WASHINGTON - President Bush plans to visit Canandaigua next week, a trip hailed by Rep. Thomas Reynolds as another chance to pitch seniors on the savings in a new federal prescription drug benefit.

Reynolds, R-Clarence, who is leading the House GOP's election effort, plans to be on hand for the visit to the lakeside town 25 miles southeast of Rochester.

“Congressman Reynolds is excited that President Bush is coming up to New York. Obviously, any time President Bush comes up it is a good opportunity for New Yorkers, particularly to learn about the Medicare prescription drug benefit and how seniors can save money on their prescription drugs,” said Reynolds' spokesman L.D. Platt.

A White House spokesman did not immediately return a call for comment, and officials aren't expected to release his travel schedule until later this week.

Canandaigua's congressman, Rep. John “Randy” Kuhl, had received no confirmation that the president was coming, said the congressman's spokesman.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., one of the most outspoken critics of the Medicare drug plan, said he hoped the president would “have an open ear to solve the many problems” with the drug plan.

“Not only is this program nearly impossible to navigate, but it's now breaking the bank of state budgets,” Schumer said.

In New York, the state has been paying for prescriptions for those having difficulty with the new Medicare benefit. The federal government has promised reimbursement.

Bush visited Greece, a Rochester suburb, last year as part of an unsuccessful campaign to overhaul Social Security.