Press Releases
Gillibrand Ends 28 Year-Long Bureaucratic Battle for Saratoga Soldier, Helps Secure Over $40,000 in Unemployment Benefits
Saratoga, NY - After a 68 year-old Vietnam veteran waited 28 years for his unemployment and disability payments that were owed to him due to his war-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the Saratoga resident finally received $42,000 in retroactive benefits with the help of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). The Saratoga soldier, who has been out of work for nearly a decade, will also see an additional $2,600 in VA benefits each month going forward. Senator Gillibrand expedited … Continue Reading
April 21, 2011
Gillibrand Announces $645,000 for Akron Fire Company
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $645,000 in federal funding for the Akron Fire Company. These federal dollars will be used by the Akron Fire Company to recruit additional first responders. The funding is allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. "This is a great investment for Akron," Senator Gillibrand said. "This federal investment will help improve the fire department's … Continue Reading
April 21, 2011
Gillibrand Urges Air Force Sec. Donley to Station Additional C-17s at Stewart Air National Guard Base
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today urged the Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley to base an additional eight C-17s at Stewart Air National Guard Base (ANGB), bringing the total to sixteen. Under the current plan, eight C-17s from Charleston AFB, SC, and McChord AFB, WA will be based at Stewart. However, both bases have in excess of 50 aircraft, and with the Air Force scheduled to take delivery of 13 new C-17s, … Continue Reading
April 21, 2011
Gillibrand Announced Nearly $64,000 For Alert Engine, Hook, Ladder and Hose Co. In Great Neck
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $63,580 in federal funding for the Alert Engine, Hook, Ladder and Hose Co. in Great Neck. These federal dollars will be used by the Alert Engine, Hook, Ladder and Hose Co. to recruit additional first responders. The funding is allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. "This is a great investment for Great Neck," Senator Gillibrand said. … Continue Reading
April 20, 2011
Gillibrand Calls on Defense Sec. Gates to Expedite Acquisition of MRI Equipment for Troops in Afghanistan
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called on the Department of Defense to support Joint Chiefs Chairman Mullen's request to expedite the modest purchase and deployment of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment to Afghanistan. Providing MRI equipment is critical in the treatment of traumatic brain injuries. Two MRI machines are being acquired through a lengthy competitive bidding process that could delay this equipment from reaching American troops on the ground in … Continue Reading
April 18, 2011
During Autism Awareness Month, Gillibrand Joins Senate Colleagues to Introduce Bill to Establish a National Autism Strategy
Washington, DC - During a month set aside to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bob Casey (D-PA), Bob Menendez (D-NM), and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) in introducing legislation that would create a comprehensive strategy to address the needs of families affected by autism spectrum disorder. The Autism Services and Workforce Acceleration Act authorizes federal funding for a wide range of service, … Continue Reading
April 15, 2011
Schumer, Gillibrand: Budget Deal Protects Long Island Commercial and Recreational Fishing Jobs; Catch Program That Could Have Put Fishermen Out of Work
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced that the 2011 Continuing Resolution will protect the Long Island commercial and recreational fishing industry and the thousands of jobs that come with it, by prohibiting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from using federal funds to implement any new flawed catch share programs in the Mid-Atlantic or New England fisheries. In a February letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, … Continue Reading
April 15, 2011
Gillibrand Stands With Monroe County First Responders to Call for Upgrade to Emergency Communications Systems
Rochester, New York - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood with Rochester / Finger Lakes first responders today to announce her support of legislation that would provide first responders and public safety officials with critical interoperable radio airwaves needed to effectively communicate in the event a major response is needed. The 9/11 Commission Report identified insufficient interoperability between communications systems used by first responders during the attacks and rescue efforts. … Continue Reading
April 15, 2011
Gillibrand Stands With Western New York First Responders to Call for Upgrade to Emergency Communications Systems
Buffalo, New York - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood with Western New York first responders today to announce her support of legislation that would provide first responders and public safety officials with critical interoperable radio airwaves needed to effectively communicate in the event a major response is needed. The 9/11 Commission Report identified insufficient interoperability between communications systems used by first responders during the attacks and rescue efforts. Senator … Continue Reading
April 15, 2011
Gillibrand Stands With Central New York First Responders to Call for Upgrade to Emergency Communications Systems
Syracuse, New York - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood with Western New York first responders today to announce her support of legislation that would provide first responders and public safety officials with critical interoperable radio airwaves needed to effectively communicate in the event a major response is needed. The 9/11 Commission Report identified insufficient interoperability between communications systems used by first responders during the attacks and rescue efforts. Senator … Continue Reading
April 15, 2011
Gillibrand-Risch Resolution Urging U.N. To Retract Flawed Goldston Report Passes U.S. Senate
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and James Risch (R-ID) announced today that a bipartisan resolution calling on the United Nations Human Rights Council to rescind the anti-Israel Goldstone report passed the U.S. Senate. The Senators introduced the resolution with the support of more than 30 Senators after Judge Richard Goldstone retracted key conclusions of his flawed and inflammatory report. In a recent Washington Post op-ed, Judge Richard Goldstone retracted his … Continue Reading
April 15, 2011
Gillibrand Calls on Feds to Provide Tax Credit for Wind Turbine Production in Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, and Ogdensburg
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the federal government to approve an investment tax credit to build wind turbines in manufacturing sites in Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Ogdensburg. The D'Arcinoff Group, a U.S. based company, is looking to operate clean technology manufacturing facilities in 15 plants across the U.S. According to their estimates, the four New York plants could employ up to 15,000 people, working in multiple shifts. If fully financed, Phase One … Continue Reading
April 14, 2011
Gillibrand Announces $27,000 For the Village of Elmira Heights Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $27,000 in federal funding for the Village of Elmira Heights Fire Department. These federal dollars will be used by the Village of Elmira Heights Fire Department to recruit additional first responders. The funding is allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. "This is a great investment for Elmira Heights," Senator Gillibrand said. "This … Continue Reading
April 14, 2011
To Help NY Dairy Farmers and Protect Consumers, Schumer, Gillibrand Push Legislation to Require Country of Origin Labeling on All Dairy Products
Washington, D.C. In an effort to ensure that families know where the dairy products in their shopping carts come from and to help New York dairy farmers stand out in a crowded marketplace, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, the first New York Senator to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in 40 years, reintroduced the Dairy COOL Act today. The bill would extend mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) to dairy products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's … Continue Reading
April 14, 2011
Gillibrand Joins With Bipartisan Coalition of Senators to Introduce “Serve” Act to Protect Sanctity of Military Funerals
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today joined with a bipartisan coalition of Senators to announce the introduction of a bill to protect military funerals from disruption by outside groups. The bipartisan legislation would amend existing federal laws to help prevent disruptions at military funerals. The Sanctity of Eternal Rest for Veterans, or "SERVE" Act (S.815), defines the time and place for protests at funerals, and it provides clear remedies and increased penalties when … Continue Reading
April 14, 2011
Gillibrand Urges President to Halt Deportations of Dream Act Youth
Washington, DC - U.S .Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Majority Leader Harry Reid, Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin, and 19 of her Senate colleagues today in calling on President Obama to halt deportations of young people who qualify for the DREAM Act and grant those students and young people deferred action on deportation proceedings. Currently, tens of thousands of young people who were brought to this country by their parents and pose no threat to our national security face the … Continue Reading
April 13, 2011
Gillibrand Announces More Than $500,000 For Cortland Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $535,598 in federal funding for the Cortland Fire Department. These federal dollars will be used by the Cortland Fire Department to recruit additional first responders. The funding is allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. "This is a great investment for Cortland," Senator Gillibrand said. "This federal investment will help improve the … Continue Reading
April 13, 2011
Gillibrand, Senate Democratic Women Call on Republicans to End Continued Assault on Women’s Health
Washington, DC-Today, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, together with Senate Democratic women, urged their Republican colleagues to vote against the upcoming resolutions that would eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood and roll back health care reform, and to end a continued legislative assault on women's health care options. The Senators highlighted the devastating impacts these resolutions would have on women and families across the country. "The election last November was not a mandate … Continue Reading
April 12, 2011
On Equal Pay Day, Gillibrand Joins Senate Colleagues In Introducing Bill To Close Pay Gap For Women
Washington, D.C. - In recognition of Equal Pay Day today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined with more than 20 of her Senate colleagues in introducing the Paycheck Fairness Act to strengthen federal pay equity laws and ensure equal pay for equal work. Equal Pay Day represents how much longer women must work, on average, to earn as much as what men earned the previous year. "As we mark yet another Equal Pay Day, it is alarming that in the 21st century, millions of women who make up half … Continue Reading
April 12, 2011
Schumer, Gillibrand: New York has The Right Stuff; NASA Chooses Intrepid To Host Space Shuttle Enterprise
United States Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced today that after a year of relentless lobbying, NASA has chosen New York City, out of 20 applications nationwide, as the final home for Space Shuttle Enterprise, one of three space shuttles that are scheduled to be displayed across the country. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will be home to the Enterprise in 2012. "Fifty years ago, President Kennedy chose to go to the Moon. Today, NASA chose New York. With … Continue Reading
