Press Releases
ICYMI: Military Times: Veterans Groups Urge Congress To Include Military Sexual Assault Reforms In Defense Authorization Bill
In case you missed it, the Military Times published a story about a coalition of veterans groups pushing Congress to not remove or water down military sexual assault reform provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Senate NDAA includes Senator Gillibrand's Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act, which would move the decision of whether to prosecute serious non-military crimes out of the hands of commanders and into the hands of independent, … Continue Reading
November 24, 2021
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $300,000 In Federal Funding For Local Arts Organizations
Today, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $300,000 in federal funding for local arts agencies in Westchester and St. Lawrence counties. The funding was allocated through the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Rescue Plan and will be used to help local arts venues recover from the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. ArtsWestchester and the St. Lawrence County Arts Council will each receive $150,000 for subgranting … Continue Reading
November 23, 2021
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $500,000 In Federal Funding For Substance Use Disorder Recovery Services In Delaware And Otsego Counties
Today, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $500,000 in federal funding for the Friends of Recovery of Delaware and Otsego Counties, Inc. The funding was awarded through the Appalachian Regional Commission INvestments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative and will be used to provide comprehensive support and workforce re-entry services for over 100 individuals struggling with substance use disorders. The funding … Continue Reading
November 23, 2021
Gillibrand Bill Modernizes WIC Program And Makes Families First Coronavirus Response Act Waivers Permanent
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, along with Senator Roger Marshall, introduced the bipartisan More Options to Develop and Enhance Remote Nutrition in WIC Act (MODERN WIC) to make WIC more accessible to low-income families and help ensure more applicants receive needed benefits by allowing them to certify and recertify for WIC services remotely. In the first year of the pandemic alone, WIC providers reported a 2.5% increase in WIC participation and more low-income households continue … Continue Reading
November 22, 2021
Ahead Of The Holidays, Gillibrand Volunteers At The Foundry Center For Youth Development In Buffalo
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand participated in service activities across the state to help New Yorkers in need ahead of the holiday season. In Buffalo, Gillibrand volunteered at The Foundry, a community-based center committed to youth development and afterschool programming. Senator Gillibrand assisted students in building "little free libraries" that will be used for book-sharing and to inspire readers throughout Buffalo. "As New Yorkers celebrate the holidays, we must remember those who … Continue Reading
November 22, 2021
Gillibrand Visits Mary’s Place Refugee Outreach Center For Day Of Service And Joins Community Leaders To Kick Off The North Star Coalition In Rochester
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand participated in service activities across the state to help New Yorkers in need ahead of the holiday season. In Rochester, Senator Gillibrand visited Mary's Place Refugee Outreach Center to assemble food packages and hygiene products. Mary's Place has been serving refugee families living in the City of Rochester since 2009 and works to provide a safe community atmosphere while helping refugees adjust to American culture, learn English, find employment, and gain … Continue Reading
November 22, 2021
Ahead Of The Holidays, Gillibrand Volunteers At The Syracuse Northeast Community Center For Day Of Service
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand participated in service activities across the state to help New Yorkers in need ahead of the holiday season. In Syracuse, Gillibrand volunteered at the Syracuse Northeast Community Center to assemble Thanksgiving meal kits, bundle diapers for distribution, and assist with food packaging alongside Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, State Senator Rachel May, State Senator John Mannion and Onondaga County Legislator Peggy Chase. "As New Yorkers celebrate the holidays, we … Continue Reading
November 19, 2021
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $30 Million In Federal Funding For Transportation Projects In New York City And Westchester
Today, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $28,960,000 in federal funding for transportation infrastructure projects in Brooklyn, the Bronx and New Rochelle. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant program and will be used for projects that modernize public transit and highway systems in New York City and Westchester with a focus on … Continue Reading
November 19, 2021
ICYMI DOD Buried 2016 Report Uncovering Flaws In How It Collects Sexual Assault Data | American Prospect
In case you missed it, the American Prospect released a story today about a 2016 Defense Department report that found serious deficiencies in the way the military collects data on sexual assault, but was buried by senior Defense Department leadership. Key takeaways from the story: In 2016, four Defense Digital Service staffers met with military lawyers, victim advocates, Pentagon commanders, and key players in Congress and the Obama administration and wrote a report that revealed serious … Continue Reading
November 18, 2021
Gillibrand Joins Biden At The White House For Signing Of Her Bipartisan Protecting America’s First Responders Act
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined President Biden at the White House for the official signing of the Protecting America's First Responders Act of 2021 (PAFRA) into law, which unanimously passed the Senate in November. This law will ensure first responders and law enforcement disabled in the line of duty will be guaranteed prompt access to benefits. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) is the Senate co-lead. "Today is a monumental day for our first responders and law enforcement … Continue Reading
November 17, 2021
Gillibrand Announces $27 Billion Once-In-A-Generation Investment In New York Infrastructure
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is announcing that New York should expect to receive at least $27 billion in direct funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to help revitalize New York State's aging infrastructure. Several of Gillibrand's hard-fought provisions were included in the package, including measures to encourage the use of local workers in infrastructure projects, increase limo safety standards, and invest in marginalized workers and communities. Gillibrand also … Continue Reading
November 16, 2021
Gillibrand Praises President Biden Signing Infrastructure Act Into Law
Today, President Biden signed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. The package will help revitalize America's aging infrastructure and deliver at least $27 billion in direct funding for New York infrastructure projects. Several of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's provisions were included in the package, including measures to encourage the use of local workers in infrastructure projects, increased limo safety standards, and funding for infrastructure projects that … Continue Reading
November 15, 2021
ICYMI: 29 State Attorneys General Send Letter Urging Congress To Pass Senator Gillibrand’s Military Justice Improvement And Increasing Prevention Act
In case you missed it, today, 29 state attorneys general, led by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, penned a letter to congressional leadership urging Congress to swiftly pass Senator Gillibrand's widely supported Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act (MJIIPA). As the leading advocate for victims of sexual abuse and assault in the military, Gillibrand has been relentless in her efforts to see this bill through to the finish … Continue Reading
November 15, 2021
Following Gillibrand Request, Department Of Education Issues FAQs On Using Emergency Relief Funds To Address School Bus Driver Shortage
Following her request, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is announcing new FAQs issued by the Department of Education on using emergency relief funds to address the nationwide bus driver shortage. As families, students, and schools continue to grapple with the school bus driver shortage, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sent a letter to Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona urging the agency to issue clear guidance to states and school districts about using Elementary and Secondary … Continue Reading
November 12, 2021
Senator Gillibrand Announces An Additional $750 Million In American Rescue Plan Dollars Will Be Provided To New York’s Basic Health Program
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is announcing that $750 million in additional American Rescue Plan funding, which she voted for, will be provided for New York's Basic Health Program (BHP) to cover the costs of high-quality health insurance for approximately one million low-to-middle income New Yorkers. Senator Gillibrand played a critical role in securing significant public health and health care resources in the American Rescue Plan and is continuing her fight to provide relief for New … Continue Reading
November 11, 2021
ICYMI: Senator Gillibrand Op-Ed: Our Veterans Deserve Access To Care
In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, chair of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, penned an op-ed in the Post-Standard and the Watertown Daily Times today calling for the passage of the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act. The bill would establish a presumption of service connection for the estimated 3.5 million veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins while serving overseas and streamline the process for … Continue Reading
November 10, 2021
Gillibrand Statement On Release Of Report Showing That The Military Is Not Complying With Federal Law Regarding Prosecution Of Special Victims Cases Like Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence
Today, the Department of Defense Inspector General released a report demonstrating that the military is not complying with federal law regarding the prosecution of special victims cases like sexual assault and domestic violence. The report outlined several disturbing findings, including that the military: Did not "consistently assign certified lead investigators for investigations of covered offenses." Did not "consistently document communications with Special Victim Investigation and … Continue Reading
November 10, 2021
Gillibrand, Colleagues Introduce Bill To Fix Major Gaps In Law Burdening Victims Of Domestic Abuse By Service Members
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Rachel Booth Act to close gaps in the Defense Department's Transitional Compensation (TC) program. Currently, dependents of service members are eligible to apply for transitional compensation to help them transition to financial independence if the service member has been discharged from the military for a domestic abuse offense. However, there are cases in which the service member is convicted of a domestic abuse … Continue Reading
November 09, 2021
Gillibrand, Kildee Lead Colleagues In Bicameral, Bipartisan Letter Urging FAA To Take Immediate Action To Enable Airports To Transition To PFAS-Free Firefighting Foam
This week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI) led over 50 of their colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urging the agency to take immediate action to enable U.S. civilian airports to use PFAS-free firefighting foam. The 2018 FAA Reauthorization bill made it so that as of October 4, 2021, FAA could no longer require that civilian airports use firefighting foams containing toxic PFAS chemicals. However, because … Continue Reading
November 09, 2021
Gillibrand Fights To Create A 9/11-Style Covid-19 Commission To Mitigate Threat Of Future Health And Economic Crises
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) to introduce the bipartisan National Commission on the COVID-19 Pandemic Act. This legislation would create a 9/11-style commission to investigate the COVID-19 outbreak and identify lessons learned regarding U.S. preparedness, response and recovery to improve our nation's ability to respond to future outbreaks. The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than 750,000 American … Continue Reading
