Press Releases
With Nearly 1.8 Million New Yorkers Earning Minimum Wage or Just Above, Gillibrand Announces New Push to Increase Federal Minimum Wage
Washington, D.C. - With nearly 1.8 million New Yorkers earning the minimum wage or just above this rate - roughly 20 percent of all workers across the state -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a new effort to increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 over the next three years, with future increases indexed to the rate of inflation. Senator Gillibrand is pushing to pass the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013, legislation she is an original co-sponsor of that would … Continue Reading
March 18, 2013
Schumer Launches Effort to Restore Hotel Syracuse as Anchor for Downtown Development, Bring $10 Million in Tax Credits to Historic Landmark – Recently Extended New Market Tax Credits Could Help Revamp Hotel, Boost Other Business Downtown
Today, across from the Hotel Syracuse at the Syracuse Technology Garden, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer pushed a plan to bring critical funding to the Hotel Syracuse redevelopment project, which would renovate and add over 330 hotel rooms, provide a major boost to the Onondaga County Convention Center, and create nearly 400 jobs. Schumer fought successfully at year's end to extend the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC), and today urged the Department of Treasury to approve a pending application … Continue Reading
March 18, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce that Dozens of Life-Saving River Gauges in Susquehanna River Basin will Remain Up-and-Running this Year – Feds Have Heeded Call & Will Provide $215,000 in Disaster Relief Funding to Keep Gauges Online in Southern Tier
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has set aside a portion of its disaster relief funding in order to keep dozens of stream and river gauges in the Susquehanna River Basin online, which were set to be shut off March 1st. The Senators said that these devices are critical in determining when waterways throughout the Susquehanna River Basin are nearing flooding levels. In February of this … Continue Reading
March 15, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Senate Committee Passage of Bill to Create Harriet Tubman National Historical Parks – Call for Vote on Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced Senate committee passage of legislation to establish the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn as a National Historical Park, which will also encompass the Tubman Home for the Aged, the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church and Rectory. The bill also establishes the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Maryland. Schumer and Gillibrand are sponsors of the Senate legislation, in conjunction with … Continue Reading
March 15, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $250,000 Federal Grant for Arlington Fire District
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced today $237,800 in federal funding for the Arlington Fire District to improve recruitment and retention programs. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program. "With these funds, Arlington residents can rest easy knowing even more firefighters stand at the ready to protect their community," said Senator … Continue Reading
March 15, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand, Bishop Announce Over $1 Million in Federal Funding for Cleanup After Superstorm Sandy in the Town of Southampton
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Congressman Tim Bishop today announced $1,680,101 of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding for the Town of Southampton, which will reimburse a majority of the cost of debris removal in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. "Superstorm Sandy hammered neighborhoods on the east-end of Long Island, creating a massive cleanup effort by Town of Southampton officials and a burden for local taxpayers," … Continue Reading
March 14, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand, Lowey, Maloney Announce Over $3.5 Million in Federal Funding for Cleanup after Superstorm Sandy in the Hudson Valley
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Reps. Nita Lowey and Sean Patrick Maloney announced the Town of Bedford in Westchester County was awarded $1,195,441 and the Town of Clarkstown in Rockland County was awarded $2,406,314 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding which will reimburse the cost of debris removal in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. "Superstorm Sandy destroyed neighborhoods in Bedford and Clarkstown, creating a … Continue Reading
March 14, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $100,000 Federal Grant for Village of Elmira Heights Fire Department
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the Village of Elmira Heights Fire Department is set to receive $106,277 in federal funding to purchase new personal protective clothing to replace their currently outdated clothing. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "With this funding, Elmira firefighters will be better equipped to protect our communities," said Senator Schumer. … Continue Reading
March 13, 2013
Senator Gillibrand’s Opening Statement at Armed Services Subcommittee Hearing Examining Sexual Assaults in the Military
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following prepared remarks of her opening statement at today's Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel hearing examining sexual assault in the military: "It is an honor and privilege to Chair this hearing of the Personnel Subcommittee this morning. I want to thank the Ranking Member of this Subcommittee, Senator Lindsey Graham, for his support and working with me to move this hearing forward as quickly as … Continue Reading
March 13, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $2.5 Million in FEMA Funding for Fdny after Superstorm Sandy
New York, NY - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $2,512,748 of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding for Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), which will reimburse the cost of personnel and equipment used to help clear debris throughout city streets in order to allow vehicles to access roadways and respond to emergencies. "New York City firefighters put their lives on the line to protect New Yorkers during … Continue Reading
March 12, 2013
Gillibrand Urges Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano to Reverse New TSA Rule Allowing Small Knives on Planes
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) urged Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to reverse a decision by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that allows travelers to carry small retractable blade knives on airplanes. Senator Gillibrand stressed that threats posed by these small knives should not be ignored, noting the fact that airlines and airports have been prime terrorist targets since the September 11th attack, with the most recent threat … Continue Reading
March 11, 2013
Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Richard Blumenthal, Congressman Chris Gibson, Tick-Borne Disease Alliance, and Weill Cornell Medical College Host NYC Forum on Silent Epidemic of Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases
New York, NY - Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Congressman Chris Gibson (R-NY), in partnership with the Tick-Borne Disease Alliance (TBDA), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and promoting advocacy to find a cure for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, hosted a forum at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City to discuss the fight against the silent epidemic of tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease. A … Continue Reading
March 08, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand, Bishop Announce Over $4 Million in Federal Funding for Cleanup after Superstorm Sandy in Suffolk County
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Congressman Tim Bishop today announced $4,023,035 million of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding for Suffolk County, which will reimburse the cost of debris removal in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. "Superstorm Sandy destroyed neighborhoods throughout Suffolk County, creating a massive cleanup effort for Suffolk County's sanitation department and placing a burden on local taxpayers," … Continue Reading
March 07, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $125,000 Federal Grant for Fire Department of Westfield
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the Fire Department of Westfield is set to receive $126,825 in federal funding to purchase new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) air packs. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "With this funding, Westfield firefighters will be safer as they pursue their important work protecting life and property," said Senator Schumer. "This … Continue Reading
March 07, 2013
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $70,000 Federal Grant for West Oneonta Fire Department
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the Fire Department of West Oneonta is set to receive $71,250 in federal funding to purchase 10 new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) packs. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "With this funding, West Oneonta firefighters will be safer as they pursue their important keeping our community safe," said Senator Schumer. "This … Continue Reading
March 07, 2013
Major Momentum Continues for First Federal Law on Gun Trafficking: Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Guns Passes Judiciary Committee with Support of Ranking Member Grassley
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement today after the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2013 passed out of the Judiciary Committee on a bipartisan vote of 11-7 with the support of Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA). Gillibrand has worked for several weeks with Senator Grassley to improve a proposal originally introduced with Senator Kirk (R-IL). The Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2013 harmonizes two previously … Continue Reading
March 07, 2013
The Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2013
Earlier this week, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) unveiled a new bill to combat straw purchasing and gun trafficking that will be considered by the Judiciary Committee today. The Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2013 harmonizes two previously existing proposals by Gillibrand-Kirk and Leahy-Durbin into one bipartisan product. This legislation provides law enforcement officials … Continue Reading
March 06, 2013
Gillibrand Announces Witnesses for March 13th Senate Hearing Examining Sexual Assaults in the Military
Washington, DC -U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the newly named Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, announced today the witnesses for her first subcommittee hearing to investigate sexual assault in the military on Wednesday, March 13th. U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel Room SH-216 Hart Senate Office Building Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. OPEN To receive testimony on sexual assaults in the … Continue Reading
March 04, 2013
Gillibrand Announces Yaddo Achieves Historic Landmark Designation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced Yaddo has officially achieved National Historic Landmark Status, with U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar giving his final stamp approval for the designation, which Senator Gillibrand personally advocated for. "Saratoga's own Yaddo is a source of great pride and has a legacy of artistic tradition that sparked a century's worth of creativity that continues to enrich our lives," Senator Gillibrand said. "To this day, Yaddo … Continue Reading
March 04, 2013
Gillibrand Urges VA Secretary to Reduce Over One-Year Long Backlog of Veterans Claims at New York City VA Office
New York - With New York veterans facing one of the longest wait times in the nation when it comes to processing cases by their local Veterans Affairs (VA) office in New York City, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today urged VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to deploy teams of staff from other regional offices to help speed up the growing backlog of cases at the city's local VA office. With 12,500 cases still pending through the city office, … Continue Reading
