Press Releases
Gillibrand, Hanna Praise New USDA Standard for Greek Yogurt
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Representative Richard Hanna applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) finalization this week of a first-ever Commercial Item Description (CID) for Greek yogurt. Commercial Item Descriptions are product descriptions that describe the most important characteristics of a commercial product. They are official U.S. Government procurement documents that guide purchases of … Continue Reading
May 02, 2013
Senators Schumer, Gillibrand, Congressman Owens Applaud Pfizer Trade Adjustment Approval
Plattsburgh, NY - This week, Pfizer announced that their application to the U.S. Department of Labor for Trade Adjustment Assistance was accepted, opening new opportunities for laid-off workers from Pfizer's Rouses Point facility. The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program is a federal program that assists U.S. workers who have lost their jobs by providing opportunities to obtain the skills, credentials, resources, and support necessary to find new jobs. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and … Continue Reading
May 01, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Call on Feds to Ensure Ithaca-Tompkins and Griffiss Int’l Airport Contract Towers Stay Open – Congress Has Now Spared FAA Cuts, but Fed Plan Not Yet Determined for Contract Towers
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand called on the federal government to ensure the funds appropriated by Congress last Friday to avoid the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cuts be used 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. Specifically, Schumer and Gillibrand wrote a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood … Continue Reading
April 30, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $7 Million in Federal Funding for Fire Island’s Village of Saltaire as a Result of Superstorm Sandy
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced over $7 million in federal funding for the village of Saltaire for the repair and restoration of the boardwalk style roads as a result of Superstorm Sandy. The funding is being provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance program. "Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage to the boardwalk and roads in the village of Saltaire and, with the summer months approaching, they need to … Continue Reading
April 30, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $30,000 Federal Grant for Ogdensburg Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the City of Ogdensburg Fire Department is set to receive $28,612 in federal funding to upgrade dispatch and portable radios, and outdated personal protective equipment. The funding is allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "With this funding, Ogdensburg firefighters can focus on their important work knowing that they have … Continue Reading
April 30, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Secure Nearly $60,000 Federal Grant for People Inc.
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $59,481 in federal funding for People Inc. to implement a smoke detector replacement campaign and install kitchen stove fire suppression equipment in their facility for seniors and families with disabilities. The funding is allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "With this funding, People Inc. can continue their work with … Continue Reading
April 29, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $40,000 Federal Grant for Pilot Knob Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Inc.
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced Pilot Knob Volunteer Firefighter's Association Inc. is set to receive $40,945 in federal funding to purchase a new thermal imaging camera and turnout gear. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "With this funding, Pilot Knob volunteer firefighters can focus on their important work protecting life and property," said Senator Schumer. … Continue Reading
April 26, 2013
At The Orchards of Concklin, Gillibrand Announces New Jobs Bill Aimed at Helping Expand Markets for Farmers and Increasing Availability of Nutritious Locally-Grown Food
Pomona, NY - After touring the Orchards of Concklin, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced new legislation that would expand markets for farmers and increase the availability of nutritious locally-grown food for consumers. The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act would help New York farmers by addressing production, aggregation, marketing and distribution needs while helping consumers access and afford fresh, nutritious food. "By investing in local and regional agriculture, we are investing in … Continue Reading
April 26, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $500,000 in Federal Funding for Public Transportation in the City of Long Beach after Superstorm Sandy
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced over $500,000 in emergency relief funding for the City of Long Beach. This federal funding is administered through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and will provide the City of Long Beach with funding for emergency operating costs incurred after Superstorm Sandy to keep the bus fleet operational. These operating costs include repairing the damaged maintenance facility, moving transit equipment to higher ground … Continue Reading
April 26, 2013
Gillibrand Hails City of Binghamton as Environmental Champion
Binghamton, NY - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, congratulated the City of Binghamton for winning the 2013 Environmental Quality Award. The City, which Senator Gillibrand nominated this past February, will receive the Environmental Protection Agency's prestigious honor for their commitment and significant contributions to greening the region. "I congratulate the City of Binghamton for their dedication to securing a cleaner … Continue Reading
April 26, 2013
Gillibrand Urges Feds to Boost Suffolk County’s Exports
Melville, NY - Standing at International Warehouse Group, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of President Obama's Export Council, and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today urged the U.S. Commerce Department to approve Suffolk County's request to expand its Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program, which would encourage more companies with import and export operations across the county to take advantage of associated tax breaks and incentives. Currently, Suffolk County and the Town of … Continue Reading
April 26, 2013
At the Healthy Living Market in Wilton Mall, Gillibrand Announces New Jobs Bill Aimed at Helping Expand Markets for Farmers and Increasing Availability of Nutritious Locally-Grown Food
Wilton, NY - After touring the Healthy Living Market in Wilton Mall, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced new legislation that would expand markets for farmers and increase the availability of nutritious locally-grown food for consumers. The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act would help New York farmers by addressing production, aggregation, marketing and distribution needs while helping consumers access and afford fresh, nutritious food. "By investing in local and regional agriculture, … Continue Reading
April 25, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $300,000 Federal Grant for Andover Fire Department; Investment Means Vital Equipment for First Responders
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced that the Andover Fire Department will receive a $303,789 federal grant in Round 23 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 … Continue Reading
April 25, 2013
Gillibrand Announces $200,000 for Groundwork Hudson Valley for Brownfield Revitalization Effort in Yonkers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal grant worth $200,000 for Groundwork Hudson Valley to plan the clean-up and reuse of abandoned brownfield property in Yonkers. The federal investment is allocated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Area-Wide Planning program. The effort follows legislation that Senator Gillibrand introduced in September to revitalize brownfield sites across the country. "Yonkers is bursting with … Continue Reading
April 25, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $270,000 Federal Investment for Rochester – Finger Lakes Area Fire Departments; Funding Means Vital Equipment for First Responders
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced that the Chili Fire Department in Rochester will receive $56,150 and the Hopewell Volunteer Fire Department in Canandaigua will receive $217,091 in federal grants in Round 23 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 … Continue Reading
April 25, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand, Markowitz, Hynes Announce $200,000 Investment for Brooklyn; Funding for Domestic Violence Homicide Reduction Demonstrative Initiative
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, along with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes, today announced that Brooklyn will receive $200,000 in funds from the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) through the Domestic Violence Homicide Prevention Demonstration Initiative. Specifically, Brooklyn will use this money in collaboration with Safe Horizon, a local nonprofit domestic violence service … Continue Reading
April 25, 2013
Gillibrand, Crowley Announce Legislation to Increase Kosher Food in Emergency Food Supply
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY) today announced legislation they introduced in both chambers of Congress to ensure that kosher food pantries receive adequate supply of food for hungry families as part of the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). With an estimated 117,000 Jewish households in New York City living in poverty, the lawmakers' legislation requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to target, label, and track … Continue Reading
April 24, 2013
Lautenberg, Gillibrand Introduce Bill to Provide Unemployment Aid for Families and Businesses Affected by Superstorm Sandy
Washington, D.C- With federal disaster unemployment benefits to victims of Superstorm Sandy scheduled to end this month, U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today introduced legislation to extend through July federal disaster unemployment benefits for workers who lost their jobs due to Superstorm Sandy. In New Jersey and other states impacted by Superstorm Sandy, higher than average unemployment continues in the wake of the storm. In addition to extending … Continue Reading
April 24, 2013
Gillibrand: End Major Flight Delays by Closing Corporate Jet Loophole to Pay for Air Traffic Controllers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced new legislation that would end the flight delays Americans have faced since sequestration forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to furlough air traffic controllers across the country. The legislation would close a tax loophole for corporate jets, and use that funding to reinstate air traffic controllers nationwide. More than 1,200 flight delays on Monday were attributed to furloughed air traffic controllers from … Continue Reading
April 23, 2013
Gillibrand, Colleagues Introduces Legislation Lifting Ban on Use of Private Funds for Abortions in Military Hospitals
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined with more than a dozen of her colleagues today introducing the Military Access to Reproductive Care and Health (MARCH) Act of 2013, allowing women in the military to use their own money to pay for abortions in military medical facilities. Currently, there is a ban on using private funds to pay for abortions in military hospitals, except in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest. Under the current law, servicewomen who have an … Continue Reading
