BUFFALO, N.Y. — Following the national election, some of the changes in Congress could have impact on New York State. 2 On Your Side attended a Washington "political preview" from Senator Chuck Schumer on Monday. He spoke about prospects for the computer chips manufacturing plan that includes the City of Buffalo.
Since the U.S. Senate goes over to Republicans in January, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York will then relinquish his post as Majority Leader as the top Democrat. But what about Minority Leader?
We asked in the first press conference, since everything changed if Schumer sees himself wanting to stay in a leadership role as Minority Leader.
Schumer replied with one word: Yes.
But what exactly is that future?
Schumer said, "Well - since you've covered me for a while - you know when I was minority leader I still had a whole lot of clout. Lots of the things we did during COVID we did when Trump was President and McConnell was the Majority Leader and I was the Minority Leader. I've always worked in a bipartisan way. And so that serves us well. And I will continue to to do that and I believe I'll still be able to be very effective for New York."
The veteran lawmaker is optimistic on Capitol Hill bipartisanship and federal funding prospects for a still very blue New York state. Schumer said, "When last time Trump was President I was Minority Leader and New York State still did very well."
Then we brought up Schumer's push for the CHIPS and Science Act, which is supposed to bring major private and taxpayer supported upstate New York investment for semi-conductor or computer chip manufacturing. It would initially mean $40 million dollars for Buffalo and other I-90 corridor cities as tech hubs, supply chain firms, and workforce training sites including UB. That would be tied to the massive $100 billion dollar Micron plant in suburban Syracuse.
But, there has been some CHIPS Act pushback from the President - elect and House Republicans on connected Green Energy provisions in the legislation. That is even as it may also benefit other Red Republican states.
Schumer said, "I was the person who pushed it the hardest but I had a partner all the way through. Senator Tod Young - Republican of Indiana. And he cares about it too. And if you look at where the Chips Act benefitted - it benefitted everywhere."
Schumer added, "Lots of the contracts have been signed already and the money is there. I am confident that all of the CHIPS Act which benefitted New York - I will be able to keep going strong."