Press Releases
Senators Gillibrand And Sanders’ Medium Piece: Establish Postal Banking To Provide Equal Financial Opportunity For All
U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) today published a Medium piece highlighting their legislation, the Postal Banking Act, which would re-establish postal banking in order to provide financial security and essential banking services to low-income and rural communities, and create billions of dollars in annual revenue for USPS, strengthening the institution as it endures attacks from the Trump administration. Click here or see below for the full piece: MEDIUM - … Continue Reading
September 25, 2020
As Many Schools Across New York Begin Year With Remote Learning, Schumer, Gillibrand Urge FCC To Immediately Provide More Funding For Better Internet Connection – Via The E-Rate Program –To Close Growing “Homework Gap”
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to immediately fund the E-Rate program to provide improved internet connectivity for students at home. Studies show the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the "homework gap" experienced by an estimated 16 million students, who lack reliable internet access at home. These students are disproportionately from low-income households, rural areas and communities of color. The FCC has … Continue Reading
September 24, 2020
ICYMI: In Senate Floor Speech, Gillibrand Honors Ruth Bader Ginsburg And Denounces Senate Republicans For Rushing Through Confirmation Of Next Supreme Court Justice
**WATCH Senator Gillibrand's Speech on the Senate Floor HERE** U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today spoke on the Senate floor to denounce Republican efforts to rush through the confirmation process and vote on the next Supreme Court Justice to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The confirmation of the next justice will have immediate consequences on health care, immigrant's rights, women's rights and more. Instead of allowing the winner of the next election to fill the seat, Majority Leader Mitch … Continue Reading
September 23, 2020
Gillibrand Leads Colleagues In Letter To DHS Pushing For Answers About Arbitrary Rejection Of Asylum Applications
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand led a group of twelve senators in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Kenneth T. Cuccinelli inquiring about recent changes to adjudication procedures that have caused enormous hardship to applicants. Asylum, U Visa, and other routine applications are being regularly rejected because of failure to complete irrelevant or immaterial fields that have no bearing on info needed for final adjudications. "DHS continues to move the goalposts for asylum seekers … Continue Reading
September 23, 2020
Senator Gillibrand, Representative Katie Porter Announce STOCK Act 2.0; Bicameral Legislation Would Expand Stock Act To Ensure Government Officials Aren’t Lining Their Pockets With Taxpayer Dollars
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), lead sponsor and author of the original STOCK Act, and Representative Katie Porter (D-CA), member of the House Financial Services Committee, announced the STOCK Act 2.0, bicameral legislation that would expand the STOCK Act to strengthen disclosure rules and prevent individuals in trusted positions of public service -- including members of Congress, their families, and their staffs -- from using their access for self-enrichment. Senator Gillibrand … Continue Reading
September 22, 2020
Gillibrand Urges Trump To Extend Eviction Moratorium And Provide Funding For Vulnerable Renters
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sent a letter to President Trump urging him to work with Congress to pass legislation that will protect renters and provide financial assistance to those at risk of losing their homes. Gillibrand and her colleagues are calling on the administration and Senate Republicans to include at least $100 billion in emergency assistance in the next relief package in order to help the tens of thousands of housing insecure New Yorkers - including children, infants, and … Continue Reading
September 22, 2020
Gillibrand Condemns DOJ Announcement Identifying New York As “Permitting Anarchy”
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement in response to the Department of Justice's announcement that New York is among three cities whose federal funding is "under review" for "permitting violence and destruction of property": "The Trump administration's latest political attack on New York is another sad attempt to distract from the real issues facing our country. It is outrageous and unacceptable that President Trump is threatening to withhold federal funds from … Continue Reading
September 21, 2020
Gillibrand, Colleagues To DHS IG: Investigate Alleged Forced Hysterectomies At ICE Facility
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined 42 senators in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General Joseph Cuffari urging him to immediately investigate a whistleblower complaint alleging forced hysterectomies at the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia. "We cannot turn a blind eye to these horrific allegations about forced sterilizations of immigrant women in ICE detention centers - a practice all too common in our history and all too familiar for … Continue Reading
September 18, 2020
Gillibrand Statement On The Passing Of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The world has lost a giant. A brilliant jurist, a resolute champion for justice and a trailblazer for women's rights, Ruth Bader Ginsburg has left a legacy that will echo through history. Justice Ginsburg will forever be a feminist icon who inspired generations of young women--myself included--to follow their dreams, break through barriers and never let gender stand in the way. She will be deeply missed and my prayers are with her family and … Continue Reading
September 18, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge Postmaster General To Reverse Harmful Operational Changes To U.S. Postal Service That Have Resulted In Delays Of Medications To New Yorkers
Following alarming reports that delivery time for critical prescription medications have increased, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy calling for the immediate reversal of harmful operational changes. During the pandemic, even more New Yorkers, especially seniors, are relying on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for their prescription medications. However, increased demand, coupled with changes made by DeJoy, have slowed … Continue Reading
September 18, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand To Treasury Secretary Mnuchin: Restore 9/11 Health Care Funds To FDNY And First Responders
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand sent a letter this morning to Treasury Department Secretary Steven Mnuchin regarding the Treasury Department withholding nearly $4 million in reimbursements to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) for health care provided to firefighters who are sick and injured due to the toxins they encountered at Ground Zero. "The Trump Treasury Department siphoning congressionally appropriated funds meant to pay for 9/11 workers' healthcare is an … Continue Reading
September 17, 2020
Senators Gillibrand And Sanders Reintroduce Postal Banking Act To Fund United States Postal Service And Provide Basic Financial Services To Underbanked Americans
***Watch Their Conversation HERE*** Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) held a Facebook live conversation to announce the Postal Banking Act. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has faced repeated attacks by the Trump administration including denying emergency funding during the pandemic and putting postal workers at risk of losing their jobs, disrupting operations and services, and delaying mail delivery. The Postal Banking Act would re-establish … Continue Reading
September 17, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $1.5 Million In Federal Funding For Ithaca’s Cayuga Lake Waterfront Revitalization Project
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,372,533 in federal funding to develop pedestrian-friendly infrastructure along the Cayuga Lake Waterfront in the City of Ithaca. These funds will be used to redesign a .85 mile stretch of Route 13 to better facilitate pedestrian and bikers usage, and to greatly reduce traffic. The funds will also extend 5th Street for direct access to the Cayuga Lake waterfront. "Ithaca's Cayuga Lake is a … Continue Reading
September 16, 2020
Senator Gillibrand And Colleagues Urge Pompeo To Restore Critical Aid To Yemen To Help Combat Multiple Humanitarian Crises
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and a group of 18 senators urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Administrator John Barsa to restore $73 million in suspended USAID funding to Yemen -- to be disbursed by United Nations groups, non-profit organizations, and local partners -- and to work with the international community to disburse critical medical supplies in order to combat the spread of COVID-19 and help address multiple … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Discusses Landmark Legislation To Help Veterans With Diseases Linked To Burn Pits And Other Toxic Exposures Obtain Benefits From VA
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a press call with New York media to discuss her new landmark legislation, the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2020. Earlier today, Gillibrand stood in front of the United States Capitol alongside veterans advocate Jon Stewart, Congressman Raul Ruiz M.D. (D-CA), former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin, 9/11 responder and advocate John Feal and an array of veterans groups to announce … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Raul Ruiz, Jon Stewart, Veterans Advocates Announce Landmark Legislation To Help Veterans With Diseases Linked To Burn Pits And Other Toxic Exposures Obtain Benefits From VA
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), U.S. Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), veterans advocate Jon Stewart, 9/11 activist John Feal, former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin, and many veterans advocates, held a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol to announce new landmark legislation, the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2020. The bill would streamline the process for veterans to obtain VA benefits for illness due … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge President Trump To Support Major Disaster Declaration For New York State In Wake Of Tropical Storm Isaias
Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand wrote a letter to President Trump in strong support of Governor Andrew Cuomo's request for a Major Disaster Declaration for New York State. In the letter, they also encourage the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue working closely with the state to complete the outstanding Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) for several counties across New York including Dutchess, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland and Westchester … Continue Reading
September 11, 2020
Senator Gillibrand Delivers Weekly Democratic Address
As we commemorate the 19th anniversary of 9/11 today and as America continues to battle the coronavirus, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) delivers this week's Weekly Democratic Address. Senator Gillibrand begins the address by remembering the selfless and generous spirit Americans exhibited on that terrifying day 19 years ago and underscores that we are seeing the same spirit today as Americans face the coronavirus pandemic. She notes that like the heroes who stepped up on September 11, 2001, … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Gillibrand Statement: Four Years After Original Nomination, Diane Gujarati Is Confirmed For U.S. District Judge For The Eastern District Of New York
Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Diane Gujarati to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand had recommended Gujarati during each of the last two administrations. Gujarati will be the first Indian American to serve as an Article III federal judge in New York. "Diane Gujarati is a smart, fair and accomplished litigator with substantial experience in criminal prosecutions and appellate proceedings and an outstanding public servant," … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
As Republicans Move To Pass Woefully Inadequate “Skinny” Package, Gillibrand Outlines Key Priorities For COVID Relief
As Senate Republicans unveil "skinny" relief package that protects large corporations and leaves hardworking Americans in the lurch, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is pushing Congress to support families that were left out of the recently introduced bill. While the House passed the comprehensive HEROES Act in May, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has delayed bringing a desperately needed relief package to the Senate floor. Now, the "skinny" bill that McConnell is attempting to pass … Continue Reading
