Press Releases
As Tax Season Begins, Gillibrand Announces New Legislation To Expand Tax Breaks Easing Burden Of Sky-High Child Care Costs For Working Families
New York, NY - As tax season begins to get into full swing, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) was joined today by New York City parents and advocacy groups to announce new legislation being offered by Gillibrand that would change the federal tax system to help make child care more affordable and accessible for working parents and families. New York City families face sky-high child care costs - the average City family now spends approximately $15,210 per year for an infant, $12,116 for a … Continue Reading
March 07, 2014
After Last Friday’s Capital Region Derailment of Tanker with Crude Oil, Gillibrand Calls on DOT to Expedite New Rules for Transporting Hazardous Materials
Washington, DC - After another derailment of tankers carrying crude oil, this time in the Capital Region, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand renewed her call for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to urgently update and implement guidelines for safer transport of hazardous liquids. According to the Association of American Railroads, oil shipments have increased from 9,500 carloads in 2008 to an estimated 400,000 carloads in 2013 nationally. Terminals at the Port of Albany have the … Continue Reading
March 06, 2014
Gillibrand Statement on Senate Vote to Reform Military Justice System
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand delivered the following remarks Thursday following the vote on the bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act, which despite having the support of a bipartisan majority of the Senate, fell five votes shy of breaking a filibuster. Senator Gillibrand's remarks as prepared for delivery: I want to first thank my colleagues who stood so strong and united in this effort from the very beginning. Your leadership truly made the difference to gain … Continue Reading
February 28, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge Homeland Security Secretary to Boost New York’s Share of Critical Anti-Terror Funding as NYC Remains Top Terror Target in the Nation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today urged U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson to provide New York with a boost in anti-terror funding given that the federal budget this year for state and local homeland security funding increased by an estimated 16 percent. New York City remains the top terror target in the nation and federal funds are used to protect New York's transit systems, ports and urban non-profits against security threats and … Continue Reading
February 27, 2014
Gillibrand Resolution Celebrating 2014 Black History Month Passes U.S. Senate
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced today that a resolution she introduced with a bipartisan group of 46 of her colleagues commemorating Black History Month has unanimously passed the U.S. Senate. The resolution honors the contributions and achievements of African American pioneers and modern day leaders who have overcome injustices and forged the fight for freedom, equality and opportunity for all Americans. "We cannot move forward on the path to freedom, … Continue Reading
February 27, 2014
Gillibrand Pushes USDA to Revive New York’s Bee Population, Strengthen Farms
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bolster its efforts to revive New York's bee population after a year when beekeepers lost on average 30 percent of their hives to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) -- hurting New York farms' ability to pollinate crops. Earlier this month, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack directed $3 million to study bee losses in the Midwest. Senator Gillibrand … Continue Reading
February 26, 2014
After Consent Agreement Reached, Military Sexual Assault Reform Bill Now Set for Senate Floor Action in March
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement tonight after the Military Justice Improvement Act received bipartisan consent to proceed to consideration on the Senate floor. The unanimous consent agreement comes after being denied earlier this week on Monday. Agreement was also unanimously reached to vote on a reform proposal by Senator McCaskill, which Senator Gillibrand supports. "Military sexual assault survivors have bravely walked the halls of … Continue Reading
February 26, 2014
Gillibrand Opening Statement at Senate Subcommittee Hearing Examining Impact of Military Sexual Assault, Links to PTSD and Suicides
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, delivered the following opening statement at Wednesday's Subcommittee hearing to examine the impact of military sexual assault as it links to PTSD and suicide: The Subcommittee meets today to receive testimony about the relationships between military sexual assault, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicides, and the DoD and VA medical treatment and management of victims of … Continue Reading
February 25, 2014
Gillibrand-Owens Effort to Boost Apple Exports, Help Growers Cut Costs Successfully Implemented
Washington, D.C. - After a push by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Bill Owens, apple exports from New York State to Canada are now moving at a swifter, more cost-effective pace because of a measure included in the Farm Bill. Last week, the first shipment of apples that were not subject to inspection because of the Farm Bill crossed the border without incident. Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Bill Owens worked to exempt bulk shipments of U.S. apples to Canada from inspection … Continue Reading
February 24, 2014
Gillibrand Announces Innovative Education Agenda to Boost Stem Proficiency for Long Island Students
Plainview, NY - Standing at John F. Kennedy High School, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, joined by the Long Island STEM Hub and dozens of Long Island students who are part of the school's engineering and robotics team, announced today her innovative education agenda to encourage more youths, especially women, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), bolster engineering education programs across Long Island's elementary, middle, and high schools and draw more … Continue Reading
February 24, 2014
In Owego, Gillibrand Announces Federal Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act
Owego, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced federal 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. "When a young parent needs time to care for a newborn child - it should never come down to an outdated policy … Continue Reading
February 24, 2014
In Greene, Gillibrand, Hanna Announce Legislation to Expand Access to Pre-K Programs
Greene, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Richard Hanna today announced legislation to expand access to high-quality early learning programs for children from birth to age five. The Strong Start for America's Children Act focuses on four key goals: boosting funding for high-quality preschool programs serving low- and moderate-income families; increasing the quality of infant and toddler care offered by providers; supporting broad-scale quality improvements to child … Continue Reading
February 21, 2014
Gillibrand, Reed Announce Legislation to Name Corning Post Office After Fallen Army Specialist
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tom Reed today announced legislation to name the U.S. Post Office in Corning after Army Specialist Ryan Jayne, an Elmira native who died while serving in Afghanistan. "Specialist Jayne served with truly heroic bravery," Senator Gillibrand said. "He answered the highest call, and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Naming the Corning Post Office after him will honor his legacy in the community he loved for all to … Continue Reading
February 21, 2014
Gillibrand, Collins Announce Legislation to Name Alden Post Office after Fallen Army Sergeant
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Chris Collins today announced legislation to name the U.S. Post Office in Alden after Army Sergeant Brett Gornewicz, an Alden native who died while courageously serving in Afghanistan. "Sergeant Gornewicz represented the very best of Alden and all of New York," Senator Gillibrand said. "He answered the highest call, put his life on the line for others, and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Naming the Alden Post … Continue Reading
February 20, 2014
Gillibrand Announces Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Stop the Spread of Harmful Algal Blooms in NY Waterways
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, today announced final Senate passage of the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act, bipartisan legislation that can help prevent the spread of harmful algal blooms in New York State waterways. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a problem across New York, and have resulted in the closure of beaches and lakes, as well as damage to fish habitats off the coast. … Continue Reading
February 18, 2014
Gillibrand in Plattsburgh Announces Federal Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act
Plattsburgh, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced federal 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. "When a young parent needs time to care for a newborn child - it should never come down to an outdated … Continue Reading
February 12, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand Honor 5th Anniversary of Flight 3407 Tragedy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statements today to honor the fifth anniversary of the Flight 3407 tragedy: "Five years ago, we senselessly lost mothers, brothers, children, loved ones and friends in a tragic accident, and we remember them today with heavy hearts," said Senator Schumer. "In spite of that tragedy, which shed harsh light on the need to make sweeping changes to our flight safety regulations, the loved ones of those … Continue Reading
February 11, 2014
Gillibrand, Crowley Praise Enactment of Amendment to Include Kosher, Halal Food in Emergency Food Supply in Farm Bill
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY) today applauded the enactment of their amendment to ensure that kosher and halal food pantries receive an adequate supply of food for hungry families as part of the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Included in the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act, or the FARM bill, signed by President Obama on Friday, the Gillibrand-Crowley amendment requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture … Continue Reading
February 10, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand, Hanna Issue Statement on DFAS meeting
UTICA, N.Y. - Today, federal, state and local elected leaders convened a meeting at Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr.'s office to discuss U.S. Army proposals regarding the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) in Rome. U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Richard Hanna issued the following statement after today's meeting: "Today we met with Oneida County stakeholders to assess the information currently on hand regarding an Army … Continue Reading
February 07, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Direct at Least $30 Million in Federal Funds for Dredging & Navigation Projects along the Great Lakes – Congress Just Boosted USACE Funding in Recent Budget
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to dedicate at least $30 million from their budget for infrastructure improvements along the Great Lakes. The Senators sent the letter, along with Senators Kirk, Levin, Baldwin, Klobuchar, Franken, Brown, Portman, Stabenow, Donnelly, Johnson and Durbin, to push for dedicated Great Lakes funding from the $200 million pot of eligible funding in the USACE budget. Senators Schumer and … Continue Reading
