Press Releases
After Natural Disasters Hit Nearly Three-Quarters of New York’s 62 Counties Last Year, Gillibrand Announces More Than $50 Million That Local Communities Can Now Apply for to Assist with Their Economic Recovery
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $53,735,000 is now available for New York communities affected by natural disasters to apply for from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA). Counties that have received major disaster declarations in the past year will be eligible for the funding designated for long-term strategic planning, infrastructure development and capital for alternative financing. "Nearly three quarters of the New … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012
Gillibrand Hails Consortium for Worker Education as Environmental Champion
Bronx, NY - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, congratulated the Consortium for Worker Education (CWE) for winning the 2012 Environmental Quality Award. The non-profit agency, which Senator Gillibrand nominated this past February, is partnering with Sustainable South Bronx and the Osborne Association to recruit and train Bronx residents for city jobs in emerging green industries. The organization is set to receive the Environmental … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand: Plan to Eliminate Highland Falls Impact Aid Funding Could Be Devastating for Teachers & Students – Senators Push to Restore Funding for Highland Falls Classrooms
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced their push to protect the Highland Falls school district from steep cuts in federal Impact Aid that would cripple the school district. The Administration's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year would eliminate Impact Aid Section 8002 Funding, a program that provides funding for districts that cover a large portion of federally-owned, nontaxable land. Highland Falls relies on the program that provided over $1.9 … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012
Gillibrand Hails Onondaga Environmental Institute President as Environmental Champion
Syracuse, NY-Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environmental and Public Works Committee, congratulated the President of the Onondaga Environmental Institute (OEI), Dr. Edward Michalenko, for winning the 2012 Environmental Quality Award. for his commitment and significant contributions to greening New York State. Senator Gillibrand nominated Dr. Michalenko this past February. "I congratulate Dr. Michalenko for his dedication to creating a cleaner New York," said Senator … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012
Gillibrand Hails NYS Pollution Prevention Institute Director as Environmental Champion
Rochester, NY - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environmental and Public Works Committee, congratulated the Director of the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYS P2I), Dr. Anahita Williamson, for winning the 2012 Environmental Quality Award for her leadership and significant contributions to greening New York State. Senator Gillibrand nominated Dr. Williamson this past February. "I congratulate Dr. Williamson for her dedication to securing a cleaner New … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012
Gillibrand to FEDs: Protect Monroe County Manufacturer – Accept Firth Rixson’s Application for Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) License
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called on the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) to support a Monroe County metal forge, Firth Rixson, by accepting its application for full Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) manufacturing benefits through the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board. Earlier this year, Senator Gillibrand wrote a letter to Executive Secretary of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Andrew McGilvray, urging him to accept Firth Rixson's request for FTZ licensing that would allow the … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012
Gillibrand Hails Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo as Environmental Champion
Buffalo, NY - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, congratulated the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo (CFGB) for winning the 2012 Environmental Quality Award. The organization, which Senator Gillibrand nominated this past February, is set to receive the Environmental Protection Agency's prestigious honor for their commitment and significant contributions to greening New York State. "I congratulate the Community Foundation for … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012
Gillibrand Hails Ecovative Design as Environmental Champion
Albany, NY - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, congratulated Ecovative Design for winning the 2012 Environmental Quality Award. Located in Green Island, Ecovative Design is leading the way in creating environmentally-responsible products that replace traditional foam packaging, such as Styrofoam, insulation, and denser materials, such as particle board. The organization, which Senator Gillibrand nominated this past February, is set … Continue Reading
March 27, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand: Asian Carp Could Enter Great Lakes & NY Through New Avenues & Army Corps Needs New Emergency Authority to Fight Back – Urges Feds to Give Army Corps Power to Keep Pace with Growing Asian Carp Threat
To prevent the spread of Asian carp into New York's waterways through the Great Lakes, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are urging the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development to extend the Army Corps of Engineers' emergency authority over effected waterways in any area determined appropriate by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. In 2010, Asian carp were found just six miles from the Great Lakes, prompting Senator … Continue Reading
March 25, 2012
Gillibrand Joined By Vets Calls for Aggressive Drawdown of Combat Troops from Afghanistan – Armed Services Committee Member Says Change of Policy Needed to Address Today’s National Security Threats
New York, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was joined by veterans today as she renewed her call for an aggressive and rapid drawdown of combat troops to end the war in Afghanistan. With al Qaeda having metastasized to the Arabian Peninsula, where the unsuccessful terror attempt on Christmas Day 2009 was plotted, an unreliable partner in Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and Pakistani support for the Taliban, Gillibrand urged for a shift … Continue Reading
March 22, 2012
Senate Confirms Ronnie Abrams, First Gillibrand Recommended Judge to Sit on Federal Bench
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate today confirmed Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's first judicial nominee, Ms. Ronnie Abrams, to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York. Senator Gillibrand recommended her for the position last April in an effort to add another exceptional female jurist to the federal bench. VIDEO: Senator Gillibrand spoke on the Senate floor to urge her colleagues to support Ms. Abrams's nomination. WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE. A distinguished … Continue Reading
March 22, 2012
Gillibrand Announces Final Passage of Stock Act to Make Insider Trading by Members of Congress Illegal
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced final passage of the STOCK Act, bipartisan, common sense legislation to make insider trading in Congress clearly and expressly illegal. Senator Gillibrand has been a leading advocate for increasing the accountability and transparency of Congress. "I strongly believe that we have to make clear - that nobody here is above the law and that members of Congress need to play by the exact same set of rules as every other American. It … Continue Reading
March 22, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand: Committee Analysis Another Step in the Right Direction for Including Cancer in Zadroga Bill
New York, NY - After the deliberations of the World Trade Center Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee concerning the inclusion of cancers in the Zadroga 9/11 Health Bill program were made public earlier today, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand released the following statement: "This is another important step in the right direction for our first responders," said Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. "The data studied by the committee, as well as the data that was just released by … Continue Reading
March 22, 2012
Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Fund U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperative Agreement
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is leading a bipartisan effort in the Senate to fund the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation today by urging the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development to designate that at least $2 million out of the funding for international programs in the FY2013 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill goes to this important program. Senator Gillibrand has led the fight for the past three years to preserve the continuation of … Continue Reading
March 21, 2012
Gillibrand Announces Over $40,000 for Rhinecliff Fire District
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $41,800 in federal funding for the Rhinecliff Fire District to purchase new air packs. This will allow them to respond to emergencies safely and more effectively. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "This federal funding is so important for the Rhinecliff Fire District," said Senator Gillibrand. "Our firefighters put their lives on the … Continue Reading
March 21, 2012
Gillibrand Announces Over $100,000 for Victor Volunteer Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $104,500 in federal funding for the Victor Volunteer Fire Department to purchase new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. This will allow them to respond to emergencies safely and more effectively. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "This federal funding is so important for the Victor Volunteer Fire Department," said Senator Gillibrand. … Continue Reading
March 21, 2012
Gillibrand Urges Senate to Pass Bill Opening U.S. Supreme Court Proceedings to Television Cameras
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement today applauding efforts in the Senate to pass legislation that would authorize U.S. Supreme Court proceedings to be televised, unless decided by a majority vote that such coverage would violate the due process rights of any party involved. Next week, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to begin hearings on the Affordable Care Act. "This is the right thing to do to bring more transparency to Washington. … Continue Reading
March 20, 2012
Gillibrand Announces Legislation to Support New York Apple Growers, Ease Regulations on Exports to Canada
Washington, DC - As part of her ongoing commitment to help New York's farmers, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today introduced legislation that would help New York apple growers streamline operations and save money. The bill, endorsed by New York Apple Association and U.S. Apple Association, would exempt bulk shipments of U.S. apples to Canada from inspection required by the Apple Export Act, offering growers immediate savings of approximately … Continue Reading
March 16, 2012
Gillibrand to USDA: Pull ‘Pink Slime’ Beef from School Meals Now
Washington, D.C. - With ground beef laced with ammonium hydroxide known as "pink slime" included in more than 100 million pounds of ground beef served to 32 million schoolchildren enrolled in the National School Meal program, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling on the USDA to pull the treated beef from meals served to children immediately. Fast food chains, such as McDonald's, Burger King and Taco Bell have already eliminated the pink slime from their menus. And the USDA is giving … Continue Reading
March 15, 2012
Gillibrand Announces Over $47,000 for Arcade Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $47,609 in federal funding for the Arcade Fire Department in Wyoming County to purchase a self-contained breathing apparatus air replenishment system (SCBA), and to replace the department's water supply hose. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. In October 2011, Senator Gillibrand wrote FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate to urge the … Continue Reading