Press Releases
U.S. Senate Passes Army Corps Bill Providing Funding for Great Lakes Ports and Giving Army Corps Permanent Authority to Prevent Asian Carp From Invading Great Lakes, NYS Waterways
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today announced Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2013. This bill includes a measure she worked to include that sets aside 20 percent of new funding from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for maintaining Great Lakes ports and harbors, and a measure she authorized to authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to take emergency measures in the event … Continue Reading
May 14, 2013
Gillibrand Statement on Committee Passage of Senate Farm Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement today after voting against the Farm Bill that passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee with $4.1 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). "Just as important as the health of our agriculture industry, is the health and nutrition of our children and families. I am deeply concerned with the drastic cuts this bill makes to SNAP that will literally take food away from hungry … Continue Reading
May 14, 2013
Gillibrand Statement on Breaking News of New Investigation into Sexual Assault by Army Sergeant in Charge of Sexual Assault Prevention, Second Such Incident in Two Weeks
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement after the U.S. Army announced today that a Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program coordinator at Fort Hood is under investigation for pandering, abusive sexual contact, assault and maltreatment of subordinates. On Thursday, Gillibrand will unveil her new comprehensive legislation that would reform the military justice system by removing chain of command influence from the … Continue Reading
May 13, 2013
Gillibrand Dedicates Baldwinsville Post Office After Fallen Marine Corporal Kyle Schneider
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today joined with local leaders to dedicate the U.S. Post Office in Baldwinsville, New York, after fallen Marine Corporal Kyle Schneider. The legislation to rename of the post office passed Congress and was signed into law by President Obama in December. Schneider grew up in the Town of Lysander, New York, and is a 2006 graduate of C.W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville. "Marine Corporal … Continue Reading
May 13, 2013
Gillibrand: Brand USA to Promote Greater Niagara Region as International Travel Destination
Youngstown, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, joined by Brand USA CEO Christopher Thompson, Department of Commerce Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade Ken Hyatt, and Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Douglas Smith, today announced that Brand USA will promote the Greater Niagara Region as an international travel destination, featuring the region as a "Trip Idea" on the New York State page of Brand USA's Discover America website. The effort will feature Greater … Continue Reading
May 13, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $4 Million in Federal Funding for Garden City, for Cleanup in the Days After Superstorm Sandy
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced Garden City was awarded over $4.5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding to reimburse them for cost of debris removal in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. "Superstorm Sandy wreaked significant damage in-and-around Garden City, creating a massive cleanup effort that, in turn, threatened to place a burden on local taxpayers," said Schumer. "This reimbursement for debris cleanup … Continue Reading
May 10, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Ithaca-Tompkins & Griffiss Int’l Airport Contract Towers Stay Open – After Senators’ Push, DOT Has Now Guaranteed Contract Towers to Remain Operational
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the federal government will use the funds appropriated by Congress last month to avoid the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cuts to keep open the air traffic control towers at the Ithaca-Tompkins Regional Airport and Griffiss Int'l Airport, which are critical to the local communities, businesses and economic growth. Last week, Schumer and Gillibrand wrote a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA … Continue Reading
May 09, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Secure More than $140,000 Federal Grant for Newark Volunteer Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $144,282 in federal funding for the Newark Volunteer Fire Department to purchase new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Packs. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "With this funding, Newark volunteer firefighters can focus on their important work protecting life and property," said Senator Schumer. … Continue Reading
May 09, 2013
Gillibrand Calls for Historic Landmark Designation for Cherry Grove Community House and Theatre
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today called for the Cherry Grove Community House and Theatre to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located on Fire Island, this historic site provided one of the first settings for collective gay identity to openly appear in our nation's history. "The Cherry Grove Community House represents the first civic entity to integrate gay and lesbian interests into governance and social life," said Senator Gillibrand. "This … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
Gillibrand Announces $200,000 in EPA Funding for North Hempstead for Clean-Up at Brownfield Site
Long Island, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, announced today that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide $200,000 to North Hempstead for clean-up of the Grand Street School site at 252 Grand Street in Westbury. Federal funding was awarded through EPA's Brownfields Program, which helps communities assess, clean up, redevelop and reuse contaminated properties. "This is an important investment for North Hempstead," … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
Gillibrand Announces $200,000 for Ithaca Falls Overlook Revitalization Effort
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal grant worth $200,000 for the City of Ithaca to plan the clean-up and reuse of an abandoned brownfield property at Ithaca Falls Overlook. The federal investment is allocated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Program. Senator Gillibrand wrote to EPA officials in April to help secure the federal investment that can help strengthen the local economy. The effort follows legislation that … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
Gillibrand Announces $200,000 for Rochester Brownfield Revitalization Effort
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal grant worth $200,000 for the City of Rochester to plan the clean-up and reuse of an abandoned brownfield property in the Brooks Landing Redevelopment Project area. The federal investment is allocated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields program. The effort follows legislation that Senator Gillibrand introduced at the Vacuum Oil site in Rochester in September to revitalize brownfield … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
Gillibrand Announces Legislation to Delay Flood Insurance Increases for Sandy Victims
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, announced today that she co-sponsored an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authored by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) that would halt premium rate increases for the National Flood Insurance Program until FEMA completes a study on the impact increased premiums have on the affordability of flood insurance for homeowners. Currently, many homeowners could see … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
Gillibrand, Feinstein, Collins Introduces Bipartisan Antimicrobial Data Collection Bill
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Dianne Feinstein, and Susan Collins today introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at combating antimicrobial drug resistance. The Antimicrobial Data Collection Act calls for increased data collection by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), enhanced transparency and public awareness of antimicrobial drug use in agriculture and strengthened FDA accountability regarding unsafe antimicrobial drug use. The Centers for Disease Control estimates … Continue Reading
May 07, 2013
Gillibrand Reacts to New Defense Department Report Showing 26,000 Sexual Assaults in the Military in FY ‘12
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement today after the Defense Department released its annual report on sexual assaults in the military. Gillibrand will be introducing legislation next week to remove decision making from the chain of command, which is the step necessary to create real accountability for assailants and justice for victims. "Today's report on the increased number of sexual assaults in the military is alarming. Despite … Continue Reading
May 07, 2013
As Farm Bill Nears Senate Floor, Gillibrand Outlines Priorities to Strengthen New York Farms
Washington, D.C. - As the Farm Bill moves through the Senate Agriculture Committee as early as this week, then on to full Senate consideration, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today outlined her priorities for the legislation to strengthen New York State's agriculture industry and rural communities. Senator Gillibrand, New York's first member of the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly four decades, is fighting to include measures that can strengthen specialty crop insurance, improve … Continue Reading
May 06, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand, Velázquez Announce Bill to Expand National Park Service Designation for the Lower East Side Tenement Museum
New York, NY - U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Nydia Velázquez announced today that they will introduce legislation in both chambers of Congress that would expand the Lower East Side Tenement Museum's National Park Service (NPS) designation by including its second historic site at 103 Orchard Street. The Museum's first historic building at 97 Orchard Street has already been declared a "National Park Service Affiliate Site" in 1998. The Museum … Continue Reading
May 03, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $115,000 for Dolgeville Volunteer Fire Department; Funding Means Vital Equipment for First Responders
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the Dolgeville Volunteer Fire Department is set to receive $115,173 in Round 24 of the FY12 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. AFG awards are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and are designed to help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources … Continue Reading
May 03, 2013
Gillibrand, Schumer, Blumenthal, Murphy Urge Feds to Boost Federal Funding to Protect Long Island Sound
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Charles Schumer (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) urged Senate leaders of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies to fund at least $10 million for the Environmental Protection Agency's Long Island Sound program for Fiscal Year 2014. Federal funding for restoration and stewardship programs to protect Long Island Sound expired at … Continue Reading
May 03, 2013
As Senate Begins Farm Bill Debate Next Week, Gillibrand, Leading Anti-Hunger Advocates Urge Congress to Stop Balancing Deficit by Slashing Food Stamps for the Most Vulnerable
New York, NY - With the U.S. Senate set to debate the 2013 Farm Bill starting next week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, was joined today by New York City Coalition Against Hunger Executive Director Joel Berg, Food Bank For New York City President & CEO Margarette Purvis, and AARP New York's Senior Program Specialist Christine Deska, in urging Congress not to tighten its fiscal belt on the backs of children, seniors, veterans, and … Continue Reading
