Press Releases
Meeks, Schumer, Gillibrand Secure Passage of Bill Honoring Queens’ Cynthia Jenkins
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement today concerning the passage of the renaming of the post office at 218-10 Merrick Boulevard in Springfield Gardens, New York to the Cynthia Jenkins Post Office Building: "Today, with the passage of the Cynthia Jenkins Post Office Building renaming, the legacy of Southern Queens's first African-American Assemblywoman, Cynthia Jenkins, has been recognized. … Continue Reading
December 04, 2014
Meeks, Schumer, Gillibrand Secure Passage Of Bill Honoring Queens’ Cynthia Jenkins
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement today concerning the passage of the renaming of the post office at 218-10 Merrick Boulevard in Springfield Gardens, New York to the Cynthia Jenkins Post Office Building: "Today, with the passage of the Cynthia Jenkins Post Office Building renaming, the legacy of Southern Queens's first African-American Assemblywoman, Cynthia Jenkins, has been recognized. … Continue Reading
December 04, 2014
Shaheen, Cantwell and Gillibrand Announce Inclusion of Women’s Small Business Procurement Parity Act in National Defense Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today announced that the Women's Small Business Procurement Parity Act has been included in the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Their legislation would encourage women's business ownership and give women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) more opportunities to win federal contracts. It would provide tools available under other contracting programs to help federal agencies … Continue Reading
December 04, 2014
Gillibrand and Maloney Announce Renewal of Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area
Washington - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) today announced the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area designation will be reauthorized as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This extension through 2021 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 local projects. After passage in the House of Representatives … Continue Reading
December 04, 2014
Senator Gillibrand & Congressman Higgins Announce House Approval Of Measure Reauthorizing Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced the House of Representatives has approved reauthorization of the Erie Canal as a National Heritage Corridor. Through this legislation the federal designation, which is set to expire in 2015, will be renewed for the next fifteen years. The bill is expected to be before the Senate next week. "This is an important step for communities on the Canalway Corridor," said Senator Gillibrand. "New York State is blessed … Continue Reading
December 04, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $336 Million In Federal Sandy Funding For MTA’s Brooklyn Battery Tunnel & Queens Midtown Tunnel
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced over $336 million in federal funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to make permanent repairs on the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and the Queens Midtown Tunnel. The funding is authorized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s Alternative Procedures, which provides a lump sum payment instead of the typical incremental funding by FEMA. "New York City's Brooklyn Battery and Queens Midtown … Continue Reading
December 04, 2014
Shaheen, Cantwell And Gillibrand Announce Inclusion Of Women’s Small Business Procurement Parity Act In National Defense Bill
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today announced that the Women's Small Business Procurement Parity Act has been included in the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Their legislation would encourage women's business ownership and give women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) more opportunities to win federal contracts. It would provide tools available under other contracting programs to help federal agencies … Continue Reading
December 03, 2014
Gillibrand Statement On Grand Jury Decision Over Death Of Eric Garner
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement today after a grand jury did not indict a New York City police officer for the death of Eric Garner: "While this decision is shocking, I want to echo the statement of a wide range of leaders inside and outside of government who are urging that protests remain peaceful in the aftermath of this decision. The death of Eric Garner is a tragedy that demands accountability. Nobody unarmed should die on a New York … Continue Reading
December 03, 2014
Gillibrand Statement on New Disappointing Military Sexual Assault Data - Nearly Two-Thirds of Those Who Reported an Assault Say Faced Retaliation Despite Reforms Made Making Retaliation a Crime
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement tonight after news reports of data to be released tomorrow by the Pentagon in their annual survey on sexual assaults: "For a year now we have heard how the reforms in the previous Defense bill were going to protect victims, and make retaliation a crime. It should be a screaming red flag to everyone when 62% of those who say they reported a crime were retaliated against - nearly two-thirds - the exact same … Continue Reading
December 03, 2014
Gillibrand, Schumer, Hanna Announce After Their Push, Provisions that Would Provide Congress With More Oversight Over DFAS Personnel Plans and Add Protections for Rome DFAS Workers Included in Annual Defense Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer and Representative Richard Hanna today announced, after their push, a measure that would help provide additional protections for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The language included in FY 2015 NDAA requires an independent review by the Deputy Chief Management Officer of an Army pilot program that threatens to harm DFAS. The bill also … Continue Reading
December 03, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand, Maffei Announce Provision to Create Harriet Tubman National Historical Park Included in National Defense Bill Unveiled Today – Urge Colleagues to Support Bill; House Will Vote This Week, Senate Next Week; Passage in Both Houses Would Then Send Request to President’s Desk
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Dan Maffei today announced that a provision to establish the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn as a National Historical Park, which would also encompass the Tubman Home for the Aged, the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church and Rectory, is included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that was unveiled today. The provision also establishes the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Maryland. … Continue Reading
December 02, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More than $72 Million in Federal Funding to Upgrade & Replace Flood-Prone Upstate New York Bridges
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $ $72,263,840.00 to update and replace 29 bridges throughout Upstate New York. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and will fund the necessary improvements for bridges in high-risk flood areas throughout the Capital Region, Central New York, Southern Tier, Hudson Valley and North Country. This $72 million in federal … Continue Reading
December 02, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand, Lowey Announce More than $1.7 Million in Fed Funds for the Village of Nyack for Hurricane Sandy Repairs
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representative Nita Lowey announced that the Village of Nyack will receive $1,762,175.82 in federal funds to cover costs for repairs made to Memorial Park and the local marina, which were damaged during Hurricane Sandy. The funding is being allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) public assistance grant program. As a result of Hurricane Sandy, the Village of Nyack needs to repair many of the … Continue Reading
December 02, 2014
With NDAA Expected on Senate Floor in December, Former Air Force Chief Prosecutor Don Christensen Joins Gillibrand, Collins, Boxer, Grassley, Blumenthal, Cruz, Hirono, Paul, Heller in Push for Independent Military Justice System
Washington, D.C. - With the U.S. Senate expected to take up the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) before the end of the year, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Dean Heller (R-NV) were joined today by former Air Force Chief Prosecutor Colonel Don Christensen (Ret.) to renew the push for passage of the bipartisan Military … Continue Reading
November 24, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand, Collins and Higgins Urge SBA to Prepare to Swiftly Offer Assistance to Western New Yorkers
LANCASTER, N.Y. - Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Chris Collins and Congressman Brian Higgins today wrote to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Contreras-Sweet urging the SBA to prepare to swiftly administer disaster assistance to the Western New York region. County officials have said they expect the cost of this disaster to meet the criteria needed for federal support, and, if it does, Schumer, Gillibrand, Collins, and Higgins have said that … Continue Reading
November 24, 2014
Gillibrand Statement On Resignation Of Secretary Of Defense Chuck Hagel
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement today after President Barack Obama announced the resignation of U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel: "While I did not agree with Secretary Hagel on a number of issues, I deeply appreciate his service to our country and his dedication to our men and women in uniform. I look forward to working with his successor on issues where we must do better such as ending the scourge of sexual assaults in our military, … Continue Reading
November 24, 2014
Gillibrand Calls On HUD Secretary To Designate Rochester A Federal Promise Zone
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today called on US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro to designate Rochester, New York, a federal Promise Zone. Senator Gillibrand's letter follows a visit last week with Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren to the Teen Empowerment youth center, an organization dedicated to empowering youth as agents of change in their communities. Recent data from the US Census Bureau estimated that over one-third of … Continue Reading
November 21, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand, Higgins, Collins Urge USDA To Immediately Conduct Damage Assessment Of Impact Of Historic Snowstorm On WNY Farms – Urges USDA To Provide All Available Resources To Upstate Farmers Impacted By Devastating Snowfall
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representatives Brian Higgins and Chris Collins urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack provide an immediate assessment of the damage done to Western New York farms, as well as stand at the ready to swiftly approve any requests from Upstate New York farmers for federal USDA disaster assistance following the historic snow storm. County officials have said they expect the cost of this disaster to meet the … Continue Reading
November 21, 2014
Gillibrand Along With Nine U.S. Senators Urge President Obama To Include Additional $7 Million In Funding In His Fy16 Budget Request To Enforce Campus Sexual Assault Provisions Of Clery Act And Title Ix Laws
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand along with nine Senators today urged President Barack Obama to include an additional $7 million in funding to enforce campus sexual assault laws, in his FY 2016 Budget Request. The request for $2 million in additional funding for the U.S. Department of Education Clery Compliance Division and an additional $5.046 million for the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) would be used to employ and train more staff within the Clery Compliance Division and … Continue Reading
November 19, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $560,000 For New York Community Projects To Help Restore The Long Island Sound
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced nine grants totaling $562,888.88 to fund projects throughout New York that will help improve the Long Island Sound. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's (NFWF) Long Island Sound Futures Fund and will be used to fund habitat restoration projects, water quality projects, water quality monitoring and public education … Continue Reading
