Federal lawmakers dodged questions Friday about plans to address thousands of migrants arriving in the state while announcing a historic investment to modernize a Capital Region military base that produces a significant portion of national artillery.

The federal government will invest $1.7 billion in the Watervliet Arsenal in Albany County, which has supported United States military defense with the manufacturing of large caliber cannon barrels and mortar tubes for more than 200 years.

The arsenal has been in continuous operation since the War of 1812.

"[The investment] will allow us to transform cannon and mortar manufacturing while upgrading our facilities and training our people for the next generation of skills, knowledge and abilities," arsenal Cmdr. Col. Alain Fisher said.

The funds will be used to update the arsenal's equipment and machinery and improve overall manufacturing of critical artillery.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer toured part of the facility and said national support to Ukraine in the ongoing war against Russia shows the need to build the weaponry.

"...We need these guns in Ukraine and everywhere else," Schumer said. "...You see how important artillery is in Ukraine, you see how important artillery is in a modern force. We need the best artillery we can have — the best in the world, and it's gonna be made for decades to come, right here in Watervliet."

The money is expected to create more jobs at the facility, operated by the U.S. Army.

But the Senate leader shied away from answering questions about other pressing issues. Schumer refused to comment or give an update on federal action as thousands of migrants continue to arrive in New York.

"No off-topics, please," he said.

Local officials are outraged after several people were displaced from a hotel in Rotterdam to accommodate nearly 200 migrants from New York City. New York City Mayor Eric Adams sent the migrants upstate in two busloads this week without telling anyone.

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara said the displaced residents, who include other immigrants and low-income New Yorkers, were given a one-hour notice they had to leave, and called Adams' actions shameful.

"There was zero coordination, zero communication, which makes for an unfair situation all around for everyone involved," Santabarbara said Friday. "It causes a lot of chaos in the community."

The assemblyman and U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-20, who represents part of Schenectady County, contacted Adams' office several days this week without response.

Hotels in Amsterdam and Schenectady have received inquiries from city officials about potential availability to receive migrants, the assemblyman said. There is no confirmation to date about more buses of asylum seekers arriving in the Capital Region.

Tonko, who also visited the arsenal Friday, declined to comment about migrants.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and state leaders continue to ask the federal government to take action. Hochul first contacted President Joe Biden and White House officials about the issue in May, including sending a letter requesting a plan about where officials can house migrants who arrive in the state, and asking the federal government to expedite work permits for asylum seekers.

Schumer and Tonko are choosing to remain tight-lipped about the issue after weeks without a federal response. 

Upstate communities across the Hudson Valley and other areas continue to wait on federal funding to offset damage from last week's storms and high winds. 

Schumer visited the United States Military Academy at West Point, which sustained some of the worst damage, and said the reimbursements will start immediately.

"They need over $100 million in help. We're going to get them the help," he said.