Press Releases
Schumer, Gillibrand Launch Push To Secure $78 Million In Fed Funding For Rochester Laser Lab In 2017 Budget-Funding Will Keep University Of Rochester At The Cutting Edge Of High-Tech Energy Research & Develop New Pulsed-Power Facility
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today launched their push to secure $78 million in federal funding for the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). Schumer and Gillibrand urged federal appropriators to include this funding in the FY 2017 budget. With the first $68 million in funding, the University of Rochester will be able to continue its critical research and work in fusion power, which has the potential to completely eradicate U.S. dependence on … Continue Reading
March 09, 2016
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge FERC to Reject Proposed Permit Application for Northeast Energy Pipeline (NED) Project; Proposal Seeks to Install Gas Pipeline & Compressor Stations through Several NYS Counties - Senators Say New Yorkers Bear the Environmental & Health Risks and Reap None of the Benefits
Albany, N.Y. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, today urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reject the current permit application for the Northeast Energy Pipeline (NED) pipeline project proposed by the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan. The $5 billion NED pipeline covering over 400 miles would cut through the Schoharie Valley to Albany and Rensselaer Counties in the Capital Region. It would also require compressor stations … Continue Reading
March 09, 2016
Gillibrand, Murphy Introduce Legislation to Promote Economic Growth and Protect Natural Resources in the Highlands Region
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy introduced legislation this week to reauthorize the Highlands Conservation Act, which would allow states to access matching federal funding for projects to promote conservation, tourism, and recreation in the region. The Highlands Region of the Northeastern United States consists of forested mountains and hills stretching from Connecticut, through New York and New Jersey, to Pennsylvania. This legislation will … Continue Reading
March 08, 2016
Gillibrand Announces B&B Carousell Placed on the National Register of Historic Places
New York, N.Y. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that B&B Carousell was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. The B&B Carousell has a history spanning over 110 years, spending 84 years on Coney Island in New York City. The official designation expands opportunities for federal historic tax credits and other resources to support future preservation and development initiatives. "B&B Carousell has proven to be a staple of Coney Island since … Continue Reading
March 07, 2016
Gillibrand Introduces Legislation to Begin Process of Creating National Park in Central New York
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today introduced legislation that would authorize the National Park Service (NPS) to conduct a study on whether the Fort Ontario and the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum in Oswego should become a unit of the National Park system. This designation would provide significant resources to Central New York, including increased federal funding for conservation and economic development programs, and would increase tourism to the area. … Continue Reading
March 07, 2016
As Opioid & Heroin Related Deaths in New York Continue to Climb, Senator Gillibrand Urges Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Fight Opioid Epidemic
New York, N.Y. - As opioid and heroin related deaths in New York continue to climb, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand along with families and advocates are calling on Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to help end the opioid epidemic. Senator Gillibrand introduced the Preventing Overprescribing for Pain Act as an amendment to the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, a bill the Senate is set to vote on this week. Senator Gillibrand's proposed legislation would require the Centers … Continue Reading
March 03, 2016
Schumer, Gillibrand, Hanna Urge Secretary of the Army to Reveal AFMO Evaluation of Pilot Program which Directly Impacts Status of DFAS Employees in Rome
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Richard Hanna today wrote to the Secretary of the Army urging the service to disclose evaluation criteria that will be utilized for the assessment of the current Army Financial Management Optimization (AFMO) pilot program scheduled to end on March 31st. The Members of Congress' letter to the Acting Secretary of the Army, Patrick Murphy comes after the quarterly briefing on the current status of the … Continue Reading
March 02, 2016
Gillibrand Goes to Senate Floor to Urge Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Fight Opioid Epidemic
**WATCH Senator Gillibrand's Speech on the Senate Floor Here** Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand delivered a speech on the Senate floor today urging Congress to pass her bipartisan legislation to help combat the opioid epidemic. Senators Gillibrand and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the Preventing Overprescribing for Pain Act as an amendment to the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, a bill the Senate is considering this week. Senator Gillibrand's … Continue Reading
March 01, 2016
Bipartisan Senate-House Coalition Introduces Bill To Facilitate U.S. Preclearance Operations In Canada, To Expedite U.S.-Canada Travel And Commerce
WASHINGTON (TUESDAY, March 1, 2016) - Bipartisan legislation to increase national security and facilitate travel and commerce between the United States and Canada was introduced Tuesday in the House and Senate. The Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act paves the way for expansion of preclearance facilities, operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, at land, rail, marine and air ports of departure in Canada. Expanding preclearance operations will be on the table for … Continue Reading
March 01, 2016
As Divided Supreme Court Considers Gun Ban for Domestic Violence Convictions, Senator Gillibrand Pushes for Legislation to Close Domestic Violence Gun Loophole
Washington, D.C. - As the now-divided U.S. Supreme Court considers a case that could allow many domestic abusers to keep firearms, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the passage of new legislation to close DV gun loopholes and prevent domestic abusers from possessing firearms. Yesterday the U.S. Supreme Court heard Voisine v. United States, a case that could determine what type of domestic violence convictions result in the abuser being banned from possessing a firearm. An … Continue Reading
February 29, 2016
Gillibrand Resolution Celebrating Black History Month Passes U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a bipartisan resolution commemorating Black History Month has unanimously passed the U.S. Senate. The resolution honors the contributions and achievements of African American pioneers who have overcome injustice and forged the fight for freedom, equality and opportunity for all Americans. "We cannot move forward on the path to freedom, justice and equality for all without honoring our past and reflecting on the invaluable … Continue Reading
February 29, 2016
Senator Gillibrand Urges U.S. Department of Agriculture to Provide Update on Purchase of Kosher and Halal Food for Food Banks
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide an update on the agency's purchase of Kosher and Halal foods for distribution in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which food banks and pantries rely upon to feed families struggling with food insecurity. After hearing reports of shortages of Kosher and Halal foods in New York food banks, Gillibrand fought to include a proposal in the 2014 Farm … Continue Reading
February 26, 2016
Gillibrand Announces Commerce Department Approves Foreign Trade Zone Application for Townsend Leather in Fulton County
Fulton, N.Y. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of President Obama's Export Council, today announced the U.S. Commerce Department approved Townsend Leather's application for its Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program, which would encourage more companies with import and export operations across the region to take advantage of associated tax breaks and incentives. Townsend Leather, located in Fulton County, specializes in creating high-quality leathers for aviation, hospitality, residential, … Continue Reading
February 26, 2016
Gillibrand Statement on Albany Institute of History & Art's 225th Anniversary
Albany, N.Y. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today issued the following statement in recognition of the Albany Institute of History & Art's 225th Anniversary. "The Albany Institute of History & Art is one of the oldest and most respected museums in the country. For 225 years, this dynamic museum has helped bring to life stories about our past, and has taught generations of families in the Capital Region about our history, our art, and our culture. The collection at the Albany … Continue Reading
February 25, 2016
Senators Gillibrand, Franken, And Peters Announce Bipartisan Legislation To Modernize Foster Care System, Help More Children Quickly Find A Home
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Al Franken (D-MN), and Gary Peters (D-MI) today announced bipartisan legislation to streamline the process of placing children in foster homes across state lines. States currently use antiquated paper-based administrative systems that are unnecessarily slow, differ state-by-state, and lack adequate transparency measures for children being placed in foster or adoptive homes in other states. The Modernizing the Interstate Placement of … Continue Reading
February 25, 2016
Senators Gillibrand and Ernst Urge Department of Veterans Affairs to Screen Veterans for Food Insecurity
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) today sent a bipartisan letter urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin screening veterans for food insecurity as part of routine health care screenings. Veterans are at an increased risk for food insecurity, or a lack of reliable access to affordable and nutritious food. Food insecurity is more prevalent among veterans than the general population due in part to higher rates of disability, medical … Continue Reading
February 23, 2016
Senators Gillibrand And Capito Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Require CDC To Issue Guidelines For Prescribing Opioids For Acute Pain
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today introduced the Preventing Overprescribing for Pain Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue guidelines for the safe prescribing of opioids for the treatment of acute pain. The CDC is currently only focused on guidelines for opioids prescribed to treat chronic pain. However, many individuals become addicted to opioids after taking … Continue Reading
February 22, 2016
Schumer, Gillibrand, Velazquez, De Blasio Announce more than $4.8 Million to Complete Sandy-Related Repairs at Brooklyn Naval Yard
New York, N.Y. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez and Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced over $4.8 million in federal FEMA funding for the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) for repairs to electrical substation G in Building #386 and Dry Dock No. 1/Caisson Gate and Pump Well No. 124 at the Brooklyn Navy Industrial Park damaged as a direct result Superstorm Sandy. The funding was allocated by the Department of … Continue Reading
February 22, 2016
Blumenthal, Ayotte, Gillibrand Urge Senate HELP Committee To Consider Bipartisan Bill To Combat Tick-Bourne Diseases
Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) urged the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee to consider their bipartisan bill to combat tick-borne diseases. With Lyme disease the most commonly reported vector borne illness in the country, tick-borne diseases remain a significant public health threat. In a letter today, the Senators urged the Senate HELP Committee to consider the bipartisan Lyme and … Continue Reading
February 22, 2016
As Divided Supreme Court is Set to Consider Gun Ban for Domestic Violence Convictions, Senators Gillibrand & Blumenthal, Survivors & Advocates Push for Legislation to Close DV Gun Loophole
New York, NY - As the now-divided U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a case next week that could allow many domestic abusers to keep firearms, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Richard Blumenthal, along with Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., domestic violence survivors and advocates, today urged the passage of new legislation to close DV gun loopholes and prevent domestic abusers from possessing firearms. Next Monday, February 29th, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear … Continue Reading
