Press Releases
Gillibrand, Schumer Secure Key Committee Approval of More Than $190 Million to Build New Barracks at West Point
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Senate Armed Services Committee has authorized $192 million for the construction of new barracks at West Point as part of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. Senator Gillibrand wrote and filed an amendment that included the funding for West Point as part of the broader legislation. Schumer and Gillibrand both aggressively lobbied key … Continue Reading
May 24, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Secure Key Committee Approval of Nearly $140 Million for Construction at Fort Drum
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Senate Armed Services Committee has authorized $138.2 million for the construction of several facilities at Fort Drum, including a new specialty care clinic, a new aircraft maintenance hangar, and a complex for missile tracking technology. The funding for construction is included as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 that passed the Senate Armed Services … Continue Reading
May 24, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Introduce Senate Resolution to Commemorate Bicentennial of Hamilton College in Clinton, NY
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand introduced a resolution to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. Hamilton, ranked among the top liberal arts schools in the country, received its charter from the Regents of the University of the State of New York on May 26, 1812. Schumer and Gillibrand proposed a measure in the Senate to celebrate the college's sustained commitment to its charter two centuries ago. The New York senators recognized … Continue Reading
May 24, 2012
After Irene & Lee Destroyed Homes Across NYS, Gillibrand Announces New Effort to Build Affordable Housing for Struggling Families Still in Need of a New Home
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today introduced legislation to expand access to affordable housing for New York families who lost their homes to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee by expanding the low-income housing tax credit, legislation that provides tax incentives for developers to build new rental housing units in communities impacted by natural disasters. Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee caused widespread flooding across New York, particularly in areas … Continue Reading
May 23, 2012
Gillibrand Secures Over $15,000 in Disability Benefits for Melville Vet Suffering from PTSD
Melville, NY - After a Department of Veterans Affairs backlog left a Melville veteran's benefits claim unsettled for a year, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand successfully expedited the soldier's application, helping to secure nearly $15,000 in retroactive benefits and a monthly payment of $1,380 for 65 year-old Bob Carnesi. Mr Carnesi, who suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to his combat in Vietnam, is set to receive the benefits starting next month. "We must fulfill our duty … Continue Reading
May 23, 2012
Gillibrand Introduces Cody Miller Initiative for Safer Prescriptions
Washington, D.C. - U. S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand this week introduced the Cody Miller Initiative for Safer Prescriptions Act (CMISP), new legislation that would finally require the FDA to approve and standardize information distributed to patients when they pick up their prescriptions. Current information is not subject to any review or standard. The new requirements would ensure patients are kept up to date about potential adverse side effects and dangerous drug interactions. On August 4, … Continue Reading
May 22, 2012
Gillibrand: Women are Primary Bread-Winners for Almost Half of New York Families, Yet Receive 15 Percent Lower Pay for the Same Work as Men; Senator Announces New Effort to End Unacceptable Disparity
Washington, D.C. - With a new report showing that working mothers across New York state earn 14.6 percent less than men, even while an increasing amount of families rely on a mothers' earnings as their main source of income to make ends meet, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is leading the effort to finally pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation expected for a vote on the Senate floor in the coming weeks. The Paycheck Fairness Act would close loopholes employers can use to shortchange … Continue Reading
May 22, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Senate Passage of Bipartisan Iran Sanctions Bill which Toughens Penalties Against Iran, Enforce Sanctions Against Syria
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive bipartisan Iran sanctions bill which includes measures authored by Senators Gillibrand and Mark Kirk (R-IL) to strengthen economic sanctions against Iran, as well as a proposal introduced by Senators Gillibrand, Schumer (D-NY), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) that would enforce sanctions against the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad. The Iran Sanctions, … Continue Reading
May 21, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Federal Investment to Buy New Clean Energy Buses for Chemung County – Over $1.3 Million Will Fund New Buses and Power Generator, Boosting Transit System
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that $1,370,000 in federal funding was awarded to the Chemung County Transit System through the Department of Transportation State of Good Repair Program. Chemung County Transit System will use this federal grant to purchase eight new clean energy buses and a power generator that can be used in inclement weather and during emergencies. "Transit systems across the state are making strides toward cleaner, more efficient … Continue Reading
May 21, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand: New FDA Delays Will Allow Misleading Sunscreen to Be Sold Throughout Summer – Senators Blast Delays and Call on FDA to Protect Consumers as Summer Begins
Washington, DC -- In an effort to ensure sunscreen labels are clear, accurate, and provide consumers with the information they need to protect themselves, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to abandon their recently announced timeline for new standards that would allow manufacturers to continue to put products on the shelf this summer without updated labels. Last year at the request of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, the FDA … Continue Reading
May 20, 2012
With 14 Lifesaving Cancer Drugs in Short Supply and Over 100 Drug Shortages This Year Alone, Gillibrand, Parents, and Doctors Urge Congress to Pass Legislation This Week Providing Relief for Sick Patients, Children
New York, NY - With over 100 drug shortages reported this year, including 14 lifesaving cancer medications currently in short supply, and a record-high 267 drug shortages in 2011, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged Congress to pass legislation this week to combat drug shortages. The current shortage of cancer drugs such as daunorubicin, used to treat childhood leukemia, and doxorubicin, used to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma and leukemia, puts young lives in danger. Gillibrand, joined by … Continue Reading
May 20, 2012
Gillibrand Statement on Death of Lockerbie Bomber
New York, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement on the death of Libyan terrorist and convicted Lockerbie bomber, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi: "The deaths of Abdel Baset al-Megrahi and Muammar Gaddafi brings to a close the total miscarriage of justice that needlessly brought more pain to the families of Pan Am Flight 103. While this will never heal the pain of the horrific day that took so many innocent lives, I hope this will bring families the comfort that Mr. … Continue Reading
May 18, 2012
Senators Gillibrand, Blunt Bolster Efforts to Address Needs of U.S. National Guard
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Roy Blunt sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Defense calling for an update on the implementation status of the "National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2011," a critical law introduced by Blunt and cosponsored by Gillibrand that amends the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). Upon passage of the act last November, the Secretary of Defense was tasked with extending USERRA protections to … Continue Reading
May 18, 2012
Gillibrand Urges EDA to Fund Photech Redevelopment Project in Rochester
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today called for federal support for the City of Rochester's proposal to redevelop the Photech Manufacturing site into an industrial park. With the support of the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the park would be used by private businesses to create an estimated 200 to 250 jobs for the Rochester area. "Rochester is working hard to revitalize the local economy and this proposal would help create new jobs in our community," Senator … Continue Reading
May 18, 2012
Gillibrand Urges Amtrak to Include Bicycle Racks on New Baggage Cars
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged Amtrak to include bicycle racks in its plans to modernize the rolling stock used in train services between New York City and Buffalo. The inclusion of bicycle racks would provide ease of access for those wishing to bike to tourist destinations throughout New York State, providing more streamlined travel for active tourism along New York's Erie Canalway Trail and creating the opportunity to generate revenue from these tourists. … Continue Reading
May 17, 2012
Gillibrand Helps Queens Resident who Served in Afghanistan Reunite with His Family After Helicopter Crash Left Combat Translator Paralyzed
Queens, NY - A 31 year-old Queens resident who served in Afghanistan as a combat translator became paralyzed from the waist down when the helicopter he was in crashed in the city of Kabul in 2010. Queens resident Jamil Patkik was a linguist with the Navy Seals unit and one of three people who survived the crash, which killed a total of nine troops. After the tragedy, Mr. Patkik faced roadblocks in bringing his wife and four children from Pakistan to Queens, who he desperately wanted by his … Continue Reading
May 17, 2012
Gillibrand Helps Capital Region Soldier Stationed in Hawaii Get to Buffalo in Time for His Fiance’s Graduation at SUNY Buffalo Law School
Buffalo, NY - After a Columbia county senior's attempt to help a 26 year-old Marine Corps soldier from the Capital Region get from his base in Hawaii to Buffalo in time for his fiancé's graduation ceremony at SUNY Buffalo Law School hit a snag, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today that her office has ensured that Sergeant Jordan Good will be there for graduation day after all. When Lorayne Seibert first tried to donate a plane ticket to Sergeant Good using her frequent flyer … Continue Reading
May 17, 2012
Gillibrand Urges U.S. Commerce Department to Invest in Griffiss Institute to Develop New Cyber Security Technologies in Rome
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging the U.S. Department of Commerce to fully support the Rome-based Griffis Institute's (GI) request for federal funding to support research to develop and implement new cyber security standards and guidelines. Senator Gillibrand has toured both the Rome Air Force Research Lab and private companies at the Griffiss Technology Park that work hand-in-glove to develop cyber security technologies. "Cyber technology is playing an essential … Continue Reading
May 17, 2012
Schumer & Gillibrand Push to Secure Federal Investment to Build New Intermodal Transportation Center in Downtown Rochester – Project Would Prime City for High-Speed Rail Service, Unleash Business Development & Job Creation
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand urged the Department of Transportation to select the City of Rochester's application for a TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grant, for Rochester's Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC). The RITC project will replace the existing Intercity Passenger Rail station and single low-level platform with a new multi-modal facility and a high-level island platform for efficient and convenient … Continue Reading
May 17, 2012
Gillibrand, Sanchez Introduce Bills in Both Houses of Congress Encouraging Pentagon to Repeal Policy Restricting Women from Combat
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today announced their new legislation introduced in both chambers of Congress which encourages the Department of Defense to repeal the Ground Combat Exclusion policy for female members of the Armed Forces - an outdated policy that does not acknowledge the combat role our service women in Afghanistan and around the world are already filling successfully. Women currently comprise approximately … Continue Reading
