Gillibrand Reacts to New Defense Department Report Showing 26,000 Sexual Assaults in the Military in FY ‘12

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement today after the Defense Department released its annual report on sexual assaults in the military. Gillibrand will be introducing legislation next week to remove decision making from the chain of command, which is the step necessary to create real accountability for assailants and justice for victims. "Today's report on the increased number of sexual assaults in the military is alarming. Despite … Continue Reading

As Farm Bill Nears Senate Floor, Gillibrand Outlines Priorities to Strengthen New York Farms

Washington, D.C. - As the Farm Bill moves through the Senate Agriculture Committee as early as this week, then on to full Senate consideration, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today outlined her priorities for the legislation to strengthen New York State's agriculture industry and rural communities. Senator Gillibrand, New York's first member of the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly four decades, is fighting to include measures that can strengthen specialty crop insurance, improve … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand, Velázquez Announce Bill to Expand National Park Service Designation for the Lower East Side Tenement Museum

New York, NY - U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Nydia Velázquez announced today that they will introduce legislation in both chambers of Congress that would expand the Lower East Side Tenement Museum's National Park Service (NPS) designation by including its second historic site at 103 Orchard Street. The Museum's first historic building at 97 Orchard Street has already been declared a "National Park Service Affiliate Site" in 1998. The Museum … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $115,000 for Dolgeville Volunteer Fire Department; Funding Means Vital Equipment for First Responders

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the Dolgeville Volunteer Fire Department is set to receive $115,173 in Round 24 of the FY12 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. AFG awards are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and are designed to help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources … Continue Reading

Gillibrand, Schumer, Blumenthal, Murphy Urge Feds to Boost Federal Funding 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) urged Senate leaders of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies to fund at least $10 million for the Environmental Protection Agency's Long Island Sound program for Fiscal Year 2014. Federal funding for restoration and stewardship programs to protect Long Island Sound expired at … Continue Reading

As Senate Begins Farm Bill Debate Next Week, Gillibrand, Leading Anti-Hunger Advocates Urge Congress to Stop Balancing Deficit by Slashing Food Stamps for the Most Vulnerable

New York, NY - With the U.S. Senate set to debate the 2013 Farm Bill starting next week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, was joined today by New York City Coalition Against Hunger Executive Director Joel Berg, Food Bank For New York City President & CEO Margarette Purvis, and AARP New York's Senior Program Specialist Christine Deska, in urging Congress not to tighten its fiscal belt on the backs of children, seniors, veterans, and … Continue Reading

Gillibrand, Hanna Praise New USDA Standard for Greek Yogurt

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Representative Richard Hanna applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) finalization this week of a first-ever Commercial Item Description (CID) for Greek yogurt. Commercial Item Descriptions are product descriptions that describe the most important characteristics of a commercial product. They are official U.S. Government procurement documents that guide purchases of … Continue Reading

Senators Schumer, Gillibrand, Congressman Owens Applaud Pfizer Trade Adjustment Approval

Plattsburgh, NY - This week, Pfizer announced that their application to the U.S. Department of Labor for Trade Adjustment Assistance was accepted, opening new opportunities for laid-off workers from Pfizer's Rouses Point facility. The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program is a federal program that assists U.S. workers who have lost their jobs by providing opportunities to obtain the skills, credentials, resources, and support necessary to find new jobs. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand Call on Feds to Ensure Ithaca-Tompkins and Griffiss Int’l Airport Contract Towers Stay Open – Congress Has Now Spared FAA Cuts, but Fed Plan Not Yet Determined for Contract Towers

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand called on the federal government to ensure the funds appropriated by Congress last Friday to avoid the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cuts be used to keep open the air traffic control towers at the Ithaca-Tompkins Regional Airport and Griffiss Int'l Airport, which are critical to the local communities, businesses and economic growth. Specifically, Schumer and Gillibrand wrote a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $7 Million in Federal Funding for Fire Island’s Village of Saltaire as a Result of Superstorm Sandy

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced over $7 million in federal funding for the village of Saltaire for the repair and restoration of the boardwalk style roads as a result of Superstorm Sandy. The funding is being provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance program. "Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage to the boardwalk and roads in the village of Saltaire and, with the summer months approaching, they need to … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $30,000 Federal Grant for Ogdensburg Fire Department

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the City of Ogdensburg Fire Department is set to receive $28,612 in federal funding to upgrade dispatch and portable radios, and outdated personal protective equipment. The funding is allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "With this funding, Ogdensburg firefighters can focus on their important work knowing that they have … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand Secure Nearly $60,000 Federal Grant for People Inc.

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $59,481 in federal funding for People Inc. to implement a smoke detector replacement campaign and install kitchen stove fire suppression equipment in their facility for seniors and families with disabilities. The funding is allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "With this funding, People Inc. can continue their work with … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $40,000 Federal Grant for Pilot Knob Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Inc.

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced Pilot Knob Volunteer Firefighter's Association Inc. is set to receive $40,945 in federal funding to purchase a new thermal imaging camera and turnout gear. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "With this funding, Pilot Knob volunteer firefighters can focus on their important work protecting life and property," said Senator Schumer. … Continue Reading

At The Orchards of Concklin, Gillibrand Announces New Jobs Bill Aimed at Helping Expand Markets for Farmers and Increasing Availability of Nutritious Locally-Grown Food

Pomona, NY - After touring the Orchards of Concklin, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced new legislation that would expand markets for farmers and increase the availability of nutritious locally-grown food for consumers. The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act would help New York farmers by addressing production, aggregation, marketing and distribution needs while helping consumers access and afford fresh, nutritious food. "By investing in local and regional agriculture, we are investing in … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $500,000 in Federal Funding for Public Transportation in the City of Long Beach after Superstorm Sandy

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced over $500,000 in emergency relief funding for the City of Long Beach. This federal funding is administered through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and will provide the City of Long Beach with funding for emergency operating costs incurred after Superstorm Sandy to keep the bus fleet operational. These operating costs include repairing the damaged maintenance facility, moving transit equipment to higher ground … Continue Reading

Gillibrand Hails City of Binghamton as Environmental Champion

Binghamton, NY - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, congratulated the City of Binghamton for winning the 2013 Environmental Quality Award. The City, which Senator Gillibrand nominated this past February, will receive the Environmental Protection Agency's prestigious honor for their commitment and significant contributions to greening the region. "I congratulate the City of Binghamton for their dedication to securing a cleaner … Continue Reading

Gillibrand Urges Feds to Boost Suffolk County’s Exports

Melville, NY - Standing at International Warehouse Group, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of President Obama's Export Council, and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today urged the U.S. Commerce Department to approve Suffolk County's request to expand its Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program, which would encourage more companies with import and export operations across the county to take advantage of associated tax breaks and incentives. Currently, Suffolk County and the Town of … Continue Reading

At the Healthy Living Market in Wilton Mall, Gillibrand Announces New Jobs Bill Aimed at Helping Expand Markets for Farmers and Increasing Availability of Nutritious Locally-Grown Food

Wilton, NY - After touring the Healthy Living Market in Wilton Mall, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced new legislation that would expand markets for farmers and increase the availability of nutritious locally-grown food for consumers. The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act would help New York farmers by addressing production, aggregation, marketing and distribution needs while helping consumers access and afford fresh, nutritious food. "By investing in local and regional agriculture, … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $300,000 Federal Grant for Andover Fire Department; Investment Means Vital Equipment for First Responders

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced that the Andover Fire Department will receive a $303,789 federal grant in Round 23 of the FY12 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. AFG awards are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and are designed to help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other … Continue Reading

Gillibrand Announces $200,000 for Groundwork Hudson Valley for Brownfield Revitalization Effort in Yonkers

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal grant worth $200,000 for Groundwork Hudson Valley to plan the clean-up and reuse of abandoned brownfield property in Yonkers. The federal investment is allocated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Area-Wide Planning program. The effort follows legislation that Senator Gillibrand introduced in September to revitalize brownfield sites across the country. "Yonkers is bursting with … Continue Reading