Press Releases
Gillibrand Announces Federal Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act
Watertown, 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 "When a young parent needs time to care for a newborn child - it should never come down to an outdated policy … Continue Reading
January 21, 2014
Gillibrand Announces $20 Million to Help Connect Youth with Strong Job Opportunities Passes Congress
Washington, D.C. - With more than 15 percent of youth unemployed, including about one-third of the nation's minority youth, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that a $20 million investment to help increase employment among at-risk youth is included in the omnibus appropriations bill that passed Congress and was signed by the President. Senator Gillibrand pushed for this federal funding to help prepare more New York youth for employment, particularly those who have dropped out of … Continue Reading
January 17, 2014
Gillibrand, Warren, Slaughter Announce Federal Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act
Rochester, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter 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 … Continue Reading
January 17, 2014
Gillibrand Announces $75 Million in Federal Fishery Disaster Relief
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Omnibus Appropriations bill, which passed Congress last night, includes $75 million in federal funding for fishery disaster relief. Last November, Senator Gillibrand aggressively lobbied members of the Appropriations Committee to provide emergency disaster relief in this year's spending bill. Federal funding would be used to provide fishermen vital help including support for emergency financial assistance, operational … Continue Reading
January 17, 2014
At Gillibrand’s Urging, Congress Renews Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area designation will be reauthorized as part of the omnibus appropriations bill that passed through Congress this week and is set to be signed by the President. The extension through 2015 keeps the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area operating to promote recreation and tourism, as well as enables the area to access federal funding for projects in the area. "The Hudson River … Continue Reading
January 17, 2014
Gillibrand Unveils 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
Buffalo, NY - In a policy speech today hosted at the Western New York Women's Foundation Pathways to Progress Speaker Series, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand unveiled a five-point package aimed at ensuring more working women 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 … Continue Reading
January 16, 2014
At Gillibrand Urging, Department of Labor Will Provide Trade Adjustment Assistance for Laid-Off Electromark Workers
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has approved a much-needed Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) certification for workers at Electromark Inc. in Wolcott. Electromark workers, laid off as the company transfers manufacturing operations to Mexico, can now apply for critical TAA benefits. In December 2013, Senator Gillibrand wrote U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez urging him to support Electromark employees' petition for TAA, … Continue Reading
January 15, 2014
Gillibrand Announces Nearly $34 Million in Federal Funds for Stream Gauge Network
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $33.7 million to expand the national stream gauge network is included in the omnibus appropriations bill set to pass Congress this week. The funding is a $6 million increase to current funding, and can help strengthen stream gauges in upstate New York that provide critical flood warnings during extreme weather. "After back-to-back years of storms that swept away roads, bridges, businesses and entire communities, we know … Continue Reading
January 14, 2014
Gillibrand Announces Federal Funding Bill Includes Provision to Protect the Great Lakes, Fight Asian Carp
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced several provisions within the omnibus appropriations bill that would increase the environmental health of the Great Lakes Region by addressing the threat of Asian carp and increasing the resources for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. "This is a significant step in the right direction to preserve the natural beauty of the Great Lakes for future generations," Senator Gillibrand said. "By addressing the Asian carp invasion … Continue Reading
January 14, 2014
Gillibrand Announces Federal Funding Bill Prohibits Border Crossing Fee
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the Omnibus spending bill includes language that would prohibit the border crossing fee that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had proposed to study. New York has 17 border crossings with Canada. Senator Gillibrand argued that any fee would hurt local economics across New York which relies on commerce with Canada. According to National Geographic, 75 percent of the Canadian population lives within 100 miles of the American … Continue Reading
January 14, 2014
Gillibrand, Schumer, Blumenthal, Murphy Announce $3.9 Million in 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) today announced that the Omnibus Appropriations bill, which is set to pass Congress, includes $3.9 million in federal funding for the Long Island Sound program. The federal investment is $1 million more than the President's Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Request of $2.9 million and approximately $200,000 … Continue Reading
January 10, 2014
Gillibrand, Delauro, Lowey, Maloney Announce Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act
Purchase, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Nita Lowey (D-NY), and Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) today announced 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. The officials will … Continue Reading
January 10, 2014
Gillibrand, Palmieri Announce Federal Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act
Utica, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and City of Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri 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 … Continue Reading
January 10, 2014
Gillibrand Statement on New Defense Report on Sexual Assaults at U.S. Military Academies
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement today after the Defense Department released a report on sexual assaults at U.S. military academies: "It is hard to draw any conclusions since no incidences survey was conducted this year. However it is clear the prevalence of sexual assault in the military and the crisis of underreporting continues to extend to the academies and that is tragic and heart breaking. This is why we need to give the men and women in … Continue Reading
January 10, 2014
Gillibrand, Sheehan Announce Federal Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act
Albany, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan 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 … Continue Reading
January 09, 2014
Gillibrand, Hanna Announce Expansion of Greek Yogurt Pilot Program in School Lunches to Four More States
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Richard Hanna today announced the success and expansion of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pilot program to serve New York-based Chobani yogurt in school lunches. New York State was chosen as one of four states to participate in the pilot program in July 2013. USDA has decided to continue and expand this highly successful program to four additional states during the next school year. During the pilot program, … Continue Reading
January 09, 2014
After Schumer’s & Gillibrand’s Push, Senators Announce Belden Inc. Employees in Horseheads Have Received Fed Signoff for Trade Adjustment Assistance; Will Help Laid-Off Workers Retrain for New Fields & Search for New Jobs
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has approved a much-needed Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) certification for workers at the former Belden Inc. plant in Horseheads. Belden workers, laid off as part of the company's acquisition of PPC, can now apply for critical TAA benefits to aid in retraining for new employment fields and in their job search. After the workers were initially denied a TAA certification from … Continue Reading
January 08, 2014
Gillibrand Statement on Retirement of Military Commander Who Overturned Guilty Verdict In Aviano Sexual Assault Case and Shut Down Court Martial of Accused Rapist in Another Assault Case
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement today after it was announced that Lt. Gen. Franklin, the Aviano Air Base commander who reversed a guilty verdict in a sexual assault conviction, will retire. Gillibrand called for his removal after it was learned that Franklin subverted justice in yet another sexual assault case by denying to proceed to a court martial after refusing to speak with the alleged victim. "For months the military has been … Continue Reading
January 07, 2014
Senator Gillibrand Announces 2014 Academy Nominations from New York City
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today her nominations of New Yorkers to the nation's leading service institutions - United States Air Force, Military, Naval and Merchant Marine Academies. A selection committee formed by Senator Gillibrand chose the nominees from a large group of qualified applicants. Decisions were based on criteria including academic record, leadership potential, and overall achievement. Final … Continue Reading
January 07, 2014
Senator Gillibrand Announces 2014 Academy Nominations from Upstate New York
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today her nominations of Upstate New Yorkers to the nation's leading service institutions - the United States Air Force, Military, Naval and Merchant Marine Academies. A selection committee formed by Senator Gillibrand chose the nominees from a large group of qualified applicants. Decisions were based on criteria including academic record, leadership potential, and overall … Continue Reading
