Press Releases
Gillibrand Calls On Trump Administration To Ensure Veterans, SSI Beneficiaries Automatically Receive Direct Cash Assistance
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, joined Senate colleagues to urge the Trump Administration to ensure that veterans and beneficiaries of the Supplemental Security Income program automatically receive stimulus payments even if they have not filed a tax return. The tax return requirement places a significant burden on low-income veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. Processing direct cash assistance automatically would … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Gillibrand Pushes Trump Administration To Immediately Release $900 Million In LIHEAP As COVID-19 Causes Financial Crisis For Vulnerable New Yorkers
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined a bipartisan call urging the Trump Administration to immediately release $900 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding that Congress included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Gillibrand and her Senate colleagues are further demanding the administration release $37 million that the White House transferred from the program earlier this year to offset the cost of coronavirus response. The growing … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Following Dismissal Of Navy Captain From USS Theodore Roosevelt, Gillibrand Calls For Investigation Into His Removal And The Navy’s Response To COVID-19 Outbreak
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Committee, joined a group of 17 senators calling on the acting Department of Defense Inspector General Glenn Fine to conduct a formal investigation into troubling reports about the COVID-19 outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, and the subsequent decision to relieve Capt. Brett Crozier of his command. Crozier was removed days after he sent a letter up the chain of command expressing concern with the … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
ICYMI: Video: Gillibrand Demands Answers On Federal Process For Delivering Disaster Assistance To States
***VIEW THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE*** Last night, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand appeared on MSNBC's The Beat with Ari Melber to discuss the need for increased transparency on how the Trump Administration is allocating resources for disaster assistance requested by New York State. Below is a transcript of the interview: Melber: I'm joined now by New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. What else needs to be done for New York? Sen. Gillibrand: Well, I'm very concerned that FEMA is not actually … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Gillibrand Presses DOJ, BOP For Guidance On Federal Prison Preparedness And Response To COVID-19 Outbreak
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand pressed the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for updates regarding the response and preparation at Federal Prison Facilities for the growing coronavirus pandemic. Prison facilities face unique public health challenges as inmates and staff are unable to follow social distancing and quarantine guidelines, and individuals in federal custody may also lack access to critical hygiene products and medical services to test for or treat … Continue Reading
April 02, 2020
Gillibrand Demands Answers From Trump About Unequal Allocation Of Medical Supplies And PPE
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sent a letter to President Trump demanding an explanation for why New York State, which has substantially more confirmed COVID-19 cases than any other state, has not received its full allotment of PPE and medical supplies, while other states, such as Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Florida, have reportedly had their requests filled completely. Gillibrand called on Trump to deliver clarity and transparency on how FEMA is allocating resources and provide … Continue Reading
April 01, 2020
Gillibrand Urges HHS To Immediately Ramp Up Emergency Funding To New York Hospitals
As New York health care providers battle the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to immediately award funds for hospitals and health care providers that were appropriated in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Expediting this funding will help ensure New York's hospitals and health care providers have the vital resources to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. New York's health care … Continue Reading
April 01, 2020
Amidst Conflicting Guidance From IRS, Gillibrand Calls On Trump Administration To Simplify Access To Direct Cash Assistance For Social Security Recipients
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called on the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to ensure that all Social Security beneficiaries will automatically receive the direct cash assistance included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act without having to file tax returns. The CARES Act, which was signed into law last week, gives Treasury the authority to send direct cash assistance to social security recipients, even … Continue Reading
April 01, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $3 Million In Federal Funding For New York City And Long Island
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $2,997,486 in federal funding for New York City and Long Island. The funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and will be used to support health centers providing care to communities affected by COVID-19. The growing coronavirus pandemic has overwhelmed New York's hospital system -- decimating supplies and creating a crisis for health care workers on the … Continue Reading
April 01, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $2.2 Million In Federal Funding For Upstate New York
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $2,226,049 in federal funding for Central and Western New York, the Capital Region, Rochester, Hudson Valley, and North Country. The funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and will be used to support health centers providing care to communities affected by COVID-19. The growing coronavirus pandemic has overwhelmed New York's hospital system -- decimating … Continue Reading
March 30, 2020
Senator Gillibrand Statement On The Passing Of Monsey Stabbing Victim Josef Neumann
Today, addressing the passing of Monsey stabbing victim Josef Neumann, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement: "The attack on the Jewish community in Monsey was horrific and evil. My heart breaks for the family of Josef Neumann, and I am praying for them in this terrible time. We cannot, and will not, let these incidents of domestic terrorism and anti-Semitism continue. I will always stand with the Jewish community, and will continue fighting against hatred and … Continue Reading
March 27, 2020
Gillibrand Calls On SBA To Aid Small Businesses With Employee Stock Ownership Plans As They Struggle To Withstand The Covid-19 Crisis
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called on the Small Business Administration (SBA) to aid small businesses with Employee Stock Ownership Plans (referred to as ESOPs) by expanding their eligibility for receiving SBA relief loans in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Small businesses across the country are struggling to respond to the COVID-19 crisis that has required many to cut back services or close their doors. Now, due to their unique ownership structure, ESOPs are having difficulty applying … Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Gillibrand Announces Key Legislative Victories For New Yorkers In Coronavirus Emergency Package
Following aggressive actions by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to stand up for American workers and families instead of big corporations, the Senate passed the third coronavirus emergency package to support Americans, health care providers, and small businesses. Throughout days of negotiations, Gillibrand urged Congress to support New Yorkers with legislation to bolster our health care system, strengthen small businesses, and protect our most vulnerable communities. In the CARES Act, … Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Call To Protect Civil Rights For People With Disabilities Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, alongside U.S. Senator James Lankford, led a bipartisan, bicameral call on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to protect against disability discrimination in state and health provider responses to COVID-19. In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Attorney General William Barr, the bipartisan coalition called for HHS to notify states of their obligations to adhere to anti-discrimination laws - including the … Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
As New York Combats Coronavirus Pandemic, Gillibrand Releases Guidebook To Help New Yorkers Access Federal And State Disaster Relief Funding
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released a new funding guidebook to help New Yorkers navigate disaster relief funding during the coronavirus outbreak. The guidebook details funding opportunities for individuals, non-profits, and small businesses across New York State. It will be continuously updated throughout the duration of this crisis. The guide consists of three sections dedicated to funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Small Business Administration (SBA), … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
As Millions Of Americans Are Required To Stay Home Due To COVID-19, Gillibrand Urges Administration To Reinforce Domestic Violence Services And Protect Survivors
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a champion in the Senate for survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, called on the Trump administration to ensure that organizations that help victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence have the funding and resources needed to continue providing these critical services during the coronavirus pandemic. Reports have shown that emergency situations have historically led to increased reports of domestic abuse to the National Domestic … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
Gillibrand Statement On Passing Coronavirus Economic Package
Addressing her vote to pass the third coronavirus economic package, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement: "With this economic package, New Yorkers have more help on the way. This economic package will deliver a surge of protective equipment and resources to New York hospitals and first responders, and put real dollars in New Yorkers' pockets. I voted for this package because it strengthens our health care system and puts workers and families first, with critical … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Following New York State’s Major Disaster Declaration, Schumer, Gillibrand Urge President Trump To Approve Widespread Disaster Assistance
Today, Democratic Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged the Trump Administration to approve all disaster assistance requested by New York State. The state received the nation's first Major Disaster Declaration (MDD) granted in response to COVID-19. Yet despite the declaration, Public Assistance and Individual Assistance remain under review by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In a letter sent to President Trump, the senators stressed the … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Call On Trump To Address Impact Of U.S.-Canada Border Closure And Quarantines On Medical & Essential Supply Chains
Democratic Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, along with a bipartisan group of senators representing states along the United States-Canada border, called on President Trump to consider the effect of closing the U.S.-Canada border on border communities. The letter highlights concerns regarding the border closure's effect on the supply chains of companies that produce or provide essential goods and services. The northern border closure began March 21st. The … Continue Reading
March 22, 2020
Statement: Gillibrand Votes Against ‘Shameful’ Phase III Coronavirus Package
Addressing her vote against the phase three coronavirus response package put forth by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement: "Our country is in the midst of an unprecedented public health and economic crisis, and Congress has a duty to provide leadership. Instead of supporting American families, Senator McConnell put forth a stimulus package that bails out corporations and puts powerful moneyed interests ahead of people. I'm … Continue Reading
