Press Releases
Gillibrand, DeLauro Introduce Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today introduced new legislation that would create paid family and medical leave. The Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act would establish a national paid family and medical leave insurance program, ensuring that American workers would no longer have to choose between a paycheck and caring for themselves or a family member. They will be joined by business leaders and advocates, who will … Continue Reading
December 10, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $400,000 Challenge Grant From the National Endowment for the Humanities for the Staten Island Museum; Prestigious Grant Will Help Garner Critical Individual Fundraising Support
U. S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced that the Staten Island Museum will receive a prestigious $400,000 challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). This challenge grant - which will be available to the Staten Island Museum as long as it is able to raise $1.2 million before July 31, 2018 - will be put towards the Museum's endowment, exhibition infrastructure and technology at its new Snug Harbor campus, and fundraising … Continue Reading
December 10, 2013
Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Kennedy Introduce New Legislation to Promote Stem Opportunities for Women, Minorities and Economically Disadvantaged
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congressman Joe Kennedy (D-MA) today introduced new legislation to encourage women, minorities and economically disadvantaged students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The STEM Gateways Act would provide grants for classroom learning, career preparation, mentoring, internships, informal learning and other appropriate educational activities. "New York is home to the greatest colleges and … Continue Reading
December 09, 2013
Gillibrand Leads Group of Lawmakers Urging FDA to Immediately Put in Place Anti-Abuse Protections for Highly Addictive Zohydro Drug
Washington, DC - After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a powerful new opioid painkiller Zohydro recently, even after the agency's own panel voted against approving the drug, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) requested an explanation from the FDA on why the agency ignored its own panel's recommendations and called on the FDA to expedite the development of an abuse-deterrent formula that would make … Continue Reading
December 08, 2013
With Holiday Shopping in Full Swing, Gillibrand, NYPIRG, NYC Parents Unveil Annual Toy Safety Report on Dangerous and Toxic Toys on NYC Store Shelves
New York, NY - As the holiday shopping season kicks into full swing, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), joined by New York City parents, today unveiled NYPIRG's annual toy safety report, Treacherous Toys: Dangerous and Toxic Toys on New York's Store Shelves (www.nypirg.org/treacheroustoys), revealing that dangerous and toxic toys can be found on store shelves right here in New York. NYPIRG's Treacherous Toys report, which offers safety … Continue Reading
December 06, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $1 Million In Fed Health And Human Services Grant For University of Rochester – Grant Will Fund Clinical Trials in Search of HIV Vaccine
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that a $1,030,764 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has been awarded to the University of Rochester for research on the treatment and prevention of HIV. Specifically, the funding will go towards developing better treatment methods and standards of care for people living with HIV and would set up clinical trials for a preventive HIV vaccine at … Continue Reading
December 02, 2013
Gillibrand Urges Feds to Conduct Comprehensive Safety Review of MTA’s Commuter Rail System After Deadly Train Derailment in the Bronx
New York, NY - After a recent Metro-North train derailment in the Bronx killed at least four passengers and injured more than 60 others, according to the MTA, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today pressed Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo for a swift and comprehensive safety evaluation of the MTA's commuter rail system in order to ensure that a similar tragedy does not happen again and steps taken by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to improve commuter rail safety. The … Continue Reading
November 25, 2013
WNY Delegation Urges Homeland Security to Set Up Shop at Niagara Falls Air Base
Members of Western New York's Congressional delegation are pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish missions at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS). In a letter to the Acting Secretary of DHS, Congressman Chris Collins, Congressman Brian Higgins, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Charles Schumer urged the Department to consider NFARS as a regional location for several DHS missions including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customers and Border … Continue Reading
November 21, 2013
Gillibrand Statement on Senate Filibuster Reform
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement today after voting to change the Senate rules to limit the use of a filibuster: "Yesterday we saw a glimpse of how the senate is supposed to work - two bipartisan coalitions fiercely debating a critically important issue to our country on the senate floor, until it crashed into the wall of obstructionism we have seen all too often in this broken Congress. "We have no choice but to reform the overused and … Continue Reading
November 19, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $1 Million in FEMA Funds for Canal Flood Warning System Designed to Predict & Protect Upstate Communities – Federal Funding to Install New Precipitation Gauges Along Mohawk River, Oswego River and Upper Hudson River Basin in 23 Upstate Counties
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the New York State Canal Flood Warning System has received a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding obligation totaling $1 million for the installation of precipitation gauges along the Mohawk River, Oswego River and Upper Hudson River Basin. Precipitation gauges, or rain gauges, measure rainfall in areas at risk of flooding. The Canal Flood Warning System is a NYS program that will combine forecasting, … Continue Reading
November 19, 2013
Air Force Major General (Ret.) Martha Rainville, Army Brigadier General (Ret.) Loree Sutton, Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans Of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Service Women's Action Network, Survivor/Protect Our Defenders Advocacy Committee Kate Weber, Sarah Plummer, Survivor & Advocate, Author/Leadership Coach Arrive on Capitol Hill to Continue Push for Independent Military Justice System
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rand Paul (R-KY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Dean Heller (R-NV) were joined on Capitol Hill today by Air Force Major General (Ret.) and former Vermont National Guard Adjutant General Martha Rainville, who served in the military for twenty-seven years, including fourteen years in command positions, plus Brigadier General (Ret.) Loree Sutton who served as the top … Continue Reading
November 15, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $35,000 for Robbins Family Grain Company to Purchase Energy Efficient Grain Dryer in Jefferson County
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal grant worth $35,282 for the Robbins Family Grain Company, LLC. The funding is allocated through the USDA's Rural Development Rural Energy for America Grant Program and will be used to purchase and install an energy efficient grain dryer. "Smaller farms often have difficulty affording the high-cost of equipment, and that's exactly the problem this loan will help solve," said Senator Schumer. … Continue Reading
November 14, 2013
Ten Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Create Infrastructure Financing Authority
WASHINGTON - A bipartisan coalition of ten U.S. Senators introduced legislation today to establish a new infrastructure financing authority to help states and localities better leverage private funds to build and maintain the nation's outdated infrastructure. The Building and Renewing Infrastructure for Development and Growth in Employment Act, or BRIDGE Act, helps to address the nation's alarming investment shortfall in maintaining and improving our transportation network, water and … Continue Reading
November 14, 2013
After Calling for its Formation, Reps. Israel And Meng, Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand Commend Creation of Airplane Noise Community Roundtable
Washington, D.C.- Today, Reps. Steve Israel (D-NY) and Grace Meng (D-NY) and Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced that their work to form an airplane noise community roundtable has paid off with the announcement by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo that he has directed the Port Authority to form this roundtable and conduct noise studies. The representatives and senators sent a letter in July, signed by a total of 12 Members of Congress, requesting the formation of … Continue Reading
November 14, 2013
Durbin, Gillibrand Introduce Legislation to Promote Entrepreneurship and Innovation Through ‘Fab Lab’ Network
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced legislation to invest in the next generation of American entrepreneurs and innovators by establishing a national network of fabrication laboratories, known as "fab labs." Fab labs are small, community-based workshops that give members of the public - from students to small businesses - access to educational resources and high-tech equipment that can design, develop, and create new … Continue Reading
November 14, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $50,000 for New Solar Powered System for Rush-A-Round Acres Dairy Farm in Erie County
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal loan worth $50,000 for the Rush-A-Round Acres, LLC. The funding is allocated through the USDA's Rural Development Rural Energy for America Grant Program and will be used to purchase and install a 50 kilowatt solar powered system. "Rural farms often have difficulty accessing efficient sources of power, and that's exactly the problem this grant will help solve," said Senator Schumer. "The solar … Continue Reading
November 13, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $400,000 for Woodcrest Dairy in St. Lawrence County for Energy Generation Project
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that Woodcrest Dairy in St. Lawrence County will receive a $403,627 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, specifically from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This funding will be used to purchase an anaerobic digester, which is expected to generate enough electricity to power their farm and potentially add power back onto the grid. "Rural farms often have difficulty accessing efficient sources of … Continue Reading
November 13, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $38,000 Grant for Bishop Sheen Housing Foundation in Monroe County – Funding Will Go Towards Critical Housing Repairs Before Winter Sets in
Today, Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation will receive a $38,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, specifically from the Housing Preservation Grant program. This funding will be used in all twelve units owned by the Bishop Sheen Housing Foundation to replace roofs, furnaces, and address accessibility issues, like installing handicap ramps. "With winter right around the corner, this funding will make … Continue Reading
November 08, 2013
With Trade Talks Set for Next Week, Schumer, Gillibrand Push to Expand Access for New York Apples and Pears
Washington, D.C. - As the Obama Administration prepares for trade talks set to begin next week with European authorities, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are pushing the administration to prioritize reducing trade barriers that New York's apple and pear growers face in European markets. U.S. and European trade officials completed the first round of talks in July on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) to boost trading between U.S. and European … Continue Reading
November 08, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand, Bishop Announce Over $3 Million in Federal Funding for Debris Removal in Brookhaven After Superstorm Sandy
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tim Bishop today announced over $3 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for the Town of Brookhaven which will reimburse the cost of debris removal in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. "After Superstorm Sandy hit communities in the town of Brookhaven, the roads and right of ways were ridden with debris causing a very dangerous situation for residents," said Schumer. "This federal reimbursement … Continue Reading
