Press Releases
Gillibrand Presses Epa, Coast Guard For New Oil Spill Contingency Plan To Protect New Yorkers
Washington, D.C. - With the rise of transporting crude oil through New York State and a series of derailments and spills that potentially put New York communities at risk, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is pressing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Coast Guard to quickly update contingency plans for oil spills in the New York and New Jersey region. The safety plans are due for an update this year and with concerns rising over the danger of crude oil transported … Continue Reading
March 26, 2014
Gillibrand, Schumer, Bipartisan Group Of Congressional Members Urge Secretary Of Defense To Expedite Clean-Up Efforts At Islands Of Vieques And Culebra In Puerto Rico
Washington, DC-U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Charles Schumer and Congressman Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico's Resident Commissioner, led a bipartisan group of Senators and House Members urging U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the cleanup of the islands of Vieques and Culebra, which were used as military training ranges for many years. The cleanup of Vieques is being conducted by the Navy, while … Continue Reading
March 22, 2014
In Seneca Falls During Women's History Month, Gillibrand Outlines Plan To Update The Rules Of The Modern Workplace, Ensure Women Workers Have A Fair Shot At Earning Their Financial Security, Strengthen Middle Class Families
Standing at the First Presbyterian Church in Seneca Falls, where Alice Paul, a suffragist leader, argued the right to vote alone would not end discrimination based upon sex and first drafted the Equal Rights Amendment, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand outlined her five-point package aimed at ensuring more working women have a fair shot at earning financial security by modernizing America's outdated workplace policies that have failed to keep pace with the demands on the new workforce driving … Continue Reading
March 20, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $1.3 Million For Binghamton Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,340,168 in federal funding for the Binghamton Fire Department to hire firefighters. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program. "These much-needed federal funds will provide the assistance the City of Binghamton needs to maintain and expand its fire department. First responders are our … Continue Reading
March 14, 2014
Gillibrand Works To Secure Funding For Owego Stream Gauge
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today pushed the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to restore funding for the Owego Creek stream gauge that provides a key warning system to local families and businesses that endure yearly threats to dangerous flooding. "After back-to-back years of storms that swept away roads, bridges, businesses and entire communities, we know stream gauges are a key tool to staying ahead of the storm, and keeping our families safe," Senator Gillibrand … Continue Reading
March 13, 2014
As USPS Moves Ahead With The Sale of the Historic Bronx Post Office, Gillibrand Urges USPS To Meet With The Bronx Community Before Choosing A Winning Bid
Bronx, NY - As the United States Postal Service (USPS) moves ahead with the second phase of the sale of the historic Bronx post office, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged USPS to meet with the Bronx community and hear their concerns before deciding on a winning bid. With the review process underway of at least eleven submitted plans, Senator Gillibrand pressed the agency to choose proposals that would transform the City landmark into a space that would benefit the community and grow the … Continue Reading
March 12, 2014
Gillibrand Statement On White House Meeting On Women's Economic Opportunity
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement Wednesday after meeting with President Obama, White House officials and Congressional colleagues to discuss new steps to help women and families succeed in the economy. The meeting follows a previous bipartisan women of the Senate dinner hosted by President Obama at the White House where Gillibrand pressed the President for his support for her American Opportunity Agenda. "Today's discussion with President … Continue Reading
March 11, 2014
With New York Ranked Second Least-Affordable For Full-Time Infant Day Care, Gillibrand Announces Legislation Expanding Tax Breaks Aimed At Easing Burden Of Child Care Costs For Working Families
Washington DC - With the rising cost of child care across New York, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today unveiled her plan to make child care more affordable and accessible for working parents. In 2012, New York was ranked the second least-affordable in the nation for full-time day care for an infant, according to a report by Child Care Aware. A two-parent family in New York spent an average of 16.5 percent of their annual income on care for their infant. For a single mother in New York, the … Continue Reading
March 10, 2014
At Gillibrand’s Urging, Feds Approve Effort To Boost Ontario County’s Exports
Geneva, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of President Obama's Export Council, today announced the U.S. Commerce Department approved Ontario County's application for its Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program, which would encourage more companies with import and export operations across the region to take advantage of associated tax breaks and incentives. Senator Gillibrand called on the Commerce Department to make this FTZ designation for Ontario County and the surrounding area after … Continue Reading
March 09, 2014
As Tax Season Begins, Gillibrand Announces New Legislation To Expand Tax Breaks Easing Burden Of Sky-High Child Care Costs For Working Families
New York, NY - As tax season begins to get into full swing, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) was joined today by New York City parents and advocacy groups to announce new legislation being offered by Gillibrand that would change the federal tax system to help make child care more affordable and accessible for working parents and families. New York City families face sky-high child care costs - the average City family now spends approximately $15,210 per year for an infant, $12,116 for a … Continue Reading
March 07, 2014
After Last Friday’s Capital Region Derailment of Tanker with Crude Oil, Gillibrand Calls on DOT to Expedite New Rules for Transporting Hazardous Materials
Washington, DC - After another derailment of tankers carrying crude oil, this time in the Capital Region, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand renewed her call for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to urgently update and implement guidelines for safer transport of hazardous liquids. According to the Association of American Railroads, oil shipments have increased from 9,500 carloads in 2008 to an estimated 400,000 carloads in 2013 nationally. Terminals at the Port of Albany have the … Continue Reading
March 06, 2014
Gillibrand Statement on Senate Vote to Reform Military Justice System
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand delivered the following remarks Thursday following the vote on the bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act, which despite having the support of a bipartisan majority of the Senate, fell five votes shy of breaking a filibuster. Senator Gillibrand's remarks as prepared for delivery: I want to first thank my colleagues who stood so strong and united in this effort from the very beginning. Your leadership truly made the difference to gain … Continue Reading
February 28, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge Homeland Security Secretary to Boost New York’s Share of Critical Anti-Terror Funding as NYC Remains Top Terror Target in the Nation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today urged U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson to provide New York with a boost in anti-terror funding given that the federal budget this year for state and local homeland security funding increased by an estimated 16 percent. New York City remains the top terror target in the nation and federal funds are used to protect New York's transit systems, ports and urban non-profits against security threats and … Continue Reading
February 27, 2014
Gillibrand Resolution Celebrating 2014 Black History Month Passes U.S. Senate
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced today that a resolution she introduced with a bipartisan group of 46 of her colleagues commemorating Black History Month has unanimously passed the U.S. Senate. The resolution honors the contributions and achievements of African American pioneers and modern day leaders who have overcome injustices and forged the fight for freedom, equality and opportunity for all Americans. "We cannot move forward on the path to freedom, … Continue Reading
February 27, 2014
Gillibrand Pushes USDA to Revive New York’s Bee Population, Strengthen Farms
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bolster its efforts to revive New York's bee population after a year when beekeepers lost on average 30 percent of their hives to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) -- hurting New York farms' ability to pollinate crops. Earlier this month, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack directed $3 million to study bee losses in the Midwest. Senator Gillibrand … Continue Reading
February 26, 2014
After Consent Agreement Reached, Military Sexual Assault Reform Bill Now Set for Senate Floor Action in March
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement tonight after the Military Justice Improvement Act received bipartisan consent to proceed to consideration on the Senate floor. The unanimous consent agreement comes after being denied earlier this week on Monday. Agreement was also unanimously reached to vote on a reform proposal by Senator McCaskill, which Senator Gillibrand supports. "Military sexual assault survivors have bravely walked the halls of … Continue Reading
February 26, 2014
Gillibrand Opening Statement at Senate Subcommittee Hearing Examining Impact of Military Sexual Assault, Links to PTSD and Suicides
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, delivered the following opening statement at Wednesday's Subcommittee hearing to examine the impact of military sexual assault as it links to PTSD and suicide: The Subcommittee meets today to receive testimony about the relationships between military sexual assault, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicides, and the DoD and VA medical treatment and management of victims of … Continue Reading
February 25, 2014
Gillibrand-Owens Effort to Boost Apple Exports, Help Growers Cut Costs Successfully Implemented
Washington, D.C. - After a push by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Bill Owens, apple exports from New York State to Canada are now moving at a swifter, more cost-effective pace because of a measure included in the Farm Bill. Last week, the first shipment of apples that were not subject to inspection because of the Farm Bill crossed the border without incident. Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Bill Owens worked to exempt bulk shipments of U.S. apples to Canada from inspection … Continue Reading
February 24, 2014
Gillibrand Announces Innovative Education Agenda to Boost Stem Proficiency for Long Island Students
Plainview, NY - Standing at John F. Kennedy High School, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, joined by the Long Island STEM Hub and dozens of Long Island students who are part of the school's engineering and robotics team, announced today her innovative education agenda to encourage more youths, especially women, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), bolster engineering education programs across Long Island's elementary, middle, and high schools and draw more … Continue Reading
February 24, 2014
In Owego, Gillibrand Announces Federal Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act
Owego, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced federal legislation that would create paid family and medical leave. The Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act would establish a national paid family and medical leave insurance program, ensuring that American workers would no longer have to choose between a paycheck and caring for themselves or a family member. "When a young parent needs time to care for a newborn child - it should never come down to an outdated policy … Continue Reading
