Press Releases
Gillibrand, Colleagues Introduce Legislation To Block Trump Order Stripping Federal Employees Of Critical Protections
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined 40 of her colleagues in introducing legislation that would block the implementation of an October 21 Executive Order by President Trump, which created a new classification for federal employees, Schedule F. This harmful executive order would make it easier for the Administration to fire non-partisan civil servants with policy expertise. "Throughout this transition, the Trump administration continues to find ways to obstruct a historically peaceful and … Continue Reading
November 20, 2020
Gillibrand Calls On HHS, CDC To Strengthen Ultra-Cold Storage Infrastructure Needed To Ship, Handle, And Distribute COVID-19 Vaccine
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Senate Democrats in calling on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to strengthen the nation's ultra-cold storage infrastructure needed to ship, handle, and distribute a forthcoming COVID-19 vaccine. In light of recent news that Pfizer/BioNTech is applying for Emergency Use Authorization for their COVID-19 vaccine candidate, providers are beginning to prepare for ultra-cold temperatures … Continue Reading
November 20, 2020
Gillibrand Announces Landmark Legislation To Address Systemic Discrimination In Federal Aid To Black Farmers
U. S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, alongside U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), introduced legislation to address systemic discrimination within U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) federal agriculture policy. Due to a history of discrimination, Black farmers were stripped of millions of acres of farmland and hundreds of billions of dollars of inter-generational wealth. Today, there are less than 50,000 remaining Black farmers. The Justice for Black Farmers Act will … Continue Reading
November 18, 2020
As Overdoses Spike Across New York State During COVID-19 Pandemic, Gillibrand Pushes For Robust Funding To Support Substance Use Disorder And Mental Health Care Services In Next Relief Package
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged Senate leadership to include robust funding for substance use disorder and mental health care services in the next coronavirus relief package. Gillibrand called for robust emergency funds for providers of mental health and addiction treatment services to maintain operations, and ensure stability for the duration of the economic and public health crisis. "For many families the emotional strains and stress of the holidays are compounded when a … Continue Reading
November 18, 2020
Gillibrand: McConnell Must Work With Democrats To Pass COVID Relief For MTA, Public Transit
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, released the following statement in response to the MTA's latest proposal for deep service cuts to subways and buses, which includes nearly 9,000 layoffs: "These drastic cuts could still be avoided if Mitch McConnell and President Trump would work with Democrats to pass a COVID relief package that includes funding for public transit. House Democrats passed a relief bill in May and since this … Continue Reading
November 17, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $26 Million In Federal Head Start Funding For New York City And Long Island Organizations
U.S. Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $26,589,681 in Head Start funding for early childhood education providers in New York City and on Long Island. The funding was allocated through the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and will be used to narrow the achievement gap, fund family support services, and enhance early, comprehensive child development programs for … Continue Reading
November 16, 2020
Gillibrand Joins Bipartisan Call To Protect Integral C-130 Aircraft Fleet Operated By Nyang In Final National Defense Bill
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Senate colleagues in a bipartisan call on House and Senate Armed Services Committee leadership to ensure the final Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)includes language to maintain the nation's inventory of C-130 aircraft. Both Francis S. Gabreski and Stratton Air National Guard bases have C-130 wings, which provide experienced tactical airlift capability. Last month it was reported … Continue Reading
November 12, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $43 Million In Federal Funding For New York City COVID-19 Emergency Management
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $42,997,137.20 in funding for New York City's Office of Management and Budget. New York City was at the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, and this critical funding will help the city cover previous COVID-19 expenses that helped protect New York's communities and mitigated the risk of COVID-19. Specifically, this funding covers the cost of enhanced protective measures that have been deployed … Continue Reading
November 11, 2020
On Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Pushes For Expanded Health Care For Vets Suffering From Agent Orange-Linked Illnesses In Final National Defense Bill
On Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged House and Senate Armed Services Committee leadership to include expanded health care and benefits for veterans suffering from Agent Orange-linked illnesses in the final Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). With the NDAA headed for consideration by the Senate and House in coming weeks, Gillibrand is pushing committee leadership to maintain the bipartisan amendment - … Continue Reading
November 10, 2020
Gillibrand Statement On Supreme Court Hearing Republican Arguments On Striking Down The ACA
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the statement below in response to today's U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) arguments challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Gillibrand opposed the rushed confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, and recently urged Attorney General Barr to rescind support of the SCOTUS lawsuit to strike down the ACA. "Today's arguments before the Supreme Court are yet another attempt by Republicans to advance their never-ending crusade to destroy … Continue Reading
November 09, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $6 Million In Federal Funding For Northwell Health Inc.’s COVID-19 Response And Emergency Management
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $6,284,101.33 in federal funding for Northwell Health Inc. The coronavirus pandemic at first overwhelmed New York's hospitals - requiring increased clinical staffing services to meet patient demand and increased disinfection protocols. This funding will be used to cover the cost of 223,000 previous overtime hours for sanitization of facilities and medical care for COVID-19 patients. "I'm proud … Continue Reading
November 06, 2020
Gillibrand, Senate Democrats Urge Attorney General Barr To Rescind Support Of Supreme Court Lawsuit To Strike Down Affordable Care Act
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Senate Democrats to urge U.S. Attorney General William Barr to rescind the Department of Justice's (DOJ) support of the Supreme Court lawsuit that seeks to strike down the Affordable Care Act (ACA). President Trump and Senate Republicans have made repeated efforts to invalidate the ACA and gut protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, including rushing the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett ahead of the November 10th … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
Gillibrand, Brown, Van Hollen Announce Legislation To Expand Community School Funding
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced legislation with U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to expand community school funding and ensure students, families, and communities have the resources needed for students to thrive. The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2020 would help public k-12 schools serve students, families, and communities by investing more than $3 billion in public schools to be community hubs and provide integrated student supports, … Continue Reading
November 05, 2020
Gillibrand, Brown, Van Hollen Announce Legislation To Expand Community School Funding
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced legislation with U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to expand community school funding and ensure students, families, and communities have the resources needed for students to thrive. The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2020 would help public k-12 schools serve students, families, and communities by investing more than $3 billion in public schools to be community hubs and provide integrated student supports, … Continue Reading
November 02, 2020
Gillibrand Leads Colleagues In Calling On USDA To Fairly Implement P-EBT Program In Puerto Rico In Order To Provide Food Security
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, led her colleagues in a letter urging Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, to "provide expeditious and fair implementation of the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Program in Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories." Since the signing of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) in March 2020, all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands have had the choice to … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $300K In Energy Funding For Farmers, Ranchers, And Small Business Owners In Rural New York
U.S. Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today announced $302,376 in funding to help rural small businesses and agricultural producers invest in energy efficient and renewable energy systems. The funding was administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). "To meet New York's net zero by 2050 carbon target, we must invest in clean, … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Demand Answers From HHS Regarding Potential Arbitrary Funding Cuts To Critical Public Health Programs
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand joined colleagues in pressing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that millions of dollars in federal funding for critical public health programs will not be withheld in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Trump and Attorney General Barr have threatened to withhold the funding as part of an illegitimate Trump order to punish Americans in New York City, Seattle, Portland, and Washington, D.C. To ensure … Continue Reading
October 29, 2020
Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Tonko Call For Extension Of Erie Canalway Commission
On the week marking the 195th anniversary of the Erie Canal's opening, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Paul D. Tonko held a press conference today to call to extend the authorization of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission. The members both announced legislation this week that would extend the Commission's authorization from its current sunset date of September 30, 2021 to September 30, 2034. "The Erie Canal is a part New York's rich history of innovation. … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
Gillibrand Urges Secretary DeVos To Grant Federal Student Loan Borrowers Access To Cares Act Relief
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, alongside Senate Democrats, called on Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to take steps to ensure federal student loan borrowers who have been left out of the CARES Act receive federal student loan relief - including a freeze on all payments, interest, and collections. Since March, the CARES Act has provided forbearance, waived interest, and halted collections for borrowers whose student loans were directly held by the U.S. Department of Education. However, more … Continue Reading
October 27, 2020
As Winter Weather Approaches New York State, Gillibrand Urges Trump Administration To Release Vital LIHEAP Funding For Low-Income Seniors And Families
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged the Trump administration to quickly release the highest possible amount of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds in order to provide critical financial assistance for low-income households and seniors. Before the pandemic, more than 1.5 million low-income New Yorkers and seniors depended on LIHEAP to help pay their energy bills and stay safe during the winter. Now the economic crisis has pushed vulnerable Americans into deeper … Continue Reading
