Press Releases
In Floor Speech, Gillibrand Marks One-Year Anniversary of Superstorm Sandy
Washington, DC - On the one-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand took to the Senate floor today to honor the lives lost and stand in unity with hundreds of thousands of struggling New Yorkers whose lives remain uprooted by the devastation. Senator Gillibrand urged her colleagues to pass a bipartisan bill she co-sponsored today called the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act that would require FEMA to complete an affordability study and provide real … Continue Reading
October 29, 2013
Menendez, Isakson Lead Bipartisan Coalition to Protect Homeowners from Flood Insurance Rate Spike
WASHINGTON, DC - On the one year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) today led a bipartisan coalition of members to introduce the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act which will protect millions of homeowners from facing huge flood insurance premium rate hikes and require FEMA to complete an affordability study and propose real solutions to address affordability issues before any flood insurance premiums can be raised in the … Continue Reading
October 28, 2013
Ahead of First Public Meeting of Farm Bill Conference Committee, Gillibrand Leads Coalition of More Than One-Third of Senate Colleagues Urging Congressional Negotiators to Reject Cuts to Food Stamps for Millions of Children, Seniors, Food Insecure Families
Washington, DC - Ahead of the first public meeting of the Senate and House 2013 Farm Bill conference committee members on Wednesday, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today led a coalition of 38 of her Senate colleagues urging the conferees to fight against harmful cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Senators also urged the negotiators to reject all eligibility changes that would prevent millions of children, … Continue Reading
October 25, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $8.6 Million Loan for Corning Community College - Federal Funding to Construct & Renovate Library, Gymnasium & Student Commons
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that Corning Community College has received a Rural Development Loan totaling $8,635,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The terms of the loan are 25 years at 3.5 percent, and the funds will be used to expand and renovate the Arthur A. Houghton, Jr. Library, the Student Commons building, and the school gymnasium. "Supporting our rural community colleges with funding for new campus infrastructure is pivotal for … Continue Reading
October 18, 2013
Standing at the Agroforesty Resource Center, Senator Gillibrand & Congressman Gibson Discuss Legislation to Combat Lyme Disease
Acra, NY - Standing at the Agroforestry Resource Center, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Chris Gibson today discussed legislation to combat the growing epidemic of Lyme disease in New York and across the country. This past August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released preliminary estimates indicating that the number of Americans diagnosed with Lyme disease each year is around 300,000, creating the need for an aggressive response on the federal level. … Continue Reading
October 10, 2013
Gillibrand Responds to Testimony by Nominee for Navy Undersecretary Advocating Against Sexual Assault Cases Being Decided “Based on Evidence”
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement today in response to written testimony by Jo Ann Rooney, nominee to be the next undersecretary of the Navy, that advocated for commanding officers to continue deciding whether to prosecute sexual assault allegations because the impact of an independent, objective and non-biased military justice system where military prosecutors make these legal decisions, "…would be decisions based on evidence … Continue Reading
October 01, 2013
At Gillibrand’s & Schumer’s Urging, FEMA Extends Deadline for Flood Insurance Claims for Sandy Homeowners
Washington, DC - At the urging of U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer, FEMA agreed to grant a six-month extension for thousands of Sandy-impacted homeowners to file flood insurance claims. Last week, Senator Gillibrand led a bipartisan group of Senators and House Members from New York and New Jersey calling for an immediate FEMA extension to ensure that all homeowners have a fair process when it comes to filing their flood insurance claims and receiving the full benefits they … Continue Reading
September 30, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand, Meeks, Goldfeder Announce Over $8 Million in Federal Funding for Sandy-Related Repairs to the Rockaway Water Pollution Control Plant
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Gregory Meeks and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder today announced over $8 million in federal funding for Sandy-related repairs to the Rockaway Water Pollution Control Plant. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding is being provided to the New York Department of Environmental Protection (NYDEP). "The Rockaway Water Pollution Control Plant serves nearly 100,000 and is critical in making sure that our wastewater is … Continue Reading
September 27, 2013
Gillibrand to Feds: Federal Employees Working on Sandy Recovery Programs Should be Exempt from Potential Government Shutdown
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged feds to exempt federal employees who are working on Sandy-related recovery efforts and programs from any furloughs that may result from a potential government shutdown. Senator Gillibrand noted that the exemption would protect the storm recovery process for Sandy-impacted New Yorkers from further delay and that the emergency rebuilding efforts for many hard-hit communities should continue no matter what happens to the U.S. … Continue Reading
September 27, 2013
Gillibrand, Schumer, Bipartisan Group of Congressional Members Urge FEMA to Extend Deadline for Flood Insurance Claims for Sandy Homeowners
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand led a bipartisan group of Senators and House Members from New York and New Jersey urging FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate to grant a six-month extension for thousands of Sandy-impacted homeowners to file flood insurance claims. Under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) managed by FEMA, Sandy-impacted homeowners must file a Proof of Loss (POL) form, a statement on the amount that the homeowner is claiming under his or her flood … Continue Reading
September 27, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand, Owens Announce Ogdensburg Facility Wins $20 Million Army Contract for Bomb Disposal Suits
Today, Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Bill Owens announced the Army has awarded an Ogdensburg facility with a $20 Million contract to produce the Advanced Bomb Suit Ensemble and spare parts. The suits are made by Med-Eng, a company formerly owned by Allen-Vanguard and sold this week to the Safariland Group. The Advanced Bomb Suit Ensemble is worn by U.S. soldiers around the world when they dispose of explosives, including improvised explosive devices … Continue Reading
September 27, 2013
Breaking: Defense Advisory Committee Voted Today in Favor of Removing Decision Whether to Prosecute Sexual Assaults from the Chain of Command - First Body Connected to DoD to Endorse Gillibrand Approach
Washington, DC - Today, the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) voted overwhelmingly in support of removing the decision whether to prosecute sexual assaults and other serious crimes from the chain of command, the goals of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's Military Justice Improvement Act Amendment. Ten members voted in support of the measure, five abstained to study further, none voted against. "I want to thank the panel for closely studying this issue and inviting … Continue Reading
September 27, 2013
Gillibrand Unveils New Plan to Update the Rules of the Modern Workplace, Ensure Women Workers Have a Fair Shot at Earning their Financial Security, Strengthen Middle Class Families
Washington, DC - In a major policy speech today hosted by the Center for American Progress, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) unveiled a new five-point package aimed at ensuring more middle class women workers have a fair shot at earning financial security by modernizing America's outdated workplace policies that have failed to keep pace with the demands on the new workforce driving our economy and limits economic growth. With more dual income households than ever before, and 40 percent … Continue Reading
September 26, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand, Israel Announce $1.2 Million in Federal Funding for New York Institute of Technology; Investment Will Help Create 65 Jobs by Establishing On-Campus Entrepreneurship& Technology Innovation Center
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Congressman Steve Israel today announced over $1 million in federal funding for the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) School of Engineering and Computing Sciences in Old Westbury. The funding is being used to establish an Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center (ETIC), expected to create 65 jobs and save 6 jobs. The funding is being awarded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA). "The high tech industry … Continue Reading
September 26, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $53 Million in Federal Funding for Debris Removal Throughout Nassau County After Superstorm Sandy
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced over $53 million in federal funding for the Nassau County Public Works for debris removal after Superstorm Sandy. The reimbursement is being provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "After Superstorm Sandy hit communities in Nassau County, the roads and right of ways were ridden with debris causing a very dangerous situation for residents," said Schumer. "This federal reimbursement will help repay … Continue Reading
September 25, 2013
Gillibrand Fights to Keep Child Care Assistance Pilot Program at VA Medical Center for Long Island Veterans
Washington, DC - With a local Northport Veterans Affairs (VA) child care pilot program set to expire at the end of the month, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today is fighting to save this important program. More than 174 local veterans per month have taken advantage of this service, which has cared for 234 children this year while their parents receive mental health services from the Northport VA. Senator Gillibrand is pushing the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Department of … Continue Reading
September 24, 2013
Gillibrand Fights to Keep Child Care Assistance Pilot Program at VA Medical Center for Buffalo Veterans
Washington, DC - With a local Buffalo Veterans Affairs (VA) child care pilot program set to expire at the end of the month, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today is fighting to save this important program. More than 100 local veterans per month have taken advantage of this service, which has cared for nearly 1,300 children this year while their parents receive mental health services from the VA. Senator Gillibrand is pushing the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Department of Veterans … Continue Reading
September 24, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce City of Troy Set to Receive Almost $300k in Dept. of Justice Grant; Investment Will Improve Services, Better Protect Victims of Domestic Violence
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the City of Troy was awarded a $299,148 Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program (Arrest) Grant from the Department of Justice. Specifically, the city will partner with Unity House of Troy, Inc. and Rensselaer County Probation and use this funding to encourage arrests, enforce orders of protection, and increase victim safety. This project will enhance the policies and procedures related … Continue Reading
September 24, 2013
As UN General Assembly Debate Begins, Gillibrand, Barrasso Urge U.S. to Fight UN Human Rights Council’s Anti-Israel Agenda
Washington, DC - As the UN General Assembly debate begins, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and John Barrasso (R-WY) today pressed Secretary of State John Kerry to renew the U.S. commitment to challenge the sweeping anti-Israel bias at the UN and to work with our allies to repeal the UN Human Rights Council's blatantly discriminatory Agenda Item 7, a tool used to attack Israel at every Council session. The Senators emphasized strong U.S. support for Israel and called for an … Continue Reading
September 24, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $899,721 for Nassau County to Strengthen Safety of Domestic Violence Victims, Maximize Convictions of Abusers
Nassau, NY - U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $899,721 for Nassau County to enhance safety of domestic violence victims by updating the police department's CAPER (Criminal Apprehension Provided by Electronic Response) alarm system and to maximize the convictions of abusers by training police department on accessing critical information on chronic domestic violence offenders. The federal grant is being awarded through the Department of Justice's Violence … Continue Reading
