U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer capped off his 26th consecutive annual tour of New York’s 62 counties this week, underscoring billions in federal investments he helped secure to drive job creation, infrastructure development, and economic growth across the Empire State.
Schumer marked the completion of his tour with a visit to Greene County, where he announced a commitment from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help preserve the historic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse. The milestone represents a continuation of a pledge he made in 1998, during his first Senate campaign, to visit every county in the state annually.
“Today, you can flip one of my favorite numbers — 62, for every county in New York — and get another very important number for me today: 26,” Schumer said. “I am proud today that for the 26th year in a row, I completed my annual tour of all 62 counties in New York State.”
The senator highlighted that this year’s tour was especially significant as it showcased the results of landmark legislation he championed as Senate Majority Leader. These include the CHIPS and Science Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act — measures that have collectively delivered billions in federal funding to New York and created thousands of jobs.
Schumer emphasized how these efforts are reshaping New York’s economy, from revitalizing infrastructure and expanding broadband to bringing advanced manufacturing back to the state.
“Meeting with New Yorkers from every walk of life is what inspires me every day in Washington,” Schumer said. “It is what inspired major legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act, which has delivered billions in federal investment this year, spurring over $110 billion in new private investment to bring manufacturing back to Upstate New York and create thousands of good-paying jobs.”
Major investments for New York
Schumer’s advocacy this year delivered significant federal investments across various sectors:
- Manufacturing: The CHIPS and Science Act, designed to bolster domestic semiconductor production, has facilitated massive projects, including Micron’s $100 billion megafab near Syracuse and GlobalFoundries’ multi-billion-dollar expansion in Malta. These initiatives are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs.
- Infrastructure: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has brought billions to New York, including $6 billion for the Hudson Gateway Tunnel Project, $180 million to reconnect communities in Syracuse affected by Interstate 81, and $215 million for the Livingston Avenue Rail Bridge between Albany and Rensselaer.
- Energy and Healthcare: The Inflation Reduction Act has lowered costs for medicine and energy. Schumer noted that the legislation caps insulin prices for Medicare recipients at $35 and reduces out-of-pocket drug costs. It also invests nearly $250 million in rooftop solar for low-income households.
Schumer’s commitment to touring all 62 counties has made him the first public official in New York to uphold such a promise for over two decades. His visits inform his legislative priorities, ensuring that federal investments reach rural and urban communities alike.
“As Majority Leader, I have always made sure New York is front of my mind,” Schumer said. “Ensuring the laws we championed deliver for the Empire State has been my top goal.”
Looking ahead
Schumer concluded his remarks with a promise to maintain his vigorous pace of travel and advocacy.
“I have no plans on slowing down,” Schumer said. “God gave me a lot of energy, and I look forward to continuing this tradition again next year and continuing to fight and deliver for New York.”
Schumer’s tradition of visiting each county underscores his belief that constituent engagement is vital to his work in Washington, D.C. His efforts, he said, are rooted in his dual commitment to serving as a senator for New York and being a proud New Yorker.
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