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

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

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

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

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

In Greene, Gillibrand, Hanna Announce Legislation to Expand Access to Pre-K Programs

Greene, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Richard Hanna today announced legislation to expand access to high-quality early learning programs for children from birth to age five. The Strong Start for America's Children Act focuses on four key goals: boosting funding for high-quality preschool programs serving low- and moderate-income families; increasing the quality of infant and toddler care offered by providers; supporting broad-scale quality improvements to child … Continue Reading

Gillibrand, Reed Announce Legislation to Name Corning Post Office After Fallen Army Specialist

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tom Reed today announced legislation to name the U.S. Post Office in Corning after Army Specialist Ryan Jayne, an Elmira native who died while serving in Afghanistan. "Specialist Jayne served with truly heroic bravery," Senator Gillibrand said. "He answered the highest call, and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Naming the Corning Post Office after him will honor his legacy in the community he loved for all to … Continue Reading

Gillibrand, Collins Announce Legislation to Name Alden Post Office after Fallen Army Sergeant

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Chris Collins today announced legislation to name the U.S. Post Office in Alden after Army Sergeant Brett Gornewicz, an Alden native who died while courageously serving in Afghanistan. "Sergeant Gornewicz represented the very best of Alden and all of New York," Senator Gillibrand said. "He answered the highest call, put his life on the line for others, and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Naming the Alden Post … Continue Reading

Gillibrand Announces Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Stop the Spread of Harmful Algal Blooms in NY Waterways

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, today announced final Senate passage of the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act, bipartisan legislation that can help prevent the spread of harmful algal blooms in New York State waterways. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a problem across New York, and have resulted in the closure of beaches and lakes, as well as damage to fish habitats off the coast. … Continue Reading

Gillibrand in Plattsburgh Announces Federal Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act

Plattsburgh, 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 … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand Honor 5th Anniversary of Flight 3407 Tragedy

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statements today to honor the fifth anniversary of the Flight 3407 tragedy: "Five years ago, we senselessly lost mothers, brothers, children, loved ones and friends in a tragic accident, and we remember them today with heavy hearts," said Senator Schumer. "In spite of that tragedy, which shed harsh light on the need to make sweeping changes to our flight safety regulations, the loved ones of those … Continue Reading

Gillibrand, Crowley Praise Enactment of Amendment to Include Kosher, Halal Food in Emergency Food Supply in Farm Bill

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY) today applauded the enactment of their amendment to ensure that kosher and halal food pantries receive an adequate supply of food for hungry families as part of the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Included in the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act, or the FARM bill, signed by President Obama on Friday, the Gillibrand-Crowley amendment requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand, Hanna Issue Statement on DFAS meeting

UTICA, N.Y. - Today, federal, state and local elected leaders convened a meeting at Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr.'s office to discuss U.S. Army proposals regarding the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) in Rome. U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Richard Hanna issued the following statement after today's meeting: "Today we met with Oneida County stakeholders to assess the information currently on hand regarding an Army … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand Urge U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Direct at Least $30 Million in Federal Funds for Dredging & Navigation Projects along the Great Lakes – Congress Just Boosted USACE Funding in Recent Budget

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to dedicate at least $30 million from their budget for infrastructure improvements along the Great Lakes. The Senators sent the letter, along with Senators Kirk, Levin, Baldwin, Klobuchar, Franken, Brown, Portman, Stabenow, Donnelly, Johnson and Durbin, to push for dedicated Great Lakes funding from the $200 million pot of eligible funding in the USACE budget. Senators Schumer and … Continue Reading

Ahead of Sexual Assault Vote Expected on Senate Floor Next Week, Bipartisan Group of Senators, Survivors, Advocates Continue Push for Independent Military Justice System

Washington, D.C. - As the U.S. Senate prepares for an expected vote on the bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act next week, a strong bipartisan coalition continued the push earlier today for an independent, objective and unbiased military justice system. U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Dean Heller (R-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Ted Cruz (R-TX), together with Jeremiah Arbogast, … Continue Reading

Gillibrand, Schumer, Blumenthal, Murphy Announce Key Senate Committee Passes Legislation to Protect Long Island Sound

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Charles Schumer (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) today announced a key Senate committee's passage of legislation to bring federal dollars to support the restoration of Long Island Sound. The Long Island Sound Stewardship Act that Senators Gillibrand, Schumer, Blumenthal and Murphy introduced last year passed out of the Senate Environment and Public … Continue Reading

Gillibrand, Schumer, King, Israel, Bishop Urge FEMA to Award Disaster Funding for Suffolk County to Make Needed Upgrades to Bergen Point Outfall Pipe

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Charles Schumer, and Congressmen Pete King, Steve Israel, and Tim Bishop today urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to back Suffolk County's application for federal disaster funding through the agency's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to help make critical infrastructure upgrades to the county's largest sewage treatment plant. The Bergen Point Sewage … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand, Hanna Call on Army to Provide Answers on Potential Changes to DFAS Rome, Drop Any Plan that Would Negatively Impact the Operation

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Richard Hanna in a letter to U.S. Army Secretary John McHugh underscored their unified support for maintaining and growing the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) in Rome, N.Y., and requested a thorough explanation of any proposals now in formulation that impact the facility. The Members of Congress emphasize that they are strongly opposed to any changes or efforts to reduce or transfer … Continue Reading

Gillibrand, Maloney Announce Federal Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act

Newburgh, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney 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 … Continue Reading

Gillibrand Unveils Plan to Update Rules of the Modern Workplace, Ensure Women Workers Have a Fair Shot at Earning Their Financial Security, Strengthen Middle Class Families

Ithaca, NY - In a policy speech today at Ithaca College, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand unveiled a 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 our economy and limits economic growth. With more dual income households than ever before, and 40 percent of women with children at home serving as sole breadwinners, … Continue Reading