Press Releases
Gillibrand, Crowley Announce New Legislation to Increase Kosher Food in Emergency Food Supply
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY) today announced new legislation they introduced in both chambers of Congress to ensure that kosher food pantries receive adequate supply of food for hungry families as part of the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). With an estimated 244,000 Jewish households in New York City living in poverty, the lawmakers' legislation requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to target, label, and … Continue Reading
November 16, 2012
At Gillibrand’s Recommendation, White House Formally Nominates Valerie Caproni and Judge Analisa Torres for U.S. District Court Judges for Southern District of New York
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the White House has formally nominated Valerie Caproni and Judge Analisa Torres to be District Court judges for the Southern District of New York after Senator Gillibrand recommended both for the positions. "Valerie Caproni and Judge Torres are both highly experienced and exceptional legal minds," Senator Gillibrand said. "Their breadth of experience and knowledge make them ideal to serve on the federal bench. Both are … Continue Reading
November 16, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand, Bishop Announce Federal Disaster Declaration for New York’s Fishing Industry
New York - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tim Bishop today announced a federal disaster declaration for New York's fishing industry in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The declaration allows Congress to appropriate federal relief funds to help fishermen hit hardest by the storm and authorizes the Small Business Administration to issue disaster loans. "The economic impact of Superstorm Sandy on Long Island's fishing industry is severe with the storm … Continue Reading
November 16, 2012
Bipartisan Resolution Supporting Israel Passes U.S. Senate Unanimously
Washington, D.C. - As terrorist rockets continue to fall on Israel, the United States Senate tonight unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and sponsored by 62 others, which strongly supports Israel's inherent right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens against acts of terrorism. The resolution, S. Res. 599, was cosponsored by over half the Senate in a demonstration of widespread support for Israel as … Continue Reading
November 16, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Statement on GSA Green Light for Commercial Building Renovations
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement Friday after the General Services Administration issued the needed environmental approvals to allow the $22 million Customs Commercial Building renovations to move forward at the Peace Bridge Plaza: "We are pleased that the General Services Administration has issued this important approval to the Peace Bridge Authority. This federal green light will allow for the $22 million renovation of the Customs … Continue Reading
November 14, 2012
Gillibrand Announces $100,000 to Start Farm-to-School Initiative for Poughkeepsie Schools
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal grant of $100,000 that will go to the Poughkeepsie City School District to establish a farm-to-school initiative. The primary goals of the initiative are to develop routine procurement of local foods, and to enhance foods systems education in Poughkeepsie. The goals will be accomplished by incorporating regionally produced foods into school meals. The funding is being allocated through the U.S. Department of … Continue Reading
November 14, 2012
Gillibrand Announces Nearly $45,000 to Start Farm-to-School Initiative for Rochester City Schools
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal grant of $44,919 that will go to the Rochester City School District to establish a farm-to-school initiative, planned to begin the 2013-2014 school year, incorporating regionally produced foods into school meals. The funding is being allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Senator Gillibrand worked hard to include the farm-to-school initiative as part of the Healthy, Hunger Free Schools Act that … Continue Reading
November 14, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Outline First Phase of Proposed Katrina-Style Protection Plan for New York’s Coastlines
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today outlined the first phase of a proposed plan to help protect devastated coastal communities in New York from future storms. In a meeting with top officials from the Army Corps of Engineers, Schumer and Gillibrand laid out a series of projects, already authorized by Congress, that can and should be started quickly. These projects, outlined below, have all been federally authorized. Some need to be expanded, some … Continue Reading
November 14, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce FEMA has Approved Major Disaster Declaration for Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced that FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate has heeded their call and amended the President's major disaster declaration for New York to include Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties in light of the severe flooding and wind damage in the Hudson Valley following Sandy. Specifically, residents will be eligible for Individual Assistance and the counties will be eligible for Public Assistance categories A through G, which … Continue Reading
November 13, 2012
Lautenberg, Schumer, Gillibrand, 10 Other Senators Call on President to Amend Budget to Request Disaster Aid for Superstorm Sandy
LAUTENBERG, SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, 10 OTHER SENATORS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO AMEND BUDGET TO REQUEST DISASTER AID FOR SUPERSTORM SANDY WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) were joined by 10 other Senators from states impacted by Superstorm Sandy in calling on President Obama to amend his 2013 budget to request emergency aid for federal disaster assistance programs. The Senators called on the President to take … Continue Reading
November 08, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge FEMA to Approve Major Disaster Declaration for Orange and Putnam Counties
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand wrote to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, urging the immediate approval of New York State's recent request to amend the major disaster declaration to include Orange and Putnam Counties in light of the severe storm damage in the Hudson Valley. In their letter, the Senators highlight the destruction Hurricane Sandy caused in Orange and Putnam Counties, including loss of electricity and significant damage to businesses and homes, both … Continue Reading
November 08, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge FEMA to Approve Major Disaster Declaration for Sullivan County
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today urged FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate to approve New York State's request and declare a federal state of emergency for Sullivan County in light of the severe storm damage in the Hudson Valley. In their letter, the Senators highlight the destruction Hurricane Sandy caused in Sullivan County, including loss of electricity, and significant damage to businesses and homes, all of which clearly warrants the same major declaration as … Continue Reading
November 07, 2012
As NYC Recovers from Hurricane Sandy, Schumer, Gillibrand Urge USDA to Provide Free School Meals to NYC Children
New York, NY - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today urged U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to provide free school meals to New York City children as New York City recovers from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. The Senators backed New York State Department of Education's request for full reimbursement of city school meals through the end of this year. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand wrote in a letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack, "We … Continue Reading
November 05, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Emergency Food Assistance Approved For Struggling New Yorkers Reeling From Hurricane Sandy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the USDA has approved New York State's request for emergency food resources. Roughly 1.1 million pounds of household-size USDA food items will be distributed to households through 1,000 designated emergency feeding outlets in the areas of Westchester and Rockland counties, New York City, and Long Island. This distribution will take place from November 4 through November 30. Additionally, the USDA … Continue Reading
November 03, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce FEMA Has Expanded Disaster Declaration To Include All Public Assistance For NYC, Long Island, Westchester & Rockland Counties
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced that FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate has heeded their call and expanded the President's major disaster declaration to include all categories of Public Assistance for the counties impacted by Superstorm Sandy.. Specifically, the Senators announced that the storm-ravaged counties under the disaster declaration are now eligible for full Public Assistance, Categories C - G, which are as follows: Category C: Roads and … Continue Reading
November 03, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Call For Emergency Food Assistance For Struggling New Yorkers Reeling From Hurricane Sandy
Washington, D.C. - As Hurricane Sandy leaves millions of New Yorkers without shelter or access to food, including those who were already struggling to make ends meet, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are calling on the USDA to implement emergency food resources. Specifically, the Senators are calling for approval for a mass Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reimbursement for recipients in the impacted counties as well as approval to implement a Disaster … Continue Reading
November 02, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $14 Million To Hire Clean-Up Workers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand today announced a federal grant of $13,896,148 for the New York State Department of Labor to hire approximately 1,400 dislocated workers to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy in Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Rockland Counties. "This federal funding will deliver a one-two punch in New York's efforts to recover from Hurricane Sandy, by investing in … Continue Reading
November 02, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand: Fallen Trees And Branches Greatly Slowing Power Restoration Efforts – Announce Expert Federal Teams Are On Their Way To New York To Help Clear Roads And Power Transmission Lines
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided the Army Corps of Engineers with $10 million to provide expert teams to help clear major debris standing in the way of restoring power in New York. Hurricane Sandy caused downed trees and broken limbs throughout busy roadways and these debris have created an obstacle for utility workers working to restore power to devastated areas. With this funding, … Continue Reading
November 02, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce FEMA Has Approved Major Disaster Declaration For Westchester & Rockland Counties
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced that FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate has heeded their call and amended the President's major disaster declaration for New York to include Westchester and Rockland Counties in light of the severe flooding and wind damage in the Hudson Valley following Sandy. Specifically, residents will be eligible for Individual Assistance and the counties will be eligible for Public Assistance categories A & B, which includes … Continue Reading
November 01, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand, Hochul Highlight Important Work of NFARS National Guard Members During Sandy Response; Urge DOD to Consider Lifesaving Efforts in Future Base Decisions
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representative Kathy Hochul urged the Department of Defense (DoD) to closely examine the importance of the National Guard 107th Airlift wing, based at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS), to both Western New York, the state, and the entire Northeast. They emphasized in their letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that the 107th Airlift Wing, which has served as a proven resource in the Western New York … Continue Reading
