro-North expansion will not only be a great first step in providing our community with increased transportation access, but a much needed influx of jobs and other investment. My profound thanks to Senator Schumer and everyone involved for advocating on behalf of the people of New York in securing this investment. The Bronx is Building Back Better.”

Gerard Bringmann, chair of the LIRR Commuter Council and MTA Board member said, ""The East River Tunnels provide a critical connection that allow millions of riders to travel through Queens into Manhattan. Whether they start their journey on the LIRR from Long Island, or will travel on Metro-North on the newly-funded Penn Access from the Bronx, Westchester or points further north, or come in via Amtrak, commuters count on the essential portals to get to midtown Manhattan. Thank you Senator Schumer for always keeping commuters first and helping New York build back better, and stronger.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/for-the-first-time-as-us-senate-majority-leader-and-in-the-midst-of-a-global-pandemic-schumer-completes-tour-of-all-62-new-york-counties-senator-calls-this-tour-the-most-meaningful-and-consequential-of-his-career-after-delivering-over-130-billion-for-ny-this-year-schumer-finishes-tour-of-all-62-counties-this-weekend-with-almost-100-visits-to-upstate-ny_long-island-,FOR THE FIRST TIME AS U.S. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER & IN THE MIDST OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC —SCHUMER COMPLETES TOUR OF ALL 62 NEW YORK COUNTIES; SENATOR CALLS THIS TOUR THE MOST MEANINGFUL AND CONSEQUENTIAL...,2021-12-12,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"For 23rd Consecutive Year, Schumer Visits Every Single New York County—Yet At The Close Of 23 Years, This Year, As Majority Leader In The Midst Of A Global Pandemic, Schumer Calls This One The Most Consequential

Schumer Has Always Staunchly Believed That Visiting Every Single NY County Is Imperative To His Daily Work In The U.S. Capitol, This Year – As He Worked To Pass Historic Legislation Bringing Billions To NY–Was More Important Than Ever To See Firsthand What NY Needs To Build Back From COVID

Schumer: New Title, But My Favorite Is Still ‘New Yorker’

Even as Majority Leader, in the midst of a global pandemic, and while leading some of the biggest & boldest legislation in our country’s history, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today completed his 23rd consecutive tour of all 62 New York State counties. Schumer was the first New York State public official to visit every single county in New York, an accomplishment he holds proudly, and a tradition he has continued each year he has been in office.

Over the course of the year, Schumer made 93 county visits to Upstate New York and Long Island. He visited counties in the Capital Region 14 times; Western New York 7 times; Central New York 10 times; the Rochester-Finger Lakes 14 times; the Southern Tier 10 times; the Hudson Valley 14 times; the North Country 9 times; and Long Island 15 times. In addition, due to COVID travel restrictions, which greatly reduced the number and frequency of visits this year, Senator Schumer also conducted countless virtual meetings with groups and residents across New York.

“Twenty-three years ago when I made the promise to visit every county every year, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine doing it as Majority Leader, let alone in the midst of a global health and economic pandemic. Although I’ve gained a new title as Majority Leader this year, my favorite two remain: New York senator, and more importantly, New Yorker,” said Majority Leader Schumer. “Now, as New York’s first Senate Majority Leader, this mission has become even more vital and allowed me to deliver for my beloved home state in bigger and better ways because of all I learn from my constituents. As New York continues to feel the impacts of a global health pandemic, visiting all 62 counties pushed me to fight even harder to help New Yorkers recover and build back stronger. Over this year, much has changed – the American Rescue Plan I led to passage provided New York the robust COVID relief needed to help jump start our recovery. To name but two elements, we passed a historic Childhood Tax Credit that cut child poverty in half, and we passed billions for Save Our Stages, which provided a vital lifeline to all our cultural organizations and performance spaces that were the first to close and last to open. We passed the largest investment in infrastructure in our nation’s history, which will repair and upgrade New York’s road, bridges, highways, transportation, broadband, and water systems like never before. This year, more than ever before, I was reminded how resilient New Yorkers are. New Yorkers have experienced tremendous hardship, from 9/11 to Superstorm Sandy to COVID, but time and time again, we are resilient, even in our darkest days, and we rebuild and come back stronger than ever.”

Schumer added, “At the close of twenty-three years, my beliefs are as clear as ever: ‘Senators who stay in Washington and never return home are simply not doing their job.’ That’s why I bike the streets and go to all of the parades, graduations, and occasionally crash a neighbor’s block party for a plate. Whether I’m at the State Fair in Syracuse or wearing my ‘Ithaca is Gorges’ mask, New York is always on my mind, and I’m always learning more about New York directly from my constituents.”

Some of the key highlights include:

NEW YORK STATE

Delivered BIG For New York With $100 Billion For New York In COVID Relief Through The American Rescue Plan and $27+Billion Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act. As Majority Leader, and the chief negotiator in the Senate, Schumer worked nonstop to deliver a plan that best provided robust relief to New York’s local leaders, workers, small businesses, and health centers so they could recover from the impacts of COVID and build back stronger than before.

Senator Schumer delivered substantial relief for New York over the past year:

Over $23.8 Billion In Fiscal Relief For NY’s State And Local Governments:

Delivering on his promise of robust relief for New York State, as part of the American Rescue Plan, Senator Schumer ensured New York State, New York City, and every municipal government from counties to towns to the smallest villages could pay for essential services, retain vital frontline workers, offset lost revenues and increased costs from the COVID-19 emergency, and rebuild local economies.

Nearly $4.2 billion More For New York’s Medicaid Program:

Senator Schumer’s hard-won provision in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act continued to deliver an estimated $4.2 billion to New York’s Medicaid program throughout 2021. These funds have helped the state continue to provide high quality health care at low costs to ~6.8 million low-income New Yorkers.

Over $1.26 Billion More For Home-And-Community Based Services:

Senator Schumer included one year of enhanced federal funding for home- and community-based health care services that has delivered over $1.26 billion in direct funding to New York. This money has gone to support seniors and people with disabilities receive the care they need, at home or in their community if they so choose, by expanding the availability of services and increasing the types of services offered across the state.

Over $13.5 Billion For NYS Hospitals, Health Systems, Community Health Centers, And Other Providers:

Following his leadership in creating the Provider Relief Fund, Senator Schumer has fought to deliver over $13.5 billion to New York health care providers through the COVID-19 pandemic with billions more on the way before the end of 2021. This money has assisted local hospitals, health centers, physician offices and more test, diagnose, and treat patients with COVID-19 and mitigated the massive financial losses incurred by our health system driven by pandemic-related costs and lost revenues.

Over $330 Million To Support NYS’s COVID-19 Testing Infrastructure:

Senator Schumer fought for and secured over $1.1 billion through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and another $330 billion through the American Rescue Plan to expand and enhance New York’s COVID-19 testing and tracing infrastructure. This critical component of our national response to the pandemic has helped curb the spread of the coronavirus in New York and saved lives.

$175 Million For COVID-19 Vaccines For New Yorkers:

As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Senator Schumer delivered over $175 million in direct funding to New York that has resulted in over 80% of eligible New Yorkers receiving at least one vaccine shot including 69% who are fully vaccinated.

$170 Million In Substance Abuse And Mental Health

Delivered $22 Billion In Direct Stimulus Payments To New Yorkers:

Senator Schumer pushed hard to include an additional round of Economic Impact Payments of $1,400 in the American Rescue Plan, including eligible payments for children, amounting to $5,600 for an average family of four. Because of Schumer’s efforts, nearly 9 million New York households received direct stimulus payments to help them to cover essential expenses like food, rent or mortgages, and medical bills, as well as help spur economic activity in their communities.

Secured Estimated $18.4 Billion For New York Transit:

As commuters and riders stayed at home during the pandemic, transit ridership fell while agencies needed to keep service running for essential workers and those who depend on transit. Increased cleaning frequencies and reduced ridership led to higher operating costs. Senator Schumer secured $7.3 billion for New York transit systems in the ARP to help agencies bridge the gap. He then secured an estimated $11.1 billion for New York transit agencies over five years, a significant increase over the previous transportation law, so that transit can continue to build back better as it recovers from the pandemic.

More Than $1.3 Billion For New York Airports:

The travel industry was among one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. Senator Schumer fought to include over $418 million in the ARP to provide New York’s hard-hit airports the relief they desperately needed. Then, building on his advocacy Schumer followed this relief by securing an additional investment of over $937 million through the IIJA to airports to help NY’s airport take off and reach new heights.

Secured $11.5 Billion In Highway Funding For New York Over The Next 5 Years:

This includes $289 million for Transportation Alternatives, such as walking and biking funding and an estimated $1.9 billion in formula funding for a new bridge replacement program. In his commitment to addressing climate change, Schumer secured $175 million for a new National Electric Vehicle formula program and $239 million for the PROTECT formula program to build and rebuild transportation assets with resiliency in mind.

Over $9 Billion In COVID Relief For New York K-12 Schools:

Senator Schumer made it a top priority to give our schools the robust and flexible funds they needed to reopen safely for in-person instruction and address the diverse needs of students due to the pandemic.

$2.6 Billion For NY Colleges, Universities, And Students To Recover From Pandemic:

Higher education institutions were on the frontlines of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and ripped massive holes in their budgets to keep students and communities safe. Senator Schumer ensured not only to include relief to account for reopening costs, revenue losses, classroom retrofits, PPE, and other expenses, but also that half of any colleges’ federal allocation went directly to students to address hardships caused by COVID-19.

$428 Million For NY’s Drinking Water And Clean Water State Revolving Funds:

A long time clean water advocate, Senator Schumer worked hard to bolster this funding for NY in the IIJA. Schumer said this massive boon for New York’s water infrastructure and environment would accelerate New York’s ongoing efforts to remove lead pipes and clean up emerging contaminates – like PFAs.

Over $7 Billion In Historic Child Tax Credit (CTC) For NY Families:

Almost 90% of all New York families benefited from Senator Schumer’s tireless fight to expand the Child Tax Credit, allowing 86% of families across the state to get $300 automatic payments each month.

More Than $54 Billion In COVID Relief To Support New York’s Small Businesses And Nonprofits:

Schumer delivered over $54 billion in federal forgivable loans through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program and grants and low-interest loans through Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, supporting hundreds of thousands of New York’s small businesses and nonprofits. Schumer fought to include nonprofits in these programs, including religious organizations and large nonprofits that provide critical services to communities through the state.

More Than $500 Million From The American Rescue Plan’s State Small Business Credit Initiative:

These funds will help expand access to credit and investment for small businesses and start-ups, including minority-owned and other disadvantaged businesses, across the state to grow, create jobs, and strengthen Main Streets.

Over $3.6 Billion In Relief Delivered To More Than 9,700 New York Restaurants:

Schumer fought to include an initial infusion of funds in the American Rescue Plan to stand up a dedicated relief program to provide flexible grants to support the state’s hard-hit restaurant industry.

More Than $1.9 Billion Was Awarded To New York Through The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, Otherwise Known As The ‘Save Our Stages’ Program:

Schumer led the effort to pass this critical lifeline for the cultural arts industry into law. This funding was awarded to more than 1,400 theaters, independent music venues and comedy clubs, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions like museums and zoos across the state, bringing Broadway back and helping New York’s cultural treasures in every corner of the state keep the light and laughs on.

Over $44.9 Million From The Economic Development Administration (EDA) From The American Rescue Plan Directly Awarded To New York:

Schumer prioritized dedicated relief to revive New Yok’s tourism and travel industry in the American Rescue Plan. These EDA funds support marketing, infrastructure, workforce, and other projects to rebuild New York’s travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation economy, so New York is ready to welcome the world back to the state as we emerge from the worst of the pandemic.

Over $130 Million For New Yorkers Who Lost A Loved One To COVID In FEMA Funeral And Cemetery Expenses Reimbursement:

After tireless advocacy, starting in the very early days of COVID, Senator Schumer secured access to a rarely used FEMA program that reimburses individuals who lost a loved one to COVID and helped cover the funeral and cemetery costs. With the loved ones of over 19,000 New Yorkers lost to COVID already reimbursed, and about $1.5 billion provided across the country, this program has helped New Yorkers across the state in their darkest hour. This assistance is available for anyone who lost a loved one to COVID and had to bear this unexpected expense. You can find out more by calling: 844-684-6333

Almost Half-A-Billion Dollars To Help New Yorkers Recover And Rebuild Three Months After Hurricane Ida Struck New York:

When Hurricane Ida hit New York in September, it left thousands of New Yorkers reeling. Now, three months later, close to 36,000 New Yorkers from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester counties have been approved for FEMA’s individual assistance program. Combined with funding provided through the US Small Business Administration and the National Flood Insurance Program, these federal lifelines have provided almost half-a-billion dollars to help rebuild, and rebuild stronger. Applications are still open, currently until January 4, 2022, and you can apply if you were impacted by Hurricane Ida at DisasterAssistance.gov

WESTERN NEW YORK

Senator Schumer delivered substantial relief for Western NY over the past year:

Over $873 million in aid to Buffalo and Western NY local governments

Over 550 Western NY restaurants received over $109 million through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Over $42 million for shuttered venues in Western NY like Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the National Comedy Center

$204 million for higher education institutions like the University at Buffalo, Niagara University, and more

Airports in Western NY received over $68.9 million

Throughout the pandemic, 33,000 businesses in the Western NY region have received over $3.34 billion in PPP funds

Dramatically Expanded The Child Tax Credit And Instituted Monthly Payments For 85% Of Western New York Families Which Amounted To $77 Million:

As part of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) expansion, Senator Schumer was able to secure an increase in the number of eligible families and authorized monthly disbursements of Child Tax Credits. With 85% of Western New York families eligible for this groundbreaking program, Schumer noted that it was especially significant in the City of Buffalo, which has one of the nation’s highest poverty rates and as many as 25,000 children living in poverty. As many as 107,000 households in the Greater Buffalo-Niagara region benefit from the strengthened credit.

Finally Orchestrated The Implementation Of The Pilot Record Database Following The Advocacy Of The 3407 Families:

In December, the Pilot Record Database being kept by the FAA finally went live, enabling airlines to have a thorough record of the training history and service record of each current and prospective pilot. This database, a longtime Schumer priority, was first proposed following the successful advocacy of the families of the victims of Flight 3407. While the database was supposed to be created years ago, bureaucratic red tape and administrative inaction led to the database languishing in development. Schumer was able to cut through the red tape and convinced DOT officials to finally get the program up and running.

Recommended The Nomination Of Trini Ross To Be The First African American Woman For US Attorney In Buffalo:

Schumer recommended Trini Ross to President Biden for nomination as United States Attorney for the Western District of New York. Ms. Ross is a lifelong Buffalonian, a graduate of Hutchinson Technical High School, SUNY Fredonia, and UB Law. She is an experienced prosecutor and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Ms. Ross is also the first African American woman to serve as the WDNY’s top federal prosecutor. She assumed her position in November of this year.

Secured $1 Billion - The Largest Single Allocation In The History Of The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative:

Senator Schumer was able to include a $1 billion allocation to fully fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in the bipartisan infrastructure deal. Specifically, this funding was secured to protect, improve, and preserve the Great Lakes and their related waterways, which include the Niagara River, Buffalo Creek, and many other areas along the Western New York shoreline. This funding is utilized by 16 different agencies and often works through local organizations like Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper. Schumer also noted the economic impact of the Great Lakes, adding that for every dollar invested in Great Lakes protection, the return on investment is $3.35, or 335%.

Saw To It That Western New York Students Were Fairly Compensated For AP Exams That Went Missing:

After taking their Advanced Placement exams, some students at Startpoint High School in Lockport were informed that UPS had lost the box of exams on their way to be scored by College Board. Schumer intervened with both College Board and UPS and ensured that the tests were found and the students were fairly compensated and were also awarded $250 scholarships.

Bolstered Western New York’s Transportation Infrastructure By Securing The Largest Ever Federal Investment In Upstate Transit Agencies, Including $156.5 Million For NFTA:

Aware of the need to major investment in Western New York’s transit agency, Schumer was able to secure $156.5 million in federal monies for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) over FY22-26. This was part of a larger federal infrastructure investment that saw almost $90 billion go to transportation agencies as part of Schumer’s plan to finally bring public transportation into the 21st century. These funds can be used for everything from the continuation of daily operations, to maintenance and bus procurement.

LONG ISLAND

Senator Schumer delivered substantial relief for Long Island over the past year:

Over 1 Billion in aid to county, town, and village governments

Approximately 1,100 restaurants received over $270 million through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Over $57 million to over 100 shuttered entertainment venues, organizations, and companies

Over $323 million to Long Island’s public school districts

Over $266 million to higher education intuitions on Long Island

Airports on Long Island received over $39 million

Throughout the pandemic, 121,041 businesses on Long Island have received over $10.50 billion in PPP funds

Delivered Record $106 Million Investment To Protect Long Island Sound:

Schumer successfully fought to deliver $106 million for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Long Island Sound Program. More than 23 million people live within 50 miles of the Long Island Sound, an important natural resource that is home to more than 120 species of fish and is an economic engine that draws families, boaters, tourists, and anglers to Long Island. This record investment will be delivered over the next five years to continue efforts to rehabilitate and preserve the Sound for generations to come, and is in addition to the annual appropriations Senator Schumer fights for each year.

Secured Timely Federal Approval Of $232 Million Disaster Aid For Construction Of The Critical Suffolk County Coastal Resiliency Initiative:

Schumer advocated to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of $232 million in post-Sandy disaster aid he secured to be used for the Suffolk County Coastal Resiliency Initiative, paving the way for construction of this critical infrastructure project and ensuring that construction begins on schedule. These federal funds – paired with $46 million that Senator Schumer secured for Suffolk County via the American Rescue plan – are being used for the largest sewer expansion program in Suffolk County in approximately 40 years.

Reeled-In Victories And Disaster Assistance For Long Island’s Fishing And Shellfishing Industries:

In May, Schumer called on Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to keep a New Yorker in one of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s at-large seats. The retention of this seat and the representation it provides New York on the Council is essential to providing fairer fishing allocations and correcting past injustices that have burdened New York’s fishermen and hampered one of Long Island’s legacy industries. In June, Long Islander Tom Schlichter was appointed to the seat. Also in June, after Schumer’s advocacy following a widespread scallop die-off in Peconic Bay in 2019 and 2020, Secretary Raimondo announced a disaster declaration for the Peconic Bay scallop fishery. This declaration makes the fishery eligible for disaster assistance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and may also unlock assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA). In July, Schumer wrote to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) advocating for an increase in New York’s black sea bass commercial quota allocation after New York State appealed the initial allocation decision, noting that New York’s portion of the commercial quote had not been updated to reflect the increased abundance of black sea bass in New York’s waters. In August, the ASMFC’s Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board approved an allocation increase, increasing the amount of fish New York’s fishermen can catch.

Secured $1 Billion Cybersecurity Grant Program For Federal Cybersecurity Assistance To State And Local Governments, Including Schools:

In the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs bill, Schumer secured crucial cybersecurity assistance for state and local government to modernize their cybersecurity infrastructure and give state and local entities the tools they need to stop malicious hacks. The $1 billion grant also targets rural communities that may have less access to cybersecurity assistance and resources. After numerous recent cyberattacks on local governments in New York, school systems, and a water treatment facility, Schumer announced at the Manhasset Secondary School the $1 billion authorization and encouraged local leaders, school administrators, and county officials to begin working with the NY state government to prepare a cyber-resource plan to secure federal assistance from the $1 billion grant program to prevent and mitigate future attacks.

CAPITAL REGION

Senator Schumer delivered substantial relief for the Capital Region over the past year:

Over $549.5 million in aid to local governments

Over $39 million for shuttered venues in the Capital Region

$152 million for higher education institutions like the University of Albany, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Adirondack Community College.

$52.5 million for Capital Region transit systems like the Capital District Transit Authority (CDTA), and the Greater Glens Falls Transit.

Airports in the Capital Region received $49 million

Throughout the pandemic, 30,238 businesses in the Capital Region have received over $2.7 billion in PPP funds

Following Passage Of USICA, Globalfoundries Commits To Building Fab 8.2 And Relocating Headquarters To Malta:

In April, Schumer visited GlobalFoundries to announce that the company has decided to move its headquarters from California to Saratoga County. In June, the Senate, under Schumer’s leadership, passed the United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), which will invest $52 billion into the domestic semiconductor industry by implementing the federal semiconductor incentive programs Schumer passed into law as part of last year’s National Defense Authorization Act. Two months later, Schumer returned to Malta, this time with US Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, to announce that GlobalFoundries has decided to build a second semiconductor fabrication plant at the Luther Forest site. This project, which will look to make use of the billions of dollars in federal incentives Schumer is working to finalize, will get underway in 2022 and will create thousands of union construction jobs and over one thousand permanent jobs at the new fab.

Established Federal Limousine Safety Regulations In Response To The Tragic 2018 Limo Accident In Schoharie:

After the terrible limousine crash in Schoharie, NY that killed 20 people, Schumer promised the victims’ families that he would not rest until the federal government established limousine safety regulations aimed at preventing future tragic incidents. This August, Schumer worked in a bipartisan way on the floor of the Senate to overcome an objection to the inclusion of these standards into the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. When President Biden signed the measure into law on November 15, Schumer saw to it that Kevin Cushing, who became a tireless advocate for limo safety after his son Patrick was killed in the Schoharie incident, was in attendance at the White House ceremony. The law addresses limo safety with a ten point plan that includes funding, new inspection rules, vehicle crash testing, and new standards regarding seat belts, seating systems, retrofit assessment for existing limos and safety standards for altering used vehicles into limousines.

Delivered $61 Million For CDTA To Establish The “Purple Line” Bus Rapid Transit Route:

Last year, CDTA began service on its popular “Blue Line” bus rapid transit route that connects Albany with Watervliet, Cohoes, Troy and Waterford, which was made possible by federal funding from the Federal Transit Authority’s Small Starts program. Senator Schumer has worked with CDTA for the last decade on this effort, first to gain CDTA’s inclusion into the program, and then to maximize the level of funding. This summer, FTA announced that it has made $61 million from the program available to CDTA for the establishment of the next bus rapid transit route. The “Purple Line”, first envisioned by CDTA and Schumer when he visited the College of St. Rose on October 21, 2013, will connect downtown Albany, with St. Rose, the Harriman Campus, the University at Albany, and Crossgates Mall. Together with the “Red Line” service that connects downtown Albany with downtown Schenectady along Central Avenue, CDTA’s growing network of bus rapid transit routes have transformed public transportation in the Capital Region and established a model for transit systems across upstate.

ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES

Senator Schumer delivered substantial relief for the Finger Lakes region over the past year:

Over $566.09 million in aid to Rochester and Finger Lakes local governments

412 Finger Lakes restaurants received over $77.72 million through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Over $28 million for shuttered venues in the Finger Lakes

$163.84 million for higher education institutions like the University of Rochester, RIT, and more.

Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority received over $139.98 million between the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill to support their 900+ employees

Airports in the Finger Lakes received over $44.74 million

Throughout the pandemic, 31,116 businesses in the Finger Lakes region have received over $2.89 billion in PPP funds

Successfully Landed New $125 Million Plug Power Gigafactory Bringing 377 Jobs To Monroe County:

Senator Schumer made a personal call to Plug Power CEO Andy Marsh advocating for Plug Power to choose Upstate NY for the site of its new factory. Plug Power heeded his call and officially opened its new $125 Million Hydrogen Fuel Cell Innovation Center In Monroe County this November.

Delivered Over $18 Million In Federal Funds To Start Critical Broadband Project To Bring High-Speed Internet To Livingston And Orleans Counties:

After months of advocacy, Senator Schumer secured an $11.3 million Rural Development Broadband ReConnect grant for Livingston County to bring high speed broadband internet to thousands of homes, business, and farms. In addition, thanks to funding from State and Local aid that Senator Schumer secured in the American Rescue Plan, Orleans County was able to fulfill a decades-long dream to provide high-speed internet access to the entire county by investing $7.83 million they received to provide broadband access to over 1,500 unserved households.

Secured VA Approval For The Expansion Of The WNY National Veteran Cemetery:

After the Veterans Administration stripped features for the WNY National Veteran Cemetery from their 2019 plans, Schumer pushed the department to build the complete cemetery needed for local veterans and helped secure an additional $10 million to ensure the project’s completion. Thanks to his initial advocacy, construction will continue and the next phase will include an above-ground columbarium, ossuary, memorial wall, second committal shelter, a loop roadway, and landscaping to provide Upstate veterans the honorable facilities they deserve.

CENTRAL NEW YORK

Senator Schumer delivered substantial relief for Central New York over the past year:

Over $483 million in aid to local governments

Over $411 million for CNY K-12 school districts

Over $172 million for CNY higher education institutions

Over $45 million for CNY airports

Over $112 million for Centro to support its 600 employees who operate the transportation authority's bus service in Syracuse, Oswego, Auburn, Rome, and Utica

Over $14 million for CNY community health centers

Over $2 million for CNY Head Start programs

Over $17 million for Onondaga County & over $7 million for Oneida County in rental & homelessness prevention funding

Over $15 million for CNY live event venues through the Save Our Stages grant program

Throughout the pandemic, 10,572 businesses in Central New York have received over $564.86 million in PPP funds

After Decades-Long Effort, Helped Syracuse Airport Finally Land Southwest Airlines:

For over 20 years, Senator Schumer fought to bring low-cost Southwest flights to Upstate New York to help boost competition and lower fares – but Syracuse remained the only major Upstate city without service from the airline. As local officials continued to engage with Southwest Airlines, Schumer spoke directly with the company’s CEO Greg Kelly to advocate for flights out of Syracuse and worked in congress to keep airlines solvent through the pandemic. As the economy reopened, Southwest finally launched service at Hancock International Airport in June.

Secured Funding For Saab To Expand & Create 50 Jobs In Central New York:

With an eye towards Saab’s radar technology developed in East Syracuse, Schumer secured $7 million for the Navy to advance critical improvements to its combat fleet and then ensured Saab was selected for the contract to do the important work. The new contract will create 50 good-paying jobs in Central New York, with potential for more jobs in future.

Solidified Rome Lab’s Position At The Epicenter Of Quantum Computing Jobs & Innovation:

After securing tens of millions of dollars for Rome Lab’s Quantum Information Science (QIS) research and development in recent years, Senator Schumer helped convince the military to establish Rome Lab as the Quantum Information Science Research Center for the Department of Defense. This landmark designation will deliver millions of additional dollars to Rome Lab, attract the nation’s top talent, and create good paying jobs in the Mohawk Valley. With the race to innovation in quantum computing proving to be the great scientific race of the 21st century, Rome Lab will ensure the U.S does not fall behind international competitors like China and Russia.

Secured Funding To Bring High-Speed Internet To 1K Homes & Businesses In Madison County:

With large parts of rural Madison County lacking access to high-speed internet, Senator Schumer worked hand-in-hand with Madison County officials as they sought funding to close the digital divide from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program. After Schumer held a personal meeting with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsak, Madison County was awarded a $10 million grant to bring new high-speed internet broadband access to over 1,000 homes, businesses and farms across the county.

HUDSON VALLEY

Senator Schumer delivered substantial relief for the Hudson Valley over the past year:

Over $910.6 million in aid to local governments

Over 715 Hudson Valley restaurants received over $157 million through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Over $67 million for shuttered venues in the Hudson Valley

$219.69 million for higher education institutions like the SUNY Orange, Westchester Community College, SUNY New Paltz, and more.

Hudson Valley Transit Systems received over $12.9 billion between the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill

Airports in the Hudson Valley received over $51 million

Throughout the pandemic, 82,074 businesses in the Hudson Valley region have received over $6.49 billion in PPP funds

Secured $11.96 Million To Revitalize Downtown New Rochelle By Reconnecting Lincoln Avenue Communities Divided By Memorial Highway:

New Rochelle's Lincoln Avenue communities were separated from the services and support of the city's downtown in 1958 when the construction of Memorial Highway bulldozed their neighborhood. For over 3 years, Senator Schumer pushed the U.S. Department of Transportation to approve the LINC project. At the beginning of President Biden’s administration, Schumer spoke to Secretary Buttigeg directly to advocate for these funds. In November of this year, Schumer announced $11.96 million for the LINC project, which will reconnect the 25,000 residents living in the Lincoln Avenue communities to the services, transportation, and job opportunities in New Rochelle's downtown by adding a walkable, bike-able city street with open green space.

Successfully Secured Selection In A Game-Changing Federally Funded Program That Increases Community Involvement And Fast Tracks The PFAS Cleanup Process At Stewart Air National Guard Base For Orange County Residents:

Following over 5 years of fighting for clean drinking water in the City of Newburgh and its surrounding communities, Schumer announced this May that Stewart Airport will be the first Air National Guard Remedial Investigation funded under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP). This program, officially awarded to Stewart this September, provides the funds needed to begin the remedial investigation at Stewart and also allows regulators to expedite the review of documents and give the Resident Advisory Board to access funding to cover administrative costs to better educate Orange County communities about ongoing remediation efforts.

Delivered A Historic $35 Million Federal Investment To Build New York's First-Of-Its-Kind Children’s Specialty Hospital Creating 400 New Healthcare Jobs In Sullivan County:

This $35 million investment, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program, was needed for The Center for Discovery (TCFD) to build New York’s first short-term inpatient assessment program for children with complex conditions to begin construction, creating over 400 healthcare jobs and 150 construction jobs in Sullivan County, while improving access to quality care and services for Upstate New York’s most vulnerable. In early 2020, USDA officials visited the site at Schumer's request. After the visit, COVID cases surged in Sullivan County, creating unprecedented burdens for TCFD, including $5 million in lost revenue. This made the $35 million USDA investment secured by Schumer critical to keep the Children's Specialty Hospital project on track for the groundbreaking this July.

Secured Hundreds Of Thousands For EPA To Cleanup And Revitalize The Asbestos-Contaminated Former Techcity Site To Bring Ulster County's Former Economic Engine Back To Life:

Schumer delivered hundreds of thousands of dollars for EPA to help clean up the former TechCity site, on top of historic funding for both Ulster County and the Town of Ulster through the American Rescue Plan for economic and workforce development opportunities, and billions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act to supercharge cleanup efforts at superfund sites like this across New York. Following Schumer's efforts and July visit, multiple community partners came together, announcing last week that the blighted former IBM site will become iPark87, creating up to 1,000 new local jobs and garnering hundreds of millions in private investment.

Secured $4 Million For Access: Supports For Living To Continue Its Life Saving Mental Health And Substance Abuse Services Across The Hudson Valley:

Senator Schumer played a critical role in the inception of the Access Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care, securing $4 million. In May of 2020, he learned that Access needed additional federal support to keep its Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care going in the years to come. Taking action, Senator Schumer successfully secured a meeting between Access and SAMHSA to keep the Urgent Care open as demand for these services drastically increased during the pandemic. Following his tireless advocacy, Schumer announced this February that he successfully secured $4 million so Access could continue its virtual and in-person operations in Newburgh and Middletown over the next several years. For these efforts, he was also honored with the nonprofit's prestigious 'Vision of Hope' award this year.

SOUTHERN TIER

Senator Schumer delivered substantial relief for the Southern Tier over the past year:

Nearly $330 million in aid to Southern Tier local governments

Over 180 Southern Tier restaurants received over $40 million through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Over $23.6 million for over 40 shuttered venues in the Southern Tier like Cinempolis and the State Theater in Ithaca, the Corning Museum of Glass, the Roberson Museum and Science Center in Binghamton, Clemens Center in Elmira, and many more

$161 million for higher education institutions like Binghamton University, Ithaca College, SUNY Alfred, and more.

$67.11 million for transit systems in the Southern Tier Like BC Transit in Broome County, TCAT in Tompkins County, and C-TRAN in Chemung County

Airports in the Southern Tier received over $32 million

Secured $3.4 Million In Economic Development Administration Funding For The Hornell IDA To Support Major 250 Job Expansion At Alstom:

Following Alston being awarded a nearly $1.8 billion contract to make passenger rail cars for the Chicago Metra Commuter Rail System, Senator Schumer called Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo directly to advocate for the City of Hornell, which needed federal funding to support critical infrastructure upgrades to the Shawmut Industrial Park to support Alstom’s massive expansion in the region. This funding directly supported the creation of nearly 250 new jobs and helps cement Hornell’s position as one of the nation’s main hubs for train manufacturing.

Delivered BIG For Broome County Transportation With Over $3.2 Million Grant To Purchase Six New Electric, Zero Emission Buses And $1 Million Grant To Make Critical Improvements To The Greater Binghamton Airport:

On top of the nearly $30 million Senator Schumer secured for BC Transit and over $6.3 million for the Greater Binghamton Airport through the ARP and IIJA, Senator Schumer wrote to Transportation Secretary Buttigieg and successfully delivered on two key grants for Broome County. The first is a $1 million grant through the Small Community Air Service Development Program for improvements to airport and to bolster efforts to expand air service. The second is a $3.2 million grant through the Low and No Emission Vehicle Grant Program, which will allow Broome County to replace polluting diesel buses with six-battery electric, zero emission buses. In addition, the new buses will have components made by BAE Systems in Endicott, supporting local jobs while making the community cleaner.

Procured $1.4 Million Through DOL And Appalachian Regional Commission For SUNY Alfred To Support Training For 200 New Southern Tier Manufacturing Jobs:

With major regional employers in the western Southern Tier seeking to expand operations, Senator Schumer pushed for SUNY Alfred to receive funding through the U.S. Department of Labor, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission, to develop training initiatives for specialized jobs such as welding. This funding will now support nearly 200 new skilled manufacturing jobs in the region at Alstom and Ljungström.

NORTH COUNTRY

Senator Schumer delivered substantial relief for Northern New York over the past year:

Over $145.8 million for local governments in the North Country

Over $135 million for K-12 school districts in the North Country

Over $65 million for higher education institutions in the North Country

North Country airports received over $29 million between the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill

$8.25M for Watertown’s Citibus

Over $4 million for community health centers in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties

Over $900K for Head Start programs in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties

$2.9 million for Jefferson County Homelessness Assistance Program

Nearly $2.8M for live event venues in North Country through the Save Our Stages grant program

Throughout the pandemic, 5,571 businesses in the North Country have received over $384.13 million in PPP funds

Secured Last Piece Of Funding Needed To Modernize Fort Drum’s Outdated Railhead:

In personal meetings and calls with previous military leadership, Senator Schumer pushed to prioritize the construction of a new railhead at Fort Drum – which is a top priority for Fort Drum officials – and ultimately secured initial funding for the project in the Military Construction budget. Additional funding was still needed to complete the project, so Schumer worked with military leaders to secure to finish the job. The final piece of funding was secured in 2021, allowing Fort Drum to modernize its outdated railhead, improve base readiness, and meet deployment requirements.

Ensured Funding To Deepen The Port Of Ogdensburg Remained Locked-In Place After Project Delay:

In 2017, Senator Schumer secured funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to deepen the Ogdensburg Harbor and create new economic opportunities for the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority (OBPA). However, the federal funds were in jeopardy as the project was delayed while OBPA sought additional funds to complete the project. In 2021, Senator Schumer worked with USACE to keep the federal funding in place while OBPA successfully secured additional funding. The contract on the long-delayed project was finally awarded this year, which will lead to decreased shipping costs and unlock new business opportunities for OBPA.

Infrastructure Bill Includes $10 Billion For Clean Electric Buses Like Those Made By Plattsburgh’s Nova Bus:

Leader Schumer secured $10 Billion in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to invest $5 billion in funding for public transit agencies to adopt low and no emissions buses, and $5 billion for clean, electric school buses. This is a potential boon for Nova Bus in Plattsburgh, which produces low and no emission buses. This funding is a win in the fight against climate change, and just as importantly, a win for growing the North County transit supplier workforce.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/standing-at-proctors-theatre-in-schenectady-with-the-cast-of-summer-the-donna-summer-musical-schumer-announces-10-million-for-schenectady-staple_proctors-theatreand-lays-out-massive-covid-relief-to-boost-capital-regions-economic-recovery-completes-his-first-62-county-tour-around-ny-as-majority-leader--,"STANDING AT PROCTORS THEATRE IN SCHENECTADY WITH THE CAST OF SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $10 MILLION FOR SCHENECTADY STAPLE – PROCTORS THEATRE—AND LAYS OUT MASSIVE COVID RELIEF...",2021-12-12,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Senator Says Proctors Theatre Is Lifeblood & Economic Anchor Of Downtown Schenectady But Thanks To Schumer-Secured $10M, Proctors Is Finally Ready To Open Once Again

Schumer Secured Dedicated Fed COVID Relief That Provided Capital Region Venues And Theaters Over $39 Million To Keep Stages Lit And Ensure The Show Would Go On

Schumer To Capital Region: $10M Because I Love to Love Cap Region, Baby!

Standing at the iconic Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer detailed the impact of the over $39 million he secured for the Capital Region’s independent live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions thanks to the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), otherwise known as the ‘Save Our Stages’ program which Schumer led to passage into law. Schumer stood at Albany’s historic Palace Theatre last year to advocate for this funding for the Capital Region. Schumer said that Proctors Theatre is the beating heart of downtown Schenectady and a driving force in the local economy, and the COVID package that he negotiated, provided Proctors Theatre with $10 million in COVID relief to ensure the lights remained on in their darkest days of the pandemic and that Broadway could come back to Schenectady!

“Last year, I stood at another Capital Region staple, the Palace Theatre, promising that I’d deliver for our independent venues – the beating heart of Upstate New York’s cultural life and a driving force in the economy. I’m here to say promises made promises kept, to the tune of $10 million going right here to Proctors Theatre,” said Senator Schumer. “Proctors is an economic anchor in downtown Schenectady, which is why I fought so hard to ensure they’d get their fair share to keep the lights on during their darkest days of the pandemic and recover. Nearly a year after I stood, with Philip Morris and other key venue operators at the Palace Theater in Albany calling for this desperately needed funding; today, I’m here to celebrate over $39 million to venues across the Capital Region to bring Broadway back to Schenectady and ensure the show will go on!”

To date, the SVOG program has provided more than $1.9 billion to more than 1,400 theaters, independent music venues and comedy clubs, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions like museums and zoos across New York. Schumer said that live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions are some of the hardest hit industries by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the dedicated federal assistance he secured saved many venues from permanently shutting their doors to the public. The senator said the federal assistance was imperative to local economies because independent venues drive economic activity within communities like Schenectady through restaurants, hotels, taxis and other transportation and retail establishments.

Other beloved Capital Region venues like the Palace Theater, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, and The Egg, were also able to keep the lights on, and continue to drive their communities with the help of the federal relief funds. Schumer explained that it was not just our big live performance theaters who had to close the curtains in March 2020. Movie theaters like Madison Theatre in Albany and Rotterdam Square Cinemas also received funding.

In December 2020, Schumer negotiated the Save Our Stages Act into the bipartisan COVID relief package, which provided $15 billion nationally for independent live venue operators, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions such as live performing arts organizations and museums that have been significantly impacted by the economic effects of the COVID crisis. Specifically, the COVID relief package created a new Small Business Administration (SBA) grant program known as the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) which independent live venue operators, promoters, producers, talent representatives, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions were eligible for. These grants were used for payroll costs, rent, mortgage, utilities, and personal protective equipment, and other needs, to help keep the industry alive and rebound. Schumer then secured more than $1 billion in additional funding for the SVOG program in the American Rescue Plan, and made sure SVOG applicants could access assistance from both Save Our Stages and the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/with-the-new-omicron-variant-on-the-rise-and-covid-cases-overwhelming-western-ny-hospitals-schumer-stands-at-the-wyoming-county-community-hospital-to-launch-two-pronged-plan-to-help-struggling-upstate-hospitals-get-the-fed-funding-boost-they-need-now,"WITH THE NEW OMICRON VARIANT ON THE RISE AND COVID CASES OVERWHELMING WESTERN NY HOSPITALS, SCHUMER STANDS AT THE WYOMING COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL TO LAUNCH TWO-PRONGED PLAN TO HELP STRUGGLING...",2021-12-12,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"With Wyoming’s State Of Emergency In Full Effect, Schumer Calls On Feds To Reevaluate WNY Growing COVID Crisis BEFORE Sending Next Tranche Out – Ensuring WNY Gets A Fair Shot & $$$ Gets Where It’s Most Needed

Although Schumer Secured +$200B In Hospital Pandemic Relief, Feds Currently Using Old Data When Deciding Where To Send New $$ Tranche, Potentially Overlooking WNY’s Growing Need As Hospitals Fill And Health Care Providers As A Part Of The American Rescue Plan; But With Variants Like Omicron and Delta On The Rise Upstate NY Hospitals Are Struggling To Keep Up

Schumer To Feds: Get Money Where It’s Needed Most – Like WNY—NOW

With Western New York hospitals overwhelmed by surging COVID cases and counties facing new States of Emergencies, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today stood at the Wyoming County Community Hospital to launch a new a two-pronged push to get hospitals the help they need as they enter the heart of the harsh winter months. Last week a state of emergency was declared in Wyoming County in an effort to fight back against a rise in COVID-19 cases, which mirrors similar rises happening throughout Upstate New York. Schumer said that this recent surge requires immediate action to slow the spread and keep our communities safe.

Specifically, Schumer is calling for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to start to take into account the recent surges and new serious developments in COVID which have greatly impacted Upstate communities like Wyoming County when determining the next round of the American Rescue Plan’s (ARP) pandemic Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payment calculations. Schumer explained that HHS has not yet released the formula for how the next round (Phase 4) of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments will be calculated, but that currently it is marked as “General Distribution” meaning they won’t be taking into account COVID prevalence, but rather only weeks old data financial information that captures revenues lost and additional expenses due to COVID-19 from prior months. In addition, providers already had to submit their revenue and loss data for this grant round over a month ago, meaning it will likely not account for the reality facing many Western New York hospitals given the recent surge.

“Western New York hospitals are on the frontlines battling the many variants of COVID and many, like the Wyoming County Community Hospital, are struggling to keep up with the surge. During this time of crisis, it’s imperative that the feds do all they can to help those on the ground and right now, I’m asking them to step up and do more,” said Senator Schumer. “I am calling on the Department of Health and Human Services to immediately and fully take into account the impact of rising COVID cases on our Upstate New York hospitals. Second, I’m calling on HHS to immediately get this money OUT the door to ensure WNY hospitals have all the support they need as they continue to keep our communities safe on the frontlines.”

Schumer explained that he is also urging that HHS get the payments for these struggling hospitals, which has already been appropriated as a part of the American Rescue Plan, out the door ASAP to help cover the rising costs from the surge in cases. Schumer said getting Upstate healthcare providers the help they need as soon as possible is integral to combatting the spread of COVID-19.

As of December 10th, among all 62 New York counties, Wyoming County and Orleans County were tied with the highest daily average number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 at 103. The next highest county is Genesee at 100 and right now WNY and the Finger Lakes have the highest rates in the state.

Schumer urged HHS to specifically take into account the loss of elective surgery revenue at Wyoming Community Hospital and 31 other upstate hospitals that had to suspect elective surgeries starting this week because a spike in COVID-19 hospital admissions has reduced their available bed capacity to 10% or less. Schumer said HHS should prioritize funding awards for hospitals like these 32 which now have the greatest need. These 32 hospitals include several in Western New York including Erie County Medical Center, Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Mount St Marys Hospital and Health Center, Sisters of Charity Hospital and several in the Finger Lakes including Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester General Hospital, F.F. Thompson, and Highland Hospital. Schumer said these hospitals are especially challenged having to now care for a large number of COVID-19 admissions while not being able to offset the additional expenses with one of their most important sources of revenue, elective surgery.

Joseph McTernan, CEO of the Wyoming County Community Health System said, “With COVID infection rates again spiking in our community, we need all hands on deck to both care for the increasing number of patients being admitted for care while addressing the burden of increased costs required to provide this care. These challenges have only compounded since WCCH is now one of the 32 New York hospitals with fewer than 10 percent bed capacity requiring us to suspend elective surgeries. Through the federal COVID relief bills championed by Senator Schumer WCCH has already received over $6 million in federal aid that has helped sustain us so far. And now that he pandemic is worsening again, we appreciate Senator Schumer’s push to help significantly impacted hospitals like WCCH now access additional federal relief funding.”

Wyoming County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Rebecca Ryan said, “As one of only two county owned hospitals in New York, Wyoming County Community Hospital is once again rising to meet our community’s health-care needs as COVID-19 infection rates increase. As hospital admissions rise and expenses mount, mobilizing to combat the COVID outbreak will require help from all levels of government. I thank Senator Schumer for securing over $6 million in pandemic aid for our hospital and to once again push for additional federal aid to help support our community through this latest surge.”

Schumer’s push for additional funds today follows his efforts to secure significant funding over the past 21 months that has helped sustain hospitals through the pandemic period. Specifically, Senator Schumer has delivered over $13.5 billion in grant funding to NY hospitals and providers through the Provider Relief Fund alone with billions more still awaiting to be disbursed. In addition, the Senator has secured tens of billions of dollars in much-needed relief including through various legislation and programs that delivered low-cost loans to providers, staved off potentially disastrous federal cuts to Medicare payments and increased payments to the New York Medicaid program that have helped NYS from instituting drastic cuts in provider reimbursements and consumer benefits.

In the April 2020 CARES Act, Schumer led the charge in Congress to create the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) - managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - with to provide funding to healthcare providers and hospitals caring for patients with COVID-19 and who suffered high expenses and lost revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although initially funded at $100 billion, Schumer led the charge in Congress further to successfully add an additional $86.5 billion to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) throughout the last year through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enactment Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and the American Rescue Plan. As of December 10th, 2021, HHS has awarded over $130 billion in funding from the PRF through distinct 11 distributions. Currently HHS will be awarding another $17 billion in a 12th tranche (Phase 4) to providers based on applications submitted by hospitals a month ago. Since these applications were submitted before the current surge in COVID-19 rates across WNY and Upstate, today Schumer announced his push for HHS to prioritize funding awards for hospitals like WCCH and the 31 other Upstate hospitals that now have the greatest need when HHS selects the recipients for this upcoming $17 billion tranche.

Below are the 32 NY hospitals now impacted by the elective surgery suspension have received the following totals of Provider Relief Funds since the start of the pandemic:

Hospital

Hospital Network

Region

County

PRF Funds

A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital

Bassett Healthcare Network

Mohawk Valley

Otsego

$6,998,802

Albany Medical Center Hospital

Albany Medical Center

Capital Region

Albany

$43,210,212

Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc.

Independent

Western New York

Chautauqua

$10,468,315

Canton-Potsdam Hospital

St. Lawrence Health System

North Country

St. Lawrence

$11,494,518

Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center

North Star Health Alliance

North Country

St. Lawrence

$9,437,814

Crouse Hospital

Crouse Health

Central New York

Onondaga

$8,364,463

Erie County Medical Center

Independent

Western New York

Erie

$62,807,257

F.F. Thompson Hospital

University of Rochester Medical Center

Finger Lakes

Ontario

$5,253,336

Faxton-St Lukes Healthcare St Lukes Division

Mohawk Valley Health System

Mohawk Valley

Oneida

$23,268,616

Geneva General Hospital

Finger Lakes Health

Finger Lakes

Ontario

$7,711,340

Glens Falls Hospital

Independent

Capital Region

Warren

$23,233,254

Guthrie Cortland Medical Center

The Guthrie Clinic

Central New York

Cortland

$12,235,223

Highland Hospital

University of Rochester Medical Center

Finger Lakes

Monroe

$23,881,664

Little Falls Hospital

Bassett Healthcare Network

Mohawk Valley

Herkimer

$4,426,084

Mercy Hospital of Buffalo

Catholic Health, Buffalo

Western New York

Erie

$20,795,425

Mount St Marys Hospital and Health Center

Catholic Health, Buffalo

Western New York

Niagara

$16,116,344

Oneida Health Hospital

Independent

Central New York

Madison

$7,802,776

Oswego Hospital

Independent

Central New York

Oswego

$7,641,08

Rochester General Hospital

Rochester Regional Health System

Finger Lakes

Monroe

$83,609,096

Saratoga Hospital

Albany Medical Center

Capital Region

Saratoga

$7,047,728

Sisters of Charity Hospital

Catholic Health, Buffalo

Western New York

Erie

$44,348,366

St Elizabeth Medical Center

Mohawk Valley Health System

Mohawk Valley

Oneida

$5,217,252

St. Mary's Healthcare

Ascension Health

Mohawk Valley

Montgomery

$22,590,810

Strong Memorial Hospital

University of Rochester Medical Center

Finger Lakes

Monroe

$183,389,341

The Unity Hospital of Rochester

Rochester Regional Health System

Finger Lakes

Monroe

$34,217,239

The University of Vermont Health Network - Alice Hyde Medical Center

University of Vermont Health Network

North Country

Franklin

$12,387,076

The University of Vermont Health Network - Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital

University of Vermont Health Network

North Country

Clinton

$31,522,873

The University of Vermont Health Network - Elizabethtown Community Hospital

The University of Vermont Health Network

North Country

Essex

$4,620,145

University Hospital SUNY Health Science Center

Independent

Central New York

Onondaga

$120,423,933

UPMC Chautauqua at WCA

UPMC

Western New York

Chautauqua

$17,618,300

UPSTATE University Hospital at Community General

Independent

Central New York

Onondaga

$126,193,988

Wyoming County Community Hospital

Independent

Finger Lakes

Wyoming

$6,256,951

Below is a copy of Senator Schumer’s letter to HHS:

Dear Secretary Becerra,

I write to request that the Department of Health and Humans Services (HHS) take into consideration the uptick in COVID-19 cases in certain areas of the country such as Western New York and the Finger Lakes Region when calculating the payments to providers that will be made in the upcoming General Distribution from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). Hospitals and providers in this area, such as Wyoming County Community Hospital, are working day and night to care for patients amid intense financial pressures and need this funding in order to deal with the increase in COVID-19 cases that are crowding their hospital beds. I also ask that these funds be made swiftly; New York providers – especially those in Upstate New York – cannot be made to wait for this direly needed relief.

As you well know, New York has suffered huge losses during the course of this pandemic. While a robust vaccination and testing program has kept the state from reliving the worst of the pandemic’s early days, parts of the state continue to experience high levels of coronavirus caseloads. As of December 10th, 2021, the three counties in New York with the highest daily average number COVID-19 cases per 100,000 are all found in Western New York: Orleans (103), Wyoming (103), Genesee (100). The caseloads in these counties and other areas of New York have increased to such a high level, that 32 hospitals across the state report having 10% or less of available bed capacity open to admit new patients. Due to these critical conditions, New York State has mandated that these hospitals suspend elective procedures until bed capacity improves. The combination of high costs associated with treating COVID-19 patients and the loss of high-revenue-producing elective procedures is damaging the financial health of hospitals such as Wyoming County Community Hospital and highlighted the need for more federal support through programs like the Provider Relief Fund.

In the April 2020 CARES Act, Congress created the PRF with an initial $100 billion in support for providers caring for patients with COVID-19 and who suffered high expenses and lost revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Congress further supplemented the fund with an additional $86.5 billion over the next year through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enactment Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and the American Rescue Plan.

As of December 10th, 2021, your Department has sent out over $130 billion in funding from the PRF across three phases of General Distributions and eight targeted allocations, the most recent being the $8.5 billion in American Rescue Plan’s Rural payments. These General Distributions were made using various formulas based on revenues and losses reported in past years’ Medicare and Medicaid cost reporting, tax filings and other financial information. The targeted allocations were based on a wider variety of factors including in some cases the level of COVID-19 admissions at a hospital provider.

In September 2021, HHS announced that up to $17 billion would be made available in a new PRF General Distribution and solicited applications from providers across the country for this funding. The information collected in these applications to develop the formula that will calculate these General Distribution payments once again only considered past tax filings, cost reporting data and other financial information. It does not consider the rising levels of COVID-19 in hard-hit areas such as Upstate New York.

In light of the ongoing increase in COVID-19 cases, I ask that your Department refer to its past practices at the height of the pandemic and incorporate data into the General Distribution formula that captures the enormous burdens placed on providers who are treating patients and saving lives in areas with high rates of COVID-19 cases. I also call on the Department to make these determinations swiftly and distribute the funds as soon as possible. Providers like Wyoming County Community Hospital need these funds now, and communities like those in Western New York cannot afford to wait any longer.

I thank you and your Department for your excellent service during this crisis.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-oahu-health-center-to-receive-more-than-470000-to-help-train-more-local-doctors-expand-access-to-health-care,"Schatz: Oahu Health Center To Receive More Than $470,000 To Help Train More Local Doctors, Expand Access To Health Care",2021-12-10,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center will receive $472,834 in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to establish a teaching health center primary care medical residency program on Oahu.

“This new residency program will train more local doctors and help Hawai‘i families get the health care they need,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Where someone lives shouldn’t be a barrier to seeing a doctor. That’s why programs like these are so critical for families living in rural areas.”

The new federal funding is part of the Health Resources and Service Administration’s Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Program (THCPD), and will support the establishment of a teaching health center primary care residency program at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. The new residency program will help train residents at community-based sites and help to address physician workforce shortages in rural and underserved communities. The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center has clinics in Waianae, Nanakuli, Kapolei, Waipahu, and Ewa.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-gillibrand-call-on-federal-transit-administration-to-fund-the-rochester-genesee-regional-transportation-authority-,"SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND CALL ON FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION TO FUND THE ROCHESTER-GENESEE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY",2021-12-10,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand wrote to the Federal Transit Administration in support of the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority’s (RGRTA) application for funding from the Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program. The requested funding would be used to build a facility to house administrative operations and operational staff facilities for the RGRTA, which provides transportation to tens of thousands of residents in the greater Rochester metro area and operates a paratransit service for disabled individuals. RGRTA’s current facilities are over four decades old and beyond their usable lifespan.

“Transportation is what connects our communities and keeps the wheels of the local economy rolling, but in Rochester the aging RGRTA facility is putting the brakes on continued development. That’s why I am urging the Federal Transit Administration to greenlight funding for the construction of a new bus garage for the RGRTA’s paratransit bus service,” said Senator Schumer. “This new facility would allow RGRTA to increase accessibility to paratransit customers and ensure RGRTA continues to operate reliably as an economic engine for the region.”

“RGRTA provides an invaluable service to the Rochester community,” said Senator Gillibrand. “However, its current facilities are in dire need of an upgrade. I urge the Federal Transit Administration to give RGRTA’s application for federal funding the full attention it deserves so that it can continue to provide reliable transit service to those who depend on it.”

Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand recently fought to include over $5.5 billion in funding for the FTA’s Bus and Bus Facilities program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to fund local transit systems.

Read the full text of the letter here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-epa-must-take-lead-in-testing-analysis-public-communication-of-red-hill-water-contamination-crisis,"Schatz: EPA Must Take Lead In Testing, Analysis, Public Communication Of Red Hill Water Contamination Crisis",2021-12-09,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the Navy disputed the Hawai‘i Department of Health’s analysis of water contamination at the Aiea Halawa well.

“The EPA must be the lead agency in the collection, testing, analysis, and public communication for water quality of the Navy’s water system. EPA must take a more active role in addressing this crisis. We can’t afford another day of the Navy and state and county agencies disagreeing on the basic question of whether the drinking water is safe. We need a trusted independent agency with deep expertise and a mission of environmental protection to take over.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-urges-secretary-of-commerce-raimondo-to-select-the-southern-tiers-new-energy-ny-project-as-one-of-nations-first-build-back-better-regional-challenge-awardees-project-would-accelerate-budding-battery-manufacturing-ecosystem-in-southern-tier-create-thousands-of-good-paying-jobs-combat-climate-change-and-expand-critical-emerging-industry-in-us-domestic-supply-chain,SCHUMER URGES SECRETARY OF COMMERCE RAIMONDO TO SELECT THE SOUTHERN TIER’S NEW ENERGY NY PROJECT AS ONE OF NATION’S FIRST BUILD BACK BETTER REGIONAL CHALLENGE AWARDEES; PROJECT WOULD ACCELERATE...,2021-12-09,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NY,Charles E. Schumer,S000148,www.schumer.senate.gov,schumer,https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"New BBB Regional Challenge Funding Would Open Up Southern Tier Opportunity For Revitalizing the Region’s Economy By Promoting Emerging Industries, Innovation, & Workforce Development

Project Brings Together Major Regional Stakeholders: Binghamton University, SUNY Broome, Rochester Institute of Technology, NY-BEST, And More To Turn Upstate New York Into A Battery Manufacturing Powerhouse

Schumer to EDA: Southern Tier’s New Energy New York Project Is A Win-Win-Win To Supercharge Battery Manufacturing, Create Thousands Of Jobs, And Boost R&D To Combat Climate Change

A longtime advocate of innovation and promoting tech manufacturing in Upstate New York, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer is urging the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to select the Southern Tier’s New Energy New York battery manufacturing project for investment through the American Rescue Plan’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Schumer explained that the project expands on existing research, development, testing, and workforce assets to meet the demand of the emerging battery manufacturing industry. If fully funded, the project estimates that in 10 years as many as 8,000 jobs would be created or supported as a result of this program.

“The Southern Tier has long been a home to innovation, as the birthplace of IBM, flight simulation and virtual reality, and it continues to do groundbreaking research through world-renowned institutions like Binghamton University. That is why I am fighting for the New Energy New York project, to help make the Southern Tier and Upstate New York a major hub of battery manufacturing that is central to our transition to a clean economy,” said Senator Schumer. “Federal investment through the Build Back Better Challenge would help establish the Greater Binghamton area as a national center for battery manufacturing, create thousands of jobs, fuel the innovation necessary to combat climate change, and importantly strengthen a critical area of the U.S. domestic manufacturing supply chain. I will continue to fight tooth and nail to supercharge this growing area of the Upstate New York economy.”

“There is a critical mass of interest at Binghamton University where we have great folks doing this work in partnership with researchers and academics from across New York state. We possess both the battery skills and the fundamental ideas and we partner directly with major industries that need these storage solutions and who will help us make the Southern Tier and New York state the nation’s — if not the world’s — premier hub for lithium-ion battery production,” said M. Stanley Whittingham, distinguished professor and researcher at Binghamton University and recipient of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. ""This is not just about jobs and economic development, it is about national security, self-reliance and energy security.""

President Harvey Stenger, Binghamton University, ""We have the know-how and the technology to bridge the gap between small-scale research and large-scale manufacturing as well as the ability to support product development and help companies bring their innovations in energy storage to market. We must be able to bring the innovation and manufacturing processes back home to the United States and Binghamton University together with our partners believe that can happen right here in the Southern Tier and across New York. Other states are competing for this hub but as our leading battery researcher, Nobel Prize winner Stan Whittingham, has stated, Binghamton and New York state are in the pole position to make this happen sooner and more successfully.""

""C4V’s path to commercialization, which has taken around 11 years, should have been shorter, and would have been with the kind of federal programs being discussed and promoted by Senator Schumer. I want to thank him for his advocacy and support,"" said Shailesh Upreti, iM3NY in Endicott, NY’s Chair and Founder. “These great ideas, the intellectual property and patents, are coming out of the United States but we are exporting the knowledge and importing the product. It’s a double loss — it has to change and I am hopeful it will.”

Schumer explained that specifically funding through the EDA would be used in planning for a battery technology and manufacturing center hosted by Binghamton University further supporting economic resurgence in an underdeveloped area of the Southern Tier. In addition, the proposal would also build on regional programs to help spur entrepreneurship, climate justice, and workforce training through higher education partnerships. Project collaborators include a wide swath of the region’s universities, including Binghamton University, SUNY Broome, SUNY Corning Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology, as well as NY-BEST and other key stakeholders like IncubatorWorks, Clean Fight NY as well as County and state government entities.

The $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge, funded by the American Rescue Plan, is designed to assist communities nationwide, with accelerating economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and building local economies that will be resilient to economic disruptions. The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is being implemented as a two phase program. In Phase 1, the EDA will provide ~$500,000 technical assistance grants. Those selected as Phase 1 awardees will be considered “finalists” and the grants will be used by the finalists to prepare more detailed applications for Phase 2 transformational projects that benefit their respective geographic regions and are aligned around a holistic approach to building and scaling a strategic industries. In Phase 2, the EDA will award 20-30 regional coalitions $25 million to $75 million, and up to $100 million, for selected projects to grow new regional industry clusters or scale existing ones through planning, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, workforce development, access to capital, and more.

A copy of Senator Schumer’s original letter of support for the New Energy New York proposal appears below:

Dear Secretary Raimondo,

I write in strong support of the joint “New Energy New York” proposal submitted by Binghamton University, SUNY Broome, Rochester Institute of Technology, and New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology (NY-BEST) to the U.S. Economic Development Administration Build Back Better Regional Challenge. This project is critical to the ongoing manufacturing and development of lithium-based batteries in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions of Upstate New York.

Following the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical, now more than ever, that we continue our investment in strengthening the U.S.’s domestic energy supply chain. The proposed initiative seeks to facilitate this goal by expanding existing research, development, testing, and workforce assets to meet the increasing demand in the electric vehicle, battery, and stationary grid storage markets. The Southern Tier and Finger Lakes are home to a growing lithium ion manufacturing industry, with a gigafactory set to open in 2022 in Endicott, NY.

Specifically, funding through the EDA would help take essential steps in the planning for a battery technology and manufacturing center hosted by Binghamton University further supporting economic resurgence in an underdeveloped area of the Southern Tier. In addition, the proposal would also build on regional programs to help spur entrepreneurship, climate justice, and workforce training programs through higher education partners. The vast coalition assembled for this project speaks to the tremendous value and unwavering commitment of the community to bolstering this emerging manufacturing in Upstate NY.

I applaud Binghamton University, SUNY Broome, Rochester Institute of Technology, NY-BEST, and their regional partners for the ongoing role they continue to play in the economic development of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes, and sincerely hope the application meets with your approval.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-krishnamoorthi-lead-colleagues-in-calling-on-us-department-of-education-to-facilitate-student-civic-engagement-in-institutions-of-higher-education,"Booker, Krishnamoorthi Lead Colleagues in Calling on U.S. Department of Education to Facilitate Student Civic Engagement in Institutions of Higher Education",2021-12-07,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8th) led a bicameral group of over two dozen colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to address student voter registration and participation as it formulates rulemaking for higher education accountability. The letter comes as states across the country pass legislation designed to curb the voting rights of Black, Brown, and young people.

“Across the country, voting rights are under attack, and new laws restricting access to voting have been transparently intended to discourage students and people of color from participating in our elections,” wrote the lawmakers to USDOE Secretary Miguel Cardona. “The Department can and should play a significant role in supporting democracy by creating additional nonpartisan opportunities for students to register to vote, keep their voter registration up to date, and participate in state and federal elections.”

The lawmakers continued by highlighting that “Section 487(a)(23) of theHigher Education Act requires each institution of higher education that receives federal financial aid funds to make a “good faith effort” to distribute voter registration materials and to make such materials “widely available” to students. A college’s good faith effort to distribute voter registration information widely should reflect the most common methods by which individuals register to vote—including, increasingly, online registration—and the deadlines they must meet.”

Given that the USDOE will only complete rulemaking for higher education institutions in early 2022, the lawmakers called on the department to“swiftly issue sub-regulatory guidance that clarifies institutions’ responsibilities under current regulations. This guidance should remind colleges of their existing requirement to distribute voter registration information to students well in advance of state deadlines to register to vote. And, such guidance should strongly encourage institutions to adopt best practices for providing links to voter registration online and through direct notifications to students, including links during course registration and campus-wide email reminders.”

The lawmakers concluded, “Participating in our democracy is consistent with the goals of federal financial aid, and the Department should take swift action to support access to voter registration and voting for students in this rulemaking process. Thank you for your attention to our request.”

The letter follows Senator Booker’s Help Students Vote Act, legislation introduced earlier this year that would strengthen student voter registration and civic participation on college campuses.

The letter was co-signed by the following Senators: Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-NM), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Mark Warner (D-VA).

The letter was also co-signed by the following Representatives: Deborah Ross (NC-02nd), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07th), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18th), Terri Sewell (AL-07th), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07th), Stephen Lynch (MA-08th), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05th), and Tom Suozzi (NY-03rd).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-congressional-delegation-urges-governor-ige-to-request-emergency-declaration-epa-intervention-in-water-contamination-crisis,"Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation Urges Governor Ige To Request Emergency Declaration, EPA Intervention In Water Contamination Crisis",2021-12-07,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Kaiali‘i Kahele (D-Hawai‘i) called on Governor David Ige to request that President Biden declare an emergency and direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to step in and assist with the water contamination crisis on Oahu.

“The EPA’s direct intervention in your request is essential,” the delegation wrote in their letter to Ige. “While the source of the contamination affecting the drinking water is still unknown, it is important that the public have confidence in the process that the Navy and Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) are using to draw samples from the Navy’s water system to ensure the results show the true extent of the problem that threatens the health and safety of the people of Hawai‘i. The EPA has the expertise to validate the techniques and procedures that the Navy and DOH are using to draw their samples, and it can direct them to take corrective actions where appropriate. It can also draw its own samples to compare against as we work to identify, isolate, and fix the source of the contamination affecting the drinking water.”

The full text of the letter can be found below and is available here.

Dear Governor Ige:

We write regarding the contamination of drinking water impacting the communities of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Aliamanu Military Reservation, and Red Hill and urge you to immediately request that President Biden declare an emergency and to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and all other appropriate federal agencies to respond to this crisis.

Including the EPA’s direct intervention in your request is essential. While the source of the contamination affecting the drinking water is still unknown, it is important that the public have confidence in the process that the Navy and Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) are using to draw samples from the Navy’s water system to ensure the results show the true extent of the problem that threatens the health and safety of the people of Hawai‘i. The EPA has the expertise to validate the techniques and procedures that the Navy and DOH are using to draw their samples, and it can direct them to take corrective actions where appropriate. It can also draw its own samples to compare against as we work to identify, isolate, and fix the source of the contamination affecting the drinking water.

We are also troubled that the Navy has said that it does not have a “realistic timeline” for restoring safe drinking water, leaving impacted families in limbo as they continue to struggle with daily activities—such as cooking, bathing their children, and doing laundry. Given the indeterminate duration that this crisis could persist, the State of Hawai‘i must continue to assess additional potential areas for federal agency intervention as they are warranted.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this as we work together to address this ongoing crisis.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hirono-vote-to-confirm-clare-connors-to-serve-as-us-attorney-for-hawaii,"Schatz, Hirono Vote to Confirm Clare Connors to Serve as U.S. Attorney for Hawai‘i",2021-12-07,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono, member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted to confirm Hawai‘i Attorney General Clare Connors to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawai‘i. The Senate voted unanimously to confirm her nomination.

“Clare Connors is an excellent choice to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawai‘i, and her unanimous confirmation by the Senate is proof of that. With her strong background in public service and her proven commitment to justice, we were proud to support her nomination, and are confident she will serve the people of Hawai‘i well.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-congressional-delegation-governor-call-for-immediate-suspension-of-operations-at-red-hill,"Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation, Governor Call For Immediate Suspension of Operations At Red Hill",2021-12-05,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige and Hawaii’s congressional delegation, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Kaiali‘i Kahele (D-Hawai‘i), released the following statement calling for the Secretary of the Navy to immediately suspend operations at Red Hill following the contamination of drinking water at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam:

“Test results confirming contamination of drinking water at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam show that the Navy is not effectively operating the World War II-era facility and protecting the health and safety of the people of Hawai‘i. We are calling for the Navy to immediately suspend operations at Red Hill while they confront and remedy this crisis.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-discussion-with-white-house-chief-of-staff-biden-homeland-security-advisor-on-water-contamination-crisis,"Schatz Statement On Discussion With White House Chief Of Staff, Biden Homeland Security Advisor On Water Contamination Crisis",2021-12-04,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on his call with White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain and the President’s Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall to discuss the water contamination crisis at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

“Today, I spoke with White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain and Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall to brief them on the water contamination crisis on Oahu and request the Biden Administration’s support for all federal resources available to the state and to affected residents, including mobilizing EPA and all relevant federal agencies. The White House agreed to work closely with me and state and military leaders to ensure Hawai‘i has the federal support it needs to clean up the water at Red Hill and help families get through this crisis.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-congressional-delegation-navy-has-failed-to-safely-manage-fuel-operations-must-provide-affected-families-with-safe-water-access-to-lodging-laundry-other-necessities,"Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation: Navy Has Failed To Safely Manage Fuel Operations, Must Provide Affected Families With Safe Water, Access To Lodging, Laundry, Other Necessities",2021-12-03,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Kaiali‘i Kahele (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after test results found petroleum contaminants in the Navy’s water system, which supplies water to thousands of Oahu families.

“While the test results leave many questions, it is clear that the Navy has failed to manage its fuel operations, including Red Hill, to a standard that protects the health and safety of the people of Hawai‘i. The Navy must immediately identify, isolate, and fix the problems that have allowed the contamination of the drinking water at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. That includes a wholesale change in an organizational culture that has allowed too many accidents to occur without any accountability. We expect the Navy to also provide all affected residents with safe drinking water, and access to temporary lodging, laundry services, and other necessities that will help them get through this crisis. The Navy must also work with state regulators to identify and isolate other potential fuel leaks that risk further contamination of drinking water resources on Oahu. Finally, we urge the governor to request that the president declare an emergency as soon as possible so that the state has access to every resource available to make families whole and protect the people of Hawai‘i from future leaks. We will remain personally involved in applying the full resources of our offices and Congress to ensuring that the Navy fully resolves this crisis.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-applaud-senate-judiciary-committee-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-privacy-safety-of-federal-judges-and-their-families,"Booker, Menendez Applaud Senate Judiciary Committee Passage of Bipartisan Bill To Protect Privacy, Safety of Federal Judges and Their Families",2021-12-02,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-author of the bill, and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), lead and co-author of the bill, applauded the passage of the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2021 by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislation comes after the fatal, targeted attack last year on U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas’s New Jersey home. The bill, named for Judge Salas’s son who was murdered during the violent home invasion last year, would safeguard the personally identifiable information of federal judges and their immediate families that could leave them vulnerable to potential threats.

The bill passed through the Judiciary Committee today without opposition and with broad bipartisan support.

WATCH MEDIA AVAILABILITY HERE

“I am grateful that Senators of both parties came together today to support the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act— urgently needed legislation that will help protect the privacy and safety of federal judges and their families,” said Senator Booker, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “No person who takes on the responsibility of serving as a federal judge should ever have to live in fear that they or their family could be targeted by someone who is able to access their personal information easily online. As we continue to grieve and stand with the Salas family in honoring the memory of their son Daniel, we must never forget that tragic day, and we must ensure that this legislation is passed by the full Senate.”

“I made a personal commitment to Judge Salas that I would push for legislation to better protect those who serve on our federal judiciary. Today, we are one step closer to fulfilling that promise with this important legislation passing the Senate Judiciary Committee,” said Sen. Menendez, who recommended Judge Salas to President Barack Obama for appointment to the federal bench. “Over the past several years, we have witnessed increased threats against the men and women who serve on our federal judiciary. To ensure the sanctity of judicial independence and to help prevent another devastating tragedy like the one endured by Judge Salas, I urge my colleagues in Congress to swiftly pass this commonsense, bipartisan bill.”

“My husband and I thank the Senate Judiciary Committee from our hearts,” Judge Salas said. “Daniel’s death showed tragically that threats against federal judges are real, and they have dire consequences. I urge Congress to follow the committee’s lead and ensure that judges can perform their duties without fear, for themselves or their families.”

In July 2020, a man posing as a delivery driver went to the home of Judge Salas and opened fire, critically wounding her husband, Mark Anderl, and killing their 20-year-old son, Daniel. The gunman had previously argued a case before Judge Salas and used publicly available information to target the judge and her family. Since the attack, Judge Salas has made advocating for greater safety and privacy protections for federal judges a personal mission.

The Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act would shield the personally identifiable information of federal judges and their immediate family who share their residence, including home addresses, social security numbers, contact information, tax records, marital and birth records, vehicle information, photos of their vehicle and home, and the name of the schools and employers of their immediate family members.

The legislation establishes guidelines for federal agencies, state and local governments, and commercial data collectors to create safeguards to protect the personal information of active, senior, recalled, or retired federal judges and their immediate families by:

Prohibiting government agencies from publicly posting judges’ personally identifiable information and allowing judges to request the removal of their information within 72 hours if it is already posted;

Creating a federal grant program for state and local governments to help cover costs to prevent the release of judges’ personally identifiable information from any agency that operates a database or registry that contains this information;

Authorizing funding for state and local governments to create or expand programs to protect judges’ personally identifiable information, such as programs to redact information from tax, property, and state motor vehicle records, among others, or the hiring of a third party to scrub the information from the internet;

Prohibiting commercial data collectors from selling, trading, licensing, purchasing, or providing judges’ personally identifiable information, and authorizing the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) to provide data brokers with a current list of federal judges and their immediate family members for the purpose of compliance and;

Allowing injunctive relief and a private right-of-action for violations of the law.

The bill would also authorize funding for the AO and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to monitor and assess online threats, maintain records, investigate complaints, and address acts of aggression and violations. It would also allow the USMS to hire additional intelligence analysts, deputy U.S. Marshals, and other personnel to ensure the agency is able to anticipate and deter threats against federal judges.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-sullivan-introduce-world-aids-day-resolution,"Booker, Sullivan Introduce World AIDS Day Resolution",2021-12-01,2021,2021-12,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced a resolution commemorating and supporting the goals of World AIDS Day, including the goal to achieve zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. The resolution recognizes current efforts made by the United States and international organizations in combatting HIV/AIDS while also encouraging greater coordination between the global community to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. A companion resolution was introduced in the House by Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Jenniffer González-Colón.

“Each year, thousands of Americans are newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, with Black and Brown communities being disproportionately affected by the disease,” said Sen. Booker. “As we commemorate World AIDS Day, this is also the time for us to recommit to finally eradicating HIV/AIDS in the United States and worldwide by scaling up support for prevention, treatment and research programs and improving access to life-saving medications, especially for vulnerable populations.”

“As we continue to battle COVID-19, World AIDS Day is an important reminder of the millions of people living with another virus—HIV,” said Senator Sullivan. “Since coming to the Senate, I’ve been an ardent supporter of robust funding for PEPFAR, a federal program started by President Bush that has treated nearly 15 million people around the world. I’m glad to join Senator Booker and our House colleagues in introducing a resolution to recognize World AIDS Day and the critical work being done to prevent infections and save lives.”

“On World AIDS Day, we remember those who have lost their struggle against this disease, their families and loved ones, and the millions more who continue to live with and fight against it,” said Rep. Lee. “This is the moment that we must all enact the political and moral will to bring equitable care and services for the LGBTQI+ community, sex workers, racial and ethnic minorities, and women and girls. We will only end AIDS if we address the deep disparities in access to sexual and reproductive care, life-saving HIV services, and education.

“As we mark the 33rd World AIDS Day, it is imperative that we address stigma,discrimination, and repeal punitive laws against people living with HIV. We must come together to protect lifesaving public health programs to realize our shared goal of achieving an AIDS-free generation. I’m proud to be working with co-chair Rep. Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon on this effort and I stand with the HIV community, their families, advocates, and my colleagues, to recognize the progress we have made over the years, but to fully commit to the work that remains.”

“As we commemorate World AIDS Day, I am proud to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in introducing bicameral resolution to continue our efforts in spreading awareness about HIV and continue our efforts to prevention, care and treatment,” said Rep. González-Colón. “This is a mission I care about deeply, as in my district, two people become newly infected with HIV every day. It’s imperative we continue supporting those living with this virus and their families, as we continue working in crafting common sense policies and programs to improve research and treatment and end the HIV epidemic.”

The resolution was endorsed by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, AIDS Alabama, the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors, Friends of the Global Fight, The AIDS Institute, RESULTS, NMAC, and ONE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:37:48Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-and-durbin-introduce-legislation-aimed-at-increasing-membership-within-us-sentencing-commission,Booker and Durbin Introduce Legislation Aimed at Increasing Membership within U.S. Sentencing Commission,2021-11-30,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Sentencing Commission Improvements Act, legislation that would for the first time add an ex officio member with a public defender background to the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission, an independent agency within the federal judiciary, was created to establish policies and practices to help reduce sentencing disparities. It specifically collects and analyzes information on federal sentencing practices to help develop fairer and more effective criminal justice policies.

Currently, the Commission consists of seven members from both political parties appointed by the President and two ex officio, nonvoting members, the Attorney General or a designee and the U.S. Parole Commission chair. However, unlike the majority of state sentencing commissions, the federal Commission lacks a representative from a public defender background who would provide an essential perspective on the criminal justice system.

“The federal Sentencing Commission was created to be fair, impartial, and capable of providing evidence-driven improvements to our sentencing system, which is fraught with disparities,” said Senator Booker. “Adding a statutory member to the Commission with a public defender background will ensure that the Commission’s ranks include this distinct and essential perspective on our criminal justice system and, thus, bring us one step closer to a more balanced and just system.”

“The U.S. Sentencing Commission is tasked with establishing practices and policies to promote transparency and reduce sentencing disparities, but the Commission is missing a crucial perspective from the federal public defender system. If we hope to improve sentencing policies in America, we must balance the Commission’s membership by adding a nonvoting federal defender,” said Senator Durbin. “The Sentencing Commission Improvements Act will remedy the Commission’s blind spot and move us toward a fairer sentencing process.”

“We welcome Senators Booker and Durbin’s support for a federal defender ex officio,” said Jon Sands, co-chair of the Federal Public & Community Defenders Legislative Committee & Federal Defender for the District of Arizona. “The time is past due for Congress to ensure defender representation on the United States Sentencing Commission. As the Judicial Conference has long recognized, a defender ex officio would make federal sentencing fairer and more just.”

The Sentencing Commission Improvements Act adds an ex officio, nonvoting federal defender member to the U.S. Sentencing Commission designated by the Defender Services Advisory Group, the body under the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts that represents defender offices and advises the federal judiciary.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-congressional-delegation-to-navy-secretary-navy-must-act-immediately-to-test-protect-water-provide-hawaii-residents-with-access-to-safe-water,"Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation To Navy Secretary: Navy Must Act Immediately To Test, Protect Water, Provide Hawai‘i Residents With Access To Safe Water",2021-11-30,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Kaiali‘i Kahele (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after meeting with Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro to discuss fuel operations in Hawai‘i.

“Today, we met with Secretary Del Toro to discuss our concerns with Red Hill and the Navy’s fuel operations in Hawai‘i. The Navy owes the community straightforward communications on all events that occur at Red Hill and a commitment to address concerns with the Red Hill infrastructure no matter the cost. Given the resources and engineering expertise available to the Navy, we made it clear that there is zero tolerance for endangering the health and safety of the public or the environment. Most recently, reports of fuel potentially contaminating the water supply at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam followed by a slow, inadequate response are especially troubling. The Navy must act immediately and do everything it can to expedite the testing being done on the mainland to determine any risks to the drinking water. It also needs to ensure that residents in all affected areas have access to safe drinking water until the Navy and state regulators can assure the public it is safe. We also expect clear and consistent communication with the public about all matters, but particularly those that impact health and safety.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-passing-of-former-honolulu-mayor-eileen-anderson,Schatz Statement On Passing Of Former Honolulu Mayor Eileen Anderson,2021-11-30,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the passing of former Honolulu Mayor Eileen Anderson.

“Mayor Anderson was a remarkable, trailblazing leader who helped inspire generations of women in Hawai‘i. While she will be greatly missed, her legacy of public service and work to move Honolulu forward will endure. My condolences and aloha go to Mayor Anderson’s ohana.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-to-receive-15-million-to-improve-waianuenue-avenue-bridge-in-hilo-protect-it-from-flooding-natural-disasters,"Hawai‘i To Receive $1.5 Million To Improve Waianuenue Avenue Bridge In Hilo, Protect It From Flooding, Natural Disasters",2021-11-29,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the State of Hawai‘i will receive $1.5 million in new federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to modernize the Waianuenue Avenue Bridge and protect it from flooding and earthquakes.

“This new federal funding will modernize the Waianuenue Avenue Bridge, making it safer for local families to use and get where they need to go,” said Senator Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing. “In addition to this funding, Hawai‘i is set to receive at least $2.8 billion from the new bipartisan infrastructure law to strengthen roads and bridges across the state.”

The modernized bridge will be designed to withstand earthquake forces and erosive forces of flood waters as established by current national standards. The $1.5 million grant is being funded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments so they can rebuild in a way that reduces, or mitigates, future disaster losses in their communities.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hawaii-to-receive-47-million-to-help-keep-families-in-their-homes-avoid-evictions,"Schatz: Hawai‘i To Receive $4.7 Million To Help Keep Families In Their Homes, Avoid Evictions",2021-11-29,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority will receive $4.7 million from the American Rescue Plan to keep Hawai‘i families using housing vouchers from being evicted due to increased costs.

“No one should lose their home during a pandemic,” said Senator Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Development. “This new federal funding will help make sure families who are struggling to stay in their homes aren’t evicted and can continue to have safe and stable housing.”

The grants will support Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers for non-elderly persons with disabilities that otherwise would have their rental assistance terminated as a result of insufficient funding.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-statement-on-nomination-of-nani-coloretti-as-deputy-omb-director,Schatz Statement On Nomination Of Nani Coloretti As Deputy OMB Director,2021-11-24,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU — U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on the nomination of Nani Coloretti as Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). When confirmed, Coloretti will become the highest ranking Filipino American in the Biden Administration. Coloretti hails from Kapahulu and graduated from Iolani School in 1987.

“The Office of Management and Budget will gain an outstanding, well-qualified Deputy Director in Nani Coloretti,” Senator Schatz said. “This is a proud moment for Hawai‘i and the Filipino American community. As a native of Kapahulu and the highest ranking Filipino American in the Biden Administration, Nani will bring strong leadership experience, as well as the ability to inspire the next generation of Filipino American leaders in Hawai‘i and across the country. I am proud to call Nani a friend, and I look forward to voting for her confirmation in the Senate.”

Nani Coloretti is currently Senior Vice President at the Urban Institute. She previously served as Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Obama Administration. Before that she served as Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting CFO of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and Acting COO of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Coloretti worked in the San Francisco Mayor’s office from 2005 until 2009, most recently serving as Budget Director. Previously, Coloretti served as the Director of Policy, Planning, and Budget for the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families from 1999 to 2005.

The Office of Management and Budget is the largest office within the Office of the President, overseeing the implementation of the president’s vision across the Executive Branch. Specifically, OMB’s mission is to assist the president in meeting his policy, budget, management and regulatory objectives and to fulfill the agency’s statutory responsibilities.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/as-thanksgiving-approaches-booker-khanna-announce-legislation-to-protect-meatpacking-workers,"As Thanksgiving Approaches, Booker, Khanna Announce Legislation to Protect Meatpacking Workers",2021-11-23,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) announced the Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act which would provide stronger workplace protections for meat and poultry processing workers.

Our nation’s food system has long been broken, but the COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on just how broken the system truly is for workers, farmers and ranchers, animals, and consumers. Unfortunately, the workers responsible for getting food from the farm to our table are often overlooked and underappreciated. It is clear that our food system is not safe for most farm and food chain workers including meatpacking workers that, due to the power and influence of large multinational corporations, have been forced to risk their lives, crowded into meatpacking plants that became hotbeds for COVID-19 outbreaks. In fact, recent reports indicate that over 59,000 meatpacking workers employed by JBS, Tyson, Smithfield, Cargill, and National Beef contracted COVID-19, and at least 269 died.

The Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act would provide much needed protections for meatpacking workers along with systemic reforms such as creating a fair market that allows independent farmers, ranchers and robust local food systems to thrive and ensuring that consumers can actually identify where their food comes from so that food giants cannot simply shift the burden of their unfair system to others in the supply chain or import more unsustainable meat from other parts of the world.

“As we sit down with family and friends this Thanksgiving, let it also be a day of gratitude for the workers who have worked tirelessly to ensure we have food on our tables,” said Senator Booker. “Unfortunately, meatpacking workers, including those processing the turkeys on the plates of many Americans this week, often face exploitative and dangerous work conditions. We must end this era of abusive practices and begin to ensure that all workers, farmers, and ranchers have a safe and fair opportunity to earn a living. The Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act would provide essential protections to meatpacking workers and is a critical piece in transforming our food system to one that is rooted in resilience, fairness, and justice.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic publicly exposed the dangerous conditions that meatpackers employed by large multinational corporations face, but this has been a problem for a long time,” said Rep. Ro Khanna. “I’m glad to join Senator Booker to establish enhanced protections and safety standards at these mega meatpacking plants. It’s time to prioritize people over profits and implement real reforms that will keep workers safe.”

“America’s meatpacking and food processing workers have put their health on the line every day of this pandemic to ensure our families can put food on the table. These hard-working men and women on the frontlines of our food supply chain deserve safe workplaces,” said Marc Perrone, International President, United Food & Commercial Workers International Union.

“Today’s introduction of the Protecting American Meatpacking Workers Act by Senator Booker and Representative Khanna is a critical step toward strengthening protections in these plants, increasing consumer protections, and holding the industry accountable. Americans deserve to know that their food is safe, made here in the United States, and comes from American workers who are protected on the job.

“With action to strengthen safety inspections, improve transparency and require more injury reporting, this bill would deliver the real reforms this industry needs. As America’s largest union for meatpacking workers, UFCW is calling on both Democrats and Republicans in Congress to quickly pass this legislation which supports good American jobs and will keep our food supply chain secure for years to come.”

""The members of Wisconsin Farmers Union stand in solidarity with food system workers seeking workplace safety through the ‘Protecting America's Meatpacking Workers Act of 2021,’” said Lauren Langworthy, Special Projects Director at Wisconsin Farmers Union. “As both farmers and eaters, we depend on the laborers who process our meat products. Issues of workplace safety and abuse - especially in the most consolidated processing plants - have endangered the health and wellbeing of laborers and added to the fragility of our food system as a whole. Workers deserve the basic protections brought forth in this bill, better enforcement of existing workplace safety laws, and meaningful consequences for employers who neglect the safety and wellbeing of this important workforce.""

“NELP applauds Senator Booker and Representative Khanna for this legislation that secures robust health, safety, and legal protections for meatpacking workers and our food system,” said Rebecca Dixon, Executive Director, National Employment Law Project. “This legislation is a culmination of the fierce advocacy of workers, advocates, and policymakers to protect the meat and poultry workforce, a community that is critical to our nation’s wellbeing as we continue to work towards an inclusive and just recovery.”

“We want to thank Senator Booker for leading this effort,” said Suzanne Adely, Co-Director, Food Chain Workers Alliance. “Meat processing workers have been organizing for safe working conditions and for a voice in their workplace for years, and the COVID pandemic showed us just how much these workers are at risk. While there is still much more to do to protect workers and support worker organizing in meat processing plants, we think the provisions in this Bill are a critically important step.”

“For too long, poultry companies have been exposing workers to inhumane working conditions while profiting from their labor,” said Magaly Licolli, Executive Director, Venceremos. “They have failed to take full accountability for the abuse, injuries, illnesses and financial stress their workers are subject to. This bill will address some of the most urgent protections for workers who have been undervalued to ensure they have dignity as they work to put food on our tables.”

Specifically, the Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act would do the following:

Protect meat and poultry works by:

Preventing the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing line speeds waivers unless meat and poultry plants agree to a USDA inspection which must show that an increase in line speeds will not adversely impact worker safety;

Establishing occupational safety and health standards to protect employees in meat and poultry plants;

Implementing a regional emphasis inspection program for meat and poultry plants which will cover multiple aspects of worker safety including amputation hazards, ergonomics, and hazards related to line speeds, bathroom breaks, use of certain antimicrobials, and temperatures of work sites;

Allowing meat or poultry plant employees the ability to authorize a representative, who may be a member of a worker-based community group, to accompany physical inspections;

Strengthening existing protections against retaliation from employers when employees refuse to perform work duties under conditions of reasonable apprehension and sets up a system wherein employees may file a complaint in the event retaliation has occurred;

Establishing a standardized, publicly available, reporting process for use during pandemics, which will require meat or poultry plants to report the number of employees who have become ill, their racial demographics, and their employment status;

Reform the farm system by:

Requiring that all grants funded under USDA AMS for Expanded Meat & Poultry Processing include labor peace agreements and prohibiting small processing plants that received a grant from being sold to meat and poultry packers with over 10 percent of market share for a period of 10 years;

Strengthening the Packers & Stockyards Act to crack down on the monopolistic practices of meatpackers and corporate integrators;

Restoring mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements

Calling for GAO reports that would explore:

The fragility of our nation’s food system with respect to meat and poultry;

Racial and ethnic disparities in meat and poultry processing;

The actions taken by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to determine the effectiveness of those actions in protecting animal, food, and worker safety.

Last year, Senator Booker introduced the Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act, that suspended all current and future USDA waivers and regulations that allowed companies to increase production line speeds at meatpacking plants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A list of the organizations endorsing the Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act can be found here.

The following Senators co-sponsored this legislation: Gillibrand (D-NY), Blumenthal (D-CT), Sanders (I-VT), and Warren (D-MA).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-legislation-aimed-at-banning-dangerous-pesticides-from-our-agriculture-system,Booker Announces Legislation Aimed at Banning Dangerous Pesticides from our Agriculture System,2021-11-23,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act of 2021 (PACTPA) that would remove dangerous pesticides within our farm system. Specifically, this legislation would update the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (FIFRA) by banning the most damaging pesticides that have been scientifically proven to harm the safety of people and our environment.

Each year, the United States uses over a billion pounds of pesticides — nearly a fifth of worldwide use. Once they’re approved, pesticides often remain on the market for decades, even when scientific evidence overwhelmingly shows a pesticide is causing harm to people or the environment. In 2017 and 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency registered more than 100 pesticides containing ingredients widely considered to be dangerous.

Approximately one-third of annual U.S. pesticide use — over 300 million pounds from 85 different pesticides — comes from pesticides that are banned in the European Union. The pesticide regulation statute, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (FIFRA), contains many loopholes that put the interests of the pesticide industry above the health and safety of people and our environment.

“As we sit down with family and friends for Thanksgiving, let this day also be one of gratitude for the workers who have worked tirelessly to ensure we have food on our tables,” said Senator Booker. “Farmworkers are often exposed to dangerous and toxic pesticides, risking their health as they work to provide our food. It is imperative that we address this issue directly by updating our laws in order to protect farmworkers, frontline communities, and our environment.”

“Pesticide hazards haunt farm workers, especially those that are parents. No parent should worry that hugging their children after a long day of work could expose them to brain-harming chemicals. No pregnant worker should have to wonder what the effects will be on a developing baby. Just living in an agricultural community places farm worker families at the front lines of exposure to dangerous nerve agents. This silent risk extends to every consumer who could unknowingly put food with toxic residue on their family’s table,” said Teresa Romero, President of the United Farm Workers of America.

“For our union, at the heart of the fight against harmful pesticides are countless tragic incidents of workers who experienced pesticide poisoning, and of parents whose children are dealing with developmental injuries, learning disabilities or other health impairments.

“The Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act recognizes that our nation’s farm workers and consumers deserve better and puts an end to the unacceptable risks to our communities.”

“Farmworkers and their families are exposed to highly toxic pesticides in the fields where they work and the communities where they live,” said Iris Figueroa, Director of Economic and Environmental Justice, Farmworker Justice. “The reforms in this bill provide long-overdue protections for the essential workers who provide our food, facing significant risks to their own health as they do so.”

“Children and farmworkers should not have to risk suffering serious harm from dangerous pesticides, including many that are banned in other countries,” said J.W. Glass, EPA policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “These critical reforms are long overdue. They’ll ensure that people’s health comes before the pesticide industry’s greed.""

“Exposure to paraquat increases risk for Parkinson’s disease — as well as causes lung damage and other issues. This herbicide must be banned,”said Todd Sherer, PhD, Executive Vice President, Research Strategy of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. “It is irresponsible to continue allowing a chemical on the market that is a known contributor to developing a neurodegenerative disease. In addition to the human toll, Parkinson’s brings a high financial cost to the individual and the government. Banning paraquat will reduce the number of people who develop Parkinson’s and ease the economic burden.”

Specifically, the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act of 2021 (PACTPA) would provide desperately-needed improvement to FIFRA that would better protect people and the environment, including:

Bans some of the most damaging pesticides scientifically known to cause significant harm to people and the environment:

Organophosphate insecticides, which are designed to target the neurological system and have been linked to neurodevelopmental damage in children;

Neonicotinoid insecticides, which have contributed to pollinator collapse around the world (the European Union and Canada have significantly restricted or banned their use to protect pollinators and other wildlife) and have recently been shown to cause developmental defects, heart deformations, and muscle tremors in unborn children;

Paraquat, which is one of the most acutely toxic herbicides in the world —according to the EPA, just “one sip can kill.” Science has shown that chronic exposure to paraquat increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by 200% to 600%. It is already banned in 32 countries, including the European Union.

Restores balance to protect ordinary citizens by removing dangerous pesticides from the market by:

Creating a petition process to enable individual citizens to petition the EPA to identify dangerous pesticides so that the EPA would no longer be able to indefinitely allow dangerous pesticides to remain on the market;

Closing dangerous loopholes that have allowed the EPA to issue emergency exemptions and conditional registrations to use pesticides before they have gone through full health and safety review by the agency;

Enabling local communities to enact protective legislation and other policies without being vetoed or preempted by state law;

Suspending the use of pesticides deemed unsafe by the E.U. or Canada until they are thoroughly reviewed by the EPA.

Provides protections for frontline communities that bear the burden of pesticide exposure by:

Requiring employers of farmworkers to report all pesticide-caused injuries to the EPA, with strong penalties for failure to report injuries or retaliating against workers;

Directing the EPA to review pesticide injury reports and work with the pesticide manufacturers to develop better labeling to prevent future injury;

Requiring that all pesticide label instructions be written in Spanish and in any language spoken by more than 500 pesticide applicators.

Senators Gillibrand (D-NY), Sanders (I-VT), Warren (D-MA), and Padilla (D-CA) co-sponsored this legislation.

A list of the organizations endorsing the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-rural-health-care-providers-to-receive-more-than-43-million-in-federal-relief-funding-to-cover-costs-help-families-get-health-care,"Schatz: Hawai‘i Rural Health Care Providers To Receive More Than $43 Million In Federal Relief Funding To Cover Costs, Help Families Get Health Care",2021-11-23,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that rural health care providers in Hawai‘i will receive more than $43 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to provide health care for families across the state. The grants will support 240 Hawai‘i health care providers who serve rural Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, and Medicare beneficiaries.

“This new federal funding will provide a lifeline for rural health care providers and help families across Hawai‘i get the health care they need as we continue to fight this pandemic,” said Senator Schatz. “Helping these providers keep their doors open will keep people in Hawai‘i healthy, create jobs, and improve our quality of life.”

The grants will support health care providers who suffered during the pandemic, and can be used to pay salaries or recruit workers, purchase supplies or equipment such as N95 or surgical masks or ventilators, make capital investments, or cover other expenses related to preventing or responding to COVID-19.

A full list of funding recipients can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-secures-extension-of-493-million-honolulu-rail-funding-grant-in-bipartisan-infrastructure-deal,Schatz Secures Extension Of $493 Million Honolulu Rail Funding Grant In Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal,2021-11-23,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Last week, President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan infrastructure deal into law, which includes a provision authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that will extend the deadline for $493 million in grant funding for the Honolulu Rail Transit project. The federal funds, a portion of the $1.55 billion federal grant for the project, were set to expire at the end of the year if left unspent. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Schatz worked with congressional leaders to include the deadline extension and protect the project’s federal funding for another two years.

“My objective was to prevent the loss of these federal dollars. While this extension buys them more time, HART and the City still need to update their financial plan and come back with something that can actually work. They now have an opportunity to focus on what is most important – developing a clear-eyed plan for the people of Honolulu,” said Senator Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development.

The new spending deadline for these funds is December 31, 2023.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-set-to-receive-more-than-2-million-to-protect-coastal-communities-across-the-state,Hawai‘i Set To Receive More Than $2 Million To Protect Coastal Communities Across The State,2021-11-19,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that Hawai‘i will receive more than $2 million to fund coastal resilience projects and protect communities from flooding across the state.

“These projects will restore or expand wetlands, beaches, and forests and will help keep homes and businesses safe from flooding and coastal erosion,” said Senator Schatz.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will administer the funding in partnership with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and will leverage additional funding from the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Defense, Shell Oil, TransRe, Occidental, and AT&T.

Hawai‘i projects receiving federal grant funding include:

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

Project: Developing Community Resilience for Molokai Coastal Homesteads

Grant amount: $203,940

Funding will be used to develop a resilience plan for homestead communities on the island of Molokai through scientific analyses and modeling of projected sea-level rise, flooding, groundwater upwelling and other increasing coastal hazards.

Malama Maunalua

Project: Utilizing a Traditional Framework to Minimize Floods in Maunalua Bay Watersheds

Grant amount: $262,312

Project will address the serious flooding issues confronting residential, commercial, and environmental resources surrounding Maunalua Bay by reducing the volume of the stormwater runoff in priority areas through increased filtration with revegetation in natural areas and by slowing down or capturing the water from urban areas.

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council

Project: Conducting Site Assessments and Planning to Address Recurring Coastal Flooding

Grant amount: $210,000

Project will create a workplan for site design, with the goal of preventing property and infrastructure damage due to stormwater flooding and protecting wetland bird habitat, native plant species, nearshore coral reef ecosystems and marine wildlife.

Department of Land and Natural Resources

Project: Enhancing Flood Mitigation Through Invasive Species Control for a Resilient Ala Wai Watershed

Grant amount: $1,640,830

Project will control and monitor an estimated 1,000 albizia trees across 669 acres, treat all miconia plants detected during surveys across 4,000 acres, and treat mule’s foot ferns across 200 acres.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-congratulates-suzanne-vares-lum-on-being-named-president-of-east-west-center,Schatz Congratulates Suzanne Vares-Lum On Being Named President of East-West Center,2021-11-19,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today congratulating Suzanne Vares-Lum on her appointment to be the next president of the East-West Center.

“I congratulate Suzanne Vares-Lum on this well-deserved appointment to be the next president of the East-West Center,” said Senator Schatz. “As a Native Hawaiian woman, a former major general in the Army, and a community leader here at home, her unique experience and important perspective will serve her well in this new role. I look forward to working with her as the East-West Center continues to play an increasingly important role in strengthening our national security and improving cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-papahanaumokuakea-deserves-sanctuary-protections,Schatz: Papahanaumokuakea Deserves Sanctuary Protections,2021-11-19,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Following an appropriations provision authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) to designate Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument as a National Marine Sanctuary, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today officially began the process for designation. Following this initiation, NOAA will begin public meetings and the formal legal process to complete the requirements to finalize an official designation.

“Papahanaumokuakea is a special place that deserves the strongest protections we can give it,” said Senator Schatz. “Designating the area as a sanctuary will allows its managers, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, to better protect its cultural and environmental value while planning for the long term, so future generations of Native Hawaiians and Hawai‘i residents will be able to see Papahanaumokuakea the way we do today.”

Papahanaumokuakea was first established as a marine national monument in 2006. It was expanded by President Obama in 2016 following a formal proposal from Senator Schatz.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-murray-menendez-maloney-kelly-and-porter-lead-over-100-democrats-in-introducing-the-access-to-birth-control-act,"Booker, Murray, Menendez, Maloney, Kelly, and Porter Lead Over 100 Democrats in Introducing the Access to Birth Control Act",2021-11-18,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) led the reintroduction of the Access to Birth Control Act in the Senate. Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Katie Porter (D-CA) reintroduced the bill in the House. Over 100 Democrats are cosponsors of the bill.

The legislation—which has been endorsed by 50 national and local advocacy organizations—would guarantee patients’ timely access to birth control at the pharmacy—including by addressing pharmacies’ refusals of contraception that prevent patients from obtaining their preferred form of birth control medication.

“Birth control is a vital part of reproductive health care and basic family planning,” said Senator Booker. “At a time when reproductive rights are under increasing attack throughout the country, protecting Americans' access to contraception is more important than ever. The Access to Birth Control Act would ensure that all people not only have autonomy over their health but also have affordable and timely access to birth control.”

“Birth control is essential health care—full stop. And it’s health care that helps ensure everyone can control their own bodies, lives and futures,” said Senator Murray. “With reproductive rights under attack from every angle, we’ve got to stand up and make clear that no one should be able to come between a patient and the birth control they need—including being turned away at the pharmacy.”

“I am proud to lead my colleagues in reintroducing the Access to Birth Control Act to ensure patients seeking birth control can access their health care without unnecessary barriers or delay,” said Chairwoman Maloney. “During the Trump Administration, some health care providers—including pharmacists—denied patients care simply based on their personal views. Health care providers must do their jobs based on science—not ideology—and we cannot let this dangerous trend continue. I’ve been a fierce advocate for equitable access to reproductive health care for many years, and I won’t stop fighting until everyone can access the care they need, when they need it.”

“I am pleased to join Senators Booker and Murray in introducing this important legislation to ensure women are able to access their contraceptive of choice at the pharmacy of choice without fear of intimidation or harassment,” said Sen. Menendez. “This is a critical step forward in making sure we protect a woman’s settled right to access full and equitable reproductive care, including birth control.”

“Access to birth control is an essential part of women’s healthcare, and a pharmacist’s or provider’s personal views should not factor into a woman’s access to birth control,” said Representative Kelly. “Women’s healthcare is constantly under attack, and we must provide solutions to protect their access to care. I am proud to co-lead this legislation to ensure that every woman who wants to access birth control is able to easily obtain it.”

“Bodily autonomy is essential to social equality and economic security,” said Representative Porter. “Everyone ought to have the freedom to make their own health care decisions, including if and when they would like to have children. I’m proud to join my colleagues today in introducing legislation that will better protect patients seeking to make decisions about their own bodies.”

“People’s access to birth control should never be restricted by a pharmacy employee’s personal beliefs,” said Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of National Women’s Law Center. “We’re glad to support this bill that will make sure everyone can leave a pharmacy with the birth control they need, without discrimination, harassment, or delay. At a time when extremist politicians are trying every way possible to take away our reproductive health care, it’s urgent to secure federal protections like the ABC Act. We thank Senator Booker and Representative Maloney, Chairwoman of the Oversight Committee, along with Senator Murray, Chair of the HELP Committee, and Representatives Kelly and Porter for taking action and urge Congress to pass it.”

“Contraception is a protected fundamental right and access to contraception is necessary for people to make and exercise decisions about whether and when to become pregnant,” said Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, Founder and President National Birth Equity Collaborative. “The Access to Birth Control Act will especially aid in closing the disparities gap for women of color who historically have faced challenges accessing contraception and medication due to systemic racism. Establishing certain duties for pharmacies to ensure safe and equal access to contraception is a critical step in protecting women's sexual reproductive health and wellbeing. ”

""Birth control is a lifeline used at some point by 98% of U.S. Catholics to plan and support their families, manage health conditions, and achieve their educational and employment goals,” said Jamie Manson, President of Catholics for Choice. “It is dangerous and wrong for a pharmacist to refuse essential care based on their personal religious beliefs, because refusal compromises a patient’s health, economic security, and moral autonomy – all of which our Catholic social justice values compel us to protect. Catholics for Choice is proud to support the Access to Birth Control Act to ensure that people can get the care they need without delay, following their own individual consciences without obstruction or coercion.""

According to the National Women’s Law Center, pharmacists have refused to fill prescriptions for birth control or provide emergency contraception over the counter to patients in 24 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, the ongoing coronavirus crisis has exacerbated barriers to contraception access, with one in three women experiencing delays in obtaining their birth control during the pandemic.

The Access to Birth Control Act ensures patients seeking FDA-approved contraception, including emergency contraception and medication related to contraception, are able to access it in a timely manner and not be prevented from doing so by a pharmacy.

If a contraception medication is out of stock, the bill requires pharmacies to either refer the patient to another pharmacy or order the medication, depending on the patient’s preference.

The bill also protects patients from being intimidated, threatened, or harassed by pharmacy employees who personally object to the use of contraception.

In the event that a pharmacy violates one of these requirements, the bill establishes liability for civil penalties for the pharmacy and a private cause of action for patients to seek relief.

Click here to read a summary of the Access to Birth Control Act.

Click here to read the full legislative text of the Access to Birth Control Act.

Click here to read the full list of Members introducing the Access to Birth Control Act.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-braun-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-build-more-affordable-housing-address-americas-growing-housing-crisis,"Schatz, Braun Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Build More Affordable Housing, Address America’s Growing Housing Crisis",2021-11-18,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) today introduced the Build More Housing Near Transit Act. The bipartisan legislation continues Senator Schatz’s efforts to address America’s housing shortage by offering federal benefits and encouraging local governments to build more high-density housing near transit-oriented urban spaces, where options are especially lacking.

“We have a national housing shortage crisis, and one thing is clear: we need to build more housing,” said Senator Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. “Our bipartisan bill will make sure that when cities expand or redevelop their public transit systems, they are also building more affordable housing with it. This will help put more families in homes, grow local economies, and cut carbon pollution.”

“For too long, transit and housing issues have run in parallel. This bill finally marries the two by giving local governments the tools they need to encourage high density and mixed use development to help relieve the affordable housing crisis. This bill gives local communities the resources they need to build more housing near transit systems and encourages them to enable their economies to grow through more housing options for families,” said Senator Braun.

Specifically, the legislation directs the Secretary of Transportation to provide a scoring boost to the competitive grant application of public transit projects that include housing planning and development near new stations.

Currently, 47% of renter households are cost-burdened, and lack of housing options in transit-friendly areas is a major contributor to this. Moreover, transportation costs are often a household’s second-largest expenditure behind housing, meaning more housing in transit areas would have a two-fold benefit.

By offering easier access to transit centers, the Build More Housing Near Transit Act will connect more employees with jobs and boost economic output, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased public transit ridership. It will also make federal transportation projects more efficient and ensure federal dollars are used most effectively.

“America is experiencing a severe shortage of homes, and nowhere is this crisis more acute than in transit-served neighborhoods. The Build More Housing Near Transit Act addresses the critical link between transportation and housing and will help spur the creation of more walkable, livable, and equitable communities. The bill incentivizes early collaboration between transit agencies and local governments and will create closer alignment of land-use policies and transit investments through encouraging housing feasibility assessments. Additionally, the bill will shift program guidance to help drive additional resources towards affordable housing development, specifically in transit-served areas. If passed, this legislation will increase public transportation ridership and encourage the creation of housing that uses less land, take cars off the road, and allows people and their families to live closer to jobs and other opportunities. We applaud Senator Schatz and Senator Braun for introducing the Build More Housing Near Transit Act and their ongoing leadership on this critical issue,” said Mike Kingsella, Chief Executive Officer of Up for Growth Action.

“The nation’s housing crisis is also a crisis of economic opportunity and mobility. Effective planning that coordinates transit, housing, jobs, and land use is vital to tackling the challenge of housing affordability and availability. The Build More Housing Near Transit Act will spur better coordination of housing and transportation and promote public transit projects that also increase mobility options and access to housing and economic opportunity. With the passage of historic and much needed federal infrastructure legislation, this bill will ensure that these new investments provide the broadest and highest benefit. The American Planning Association is proud to support this legislation as an important tool for the recovery and reinvention of our communities,” said Leo Asuncion, AICP, President of the American Planning Association (APA).

“Providing critically needed public transportation access to affordable housing is a key step in addressing America’s housing crisis. Improving transit access is one of the most important actions we as a nation can take to address inequities in communities. Public transportation creates access to opportunities, including jobs, health care, and education, which can help disadvantaged communities address the equity challenges they face,” said Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

The full text of the bill is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hawaii-to-receive-22-million-to-improve-honoapiilani-highway-on-maui-protect-it-from-sea-level-rise,"Schatz: Hawai‘i To Receive $22 Million To Improve Honoapiilani Highway On Maui, Protect It From Sea Level Rise",2021-11-16,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) will receive $22 million in new federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to support a realignment of the Honoapiilani Highway in West Maui and protect it from sea level rise.

“This new federal funding will keep Honoapiilani Highway safe and functional by responding to coastal erosion caused by climate change and help local families get where they need to go in West Maui,” said Senator Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing. “In addition to this funding, Hawai‘i is set to receive at least $2.8 billion from the new bipartisan infrastructure law to strengthen road and bridges and make them more resilient to climate change.”

Schatz’s office worked closely with HDOT throughout the grant application process to ensure the state submitted a strong, competitive application. The DOT funding, which comes from a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant, will be used to realign 4.5 miles of Honoapiilani Highway from Ukumehame to Launiupoko. This realignment will connect to the previously constructed Lahaina Bypass, addressing the second priority location on the statewide report for coastal highway protection. HDOT will work closely with Maui County and the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, which owns most of the land that the realignment will be constructed on.

The project will also receive federal funding from the new bipartisan infrastructure law.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/president-signs-infrastructure-bill-into-law-at-least-28-billion-in-new-federal-funding-heading-to-hawaii-even-more-expected,"President Signs Infrastructure Bill Into Law, At Least $2.8 Billion In New Federal Funding Heading To Hawai‘i, Even More Expected",2021-11-15,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden signed the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill into law. The sweeping law, which U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) voted to pass in the Senate in August, includes at least $2.8 billion for Hawai‘i to repair roads and bridges and make them more resilient to climate change, improve public transportation options for residents, and strengthen high-speed internet access in Native Hawaiian communities and across Hawai‘i.

“Billions of federal dollars are now on their way to Hawai‘i to help us improve our buses and public transit systems, fix up our roads and bridges, and create thousands of new jobs across the state,” said Senator Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing. “This massive investment will make it safer and easier for Hawai‘i families to get around and benefit our local economy for many, many years to come.”

In addition to the billions of dollars in federal funding for Hawai‘i, the new law also includes a provision authored by Senator Schatz to improve road safety standards and make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The Vulnerable Road Users Safety Act, which Schatz worked to include in the deal, will help utilize technology, infrastructure, and design expertise to vastly reduce pedestrian and cyclist road deaths in Hawai‘i and across the United States.

Key provisions in the infrastructure bill for Hawai‘i include:

Roads, bridges, and major projects – at least $1.5 billion for Hawai‘i

At least $1.2 billion in estimated funding for Hawai‘i will be used to repair and rebuild roads with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, and safety for all road users

At least $339 million for Hawai‘i from the Bridge Program to repair and replace deficient or outdated bridges

Hawai‘i has access to nearly $16 billion in nationwide funding for major projects

Access to $7.5 billion for competitive RAISE grants which support surface transportation projects of local and/or regional significance

Public transit – at least $315.7 million for Hawai‘i

Funding will be used to help repair and expand Hawai‘i’s public transit system, including a historic investment in cleaner and safer buses

Airports – at least $246 million for Hawai‘i

Funding will be used to improve runways, gates, taxiways, and terminals and make investments that will reduce congestion and emissions, and drive electrification and other low-carbon technologies

Hawai‘i also has access to $5 billion in nationwide funding from the Airport Terminal Program for major terminal renovations and expansions

Broadband – at least $160 million for Hawai‘i

At least $100 million in funding will be used to help the state deploy and expand broadband access to more Hawai‘i families

The Department of Hawaiian Homelands is set to receive at least $60 million to provide high-speed internet access to more Native Hawaiian families

At least 280,000 Hawai‘i residents will be eligible for a new benefit aimed at helping low-income families afford high-speed internet access

Funding will also support the construction of new broadband infrastructure, including undersea cables

Water infrastructure – at least $200.4 million for Hawai‘i

Funding includes $112.4 million to Hawai‘i from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to improve drinking water treatment, pipes, and water storage tanks

An additional $88 million to Hawai‘i from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to help support municipal wastewater facilities and treatment systems

Access to $10 billion to address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Access to $250 million in grants for low-income households for the construction, repair, or replacement of individual decentralized wastewater treatment systems

Electric vehicles – at least $18 million for Hawai‘i

Funding to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Hawai‘i to enable long-distance travel and to provide convenient charging where people live and work

Access to an additional $2.5 billion in nationwide grant funding dedicated to EV and alternative fuels charging infrastructure

Access to $5 billion to replace existing school buses with zero emission and clean school buses, with a priority on low income, rural, and Tribal schools

Access to $5.25 billion in grants for state and local governments to purchase or lease zero- and low-emission transit buses

Clean energy and grid – at least $3 million for Hawai‘i

Funding includes at least $3 million to Hawai‘i from the Department of Energy’s State Energy Program to pursue state-led initiatives that accelerate our clean energy transition

Hawai‘i has access to $3 billion in matching grants for smart grid investments, including energy storage

Access to $500 million in competitive grants to make energy efficiency, renewable energy, and vehicle upgrades at public schools

Access to an additional $550 million in nationwide funding for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

Resiliency – $11 billion (nationwide)

Hawai‘i has access to nearly $1.3 billion in nationwide funding for coastal habitat restoration to increase resilience

Access to $1 billion for resilience infrastructure through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program

Access to $8.7 billion from the new Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) program, which provides formula and competitive funding for resilience improvement grants, community resilience and evacuation route grants, and at-risk coastal infrastructure grants

Street safety – $5 billion (nationwide)

Funds a new program to help state and local governments implement “vision zero” plans and other improvements to reduce crashes and fatalities, especially for cyclists and pedestrians

Flood mitigation – $7 billion (nationwide)

Hawai‘i has access to $7 billion in nationwide funding to support flood control projects that protect vulnerable communities from sea level rise and extreme weather

Ports and waterways – $16.6 billion (nationwide)

Hawai‘i has access to new funding for waterway and coastal infrastructure, inland waterway improvements, and port infrastructure

Addressing legacy pollution – $21 billion (nationwide)

Hawai‘i has access to $1.5 billion in nationwide funding for brownfields remediation

Access to $3.5 billion for Superfund cleanup

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-releases-resource-handbook-for-new-jersey-veterans,Booker Releases Resource Handbook for New Jersey Veterans,2021-11-11,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"Newark, NJ - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) released a comprehensive resource guide for New Jersey veterans and their families. The handbook, accessible on Booker’s website here, includes added information on COVID-19 resources and VA benefits for conditions related to toxic exposure as well as information on health benefits, crisis support services, federal and state education programs, and employment resources.

“As a nation, we must make sure that our veterans are given the resources, care, and support they need to succeed as they return to civilian life,” said Sen. Booker. “Ahead of Veterans Day, I am proud to release this handbook that provides the 400,000 veterans who call New Jersey home and their loved ones information on accessing critical services - from healthcare benefits, employment programs, to COVID-19 assistance.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/on-eve-of-veterans-day-booker-klobuchar-announce-legislation-to-improve-access-to-mental-health-services-for-veterans,"On Eve of Veterans Day, Booker, Klobuchar Announce Legislation to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans",2021-11-10,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced the Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act, legislation that would expand access to mental health services for veterans and their families. The bicameral bill would allow 10 additional states, including New Jersey and Minnesota, to be eligible for at least one additional Vet Center which would provide mental health counseling to veterans, survivors of military sexual assault, and Gold Star families. Companion legislation was earlier introduced in the House by Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), Dean Phillips (MN-03), and Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Northern Mariana Islands-At-Large). This legislation has been endorsed by The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Service Women’s Action Network, and New Jersey SOS Veteran Stakeholder Group.

“Vet Centers play a critical role in ensuring that our veterans and their families receive access to affordable and potentially lifesaving care, including vital mental health resources and gender specific services,” said Sen. Booker.“Unfortunately, as data shows, such centers are not always available in communities with high veteran populations. This bicameral legislation will help expand Vet Center services in several states, allowing more of our nation’s veterans to receive the VA care they have earned and deserve.”

“Our veterans have sacrificed for our country, and we need to repay this service by providing access to care that meets their unique needs, whether that be mental health needs or readjustment counseling,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “The VA estimates that about 11 to 20 out of every 100 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have been diagnosed with potential symptoms of PTSD, making it all the more crucial that we ensure every veteran has access to Vet Center services, regardless of where they live. I am proud to partner with Senator Booker on this legislation to prioritize the mental health of our veterans.”

“Vet Centers play a critical role in assisting veterans as they transition into civilian life and aiding those who are experiencing readjustment issues. Unfortunately, not all veterans have access to Vet Centers because of their geographic location, said Paul E. Dillard, National Commander of The American Legion. “To address this issue, The American Legion supports efforts to establish new Vet Centers that consider factors not measurable, but rather reflective of the unique characteristics of each state, its resources, and limitations to reach as many veterans as possible. Therefore, The American Legion is pleased to endorse the Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act. Expanding the number of Vet Centers in certain high-population states that have high veteran to Vet Center ratios will help to reduce gaps in VA healthcare coverage and provide veterans the support they desperately need.”

“Vet Centers are vital community-based lifelines to mental health care and readjustment services for veterans, service members, and families,” saidBrittany Dymond, Associate Director with the VFW’s National Legislative Service. “However, some communities lack access to a Vet Center while others experience demand that exceeds their Vet Center’s capacity. The VFW supports the Veterans Census-Enabled National Treatment Equitable Resource Supplement for Mental Health Act of 2021 (Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act of 2021), which would require VA to increase the number of Vet Centers. We applaud Senators Booker and Klobuchar for their attention to this issue in order to provide additional touch points to VA services.”

“VET Centers are a critical lynchpin in VA’s ability to support Military Sexual Trauma (MST) survivors and other veterans in need of services to support their mental health,” said Lory Manning, Director Of Government Relations for the Service Women’s Action Network. We need more VET Centers in more locations so more veterans can be helped by the healing programs and peer support they provide.”

“Catholic Charities Veteran Services is proud to support this legislative effort to establish another Vet Center in New Jersey,” said David Pearson, Assistant Director of Veteran Services for Catholic Family & Community Services in the Diocese of Paterson and Co-Chair of the New Jersey SOS Veteran Stakeholder Group. Access to local mental health services for our veterans is critically important, and is a benefit that they deserve. We thank Senator Booker and Senator Klobuchar for leading this initiative in the Senate to help fulfil our country’s obligation to our veterans and service members.”

“The New Jersey SOS Veteran Stakeholders Group is grateful for the support of Senator Booker and Senator Klobuchar for their advocacy on this very important issue,” said AJ Luna, Co-Chair of the New Jersey SOS Veteran Stakeholder Group. “Our veterans and their families have served and sacrificed for us all. We must continue to advocate for them so that they can have access to the resources and services that best support them during their transition to civilian life.”

“As a veteran who recognizes the life-saving value of Vet Centers from firsthand experience, it is heart-warming to see legislation that would expand the number of Vet Centers across the United States,” said Emerson Crooks,Co-Chair of the Veterans Advisory Council of the New Jersey VA Health Care System and Vice President of the Mental Health Association of North Jersey. “Vet Centers provide much needed mental health services for veterans and their families, especially for those who served in combat and require readjustment services upon their return home. I am thankful to Senator Booker and Senator Klobuchar for leading this initiative in the Senate, and for their continued advocacy to make this critical service available to more veterans. We must continue to advocate for our veterans and ensure that they have the support necessary during their transition into civilian life.”

“As a recently retired Director of a Vet Center in New Jersey, I have seen firsthand the critically necessary support that Vet Centers provide to our servicemembers and their families,” said David Cathcart, Retired Director of the Secaucus VA Vet Center. “Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring our veterans can receive mental health services in a timely, local manner has never been more important in the fight to reduce veteran suicide. Adding additional Vet Centers across the United States, especially in New Jersey, will effectively reduce wait-times, decrease travel-times, and ensure providers are not overwhelmed with large caseloads. It is the least we can do for the men and women who have given so much to our nation.”

Historically, different methods have been used to identify where the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) places Vet Centers, leading to unintended underinvestment in certain states and territories that have higher ratios of veterans to Vet Centers than the national average. This legislation modifies the criteria that the VA uses by leveraging results of the 2020 Census and the VA’s own population data to ensure underserved areas are eligible for additional Vet Centers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-brown-senators-to-cfpb-fix-the-broken-credit-reporting-system-hold-credit-reporting-agencies-accountable,"Schatz, Brown, Senators To CFPB: Fix The Broken Credit Reporting System, Hold Credit Reporting Agencies Accountable",2021-11-10,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), urged the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to take concrete steps to reform the credit reporting industry. Specifically, the senators urged Director Rohit Chopra to use the CFPB’s existing supervisory, rulemaking, and enforcement authority over the largest nationwide consumer reporting agencies, in order to improve the accuracy of credit reports, streamline the dispute resolution process, and hold consumer reporting agencies accountable for addressing persistent errors.

“In an industry that affects all Americans so directly, even a small error rate means tens of millions of people can be denied jobs or housing through no fault of their own. As a result of simple mistakes, consumers may pay more for credit or be denied loans altogether; they might face obstacles applying for a job, getting a mortgage, or renting an apartment,” the senators wrote in their letter to Director Chopra. “These impacts can persist for years, putting innocent people in positions that are nearly impossible to resolve. … Accordingly, we request you take immediate action to protect consumers and introduce much-needed accountability into the credit reporting system.”

The full text of the letter is available here and can be found below:

Dear Director Chopra:

Congratulations on your confirmation to serve as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). We write to urge you to take strong action to reform an industry that plays an integral role in deciding individuals’ access to credit, and whose errors can ruin lives.

A 2012 FTC study found that one in five consumers had an error in at least one of their credit reports, and five percent of consumers had errors that were economically damaging. A 2015 follow-up study by the FTC found that nearly 70 percent of the impacted consumers surveyed three years earlier continued to dispute information in their reports. More recently, a 2021 Consumer Reports survey found that more than one-third of 6,000 participating consumers found at least one mistake in their credit reports.

In an industry that affects all Americans so directly, even a small error rate means tens of millions of people can be denied jobs or housing through no fault of their own. As a result of simple mistakes, consumers may pay more for credit or be denied loans altogether; they might face obstacles applying for a job, getting a mortgage, or renting an apartment. These impacts can persist for years, putting innocent people in positions that are nearly impossible to resolve. Furthermore, these errors can exacerbate the racial wealth gap: according to new research from your agency, consumers residing in majority Black neighborhoods are twice as likely to have disputes appear on their credit reports compared to consumers in white neighborhoods. This is a disparity the CFPB observed across every credit category, including auto loans, student loans, and credit cards.

Consumers should not have to navigate lengthy, complicated processes to correct credit reporting errors, or to protect themselves against identity theft or fraud—a continuing risk for the hundreds of millions of Americans whose information has been compromised in corporate data breaches, such as the 2017 Equifax breach. It is no surprise that credit and consumer reporting complaints handily top the list of issues consumers report to the CFPB. Americans have more complaints with the credit reporting industry than any other type of consumer financial product or service, and the CFPB is empowered to improve this broken system.

The Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act gave the CFPB broad supervisory, rulemaking, and enforcement authority over the largest nationwide consumer reporting agencies (CRAs), representing the vast majority of the credit reporting market. Accordingly, we request you take immediate action to protect consumers and introduce much-needed accountability into the credit reporting system.

Specifically, we ask that you evaluate persistent errors in credit reporting and how CRAs consistently fail to resolve these errors, especially by failing to devote sufficient personnel and resources for dispute resolution—a shortcoming the CFPB could use its supervisory authority to remedy. You should also consider creating an ombudsperson position at the CFPB to facilitate the dispute resolution process and help ensure accuracy. CRAs engage in concerning practices that contribute to inaccuracies, including using partial Social Security numbers to match data from an information furnisher to a consumer’s file. We were encouraged by CFPB’s recent advisory opinion affirming that the practice of matching consumer records solely through the matching of names is illegal. Any additional action the CFPB takes could, with appropriate privacy and security measures, also require nationwide CRAs to instead match all nine digits of a consumer’s Social Security number. We also ask that you consider requiring nationwide CRAs to perform periodic accuracy audits on information furnishers. Additionally, we ask that you review the potential to codify provisions of the nationwide CRAs’ settlement with state attorneys general that delayed reporting of medical debt for six months and removed debts paid by insurance. Finally, algorithmic bias presents a risk of amplifying racial disparities in credit reporting, and a failure to provide reports in Spanish and other languages can impact consumers with limited English proficiency. We request that you require CRAs to address these concerns to ensure the credit reporting system equitably serves all consumers.

These concerns are not exhaustive, and we look forward to hearing more about your agenda for protecting consumers and working with you to improve this system.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-rounds-portman-coons-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-education-benefits-for-veterans,"Schatz, Rounds, Portman, Coons Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Protect Education Benefits For Veterans",2021-11-10,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced the Student Veterans Transparency and Protection Act. The bipartisan legislation would improve veterans’ access to information about higher education and allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to restore benefits that veterans use at schools subject to civil enforcement.

“The G.I. Bill benefit has helped open the doors to higher education for many veterans who otherwise would not be able to access it. But bad actors in the education community have taken advantage of those who have served, robbing them of the full value of their education benefits,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill will ensure that veterans who have been deceived are able to recoup their benefits. It will also help veterans learn more about different schools and their benefits so that they have the information they need to find the right program.”

Along with providing VA the ability to reinstate benefits used at schools subject to civil enforcement, the bill requires VA to provide veterans up-to-date student outcome and financial information for all eligible institutions through its G.I. Bill Comparison Tool, and it requires all VA education counselors to be trained in using this tool to help beneficiaries so that veterans can make the best choices about where to use their education benefits.

“Our veterans, service members, and their families deserve full access to the educational benefits they’ve been promised,” said Senator Rounds. “Our bill will improve the GI Bill Comparison Tool to better inform eligible individuals in South Dakota, and nationwide, about their educational benefits and opportunities. Through timely data publication, this tool will help veterans and service members steer clear of predatory institutions and select the best programs available.”

“Veterans and servicemembers in Ohio, and across the country, deserve to use the educational benefits they’ve worked so hard to secure – not have them taken by bad actors,” said Senator Portman. “This bipartisan legislation would give the beneficiaries of these important educational assistance benefits the tools they need to obtain timely and accurate information about higher learning institutions, including those with poor outcomes.”

“It is incumbent upon Congress to ensure that service members and veterans get access to the full benefits they have earned and are empowered to use those benefits to receive a quality education,” said Senator Coons. “I’m proud to join a bipartisan group of my colleagues in introducing the Student Veterans Transparency and Protection Act, which will help veterans learn more about higher education opportunities and find the right program.”

The bill is supported by Veterans Educational Success, Student Veterans of America, the American Legion, Blind Veterans of America, the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled Veterans of America, the Military Officers Association of America, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, Gold Star Wives of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, AMVETS, Higher Learning Advocates, The Institute for College Access & Success, and the Nimitz Group.

“Veterans Educational Success supports legislation drafted by Senator Schatz that would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report outcome data for GI Bill beneficiaries… [the] bill will provide GI Bill beneficiaries and policy makers with information that is key to the informed use of the benefits and the oversight of the Post-9/11 GI Bill,” said Walter Ochinko, Research Director for Veterans Educational Success.

“This legislation fills critical information gaps in the current GI Bill Comparison Tool…these commonsense reforms will improve the overall student veteran experience by giving students more information to make better decisions and vital relief if they are negatively impacted by bad-actor schools,” said Jared Lyon, MPA, National President and CEO of Student Veterans of America.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-releases-open-enrollment-resource-guide-for-new-jerseyans,Booker Releases Open Enrollment Resource Guide for New Jerseyans,2021-11-09,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"Newark, NJ - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) released a Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Resource Guide for New Jerseyans. The guide, accessible here, includes information on health insurance plans available through the marketplace, financial assistance options, and the enrollment process.

New Jersey uses a state-based exchange, Get Covered New Jersey, to provide health insurance to residents. Also, as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act, which President Biden signed into law in March 2021, more New Jerseyans will have access to subsidies that will make their health coverage even more affordable in 2022.

New Jerseyans can enroll in a health insurance plan for themselves and their loved ones during the Open Enrollment Period that runs from November 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-hawaii-set-to-receive-at-least-28-billion-to-improve-roads-bridges-expand-high-speed-internet-access-create-new-jobs-across-the-state,"Schatz: Hawai‘i Set To Receive At Least $2.8 Billion To Improve Roads, Bridges, Expand High-Speed Internet Access, Create New Jobs Across The State",2021-11-06,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal that includes at least $2.8 billion in estimated funding for Hawai‘i. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) voted to pass in the Senate in August, includes funding to repair roads and bridges and make them more resilient to climate change, improve public transportation options for residents, and strengthen high-speed internet access in Native Hawaiian communities and across Hawai‘i.

“Billions of federal dollars are heading to Hawai‘i to help us fix up our roads and bridges, and create thousands of new jobs across the state,” said Senator Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing. “This massive investment will make it safer and easier for Hawai‘i families to get around, while helping grow our local economy.”

In addition to the billions of dollars in federal funding for Hawai‘i, the bill also includes legislation authored by Senator Schatz to improve road safety standards and make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The Vulnerable Road Users Safety Act, which Schatz worked to include in the deal, will help utilize technology, infrastructure, and design expertise to vastly reduce pedestrian and cyclist road deaths in Hawai‘i and across the United States.

The bill now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

Key provisions in the infrastructure bill for Hawai‘i include:

Roads, bridges, and major projects – at least $1.5 billion for Hawai‘i

At least $1.2 billion in estimated funding for Hawai‘i will be used to repair and rebuild roads with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, and safety for all road users

At least $339 million for Hawai‘i from the Bridge Program to repair and replace deficient or outdated bridges

Hawai‘i has access to nearly $16 billion in nationwide funding for major projects

Access to $7.5 billion for competitive RAISE grants which support surface transportation projects of local and/or regional significance

Public transit – at least $637.4 million for Hawai‘i

Funding will be used to help repair and expand Hawai‘i’s public transit system, including a historic investment in cleaner and safer buses

Airports – at least $246 million for Hawai‘i

Funding will be used to improve runways, gates, taxiways, and terminals and make investments that will reduce congestion and emissions, and drive electrification and other low-carbon technologies

Hawai‘i also has access to $5 billion in nationwide funding from the Airport Terminal Program for major terminal renovations and expansions

Broadband – at least $160 million for Hawai‘i

At least $100 million in funding will be used to help the state deploy and expand broadband access to more Hawai‘i families

The Department of Hawaiian Homelands is set to receive at least $60 million to provide high-speed internet access to more Native Hawaiian families

At least 280,000 Hawai‘i residents will be eligible for a new broadband benefit aimed at helping low-income families afford high-speed internet access

Funding will also support the construction of new broadband infrastructure, including undersea cables

Water infrastructure – at least $200.4 million for Hawai‘i

Funding includes $88 million to Hawai‘i from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to improve drinking water treatment, pipes, and water storage tanks

An additional $112.4 million to Hawai‘i from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to help support municipal wastewater facilities and treatment systems

Access to $10 billion to address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Access to $250 million in grants for low-income households for the construction, repair, or replacement of individual decentralized wastewater treatment systems

Electric vehicles – at least $18 million for Hawai‘i

Funding to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Hawai‘i to enable long-distance travel and to provide convenient charging where people live and work

Access to an additional $2.5 billion in nationwide grant funding dedicated to EV and alternative fuels charging infrastructure

Access to $5 billion to replace existing school buses with zero emission and clean school buses, with a priority on low income, rural, and Tribal schools

Clean energy and grid – at least $3 million for Hawai‘i

Funding includes at least $3 million to Hawai‘i from the Department of Energy’s State Energy Program to pursue state-led initiatives that accelerate our clean energy transition

Hawai‘i has access to $3 billion in matching grants for smart grid investments, including energy storage

Access to $500 million in competitive grants to make energy efficiency, renewable energy, and vehicle upgrades at public schools

Access to an additional $550 million in nationwide funding for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

Resiliency – $11 billion (nationwide)

Hawai‘i has access to nearly $1.3 billion in nationwide funding for coastal habitat restoration to increase resilience

Access to $1 billion for resilience infrastructure through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program

Access to $8.7 billion from the new Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) program, which provides formula and competitive funding for resilience improvement grants, community resilience and evacuation route grants, and at-risk coastal infrastructure grants

Street safety – $5 billion (nationwide)

Funds a new program to help state and local governments implement “vision zero” plans and other improvements to reduce crashes and fatalities, especially for cyclists and pedestrians

Flood mitigation – $7 billion (nationwide)

Hawai‘i has access to $7 billion in nationwide funding to support flood control projects that protect vulnerable communities from sea level rise and extreme weather

Ports and waterways – $16.6 billion (nationwide)

Hawai‘i has access to new funding for waterway and coastal infrastructure, inland waterway improvements, and port infrastructure

Addressing Legacy Pollution – $21 billion (nationwide)

Hawai‘i has access to $1.5 billion in nationwide funding for brownfields remediation

Access to $3.5 billion for Superfund cleanup

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-celebrates-four-months-of-child-tax-credit-payments-to-nj-families,Booker Celebrates Four Months of Child Tax Credit Payments to NJ Families,2021-11-04,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) highlighted the transformative impact that four months of Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments have had on New Jersey families. Since monthly payments were first issued in July, nationally, the CTC has provided historic economic relief for nearly 39 million households, covering almost 90 percent of children in the country, and setting the U.S. on course to cut child poverty by half. Statistics from the Treasury Department and IRS show that $1,552,834,000 in CTC payments was awarded to New Jersey families from July to October, with more than 1.6 million New Jersey children being covered in October alone.

“Four months ago, families across the United States received their first child tax credit payments, a historic investment in the lives of working people that has helped struggling parents put food on the table, cover child care costs, and buy school supplies,” said Sen. Booker. “In New Jersey specifically, this transformative policy has been a lifeline for the 14% of children who lived in poverty prior to the pandemic, helping change life trajectories and positioning our state for stronger economic growth. I am especially encouraged to see President Biden’s Build Back Better framework include an extension of these payments.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hawaii-congressional-delegation-calls-on-navy-to-improve-accountability-to-public-on-hawaii-fuel-operations-plans-to-ensure-health-and-safety-of-oahu-residents,"Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation Calls On Navy To Improve Accountability To Public On Hawai‘i Fuel Operations, Plans To Ensure Health And Safety Of Oahu Residents",2021-11-02,2021,2021-11,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Kaiali‘i Kahele (D-Hawai‘i) today called on the Navy to provide more information on the March 2020 fuel leak near Hotel Pier at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. In a letter to Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, the delegation also requested more details on the Navy’s response to discovering the leak, including its compliance with reporting requirements and any potential information that may have been withheld from the public as part of an oversight effort to improve the Navy’s accountability to the public on its broader fuel operations in Hawai‘i.

“We are particularly troubled about reports of a fuel leak near Hotel Pier at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) that occurred in March 2020 and allegations that the Navy was not appropriately forthcoming about the source and scale of the fuel leak with state regulators, federal officials, and the public—including our offices,” the delegation wrote. “These recent incidents, including the manner in which the Navy has responded to them and its lack of transparency with the public, raise questions about the seriousness with which the Navy takes its responsibility to communicate clearly with the public about matters concerning health and safety. The people of Hawai‘i deserve better from the Navy.”

The full text of the letter is available here and can be found below.

Dear Secretary Del Toro,

We write with increasing concerns about the safety of the Navy’s fuel operations in Hawai‘i. We are particularly troubled about reports of a fuel leak near Hotel Pier at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) that occurred in March 2020 and allegations that the Navy was not appropriately forthcoming about the source and scale of the fuel leak with state regulators, federal officials, and the public—including our offices.

The Navy made a commitment to engage the people of Hawai‘i through town halls and neighborhood boards, to brief state regulators and officials, and to keep lines of communication open with the Hawai‘i Congressional delegation about what the Navy is doing to remain good stewards of the environment. That is why we were disappointed to initially learn about the Hotel Pier fuel leak in the press instead of hearing from Navy leadership directly.

The Navy’s decision not to publically acknowledge the Hotel Pier fuel leak and explain what it is doing to prevent future leaks is inconsistent with the commitment past secretaries of the Navy have made to the people of Hawai‘i to remain transparent on all matters that could affect our environmental resources. Further, it follows a May 6 fuel leak at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in which the Navy initially told the public that no fuel released into the environment, a statement we learned not to be accurate once the Navy discovered the full extent of the spill. These recent incidents, including the manner in which the Navy has responded to them and its lack of transparency with the public, raise questions about the seriousness with which the Navy takes its responsibility to communicate clearly with the public about matters concerning health and safety. The people of Hawai‘i deserve better from the Navy.

As it relates to the Hotel Pier incident, we have specific concerns that call into question how the Navy is operating and conducting oversight of its fuel operations in Hawai‘i. We are requesting timely and thorough answers to the following questions:

What procedures did Navy officials use to discover the source and scope of the Hotel Pier leak and did those procedures follow Navy safeguards and testing standards that it has established to improve the safety of its fuel operations in response to other spills?

Did the Navy comply with all of its fuel release reporting requirements related to this incident and did it provide timely information to state regulators, including information that may have been relevant to the Red Hill operating permit hearing officer?

What is the total volume of fuel released at Hotel Pier and what has the Navy done to clean up and remediate the impacted area?

What evidence, if any, is there that Navy officials withheld information about the Hotel Pier leak that would have been material to the Hawai‘i Department of Health’s consideration to renew the Red Hill operating permit?

What follow-on actions is the Navy conducting to identify other potential points of failure in its fuel operations, including the pipeline systems at or around JBPHH, that could result in a hazardous fuel leak? and

What, if any, relationship does the Hotel Pier pipeline have to the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and what implications could this have for the existing facility improvement plan, including those required by state and federal regulators?

The Navy must continue to improve the management and oversight of its operations, and provide timely and accurate information to state and federal regulators to ensure that its fuel activities do not pose a risk to the health and safety of the people of Hawai‘i. To that end, we expect that you will provide thorough and timely responses to the questions described above, and if any wrongdoing is uncovered, that you will subsequently take appropriate accountability action.

We respectfully request a member-level delegation meeting to discuss how the Navy is operating and conducting oversight of its fuel operations in Hawai‘i, including the steps it is taking to ensure public health and safety, no later than December 3, 2021. Thank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to discussing this matter further.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:30:49Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-colleagues-urge-dot-to-implement-regulations-to-detect-and-reduce-methane-leaks,"Booker, Colleagues Urge DOT to Implement Regulations to Detect and Reduce Methane Leaks",2021-10-29,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led a letter with 11 colleagues urging the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to issue strong regulations to help reduce methane leaks within our natural gas pipeline system. Specifically, the Senators urged DOT and PHMSA to require advanced methane leak detection technologies that effectively detect and address harmful greenhouse gas emissions, an important step in implementing the PIPES Act of 2020 which Congress passed last year.

“Leaks in natural gas gathering, transmission, storage, processing and distribution threaten public health and our environment and cost industry substantial amounts in escaped methane,” the Senators wrote to DOTSecretary Pete Buttigieg. “Methane is more than 80 times as potent as carbon dioxide and drives near-term greenhouse gas emission trends. A 2018 study published in Science found that the volume of natural gas leaking from across the natural gas supply chain would be enough to fuel 10 million homes and isworth an estimated $2 billion per year – and these estimates do not include the significant air quality and climate benefits associated with abating these methane emissions.”

The Senators continued, “The first step to fixing methane leaks is finding them. Fortunately, effective technologies now exist to detect, locate, and quantify natural gas leaks quickly and accurately. Enabling swift, broad deployment of this technology will keep our communities safer, our air cleaner, and our greenhouse gas emissions lower. That is why in December 2020, Congress reauthorized the PIPES Act and required PHMSA to create minimum performance standards for leak detection and repair that reflect the capabilities of commercially-available advanced leak detection technologies.”

“We are urging the Department of Transportation and PHMSA to take quick action to complete this rulemaking process and issue strong regulations that will enhance pipeline safety and reduce harmful methane emissions throughout the United States,” the Senators concluded.”

The following Senators co-signed this letter: Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Angus King (D-ME), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Tina Smith (D-MN).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-leads-group-of-9-senators-calling-for-reversal-of-previous-administrations-harmful-transgender-prison-policy,Schatz Leads Group Of 9 Senators Calling For Reversal Of Previous Administration’s Harmful Transgender Prison Policy,2021-10-29,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today called on Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Michael Carvajal to reverse the previous administration’s harmful BOP policy which increased transgender prisoners’ risk of sexual victimization. The letter follows a 2018 letter Schatz led urging for a reversal after the policy’s implementation.

“In 2018, BOP made substantive revisions to the Transgender Offender Manual (the Manual) that placed incarcerated transgender people at serious risk of sexual victimization by making it more difficult, if not impossible, to house incarcerated transgender people in facilities in accordance with their gender identity,” the senators wrote. “We strongly urge the BOP to reverse the previous administration’s policy and to consult with incarcerated transgender people and the legal, policy, and advocacy organizations who represent their interests before issuing a final revision of the Manual to develop a policy that is consistent with existing law and responsive to the needs of incarcerated transgender people.”

According to a survey by the National Center on Transgender Equality, transgender people are ten-times more likely to be sexual assaulted in prison, and five-times more likely to be sexually assaulted by prison staff.

The full text of the letter is available here and can be found below:

Dear Director Carvajal:

We write to urge you to reverse the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) harmful policy toward transgender people made by the previous administration. In 2018, BOP made substantive revisions to the Transgender Offender Manual (the Manual) that placed incarcerated transgender people at serious risk of sexual victimization by making it more difficult, if not impossible, to house incarcerated transgender people in facilities in accordance with their gender identity.

The most egregious change made to the revision was to import the novel and undefined term “biological sex” into the policy as the initial consideration when making housing and programming assignments. But the term “biological sex” is an imprecise term that is often used to redefine “sex” to exclude transgender people from legal protections and considerations. The term is not defined in the Manual or defined or supported by federal law. In fact, the modifier “biological” is inconsistent with existing federal law. For example, the standards established under the Prison Rape Elimination Act requires prison officials to make a genuine, individual, case-by-case assessment of whether a transgender person is most safely and appropriately housed with members of their own, self-identified gender. The law also forbids the dangerous practice of automatically segregating transgender people. Yet the revisions to the Manual made designating individuals to a facility based on their gender identity “appropriate only in rare cases.”

In response to the revisions, a group of senators wrote to the BOP in 2018 to express concerns in light of the alarming rates of sexual victimization incarcerated transgender people experience. According to data collected by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), a staggering 40% of incarcerated transgender people experience sexual abuse each year. The letter requested evidence demonstrating the justification for the changes, clarification regarding why these changes do not undermine the BOP’s goal of ending sexual victimization, and an explanation of why the changes do not conflict with the BOP’s obligations under federal law and the U.S. Constitution.

The BOP responded by dismissively asserting—despite the DOJ data—that they have no statistical data regarding the risk of harm to incarcerated transgender people. The BOP then speculated that housing transgender people with non-transgender people could “disrupt the orderly operation of the facility” and that housing transgender prisoners in accordance with their gender identity could “create a risk of harm” when non-transgender prisoners oppose their placement. The BOP’s disregard for the serious risks of sexual victimization incarcerated transgender people experience and BOP’s prioritization of the discomfort of non-transgender people are revealing and disquieting.

Unfortunately, the 2018 changes to the Manual remain in place. Therefore, we strongly urge the BOP to reverse the previous administration’s policy and to consult with incarcerated transgender people and the legal, policy, and advocacy organizations who represent their interests before issuing a final revision of the Manual, to develop a policy that is consistent with existing law and responsive to the needs of incarcerated transgender people. Such consultation will prove helpful in reducing the rate of sexual victimization in federal prisons and will help ensure that transgender people are housed appropriately and based on their individual needs.

We applaud the Biden Administration’s commitment to ensuring that LGBTQ people experience equal treatment under the law, and we thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter. We look forward to your written response.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-peters-lead-21-senators-to-urge-interior-department-to-place-emergency-protections-on-gray-wolves,"Booker, Peters Lead 21 Senators to Urge Interior Department to Place Emergency Protections on Gray Wolves",2021-10-28,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Gary Peters (D-MI) led 21 of their colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Interior to issue an emergency listing to restore temporary federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections to the gray wolf in the western United States. The letter comes on the heels of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service initiation of a comprehensive status review of the gray wolf in the western United States as well as the recent enactment of dangerous wolf eradication policies in several states including Idaho and Montana.

“If continued unabated for this hunting season, these extreme wolf eradication policies will result in the death of hundreds of gray wolves and will further harm federally protected ecosystems like Yellowstone,” the Senators wrote to Secretary of Department of Interior Deb Haaland. “The Department of the Interior can prevent these senseless killings, and we urge you to immediately establish emergency interim protections while the Service completes its status review.

The Senators continued, “As you know, wolves are an integral component of North American ecosystems. More than 600 scientists have written to request emergency relisting of the Northern Rockies wolf population, precisely because wolves’ role in maintaining healthy ecosystems is being jeopardized by the policies now being implemented by Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. As the scientists note, ‘Without the presence of key species in numbers, we are merely conserving scenery and not functioning ecosystems.’

“Given the above, we urge you to immediately issue an emergency listing to establish temporary federal protections for gray wolves. An emergency listing, which extends for 240 days, will prevent more wolves from being killed before the Service makes a determination about whether relisting is warranted. Furthermore, as part of its status review, we respectfully request that the Service both engage in meaningful tribal consultation and consider the impacts of state-level policies like those in Idaho and Montana as they reevaluate the gray wolf’s status,” the Senators concluded.

The following Senators co-signed this letter: Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Ed Markey (D-MA).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/senators-booker-braun-announce-subcommittee-hearing-on-the-state-of-nutrition-in-america-in-2021,"Senators Booker, Braun Announce Subcommittee Hearing on the State of Nutrition in America in 2021",2021-10-27,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research, and Mike Braun (R-IN), Ranking Member, today announced that the subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled “The State of Nutrition in America 2021.”

WHEN:

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. ET

WHERE:

216 Hart Senate Office Building

WHO:

Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, Dean, Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA

Dr. Angela Odoms-Young, Associate Professor, Director, Food and Nutrition Education in Communities Program and NYS Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Dr. Donald Warne, Associate Dean, Director, Indians into Medicine (INMED) & Public Health Programs, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND

Dr. Patrick Stover, Dean and Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Ms. Angela Rachidi, Senior Fellow and Rowe Scholar, American Enterprise Institute (AEI), Washington, D.C.

***The Committee will follow guidelines developed in consultation with the Office of the Attending Physician, the Senate Sergeant at Arms, and the Senate Rules Committee to protect the health of members, staff, and the public. This includes maintaining six-foot social distance spacing in the hearing room as well as wearing a mask or face covering. Pursuant to this guidance, Senate office buildings are not open to the public other than official business visitors and credentialed press at this time. Accordingly, the general public will not be allowed to attend the hearing.

MEDIA GUIDANCE:

Congressionally-credentialed members of the media wishing to attend the hearing should RSVP to their respective gallery by 5:00 p.m. on November 1, 2021. Editorial presence will be limited due to social distancing requirements. Questions about coverage should be directed to respective congressional media galleries.

Daily print reporters should RSVP to Daily Press Gallery at 202-224-0241.

Periodical reporters should RSVP to Periodical Press Gallery at 202-224-0265.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-braun-mcgovern-and-walorski-introduce-bipartisan-bicameral-bill-that-would-convene-a-white-house-conference-on-food-nutrition-hunger-and-health,"Booker, Braun, McGovern, and Walorski Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill That Would Convene a White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger and Health",2021-10-26,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and U.S. Representatives James P. McGovern (D-MA) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would convene a second national White House conference on food, nutrition, hunger, and health. The first such conference occurred just over 50 years ago, culminating in the creation and expansion of programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program.

The proposed second conference would take a whole-of-government approach to ending hunger and combatting nutrition insecurity in America, featuring diverse voices and those with lived experience. The conference would also explore weaknesses within the current food system, highlighting the fragility created by hyper-consolidation that has led to fewer choices for consumers and economic insecurity for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, many of which are now considered food deserts.

“Fifty years ago, our nation convened a conference to address the widespread hunger crisis in America, leading to the creation and expansion of programs such as WIC and the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program,” said Sen. Booker. “Despite the progress made, America is grappling with a hunger crisis and now faces a second crisis—one of nutrition insecurity—that is plaguing our nation and hindering the success of our nation’s youth as a result of decades-long policy failures in our food system. This bicameral, bipartisan legislation will, in the spirit of 50 years ago, convene a second conference of advocates, healthcare professionals, and farmers and ranchers to address the failures and inequities of our broken food system that is poisoning our communities and preventing us from achieving true justice.”

“The time has come to address our nation’s food insecurity with a bipartisan, commonsense approach. There is no reason that millions of Americans in rural and urban areas alike should be going to sleep hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from, or with poor nutrition,” said Senator Mike Braun. “I am eager to convene a conference food, nutrition, and health to help reach nutrition goals in the most efficient way possible.”

“Each night, tens of millions of our fellow Americans go to bed hungry. That’s just plain wrong,” said Congressman McGovern. “What we lack isn’t food or resources; we lack the political will and moral courage to act. The COVID pandemic showed that hunger isn’t just a problem for someone else. It’s something anyone can struggle with in the blink of an eye. It’s time for us to bring together experts and create a holistic, whole-of-government plan to end hunger and nutrition insecurity. I look forward to working with our bipartisan group to make this White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger and Health a reality.”

“No neighborhood in Indiana or around the country is immune from hunger. Combating food insecurity in America and eliminating barriers that are holding back families from success are bipartisan priorities,” said Congresswoman Walorski. “To be responsible stewards of taxpayer resources, we must discern what works best to address hunger and food insecurity in our communities at the local, state, and federal levels. The White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger, and Health will be an important forum for bipartisan collaboration on data-driven and evidence-based solutions to deliver real results for families in need.”

“I am proud to support the efforts of Chairman McGovern and Senator Booker to introduce bipartisan legislation convening a White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger, and Health,” said Chef José Andrés, founder of the food relief nonprofit World Central Kitchen. ""Whether after disasters, in our schools, or fighting ongoing hunger in our local communities, I believe in the power of food to bring all Americans together. We must build longer tables where nutrition insecurity becomes a problem of the past. I look forward to working closely with President Biden, the White House, and Congress on making this long-overdue conference a reality.”

“As a country, we can end hunger. 36 million Americans went hungry even before the pandemic – we should not aspire to just going back to the way things were before the pandemic, we should aspire to do better,” said Top Chef judge and food activist Tom Colicchio. “Ending hunger in America isn’t just some dream or slogan, it’s something that we can and will make into a reality, and that starts with convening this White House conference.”

“The time is ripe for a White House Conference to develop a national strategy to fix food. Our country faces a nutrition crisis, harming our health, economy, equity, military readiness, and natural resources,” said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, Dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University. “Current federal policies, research, and investments in food and nutrition are fragmented across 21 agencies. A Conference will be critical to re-imagine and re-design our food system toward one that improves health, ends hunger, reduces healthcare spending, advances science and innovation, and boosts our economy for all Americans.”

In the United States currently, nearly half of the adult population and a quarter of the young adult population is pre-diabetic or has Type 2 diabetes. Nutrition insecurity and diet-related chronic diseases disproportionately affect racial and ethnic groups as well as low-income, rural, and other underserved populations in the United States. In just over 10 years, Type 2 diabetes rates have doubled for African American children and increased 50 percent for Native American children and Hispanic children between the ages of 10 and 19. Black Americans are also 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure and 30 percent more likely to die of heart disease than white Americans. Recent data has shown that the healthcare costs attributable to diet-related diseases exceed $600 billion annually, with such diseases leading to worse outcomes from COVID-19.

Although new census data shows that recent actions have brought hunger in America to its lowest level since the pandemic began, returning to the pre-COVID status quo would leave tens of millions of people hungry in every congressional district in the nation. More than 35 million people, including 10 million children, were going hungry in America even before the COVID pandemic hit. Nonprofit groups estimate that hunger costs the United States over $160 billion each year in poor health outcomes, chronic disease, and lost productivity.

This White House conference would bring together the heads of food banks, hospitals, government agencies, nonprofits, educators, farmers and ranchers, individuals with lived experiences, and more, with the goal of crafting a real plan with benchmarks for ending hunger, reducing nutrition insecurity, and reducing diet-related disease.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-menendez-applaud-confirmation-of-karen-m-williams-to-us-district-court-for-new-jersey,"Booker, Menendez Applaud Confirmation of Karen M. Williams to U.S. District Court for New Jersey",2021-10-26,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) applauded the Senate’s confirmation of Karen M. Williams to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

“Judge Williams has had a long and distinguished legal career defending the rights of workers and has a deep understanding of the issues facing the people of New Jersey,” said Senator Booker. “Judge Williams is eminently qualified to serve on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and I know that she will bring fairness, impartiality, and a commitment to applying justice equally to the federal bench. This is a historic confirmation—she is the first African-American federal judge confirmed by the Senate to sit in the federal courthouse in Camden, New Jersey. I am proud of her confirmation today.”

“Judge Karen M. Williams is a thoughtful and intelligent legal mind and her unique experience as a human resources professional, trial attorney, and magistrate judge make her eminently qualified to serve on the U.S. District Court of New Jersey,” said Senator Menendez. “I’m incredibly proud that she is the first Senate-confirmed African American and person of color to sit in the U.S. District courthouse in Camden, N.J. I am confident that she will not only administer equal justice under the law, but serve the people of New Jersey with distinction. I thank President Biden for selecting a stellar nominee who reflects the values and diversity of the great state of New Jersey.”

Karen M. Williams has served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court in the District of New Jersey since 2009. Judge Williams also currently serves as an adjunct professor at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. Prior to her appointment, Judge Williams spent 17 years in private practice at Jasinski & Williams, P.C. in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Judge Williams’s work focused on employment law, including litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative bodies. Judge Williams received her J.D. from the Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law in 1992 and her B.S. from the Pennsylvania State University in 1985.

Earlier this year, the Senate confirmed Julien Xavier Neals and Zahid Quraishi to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Booker delivered remarks on the Senate floor in support of Neals andQuraishi. And just last week, the Senate also confirmed Christine P. O’Hearn to that court. Williams is now the fourth judge confirmed for the District of New Jersey this year.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-reintroduces-legislation-to-expand-social-security,Schatz Reintroduces Legislation To Expand Social Security,2021-10-26,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) reintroduced the Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security (SAFE Social Security) Act, legislation to expand Social Security for seniors and families in Hawai‘i and across the country. The bill would increase benefits on average by more than $115 per month, ensure the cost of living adjustments adequately reflect the living expenses of retirees, extend the life of the trust fund, remove the wage cap to make sure all Americans contribute equally, and provide additional benefits to older seniors, caregivers, and low-income Americans.

“In Hawai‘i, more than 280,000 people depend on Social Security, the most successful safety net program in American history,” said Senator Schatz. “My bill will expand Social Security and put more money in the hands of seniors who rely on it, strengthen the program for the next generation of retirees, and make sure everyone pays into the system equally. After a lifetime of hard work, seniors deserve to retire with the dignity and benefits they have earned.”

In Hawai‘i, more than 280,000 people, or over 1 in 6 residents, rely on Social Security benefits. In 2040, the number of Hawai‘i seniors is expected to grow and make up more than 20 percent of the population, making the need to expand the program even more critical.

Specifically, the Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act would:

Phase out the payroll tax cap so that payroll taxes apply fairly to every dollar of wages earned;

Adjust current benefits calculations to increase average monthly benefits by over $100;

Provide an additional 5% increase in benefits for older seniors to ensure they can make ends meet as their retirement savings are exhausted;

Guarantee a new minimum benefit so that lower income seniors receive enough to survive;

Provide a credit for caregivers that would be added to an individual’s earnings to calculate their future Social Security benefits;

Ensure that any increase in benefits under this legislation would not harm an individual’s eligibility or cause a reduction in their SSI, Medicaid, or CHIP benefits;

Eliminate the waiting period for disability insurance and surviving spousal benefits;

Include an increase of 5.7% in the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) to extend the solvency of the Trust Fund to 2050; and

Update the annual cost of living adjustment to better reflect the real costs that seniors face through the use of the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly.

“The Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act will make a world of difference for older Americans,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director for the Alliance for Retired Americans. “Because Senator Schatz’s bill requires the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share into Social Security, benefits will not only go up but cost-of-living adjustments will better reflect the things seniors spend their money on. This legislation will also strengthen the Social Security Trust Fund, ensuring that current and future generations will receive all the benefits they have earned through a lifetime of work.”

“Social Security Works enthusiastically endorses Senator Schatz’s Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act of 2021. This essential legislation substantially increases benefits for all current and future beneficiaries while ensuring that all benefits can be paid in full and on time for the foreseeable future. Through this visionary legislation, Senator Schatz demonstrates his keen understanding of how important Social Security is for all of us, as well as the need to expand these vital benefits. All of us should thank him for his tireless efforts to increase our economic security,” said Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works

The SAFE Social Security is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and is supported by the Strengthening Social Security Coalition, Social Security Works, the Alliance for Retired Americans, and the American Federation of Teachers.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-reintroduces-legislation-to-promote-educational-opportunities-for-incarcerated-americans,Schatz Reintroduces Legislation To Promote Educational Opportunities For Incarcerated Americans,2021-10-26,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) reintroduced legislation to expand access to education for Americans in federal prisons. The Promoting Reentry through Education in Prisons (PREP) Act would create an office within the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) focused on correctional education and fund a new program to address the lack of educational opportunities currently offered.

“Research shows that one of the best ways to break the cycle of recidivism is through education,” said Senator Schatz. “This bill would make it easier for people in the federal prison system to pursue a better life through learning, in turn improving our public safety and saving taxpayers’ money.”

Education programs in prison can dramatically help formerly incarcerated individuals by providing the tools to rebuild their lives, while at the same time lowering correctional spending. These programs also have a clear public safety benefit, reducing recidivism rates by over 43 percent. People in federal prisons, however, do not have access to consistent or adequate education opportunities, and the BOP lacks resources needed to administer such programs.

The PREP Act would address this by establishing both an Office of Prison Education within the BOP to standardize educational programs across all federal prisons and a new program focused on partnerships between federal prisons and local education providers. It would also provide training and resources for state and local prisons to use in their own education programs. Additionally, it would create a centralized hub for research, policies, and best practices on correctional education. Finally, the bill would ensure that eligible veterans in prison are notified of their ability to access their education benefits and are connected with available education programs in their federal or state correctional facility.

“It’s in everyone’s interest that when people re-enter society, they do so with the skills they need to build decent futures for themselves and their families,” Representative Dean said. “Educational opportunities make all the difference in helping to break the cycle of recidivism and reincarceration – and create more positive outcomes for all.”

In the Senate, this legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). Companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives has been introduced by U.S. Representative Madeline Dean (D-Pa.).

“The value of prison education cannot be underestimated. As corrections leaders, we know the impact it has on people and how it can transform their lives for the better,” said Anne Precythe, President of the Correctional Leaders Association (CLA) and Director of Corrections for Missouri.

The PREP Act is supported by the Correctional Leaders Association, Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), Dream Corps JUSTICE, FAMM, NAACP, The Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), National CURE, College and Community Fellowship, Center for Disability Rights, Operation Restoration, Second Chance Education Alliance Inc., Prison Scholar Fund, and Record Clearance Project of SJSU.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-underwood-adams-kelly-and-beatty-urge-president-biden-speaker-pelosi-and-leader-schumer-to-include-critical-investments-to-advance-maternal-health-equity-in-final-build-back-better-package,"Booker, Underwood, Adams, Kelly, and Beatty Urge President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader Schumer to Include Critical Investments to Advance Maternal Health Equity in Final Build Back Better Package",2021-10-22,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – In a letter to President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Alma Adams (NC-12), Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty (OH-03) pushed to ensure that investments from the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act are included in full in the final Build Back Better package. The group also urged the leaders to build on the critical progress made through the American Rescue Plan Act by investing in the permanent expansion of yearlong postpartum Medicaid coverage in every state.

“Permanently expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage and advancing comprehensive investments in the Momnibus will uphold a principle that is fundamental to the Build Back Better Plan: that in America, every family has a right to thrive—a principle that begins with a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth. We must include these critical maternal health equity investments in the final Build Back Better reconciliation package,” they wrote.

If passed, the Momnibus and postpartum Medicaid provisions in the Build Back Better package would be historic investments to save moms’ lives, end racial and ethnic maternal health disparities, and advance birth equity across the United States. The letter echoes previous outreach to Leadership by more than 160 Members of the House and Senate advocating for the inclusion of the Momnibus and yearlong postpartum Medicaid coverage in a reconciliation package.

The United States has the highest rate of pregnancy-related mortality among high-income countries, and the only rate that is rising. Maternal mortality rates for Black and Native Americans are 2-4 times higher than rates for white Americans, and Hispanic and AAPI people also experience disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act includes 12 bills to build on postpartum Medicaid coverage expansion and comprehensively address the drivers of the maternal health crisis. The Momnibus makes critical investments in addressing social determinants of health, funding community-based organizations, growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce, and improving data collection processes.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-wicker-introduce-legislation-to-better-measure-future-precipitation-amounts,"Booker, Wicker Introduce Legislation to Better Measure Future Precipitation Amounts",2021-10-22,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) today introduced the Providing Research and Estimates of Changes in Precipitation Act, or PRECIP Act, legislation that would update out-of-date precipitation data in the U.S. by providing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with funding and guidance to conduct future research. The PRECIP Act would also direct NOAA to studythe ongoing changes in precipitation that will help communities better prepare for extreme weather and flooding events and to work with the National Academies to complete a consensus study on the best practices for estimating precipitation. Companion legislation was introduced in the House earlier this year by Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11).

“We must take every step possible to protect our communities from the increasing frequency of disasters like the historic flooding and rainfall New Jersey experienced this summer from the remnants of Hurricane Ida,” said Sen. Booker. “This bipartisan bill would provide NOAA with vital funding to consult with partner organizations and conduct studies to modernize and improve our nation’s precipitation data, which is needed now more than ever as communities in New Jersey and across the country face the realities of climate change and extreme weather. The new data will be especially useful as we invest in climate-resilient infrastructure to strengthen and safeguard our communities.”

“Flooding regularly puts American lives and property at risk, resulting in billions of dollars in economic losses each year,” said Sen. Wicker. “One threat from flooding is dam failure, and in Mississippi there are hundreds of state-regulated dams with a high hazard potential. Forty-two of these dams have failed and nine others have been drained. We need better data to help flood control managers improve dam safety and to update methods used to estimate the risk of failure.”

Specifically, the PRECIP Act requires NOAA to:

Update precipitation frequency estimates for the United States. NOAA must include specified information in the updates and must make publicly available certain precipitation frequency estimate studies.

Seek to enter an agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the state of practice and research needs for precipitation estimation, including probable maximum precipitation estimation.

Consult with relevant partners on the development of a plan to update probable maximum precipitation estimates.

Develop guidance regarding probable maximum precipitation estimates that (1) provides best practices for federal and state regulatory agencies, private meteorological consultants, and other users that perform probable maximum precipitation studies; (2) considers the recommendations provided in the National Academies study; (3) facilitates review of probable maximum precipitation studies by regulatory agencies; and (4) provides confidence in regional and site-specific probable maximum precipitation estimates.

The PRECIP Act is supported by: the Pew Charitable Trusts, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, the Geospatial Equipment & Technology Institute, the National Society of Professional Surveyors, the U.S. Geospatial Executives Organization, the Waterfront Alliance, Association of State Floodplain Managers, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Iowa Flood Center, and the American Public Works Association.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-introduces-new-legislation-to-keep-workers-safe-hold-companies-accountable-for-workplace-violations,"Schatz Introduces New Legislation To Keep Workers Safe, Hold Companies Accountable For Workplace Violations",2021-10-22,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representative Andy Levin (D-Mich.) introduced new legislation to keep workers safe by requiring the publication of workplace violations. The Keeping Workers Safe Act directs the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to announce major violations by companies and distribute them to local media and related labor and trade organizations, a practice which has been shown to boost workplace safety.

“We need to do all that we can to protect American workers on the job,” said Senator Schatz. “Publicizing workplace violations holds companies accountable and leads to a safer work environment for everyone. Our bill will help standardize this practice, keep workers safe and healthy, and strengthen our economy.”

A recent Duke University study found that one OSHA press release on a major violation resulted in the equivalent compliance measures of 210 inspections. Based on the number of serious violations found each year, the effectiveness of OSHA inspections could be doubled by mandating these notices. The study, which appeared in the American Economic Review, examined OHSA releases sent to local newspapers, finding a direct association between their being issued and improved workplace compliance. It has been estimated that workplace injuries cost $2.5 billion annually.

“As our country continues to tackle this once in a lifetime public health crisis, the Keeping Workers Safe Act will ensure workers aren’t forced to risk their lives for paychecks and hold employers accountable for dangerous working conditions,” said Representative Levin. “After years as a union organizer and a workforce policy administrator, I know how important it is to empower OSHA and workers across the country, and this commonsense bill does exactly that.”

The Keeping Workers Safe Act would amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to require the OSHA Administrator to publicly disclose civil penalties greater than $60,000 or multiple serious or repeated violations within seven days of a citation being issued. It would require these disclosures to be submitted to relevant regional and local newspapers, trade or industry organizations, labor organizations, and state and local government entities in the region where the employer is located.

“As we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, corporations that break federal health and safety laws endanger workers’ lives and risk the wellbeing of local communities. Yet, from meatpacking and manufacturing to construction and healthcare, serious violations of workplace laws are far too frequent in many sectors and communities. By publicizing government actions against the worst violators of workplace health and safety protections, the Keeping Workers Safe Act promises to improve overall compliance with these laws; encourage workers to come forward to report violations; and put employers on notice that our government does not tolerate lawbreaking,” said Karla Walter, Senior Director of Employment Policy at the Center for American Progress.

In the Senate, this legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.).

The Keeping Workers Safe Act is supported by the National Employment Law Project, the Center for American Progress, UNITE HERE, and Teamsters.

The full text of the bill is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-leads-bipartisan-group-of-14-senators-in-calling-on-president-biden-to-strengthen-us-leadership-on-global-vaccinations-efforts-to-fight-covid-19-pandemic,"Schatz Leads Bipartisan Group Of 14 Senators In Calling On President Biden To Strengthen U.S. Leadership On Global Vaccinations, Efforts To Fight COVID-19 Pandemic",2021-10-22,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), John Thune (R-S.D.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today called on President Joe Biden to provide more U.S. leadership and step up efforts to increase global vaccine access to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We urge you in the strongest possible terms to do more to lead global efforts to end this pandemic and increase global vaccine access. We also encourage you to place a stronger focus on development of and access to COVID-19 diagnostics and treatments and strengthening health systems worldwide,” the bipartisan group of senators wrote. “We were encouraged by the recent steps that the United States has taken to increase global vaccine access, including the recent convening of the Global COVID-19 Summit and the commitment to achieving 70 percent global vaccination by September next year. However, more significant U.S. leadership, urgency, and accountability is essential for a more effective global response to the pandemic.”

The full text of the bipartisan letter is available here and can be found below:

Dear President Biden:

The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for the United States and for the world, with over 242 million cases and 4.9 million deaths worldwide. The COVID-19 vaccines currently approved and authorized are remarkably effective and are a crucial tool to ending the pandemic. Thanks to the important work done by Operation Warp Speed, and now continued by the White House COVID-19 Response Team, important progress has been made to make vaccines more widely available. However, we are deeply concerned about the inequitable access to these vaccines and other essential supplies across the world and what that means for more avoidable infections, deaths, disruption to the global economy, and the risk of new variants.

We urge you in the strongest possible terms to do more to lead global efforts to end this pandemic and increase global vaccine access. We also encourage you to place a stronger focus on development of and access to COVID-19 diagnostics and treatments and strengthening health systems worldwide. We were encouraged by the recent steps that the United States has taken to increase global vaccine access, including the recent convening of the Global COVID-19 Summit and the commitment to achieving 70 percent global vaccination by September next year. However, more significant U.S. leadership, urgency, and accountability is essential for a more effective global response to the pandemic.

The Administration’s commitment to buying 500 million more doses and sharing with our international partners is to be commended. This brings the total number of doses the U.S. has pledged to donate to 1.1 billion, representing the most donated internationally. However, we are concerned that to date, just 200 million of those promised doses have actually been shipped to countries in need. At the recent summit, the United States also led efforts to develop targets for global vaccinations, urged vaccine manufacturers to enhance transparency on the supply and distribution of vaccines, and called for the expansion of global and regional production of COVID-19 vaccines. These are positive steps, but the United States should immediately take additional action to ensure these targets are met, and provide more leadership in global efforts to combat the virus. These steps should include the development of a specific plan to achieve the global vaccination targets and achieving transparency from vaccine manufacturers without any further delay so that other countries and COVAX can prepare for vaccine deliveries and distribution. We also encourage you to consider designating somebody in the White House to coordinate global COVID-19 response efforts. White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients has helped to coordinate efforts to respond to the virus domestically, and your efforts to expand access to vaccines abroad would be well served by having a separate global COVID-19 point person in the White House.

As efforts and discussions between the United States, other countries, and other involved organizations at the United Nations continue, we request that the COVID-19 Response Team provide additional information to Congress on how the United States will continue to respond to increase vaccine availability globally:

What specific steps is the United States taking to ensure that the vaccine targets outlined at the global summit are met?

How is the Administration working with COVAX and manufacturers to improve transparency for vaccine orders and deliveries, including of donated doses, to ensure shipments are timely and met with the needed resources on the ground to be distributed?

What funds appropriated by Congress are being used to purchase vaccines that will be donated to other countries? Will the White House commit to greater transparency for how funds appropriated by Congress for the global COVID-19 response have been spent?

As the U.S. continues to push our international partners to also contribute more doses or funds to purchase doses, how is the U.S. following through on those commitments while simultaneously ensuring sufficient domestic vaccine supply?

Is the United States taking any steps to speed up the delivery of its donated doses?

Is the Administration sending any doses outside of COVAX? Will the Administration commit to taking a larger role in COVAX, particularly in the management of donated doses?

What capacity do countries receiving donated doses have to execute vaccination efforts on the ground? Is COVAX, or will the U.S., support any operational efforts as well as procurement efforts? How will in-country and regional U.S. government capabilities across relevant agencies—including USAID, CDC, PEPFAR, and DoD—be cohesively coordinated to support vaccination and broader pandemic response?

Is the United States pairing donated vaccine doses with the appropriate syringes and other necessary supplies to facilitate distribution and administration?

How is the Administration assisting countries receiving donated doses with vaccine education and finding locally or culturally appropriate solutions to addressing hesitancy?

Previously, the United States has been a leader in efforts to combat other diseases, including the HIV/AIDs epidemic. The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief was the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease and to this day continues to save millions of lives worldwide. It is imperative that the United States steps up similarly in the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of not only its own citizens but citizens of the world.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the urgent need to accelerate the Administration’s efforts to address COVID-19 on a global scale in person with your staff. We look forward to receiving answers to the questions listed above and the chance to discuss next steps with the head of the COVID-19 Response Team, Mr. Zients, and others, in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-nadler-reintroduce-legislation-to-eliminate-excessive-court-fines-and-fees-that-target-low-income-communities,"Schatz, Nadler Reintroduce Legislation To Eliminate Excessive Court Fines And Fees That Target Low Income Communities",2021-10-21,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) reintroduced the State Justice Improvement Act, legislation that will make lasting changes to America’s criminal justice system. Across the country, courts often impose fines and fees without considering an individual’s ability to pay – disproportionately impacting low income communities and communities of color. This legislation provides state and local courts with new and expanded federal funding opportunities to reform these monetary punishment policies. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“All Americans deserve equal treatment under the law, no matter how much money is in their bank accounts,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill will help to end the cycle of poverty and incarceration, creating a justice system that treats people fairly and keeps our communities safe.”

“All Americans, regardless of their socioeconomic status, deserve equal access to our nation’s criminal justice system,” said Chairman Nadler. “Sadly, numerous courts across the nation impose excessive fees and fines which have failed to improve public safety, and instead have placed an undue burden on low-income communities and communities of color. Our legislation will help address these injustices so that we take a step toward bringing an end to the poverty to prison pipeline, and restore public trust in our criminal justice system.”

According to available state data, the national court-related debt total is at least $26.7 billion. Excessive court fines and fees disproportionately burden low income communities and communities of color. Individuals who are unable to pay face serious consequences, including more fees, license suspensions, extended probation, and incarceration – trapping people in the criminal justice system. As a result, they can lose their jobs, their homes, and even their children. In the 50 cities with the highest proportion of revenues from fines, the median size of the African American population in each city was greater than five times the median in the United States.

In addition, the practice can be both costly and inefficient for cities and counties. Some counties in Texas and New Mexico, for example spend an average of 41 cents to collect every dollar of revenue raised from fines and fees. Moreover, there is no clear evidence that supports imposing fines and fees as a crime deterrent. In a survey across counties in Alabama, nearly 40 percent of individuals committed a crime to pay off their court debt.

The State Justice Improvement Act is a meaningful step forward in creating a justice system that treats individuals fairly and ensures public safety. The legislation will help jurisdictions enforce constitutional and equitable policies by broadening the activities available for federal funding. The grants will be used to provide technical assistance and training to state and local courts as they develop effective alternatives to fines and fees, should a person be deemed unable to pay, as well driver’s license suspensions. The bill also requires the State Justice Institute to conduct a study on the effectiveness of these grants and to provide a report to Congress with appropriate policy recommendations.

In the Senate, Schatz’s legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

The bill has been endorsed by the American Bar Association, Brennan Center for Justice, Business Roundtable, Dream Corps JUSTICE, Fines and Fees Justice Center, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), National Legal Aid and Defender Association, Operation Restoration – Safety and Freedom Fund, R Street Institute, and The Law Enforcement Action Partnership.

“Now more than ever, courts must scrutinize those practices that disproportionately impact low-income communities and people of color, including the imposition of fines and fees. Hawai‘i courts have been carefully considering these issues over the years and are working to improve the current system. This bill would provide the support states need to make positive systemic changes and promote the equitable administration of justice. We are grateful to Senator Schatz for his commitment to this issue, and we thank the State Justice Institute for their ongoing efforts to improve the quality of justice in state courts,” said the Honorable Mark E. Recktenwald, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Hawai‘i.

“We are encouraged by the proposed amendment to the State Justice Improvement Act to improve the constitutional and equitable enforcement of fines and fees, as well as improve the practices and ensuring their equitable use. In 2017, the Commission’s Targeted Fines and Fees against Communities of Color report found that municipal ordinance violations disproportionately impacted poor communities and communities of color. The Commission made several recommendations to address those discrepancies, and we are pleased to see that several have been incorporated into this amendment. The proposed amendment recognizes an injustice and aims to fix it. It gives us hope that we are on a path to narrow the inequitable impact that municipal fines and fees have on poor communities, and communities of color. And by communities, we mean the people who live in them. Justice in any democratic society is measured not solely by how the rich and powerful fair but rather on how the law treats those without those statuses,” said Debo P. Adegbile, Commissioner at the United States Commission on Civil Rights.

The full text of the bill is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-brown-senators-to-zuckerberg-facebook-cannot-be-trusted-to-manage-cryptocurrency-stop-launch-of-diem-novi-immediately,"Schatz, Brown, Senators To Zuckerberg: Facebook Cannot Be Trusted To Manage Cryptocurrency, Stop Launch Of Diem, Novi Immediately",2021-10-19,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) voiced their opposition to Facebook’s revived effort to launch a cryptocurrency (“Diem”) and digital wallet (“Novi”). In light of yet another scandal involving Facebook’s failure to protect its users, the senators urged Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to immediately discontinue the company’s pilot of Novi, announced this morning, and to commit not to bring Diem to market.

“Facebook is once again pursuing digital currency plans on an aggressive timeline and has already launched a pilot for a payments infrastructure network, even though these plans are incompatible with the actual financial regulatory landscape—not only for Diem specifically, but also for stablecoins in general,” the senators wrote in their letter to Zuckerberg. “Unfortunately, Facebook’s decision to pursue a digital currency and payments network is just one more example of the company ‘moving fast and breaking things’ (and in too many cases, misleading Congress in order to do so). Facebook cannot be trusted to manage a payment system or digital currency when its existing ability to manage risks and keep consumers safe has proven wholly insufficient.”

In October 2019, Senators Schatz and Brown wrote to members of the Diem Association’s predecessor, the Libra Association, and expressed deep concerns about the risks the project posed to consumers and the financial system. Facebook subsequently shelved Libra amid regulatory scrutiny, but the company has now revived its efforts under new branding.

The full text of the letter is available here and can be found below:

Dear Mr. Zuckerberg:

Policymakers are once again facing a scandal involving reports about Facebook’s relentless pursuit of profits at the expense of its users. The most recent allegations detail Facebook’s knowing use of algorithms that harm adolescents and teens, particularly girls. Facebook has repeatedly shown itself indifferent to the harms its products cause.

Given the scope of the scandals surrounding your company, we write to voice our strongest opposition to Facebook’s revived effort to launch a cryptocurrency and digital wallet, now branded “Diem” and “Novi,” respectively. In October 2019, Senators Schatz and Brown wrote to members of the Diem Association’s predecessor, the Libra Association, and expressed deep concerns about the risks the project posed to consumers and the financial system. Facebook subsequently shelved Libra amid regulatory scrutiny, but you did not address our concerns before resuming this endeavor.

On multiple occasions, Facebook has committed not to launch a digital currency absent federal financial regulators’ approval. In prepared remarks before the House Financial Services Committee in October 2019, you said that Facebook would “not be a part of launching the Libra payments system anywhere in the world unless all U.S. regulators approve it.” More recently, David Marcus, the executive overseeing Facebook’s digital currency efforts, said, “[w]e are definitely not going to launch without the proper regulatory framework.”

Despite these assurances, Facebook is once again pursuing digital currency plans on an aggressive timeline and has already launched a pilot for a payments infrastructure network, even though these plans are incompatible with the actual financial regulatory landscape—not only for Diem specifically, but also for stablecoins in general. The agencies that oversee the U.S. financial system are studying the risks that stablecoins pose to financial stability. Accordingly, they are considering how to address these inherent risks and clarify regulation and supervision of these products. As Federal Reserve Chair Powell said of stablecoins at a July 2021 Senate Banking and Housing Committee hearing, “They’re like money funds, they’re like bank deposits and they’re growing incredibly fast but without appropriate regulation.” Acting Comptroller of the Currency Hsu recently likened stablecoins to the wholesale funding markets whose collapse precipitated the 2008 financial crisis: “In terms of ‘known knowns,’ a run on a large stablecoin could be highly destabilizing.” Mr. Marcus has cited Facebook’s success in securing “licenses or approvals for Novi in nearly every state,” and concluded that “Novi is ready to come to market.” To be clear, your ability to secure state-issued money transmitter licenses is not equivalent to obtaining the blessing of “all U.S. regulators,” as you said in your testimony two years ago.

In addition to the risks products like Diem pose to financial stability, you have not offered a satisfactory explanation for how Diem will prevent illicit financial flows and other criminal activity. The intergovernmental Financial Action Task Force warned in a report to the G-20 finance ministers that stablecoins’ “propensity for mass-adoption makes them more vulnerable to be used by criminals and terrorists to launder their proceeds of crime and finance their terrorist activities.” The President’s Working Group on Financial Markets said in December 2020 that stablecoins “are likely to attract illicit actors and, without appropriate mitigation measures, allow evasion of key public policy objectives.”

Unfortunately, Facebook’s decision to pursue a digital currency and payments network is just one more example of the company “moving fast and breaking things” (and in too many cases, misleading Congress in order to do so). Time and again, Facebook has made conscious business decisions to continue with actions that have harmed its users and the broader society. Facebook cannot be trusted to manage a payment system or digital currency when its existing ability to manage risks and keep consumers safe has proven wholly insufficient.

We urge you to immediately discontinue your Novi pilot and to commit that you will not bring Diem to market.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-secures-600000-in-new-federal-funding-to-empower-native-hawaiian-community-support-native-hawaiian-cultural-education-for-visitors,"Schatz Secures $600,000 In New Federal Funding To Empower Native Hawaiian Community, Support Native Hawaiian Cultural Education For Visitors",2021-10-19,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Department of the Interior has awarded $600,000 in new grant funding to support local organizations that are working to preserve and share Native Hawaiian culture and traditions with visitors. The funding was made possible by the NATIVE Act, a law authored by Senator Schatz to integrate native tourism, empower native communities, and expand unique cultural tourism opportunities across the country.

“This new funding will give local organizations more resources to preserve and share Native Hawaiian culture,” said Senator Schatz, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. “Native Hawaiian culture and traditions are foundational to who we are as a place and a people, and every visitor should understand that.”

The new funding from the NATIVE Act will go towards improving visitor experiences at a National Park through the development of interpretive materials regarding Native Hawaiian place names, and traditional land forms and divisions; and to support other partner organizations in applying historic preservation skills and knowledge so that their traditional cultural places and stories are documented, preserved, and shared.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-cardin-portman-and-young-urge-more-countries-to-engage-with-israel-following-historic-face-to-face-meetings-with-uae,"Booker, Cardin, Portman, and Young Urge More Countries to Engage with Israel Following Historic Face-to-Face Meetings with UAE",2021-10-13,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Cory Booker (D-N.J.), U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Todd Young (R-Ind.), all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on Wednesday’s meeting between the foreign ministers of Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the U.S. Department of State. The senators are the lead sponsors of S. 1061, the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021, which has 69 sponsors/cosponsors.

“Today, we witnessed an historic milestone as Secretary Blinken hosted Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss progress made since the signing of the Abraham Accords last year, future opportunities for collaboration, and bilateral issues including regional security and stability. This joint meeting with the UAE and Israel would have been impossible prior to the signing of the Abraham Accords,” the senators said.

“As the lead authors of the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021, we hope to continue to build on the success of the Abraham Accords and expand normalization agreements. The countries that signed the Abraham Accords have demonstrated global leadership and embraced a new path for the future of their nations. Progress on economic, political and security cooperation can only be made through meaningful and face-to-face engagements, and we hope to see many more of these meetings in the future.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-warren-call-on-doj-to-decriminalize-cannabis,"Booker, Warren Call on DOJ to Decriminalize Cannabis",2021-10-08,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"Washington, DC - United States Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to decriminalize cannabis by removing the drug from the Federal controlled substances list. Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA), the Attorney General can remove a substance from the CSA’s list, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), based on the finding that it does not have the potential for abuse. Decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level via this descheduling process would allow states to regulate cannabis as they see fit, begin to remedy the harm caused by decades of racial disparities in enforcement of cannabis laws, and facilitate valuable medical research.

“While Congress works to pass comprehensive cannabis reform, you can act now to decriminalize cannabis,” wrote Senators Booker and Warren.

The vast majority of the country supports decriminalization of cannabis: approximately 91% of adults in the United States believe that cannabis should be legal for medical and recreational use, or for medical use only. To date, thirty-six states, four territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes, and eighteen states, two territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for adult recreational use. These state-level legalizations have not caused spikes in traffic accidents or violent crime, or use by teenagers, paving the way for much-needed action at the federal level.

Decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level is a critical first step in addressing the racial inequities in cannabis law enforcement. Federal cannabis policy has disproportionately affected the ability of people of color in the United States to vote, to pursue educational and career opportunities, and to build intergenerational wealth. Moreover, decriminalizing cannabis is a vital step so that Americans seeking cannabis treatment options for conditions such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and certain terminal illnesses can legally use the drug.

“We urge the DOJ to initiate the process to decriminalize cannabis. Doing so would be an important first step in the broader tasks of remedying the harmful racial impact of our nation’s enforcement of cannabis laws and ensuring that states can effectively regulate the growing cannabis industry, including by assisting small business owners and those most harmed by our historical enforcement of cannabis laws,” wrote Senators Booker and Warren.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-paul-introduce-bipartisan-fda-modernization-act-to-end-animal-testing-mandates,"Booker, Paul Introduce Bipartisan FDA Modernization Act to End Animal Testing Mandates",2021-10-07,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the FDA Modernization Act to end animal testing mandates. This legislation would end an outdated FDA mandate that experimental drugs must be tested on animals before they are used on humans in clinical trials. The bill would not ban animal testing outright, but would allow the option for drug sponsors to use alternative methods where they are suitable.

This legislation is currently co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM).

“Thanks to modern scientific innovation, the use of animal toxicity testing for experimental drugs has become increasingly obsolete,” said Sen. Booker. “This legislation will eliminate unnecessary suffering for countless animals when scientifically reliable alternative testing methods are available.”

“The FDA Modernization Act would accelerate innovation and get safer, more effective drugs to market more quickly by cutting red tape that is not supported by current science. It would also prevent the needless suffering and death of animal test subjects—which is something I think both Republican and Democrats can agree needs to end,” said Dr. Paul.

“Over the years, research has demonstrated that animal testing can often be inefficient in predicting drug effects and efficacy in humans. I’m proud to join Sen. Paul in introducing legislation that will cut FDA red tape, allowing drug manufacturers and sponsors to innovate clinical trial designs and utilize modern alternatives to demonstrate safety and efficacy,” said Sen. Braun.

“Testing new drugs on animals is often risky for both animals and people. The FDA Modernization Act would allow drug producers to improve safety by using more modern, humane and effective testing. I want Louisianians to get the best medicines as quickly and safely as possible, and I’m thankful to work with Sen. Paul to protect our furry friends at the same time,” said Sen. Kennedy.

Background:

In 1938, Congress passed the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, mandating animal toxicity testing. Since then, science and data has shown that in some products, animal testing is a highly inconsistent predictor of toxic responses in humans, all while animal testing on any single pharmaceutical product often requires killing hundreds of animal test subjects.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-introduces-new-legislation-to-prevent-youth-suicide,Schatz Introduces New Legislation To Prevent Youth Suicide,2021-10-07,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced legislation to prevent youth suicide, the second leading cause of death for people aged 10-24. The Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act would fund suicide prevention initiatives, ensure health care providers receive training to prevent intentional harm, and create a centralized hub to provide safety information to at-risk youth and their support networks.

“Youth suicide is a crisis in Hawai‘i and across America, and we need to take every step we can to address it,” said Senator Schatz. “This bill provides important training and resources to medical professionals who will be able to help. I encourage my colleagues to take action on it immediately.”

“Pediatricians do everything we can to keep children healthy and safe, which includes protecting children from the dangers posed by firearms and counseling parents to remove guns from the home or store them safely to prevent child injury and fatality, including from suicide. The Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act would take critical steps toward keeping children safe and help health care professionals support young people who might be at risk for self-harm, especially in supporting the effective combination of physician counseling and provision of safe storage devices for families with firearms in their home. The American Academy of Pediatrics thanks Senator Brian Schatz for his leadership on this important bill and is calling for Congress to swiftly advance the legislation,” said Lee Savio Beers, MD, FAAP, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“AFSP is proud to endorse the Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act to help prevent youth suicide. Voluntary action to make the environment safe from lethal means, including firearms, is an essential component of any effective suicide prevention strategy. This legislation will advance public education and build a comprehensive information center to help health care providers and families identify strategies to help youth at risk,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Senior Vice President for Public Policy at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Suicide rates among young Americans increased 56 percent between 2007 and 2017 according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the pandemic threatens to accelerate these trends. A June 2021 CDC report found a significant increase in emergency department visits for suicide attempts among adolescents aged 12-17, including a spike of more than 50 percent among adolescent girls. A critical opportunity to identify young people at risk is in health care settings, but many health care professionals lack the training or resources to do so. This bill prepares health care professionals to identify and respond to warning signs by training them in evidence-based suicide prevention practices like lethal means safety, a practice limiting access to objects that can be used for self-directed violence, and providing funding to connect at-risk patients with crisis resources. Specifically, the Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act would:

Establish a grant program to provide funding for initiatives that offer youth suicide prevention and lethal means safety education, training, and resources to health care professionals;

Establish a grant program to integrate lethal means safety and suicide prevention topics into curricula at health professional schools to ensure that future nurses, doctors, and mental and behavioral health care providers have received the education and training that will allow them to prevent lethal means injuries, deaths, and suicides among their patients; and

Create a centralized hub to provide important lethal means safety and suicide prevention information to at-risk youth and their family members, health professional schools, and health care providers.

The Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act is cosponsored by U.S Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.). Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.).

The Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act is supported by more than 50 organizations and public entities, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the American Hospital Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and the University of Hawai‘i System. A full list is available here.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-mcgovern-urge-usda-to-work-with-local-farmers-and-ranchers-to-help-provide-nutritious-meals-to-school-districts,"Booker, McGovern Urge USDA to Work with Local Farmers and Ranchers to Help Provide Nutritious Meals to School Districts",2021-10-06,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA), along with 19 other Senators and Representatives, urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to work with independent family farmers and ranchers to help address the food shortages currently impacting schools, and consequently, school meals, across the country.

Due to supply chain disruptions within large multinational food corporations, many schools throughout the nation are currently facing food shortages and are struggling to provide healthy and nutritious meals to their students. The USDA recently announced that they are providing $1.5 billion to help school districts offer meals to address this issue. However, without clear direction, that money will likely end up in the pocket of large food corporations, such as Tyson Foods, who continue to be the source of ongoing supply chain disruptions instead of local and independent family farmers and ranchers that have continued to provide healthy, nutritious food to their communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Creating opportunities for schools to work with local, resilient, small scale producers would also allow school districts the ability to feed children in a way that aligns with their values,” wrote Senator Booker and Representative McGovern to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Many school foodservice professionals are frustrated by the idea of serving food from companies that have committed human rights abuses, environmental harms, and violation of federal laws. As one school dietitian in Washington State put it, “I am pulling my hair out every day having to feed these Big Ag products to children.”

“A growing number of school districts have committed to the Good Food Purchasing Program, which includes a commitment not to source from companies with labor violations,” the lawmakers continued. “However, when school districts place their commodity purchasing orders with the USDA, they are not given a choice in which company will fill that order. The USDA Foods Program is thereby forcing these school districts to choose between leaving valuable entitlement dollars on the table or purchasing from USDA Foods, knowing that doing so is likely to put them in violation of the commitment they have made to their communities to buy from producers who value local economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare and nutrition.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to take a hard look at the flaws of our current food system, but it has also created an opportunity for us to build back better as we aim to find ways to withstand future disruptions. It is imperative that the USDA work with independent farmers and ranchers to both nourish the next generation now and build a resilient food procurement system for the future,” the lawmakers concluded.

The following Senators co-signed this letter: Wyden (D-OR), Smith (D-MN), Markey (D-MA), Blumenthal (D-CT), Sanders (I-VT), Warren (D-MA), Tester (D-MT), and Heinrich (D-NM).

The following Representatives co-signed this letter: Trahan (D-MA), Pocan (D-WI), Khanna (D-CA), Raskin (D-MD), Hayes (D-CT), Case (D-HI), Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Thompson (D-CA), Lee (D-CA), and Scanlon (D-PA).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-meets-with-new-jerseys-haitian-community,Booker Meets with New Jersey’s Haitian Community,2021-10-06,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today met with leaders of the New Jersey Haitian community and Haitian elected officials to discuss issues affecting the Haitian diaspora in the state and the treatment of Haitian immigrants at the Southern Border. The meeting occurred a week after images showed Border Patrol agents on horseback violently interdictingmigrants attempting to cross the Rio Grande River, and as nearly 2,000 Haitian immigrants, including more than 170 children, were deported back to Haiti.

“I was proud to join leaders of our state’s Haitian community for this important discussion and look forward to working together to ensure that our country’s immigration policies reflect our nation’s best values,” said Sen. Booker. “I unequivocally condemn the unconscionable violence and inhumane treatment Haitian migrants have experienced while seeking entry into the United States. As the political situation in Haiti deteriorates and the country endures the aftermath of another devastating earthquake, our nation must stop the cruel deportations of Haitians and live up to its highest ideals as a beacon of hope to people cast out of their native lands by violence, terror, persecution, oppression, and humanitarian disaster.”

“With the third most Haitian American elected officials in the U.S., the state of New Jersey and its leaders have a moral obligation to act in the Haitian migrants’ best interest by allowing them to stay in the U.S. with due process capabilities and legal representation,” wrote members of National Haitian American Elected Officials Network. “We firmly believe [Senator Booker’s] office can assist us in the execution of our strategic plans.”

“Thank you to Senator Booker for bringing light to and addressing this unthinkable crisis,” said Stanley Neron, Commissioner of the Elizabeth Board of Education. “Helping Haiti and our Haitian brothers and sisters is a humanitarian issue and we must work together to establish solutions that will save lives and provide a bright future.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/schatz-blumenauer-unveil-new-bipartisan-legislation-to-help-stop-illegal-deforestation-around-the-world-fight-climate-change,"Schatz, Blumenauer Unveil New Bipartisan Legislation To Help Stop Illegal Deforestation Around The World, Fight Climate Change",2021-10-06,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) today unveiled the Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act, new bipartisan legislation that creates a framework for the federal government to deter commodity-driven illegal deforestation around the world. The FOREST Act restricts access to U.S. markets for commodities originating from illegally deforested land, reducing the incentive to sacrifice forests for agriculture use and using this market leverage to improve laws, monitoring, and enforcement in countries experiencing illegal deforestation.

“Products of illegal deforestation are everywhere. Half of the products in American grocery stores contain palm oil and most of that is coming from illegally deforested land around the world,” said Senator Schatz. “Illegal deforestation is threatening local communities and wildlife and is a major driver of climate change. American consumers are unknowingly and unintentionally driving this destruction, and our bill will help put an end to that.”

“Americans shouldn’t have to worry about whether they are contributing to illegal deforestation every time they browse the shelves at their local home improvement or grocery store,” said Representative Blumenauer. “It’s time to crack down on this dangerous practice—which is polluting our planet, threatening forests and wildlife, and hurting communities large and small.”

Deforestation accounts for 10 to 15 percent of the world’s annual greenhouse gas emissions, with nearly 40 percent of all tropical deforestation the result of illegal clearing. Driven primarily by the cultivation of cattle, soy, palm oil, and wood products, illegal deforestation is often associated with corruption, organized crime, and human rights abuses. The FOREST Act builds on the success of the Lacey Act, which prohibits the trade of wildlife and timber from illegal sources, to protect biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in the face of a changing climate. By reducing deforestation, the FOREST Act will also reduce the chances of new global pandemics. Specifically the bill:

Creates a risk-based framework for increasing transparency and reporting in companies’ international supply chains;

Provides financial and technical assistance that enable countries, companies, and the U.S. federal government to coordinate solutions to reduce illegal deforestation;

Incorporates deforestation in financial crime statutes so the Unites States can prosecute those who use the proceeds from deforestation to fund other criminal or terrorist enterprises; and

Establishes a purchasing preference for the federal government for deforestation-free products.

The framework creates a whole-of-government approach, drawing on expertise from the U.S. Trade Representative, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Departments of State, Justice, the Interior, and Agriculture. The bill also creates a standing advisory committee to bring the expertise of companies and civil society into the process. Companies have long worked on the ground in foreign countries to reduce deforestation, while numerous non-profit organizations have partnered with the U.S. government to identify and provide information about illegal activities related to deforestation. The advisory committee ensures program implementation will be informed by these experiences and expertise.

“Commodity-driven illegal deforestation is wreaking havoc on our planet by contributing to the emission of greenhouse gases and threatening biodiversity and wildlife habitats globally,” said Representative Fitzpatrick. “To make matters worse, many Americans are unknowingly funding illegal deforestation when they are purchasing everyday products at the store. I am proud to join Senator Schatz and Congressman Blumenauer in introducing the bipartisan FOREST Act. It’s time we demand transparency from companies who profit off of commodities that are sourced from illegal clearing.”

In addition to Schatz, Blumenauer, and Fitzpatrick, the FOREST Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in the Senate, and U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Nanette Barragan (D-Calif.), Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), and Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) in the House of Representatives.

“Illegal deforestation is devastating to biodiversity, livelihoods and to our climate, and it therefore requires urgent global action. Due diligence measures like those being proposed in the USA are an important part of the solution, and would significantly help remove illegal deforestation from US supply chains,” said United Kingdom International Forestry Minister Lord Goldsmith. “There is no pathway to tackling climate change that does not involve massively increased efforts to protect and restore nature, and in particular forests. So as Co-host of COP26, the UK has put nature at the heart of the agenda, and we very much welcome the chance to work closely with other governments to ensure a coordinated international approach to reversing deforestation as a matter of extreme urgency.”

The FOREST Act is endorsed by nearly 40 environmental and human rights advocacy groups, and their letter of support is available here.

The full text of the bill is available here. A one page summary is available here, and a section by section summary can be found here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-duckworth-ossoff-schatz-padilla-and-feinstein-lead-25-senators-to-promote-access-to-solar-energy-for-low_and-moderate-income-households,"Booker, Duckworth, Ossoff, Schatz, Padilla, and Feinstein Lead 25 Senators to Promote Access to Solar Energy for Low- and Moderate-Income Households",2021-10-01,2021,2021-10,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today led a group of 25 Senators to urge the inclusion of a direct pay option for residential renewable energy property tax credits in Section 25D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (25D). In a letter, the Senators detailed how a direct pay option would help low- and moderate-income (LMI) households install solar energy systems and help meet President Biden’s goal of curbing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030.

“[The] essential tax credit is designed to help residential customers install renewable energy systems such as solar, wind and geothermal, but without a direct pay option, the low- and moderate-income (LMI) households who would benefit most from distributed generation are effectively blocked from accessing this tax credit,” wrote the Senators. “We believe that a direct pay option will not only help us meet President Biden’s goal of a 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over 2005 levels by 2030, but it will also help address long-standing impacts of climate injustice.”

“Renewable energy and environmental justice advocates estimate that roughly half of American households – approximately 60 million households – do not owe enough taxes to fully capitalize on the 25D tax credit in a single year under current law,” continued the Senators. “However, because these LMI households spend more of their income on energy bills, they will benefit disproportionately from installing distributed generation like solar on their properties. We have an obligation to ensure that all Americans have equal access to benefit from the renewable energy transition, and securing 25D direct pay is critical to this goal.”

Taking into account the number of LMI households who own their homes, the current tax code prevents an estimated 26 million households from fully benefiting from the residential solar tax credit in the same year that the system was purchased and placed in service, including 3.2 million Black households and 3 million Hispanic households. Implementing a direct pay option would allow homeowners to fully and immediately realize their tax credits through a refund provided by the IRS, providing much needed capital to LMI households while directly addressing the worsening climate crisis.

To ensure that the direct pay option is used effectively and fairly, the Senators proposed “the establishment of a simple installer-based verification process at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)” in which “homeowners would provide basic data and proof to the federal government of their solar or other renewable system installation, while the installer separately submits their own data that the IRS can use to corroborate the homeowner’s claim.”

The Senators concluded the letter by calling for the direct pay option to be included in the upcoming reconciliation package to ensure that our nation is able to “advance our environmental and climate justice goals, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create more good-paying jobs in communities across the country – building upon an estimated 85,000 residential solar installation jobs in 2020.”

The letter was cosigned by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:24:51Z
https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-applauds-house-judiciary-committees-passage-of-crown-act,Booker Applauds House Judiciary Committee’s Passage of CROWN Act,2021-09-30,2021,2021-09,Democrat,Senate,NJ,Cory A. Booker,B001288,www.booker.senate.gov,booker,https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, applauded the passage of the CROWN Act out of the House Judiciary Committee.

“No one should be harassed, punished, or fired for the beautiful hairstyles that are true to themselves and their cultural heritage, yet Black people – especially Black women – face unjust harassment because of their natural and protective hairstyles, including denial of employment opportunities and exclusion from school activities,” said Sen. Booker. “To combat biases against natural hair and to protect the civil rights of people of color, the CROWN Act will ensure that discrimination based on hairstyles is prohibited. I applaud the House Judiciary Committee for their vote today and now urge all members of the House and Senate to support this legislation that will allow individuals to wear their hair proudly without fear or prejudice.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-schatz-kilmer-reintroduce-legislation-to-protect-federal-workers-contractors-their-families-from-losing-their-homes-falling-behind-on-bills-during-shutdown,"Schatz, Kilmer Reintroduce Legislation To Protect Federal Workers, Contractors, Their Families From Losing Their Homes, Falling Behind On Bills During Shutdown",2021-09-30,2021,2021-09,Democrat,Senate,HI,Brian Schatz,S001194,www.schatz.senate.gov,schatz,https://www.schatz.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) reintroduced legislation to protect federal workers and their families from foreclosures, evictions, and loan defaults during a government shutdown. The Federal Employee Civil Relief Act would enable government employees and contractors to postpone payment obligations during a shutdown and for 30 days afterward.

“Federal workers are dedicated public servants who inspect our food and water, maintain our parks, and care for our veterans. The last choice they should have to make is between feeding their families and keeping the lights on,” said Senator Schatz. “This bill will protect them from any harm that might come while Republicans attempt to score political points.”

“No family should be left struggling to pay their bills and provide for their families because of the federal government’s failure to do its job,” said Representative Kilmer. “Federal workers aren’t Democrats or Republicans when they show up for work. They are public servants that protect our sailors through their work at the shipyard, that prepare timber sales in the federal forests, that welcome visitors to national parks, that care for our veterans, that ensure citizens can get the services they need, and that keep us safe. We should have their backs. That’s why I’m leading legislation with Senator Schatz to ensure that if federal workers in our region have to deal with another government shutdown, their finances – and their families – are protected.”

During the December 2018 government shutdown, many federal workers received a pay stub with zero dollars on it. This bill addresses the real threat of federal workers and contractors losing their homes, falling behind on student loans and other bills, having their car repossessed, or losing their health insurance because they have been furloughed during a shutdown or required to work without pay. The Federal Employee Civil Relief Act would protect impacted workers from:

Being evicted or foreclosed;

Having their car or other property repossessed;

Falling behind in their student loan payments;

Having negative effects on their credit history;

Falling behind in paying their bills; or

Losing their insurance because of missed premiums.

This protection would last during a shutdown and 30 days following a shutdown to give workers a chance to keep up with their bills. In each of these situations, it would enable these workers to apply to a court to temporarily postpone payment obligations or eviction or foreclosure actions. This would allow courts to weigh the equities of both parties to the contract in deciding how contractual obligations should be treated.

The Federal Employee Civil Relief Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). It is cosponsored in the House of Representatives by Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), and Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.)

This legislation is supported by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE).

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:17:01Z