Press Releases
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
November 08, 2021
Gillibrand Joins Colleagues To Announce Legislation To Alleviate Supply Chain Bottleneck And Invest In New York Jobs And Businesses
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is announcing legislation to help address ongoing pandemic-related supply chain disruptions that continue plaguing businesses and consumers. The Supply Chain Resiliency Act would alleviate supply chain bottlenecks and prevent future disruptions by investing in American companies to increase domestic production and reduce reliance on long supply chains. Specifically, the bill would create an Office of Supply Chain Resiliency at the Commerce Department charged … Continue Reading
November 08, 2021
Gillibrand Announces Open Application Period For FEMA Assistance To Firefighters Grants
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the application period for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program is open until December 17th. The AFG Program provides local fire departments with funding to purchase protective gear, vehicles, and other equipment and to conduct trainings for emergency personnel. In fiscal year 2020, the AFG Program awarded over $16 million in federal funding to fire … Continue Reading
November 06, 2021
Gillibrand Praises Infrastructure Bill Passing The House; Recommits To Passing Paid Leave In Build Back Better Agenda
Last night, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which 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 05, 2021
Following Years Of Advocacy, Schumer, Gillibrand, Jones Secure Independent Review Of Safety Risks Posed By Aim Pipeline Projects For Lower Hudson Valley Communities Surrounding Indian Point; In New Letter, Reps Reinforce Community Concerns, Call On PHMSA To Exercise Oversight On All Existing Pipelines For Full, Comprehensive Review
Following their relentless advocacy, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Representative Mondaire Jones today announced they have secured an independent review by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) through Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to address safety and operational issues of the Algonquin Incremental Market pipeline near Indian Point. In addition, the lawmakers are sending a new letter to … Continue Reading
November 03, 2021
Gillibrand Introduces Bill To Ban Foreign Nationals From Funding Ballot Initiatives And Influencing American Democracy
Today, Senator Gillibrand introduced the Stop Foreign Interference in Ballot Measures Act, which would prohibit foreign nationals from donating money to fund ballot initiatives and referendums. Gillibrand introduced the bill following a ruling from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) deciding that foreign donors can fund U.S. ballot measure campaigns, which would enable foreign spending on far-reaching policy issues. While federal election law already prohibits foreign nationals from … Continue Reading
November 03, 2021
Gillibrand Announces Nearly $1 Billion Included For Rural Communities In Build Back Better Agenda Framework; Gillibrand Pledges To Fight To Keep It In Package As Negotiations Continue
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that nearly $1 billion in Rural Partnership Program (RPP) funding will be included in the Build Back Better Act framework. Gillibrand has long fought to support rural communities in New York State and nationwide and the recently announced Rural Partnership Program is modeled after Gillibrand's Rebuild Rural America Act, legislation written to deliver federal resources directly to rural communities. During late-stage negotiations, Gillibrand sent … Continue Reading
November 03, 2021
Gillibrand Statement Supporting Speaker Pelosi’s Paid Leave Proposal In Build Back Better Act
Addressing Speaker Pelosi's proposal to include paid leave in the Build Back Better Act, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement: "I strongly support Speaker Pelosi's proposal to include four weeks of universal paid family and medical leave in the Build Back Better Act. The goal of the Build Back Better framework is to solve the challenges that families are facing and paid leave will help us do that. Paid leave will make sure working people can take care of their … Continue Reading
