Press Releases
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce HUD to Provide Additional Flexibility to Sandy-Victims Who Declined Gov’t Loans Immediately After Superstorm Sandy; Senators Pushed for Rule Change to Allow for Maximum Sandy-Aid
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced that, after their push, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will issue new guidelines providing more flexibility for Sandy-victims who turned down Small Business Administration (SBA) loans in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Many victims rejected these loans because they couldn't afford to take on more debt, or because the terms were less generous than initially expected. HUD's initial … Continue Reading
July 18, 2013
Gillibrand Announces Partnership Between West Point and Fredonia High-Tech Start-Up
Washington, D.C - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that Silicon Wolves Computing Society LLC., a high-tech start-up based in Dunkirk, New York, teamed up with West Point to host an intern this summer. While touring the SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator last year, Senator Gillibrand met with the Silicon Wolves Computing Society (SWCS) CEO and pledged to help the company build a relationship with West Point for their internship program. The company, which turned two years old in … Continue Reading
July 18, 2013
Bipartisan Momentum Continues…Another Retired General Comes Forward in Support of Gillibrand Proposal to Create Independent, Non-Biased, Objective Military Justice System for Victims of Sexual Assault in the Military
Washington D.C. - Just two days after announcing that Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) have joined a growing bipartisan coalition of 41 Senators publicly supportive of creating an independent military justice system outside the chain of command, including 34 cosponsors of the Military Justice Improvement Act, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released a letter from the latest retired General to speak out in favor of this carefully crafted proposal. In a letter to Gillibrand (see full … Continue Reading
July 17, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $15 Million Army Contract Awarded for Fire Island Inlet Dredging & Repairs at Sandy-Ravaged Gilgo Beach
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that a $15 million Army contract has been awarded for emergency dredging and beach nourishment for the Fire Island Inlet and Shore Westerly to Jones Inlet. Schumer and Gillibrand successfully secured approval from the Army Corps to begin this multi-purpose project which will provide much-needed dredging at the Fire Island Inlet and simultaneously help the Sandy-damaged Gilgo Beach by replenishing it with the dredged sand. … Continue Reading
July 17, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $1.4 Million for Greater Rochester International Airport; Funding to Improve Runway Safety Area
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced Greater Rochester International Airport will receive a $1,450,461 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration. Rochester Airport will use the funding to replace sections of runway and extend the safety area, increasing overall airport safety. "This Department of Transportation grant will ensure that the Rochester airport can continue to safely serve residents, businesses and visitors to region for years to come," said … Continue Reading
July 17, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $14 Million in FEMA Funding for Debris Removal in Suffolk County After Superstorm Sandy
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $14,892,111of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding for the Suffolk County Public Works - Sanitation Department which will reimburse the costs for debris removal operations as a result of Superstorm Sandy. "Superstorm Sandy wreaked significant damage throughout Suffolk County, requiring a massive cleanup effort," said Schumer. "This federal reimbursement for debris cleanup is critical in … Continue Reading
July 17, 2013
Gillibrand Announces $815,000 in EPA Funding for Glen Cove for Clean-Up at Brownfield Site
Glen Cove, 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 $815,000 to Nassau County for clean-up of Doxey site in Glen Cove, which is the final brownfield site in Glen Cove's Waterfront Redevelopment Area to be cleaned. Federal funding was awarded through EPA's Brownfields Program, which helps communities assess, clean up, redevelop and reuse contaminated … Continue Reading
July 16, 2013
Rand Paul and Ted Cruz Join Gillibrand, Boxer, Grassley Effort to Create Independent, Non-Biased Military Justice System for Victims of Sexual Assault When Defense Bill Comes to Senate Floor This Month
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) joined Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today to announce their full support of a proposal offered by a bipartisan coalition of 33 Senators that seeks to reverse the systemic fear that numerous victims of military sexual assault have described in deciding whether to … Continue Reading
July 16, 2013
Gillibrand Announces $300,000 in EPA Funding to Ogdensburg for Clean-Up at Brownfield Site
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, announced today that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide $300,000 to the City of Ogdensburg for the clean-up of the former Augsbury Tank Farm site, to be used to build a mixed use development along the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River. Federal funding was awarded through EPA's Brownfields Program, which helps communities assess, clean up, redevelop and reuse … Continue Reading
July 15, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $96k for Rochester Fire Department; Funding for City’s Southwest Fire Safety Project
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the Rochester Fire Department is set to receive $96,320 in Round 11 of the FY12 Fire Prevention & Safety program (FP&S), an initiative included in the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. FP&S awards are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are designed to increase public safety and fire fighter safety. The Rochester Fire Department will use funding to implement the proposed … Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
As House Votes For Farm Bill without Food Stamps, Gillibrand Joins With 16 Colleagues Fighting to Keep Farm Bill Whole
Washington, DC - As the U.S. House of Representatives voted today to on a split farm bill that only addresses agricultural interests and leaves out nutrition programs including food stamps, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, joined by Senators Tammy Baldwin, Mark Begich, Richard Blumenthal, Bob Casey, Dianne Feinstein, Angus King, Patrick Leahy, Robert Menendez, Chris Murphy, Patty Murray, Bernie Sanders, Brian Schatz, Chuck Schumer, Tom Udall, Elizabeth Warren, and Ron Wyden urged Senate … Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
Gillibrand, Murray Call for Comprehensive Review of New Policy That Would Deny Therapy for Thousands of Military Children With Disabilities
Washington, DC - The recent announcement of new federal rules to the military health insurance program (TRICARE) would put thousands of military children with developmental disabilities such as autism at-risk of losing critical behavioral treatment and care. Today, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Patty Murray (D-WA), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, expressed their outrage over the new policy which cuts off care for … Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
Gillibrand Makes Personal Appeal to DHS Secretary for Emergency Disaster Declaration
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today made a personal appeal to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano in support of a major disaster declaration for parts of the Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier and North Country. On Monday, July 1, Senator Gillibrand toured the flood zone in Montgomery and Herkimer Counties, seeing the devastation first hand and meeting with local officials, first responders, families, and businesses. Today, in a phone call with the … Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
Gillibrand, Kaine Urge Defense Secretary Hagel to Allow Sikh Soldiers Who Wear Beards, Turbans to Serve in the Military
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) urged U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to remove an Army policy that currently bars Sikh Americans from serving in the military if they choose to wear beards and turbans as part of their faith. The request comes after a recent news report that several members of the Sikh community have won exceptions from the military, but many others have failed and face an uphill battle. The Defense Department's decades-old rule, … Continue Reading
July 10, 2013
Western New York Delegation Announces FAA Release of New Rules on Pilot Training
Members of the Western New York federal delegation called the release of new pilot training rules by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) welcome news. "This is an important step in the essential process of improving flight safety in the United States," said Congressman Brian Higgins. "We learned valuable lessons after the crash of Flight 3407 and rules like those released today will go a long way toward preventing future tragedies." "We knew that after Flight 3407 we had to improve … Continue Reading
July 10, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Call for Emergency Food Assistance for Struggling New Yorkers Reeling from Heavy Rain, Flooding
Washington, D.C. - As heavy rain and flooding leaves hundreds of upstate New Yorkers in the Mohawk Valley and surrounding communities without shelter or access to food, including many who were already struggling to make ends meet, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are calling on the USDA to implement emergency food resources. Specifically, the Senators are calling for an extension for replacement Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 30 days in … Continue Reading
July 09, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $3.6 Million in Federal Funds to Improve Port Jervis Water Filtration Plant
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal loan worth $3,620,000 for the City of Port Jervis to finance a project to improve the city's water filtration plant. This loan is through the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. "This USDA Rural Development funding will bring cleaner, better-tasting water to residents and businesses in the Town of Port Jervis," said Senator … Continue Reading
July 09, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Town of Prattsburgh to Receive Over $1.1M in Federal Funding for Water Treatment Upgrades
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced that the Town of Prattsburgh has received a Water and Waste Disposal Loan for $1,155,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The Town of Prattsburgh will use funding to replace approximately 5,350 linear feet of water main along with various rehabilitation and upgrades to the water treatment facility and well source. "This USDA Rural … Continue Reading
July 08, 2013
Western New York Delegation Keeps Pressure on FAA to Meet Deadlines for Pilot Training
Following two deadly airplane crashes, members of Western New York's federal delegation are calling on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to move quickly to finalize aviation safety rules requiring new pilot training standards. "We are urging the FAA to work with expediency to finalize what has been a long, bureaucratic process of rule implementation prompted by the lessons we learned after the crash of Flight 3407," said Congressman Brian Higgins. "More than four years have passed … Continue Reading
July 08, 2013
At Gillibrand & Hanna’s Request, New York Schools Selected for Greek Yogurt Pilot Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Richard Hanna today announced that New York State schools have been chosen to participate in a Greek yogurt pilot program issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). New York State was one of four states chosen for this program, and is a natural fit because of its burgeoning Greek yogurt manufacturing sector and high favorability toward the program among New York school districts. Senator Gillibrand and … Continue Reading
