Press Releases
On Eve of Fourth of July, Sen. Gillibrand, Rep. Israel Announce Legislation to Require National Parks to Sell Merchandise ‘Made in the USA’
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Steve Israel today announced new legislation that would require U.S. National Parks to sell merchandise "Made in the USA." America's national parks and monuments are home to gift shops selling patriotic products. However, a large number of those products sales aren't helping to create jobs for American manufacturing workers, as they are produced in China or elsewhere around the globe. "This is commonsense legislation … Continue Reading
July 03, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge USDA to Issue Agricultural Disaster Declaration to Expedite Federal Aid to Farms Damaged by Heavy Rains, Floods
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today wrote to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue an agriculture disaster declaration and expedite disaster assistance for upstate farmland damaged by heavy rain and flooding, extending from parts of Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, the Capital Region, the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas. As much as 15 … Continue Reading
July 02, 2013
Gillibrand, Entire NYC Congressional Delegation Urge HUD Secretary to Reform Sandy Aid Regulations, Allowing City to Aid More Impacted Businesses, Homeowners, Displaced Residents Currently Deemed Ineligible
New York - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is leading New York City's entire Congressional delegation today in urging Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan to cut bureaucratic tape within the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program that hinders the City from providing Sandy recovery aid to businesses, homeowners, and displaced residents who desperately need relief but are currently ruled ineligible for aid. The bipartisan, bicameral group of New York … Continue Reading
July 01, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge FEMA to Swiftly Approve Major Disaster Declaration for New York State, 15 Severely Impacted Counties
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand urged FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate to swiftly approve New York State's request for a federal state of emergency declaration in light of the severe flooding in the Capital Region, Central New York, the Southern Tier and the Hudson Valley after days of heavy rainfall. In their letter, the Senators pointed out that the power outages and significant damage to businesses, homes and public property clearly warrants the disaster … Continue Reading
June 28, 2013
$470,585 Federal Grant for Mt. Sinai Fire District, Schumer, Gillibrand, Bishop Announce
MT. SINAI - Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tim Bishop announced today that the Mt. Sinai Fire District will receive a federal grant of $470,585 in round 32 of the FY 2012 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The Mt. Sinai Fire District will use the federal funding to address much needed equipment upgrades, most specifically to modernize outdated communications equipment in compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations … Continue Reading
June 28, 2013
Gillibrand Urges FEMA to Review Flood Insurance Policy, Reverse Denials of Sandy Flood Insurance Claims Based on ‘Earth Movement’ Exclusion
Washington, DC - After a recent news report revealed that Sandy flood insurance claims of thousands of homeowners across New York and New Jersey were being denied based on an exclusion under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) managed by FEMA, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged FEMA to review its regulatory mandates and reverse denials for homeowners hit by Superstorm Sandy who purchased federal flood insurance and rely on critical funds to repair and rebuild their homes. Currently, … Continue Reading
June 28, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $6 Million in Federal Funding for Debris Removal in Smithtown after Superstorm Sandy
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $6,227,731 of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding for the Town of Smithtown which will reimburse the cost of collection, removal, and disposal of debris deposited on Smithtown roads as a result of Superstorm Sandy. "Superstorm Sandy wreaked significant damage throughout the Town of Smithtown, creating a massive cleanup effort," said Schumer. "This federal reimbursement for debris cleanup … Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
Gillibrand Statement on Final Senate Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement today after the U.S. Senate passed the comprehensive immigration reform bill. "America, especially New York, was built by the contributions of immigrants who came to America in search of opportunity, enriching our country and our culture one generation after the next. "Comprehensive immigration reform is the right step to bring our immigration system into the 21st century, improving our economy, strengthening … Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $50k for Naples Ambulance Inc.; Funding Means Vital Equipment for First Responders
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the Naples Ambulance Inc, is set to receive $51,671 in Round 32 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 resources needed to protect … Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $11 Million in FEMA Funding for Debris Removal in Nassau County After Superstorm Sandy
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $11,339,605 of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding for the Nassau County Public Works Department which will reimburse the costs of the contracted collection, hauling, segregation, final disposal, and debris monitoring necessary due to Superstorm Sandy. "Superstorm Sandy wreaked significant damage throughout Nassau County, creating a massive cleanup effort," said Schumer. "This federal … Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $1 Million in Federal Funds for Repair of Orient Beach State Park Parkway in Wake of Superstorm Sandy
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the New York Department of Transportation has been awarded approximately $1,783,778 in federal funding to repair and upgrade the parkway at Orient Beach State Park. Superstorm Sandy heavily damaged the affected area, washing out 67,794 square feet of paved roadway and bike lane, 3,500 cubic yards of shoulders, communication lines and erosion control measures. The funds will restore the parkway to pre-storm design, capacity and function and … Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $11 Million in FEMA Funding for Debris Removal in North Hempstead After Superstorm Sandy
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $11,878,338 of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to reimburse the Town of North Hempstead for the costs it incurred in the wake of Superstorm Sandy removing dangerous debris from public spaces, including right-of ways, parks, grounds of public buildings, parking lots and public cemeteries. "Superstorm Sandy wreaked significant damage throughout the Town of North Hempstead, creating a massive cleanup … Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $350,000 Federal Grant for Levittown Fire District; Funding Means Vital Equipment for First Responders
United States Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Levittown Fire District is set to receive $359,000 in federal funding to purchase new turn-out gear. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "With this funding, Levittown's first responders can focus on their important work knowing they have new, reliable and protective equipment," said Senator Schumer. "This … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
Gillibrand, Rangel Announce Key Senate Committee Passage of $31 Million for the Historic Harlem Armory
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Congressman Charles Rangel announced today that a key Senate panel has authorized $31 million for the renovation of the National Guard offices of historic 369th Infantry Regiment Armory located in the heart of Harlem. The refurbishment of the 1920's era facility will include major repairs from water damage, upgrades to the building's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, plumbing, and … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
Gillibrand Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on DOMA
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional: "Today is a historic day for our country on its long march towards upholding the fundamental values this country was founded upon of fairness, equality and justice. I am overjoyed the Supreme Court has ruled to end the discrimination that had been enshrined into U.S. law. "Marriage is the true foundation for … Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
Gillibrand Statement on President Obama’s Plan to Address Climate Change
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, issued the following statement today after President Obama announced a new plan to help address climate change: "There is no doubt that climate change is real and that it is here. In New York, we had two 'storms of the century' one year apart. We can't pretend that climate change is not happening and hope it will go away on its own. We have to take this issue head on and I … Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
Gillibrand Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Voting Rights Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key part of the Voting Rights Act: "The Voting Rights Act has been a cornerstone of ensuring the rights won in the Civil Rights movement continue to stand strong today. The Supreme Court's ruling is a significant setback that will put Congress to the test of whether we can move quickly and without partisanship. I urge my colleagues to meet that test. "We … Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $2 Million in Federal Funds to Repair Boardwalk at Jones Beach Due to Superstorm Sandy-Related Damages
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the New York State Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation will receive $2,469,057 in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for repairs to the two-mile long Jones Beach State Park boardwalk after it was damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The NYS Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation awarded a contract to repair and replace boardwalk decking. "Long Island's much-loved … Continue Reading
June 24, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand, Owens Announce Town of Peru to Receive $500k in Federal Grant for Repairs to Flood-Damaged Drinking Water System
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Congressman Bill Owens announced that the Town of Peru has received a Water and Waste Disposal Grant for $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The funding will be used to repair flood-related damage to the Town of Peru's drinking water system. Specifically, during Hurricane Irene, storm runoff from the Furnace Creek washed away the Reservoir … Continue Reading
June 21, 2013
Gillibrand Urges Feds to Conduct Investigation Into Train Derailments in Metro New York Area After Recent Derailed Train Accidents
Washington, DC - After a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train derailed in an Amtrak tunnel under the East River earlier this week and caused major commuter delays, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today urged Federal Railroad Administrator (FRA) Joseph Szabo, Federal Transit Administrator (FTA) Peter Rogoff, and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman Deborah Hersman to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the recent train derailments run by the … Continue Reading
