Press Releases
Gillibrand Statement on Meeting with Senator Hagel
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement today after meeting with Senator Chuck Hagel ahead of his confirmation hearing next week: "Senator Hagel and I just had a frank and expansive conversation in my office that explored his record and views on a number of issues that had caused me concern. I am satisfied that his substantive answers were sincere. "I fully expect that in the upcoming confirmation … Continue Reading
January 24, 2013
Gillibrand Presses Feds to Invest in Syracuse Inner Harbor
Washington, D.C. - On the heels of winning a state grant to support development efforts at Syracuse's Inner Harbor, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is today calling for federal investment into the project. Senator Gillibrand is urging the U.S. Economic Development Agency (EDA) to direct funding to support the construction of a mixed-use community to increase public access to the waterfront, and host a range of residential and commercial uses. The effort follows legislation that Senator … Continue Reading
January 23, 2013
Gillibrand Applauds Defense Decision to Lift Ban On Women in Combat
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement after the U.S. Defense Department announced it will lift the ban on women serving in combat. Senator Gillibrand fought for and secured a Defense Department feasibility report on lifting the ban as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2013 that passed in December. "This is a proud day for our country and the step we need to formally recognize the brave women who are already fighting and dying for … Continue Reading
January 23, 2013
Gillibrand Announces More Than $75,000 for Savona Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $75,288 in federal funding for the Savona Fire Department to replace obsolete air packs to help improve safety as they respond to emergencies. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "This is an important investment for the Savona Fire Department," said Senator Gillibrand. "Our fighters put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and it's … Continue Reading
January 23, 2013
Senator Gillibrand Teams Up With Civil Rights Leader Rep. John Lewis to Reintroduce Voter Empowerment Act in Senate
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today reintroduced the Senate companion of the Voter Empowerment Act as Rep. John Lewis (GA-5), House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5), Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn (SC-6), Rep. John Conyers (MI-13), and Rep. Robert Brady (PA-1) reintroduced legislation authored by Civil Rights icon Rep. Lewis in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Voter Empowerment Act will help ensure equal access to the ballot for every eligible voter, … Continue Reading
January 23, 2013
Ayotte, Gillibrand: U.S. Must Help Expedite Delivery of Humanitarian Aid to Syrian People
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following a meeting last week with Syrian opposition leaders, U.S. Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) are urging President Obama to dramatically expedite delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, including the Syrian Opposition Council. In a letter to President Obama yesterday, the Senators called on the Administration to review the State Department's current assistance to the Council and bolster public support for the Council. … Continue Reading
January 21, 2013
Gillibrand Statement Commemorating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "Today, as we gather in Washington see President Obama sworn-in for his second term, we also celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. His dream of freedom, justice, and equality is the American dream. "As we reflect on Dr. King's life and sacrifice, we must remain committed to his spirit of cooperation and collaboration as we face … Continue Reading
January 17, 2013
Gillibrand Announces More Than $60,000 for Batavia Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $60,367 in federal funding for the City of Batavia Fire Department to train new firefighters and upgrade equipment for first responders. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "This is an important investment for the Batavia Fire Department," said Senator Gillibrand. "Our firefighters risk their lives day in and day out to keep us safe, and … Continue Reading
January 17, 2013
Gillibrand, Senate Colleagues Urge Feds to Delay Judgment on Same-Sex Couples’ Green Card Cases, Halt Deportation Orders Until Supreme Court Rules on DOMA
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), an original co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act to repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), was joined today by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Al Franken (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Patty Murray (D-WA) in urging Attorney … Continue Reading
January 17, 2013
Gillibrand, Hanna Urge USDA to Reclassify Greek Yogurt in Nutrition Guidelines
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Representative Richard Hanna today renewed their call to officially reclassify Greek yogurt as a source of protein under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) MyPlate nutrition guides. Currently, Greek yogurt is not differentiated from traditional yogurt, despite having twice the amount of protein. "Greek yogurt is packed with healthy protein and should be available to our … Continue Reading
January 16, 2013
Gillibrand Statement on Today’s Meeting with Egyptian President Morsi on Bipartisan Codel Trip to Egypt
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement today after meeting with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and other top officials today as part of a bipartisan Senate Armed Services Committee delegation trip to the country. The Senators' visit to Egypt assessed Egyptian policies in the wake of the Arab Spring, focusing on Egypt's commitment towards peace with Israel, the state of democratic institutions in Egypt, security in Sinai and the rights of Egyptian … Continue Reading
January 16, 2013
Gillibrand’s Anti-Gun Trafficking Measure to Crack Down on Illegal Guns Included in President’s Comprehensive “Task Force to Prevent Gun Violence” Plan
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement today after President Obama announced the inclusion of anti-gun trafficking legislation, first authored by Gillibrand in 2009, as part of a comprehensive plan crafted by his "Task Force to Prevent Gun Violence" led by Vice President Biden. Gillibrand's Gun Trafficking Prevention Act, which would be the first federal law to define gun trafficking as a federal crime, is aimed at preventing the scores of illegal … Continue Reading
January 15, 2013
NJ, NY Senators' Statement on House Passage of Sandy Relief Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed a $50.6 billion Sandy disaster relief bill. Lautenberg, Schumer, Menendez and Gillibrand were main co-authors of the Senate's $60.4 billion emergency supplemental funding bill to bring relief to residents, homeowners, businesses, and local governments, which passed last year. "It's … Continue Reading
January 11, 2013
As Temperatures Drop and Heating Bills Soar, Gillibrand & Slaughter Urge Administration to Fund Weatherization Assistance Program
Rochester, NY - With temperatures in the Finger Lakes Region dropping and heating bills soaring, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter urged the Administration to fund the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the State Energy Program (SEP). WAP helps families reduce energy bills by making homes more energy efficient. Funds are used to improve the energy performance in homes using the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available in the housing … Continue Reading
January 11, 2013
Gillibrand Statement on Obama Announcement of U.S. Transition from Combat Operations in Afghanistan this Spring
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement following President Obama's announcement that U.S. forces in Afghanistan will end most combat operations starting this spring and transition to a support role. Senator Gillibrand was one of the Senate's leading voices pressing for an aggressive drawdown of combat troops from Afghanistan. "President Obama's announcement today regarding his policy winding down … Continue Reading
January 11, 2013
At Gillibrand Urging, FEMA Extends Deadline for Thousands of Superstorm Sandy Victims Living in Temporary Hotels and Motels
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today announced that FEMA granted a two-week extension that allows an estimated 2,400 New York residents displaced from Superstorm Sandy to temporarily live in hotels and motels through January 27, 2013. With an upcoming deadline looming for displaced residents who would have been forced to leave their temporary shelters this Sunday, Senator Gillibrand pressed FEMA Administrator Fugate earlier this week to extend their stay as they … Continue Reading
January 11, 2013
As Temperatures Drop and Heating Bills Soar, Gillibrand & Maffei Urge Administration to Fund Weatherization Assistance Program
Syracuse, NY - With temperatures in Central New York dropping and heating bills soaring, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Dan Maffei urged the Administration to fund the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the State Energy Program (SEP). WAP helps families reduce energy bills by making homes more energy efficient. Funds are used to improve the energy performance in homes using the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available in the housing industry. In New … Continue Reading
January 11, 2013
As Temperatures Drop and Heating Bills Soar, Gillibrand Urges Administration to Fund Weatherization Assistance Program
Buffalo, NY - With temperatures in Western New York dropping and heating bills soaring, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged the Administration to fund the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the State Energy Program (SEP). WAP helps families reduce energy bills by making homes more energy efficient. Funds are used to improve the energy performance in homes using the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available in the housing industry. In New York, SEP helps fund the New … Continue Reading
January 10, 2013
Gillibrand Announces $45,000 for Elmira Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $45,000 in federal funding for the Elmira Fire Department to purchase a new breathing air compressor for their first responders to help improve safety as they respond to emergencies. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "This is an important investment for the Elmira Fire Department," said Senator Gillibrand. "It's our responsibility to … Continue Reading
January 08, 2013
As Temperatures Drop and Heating Bills Soar, Gillibrand & Hanna Urge Administration to Fund Weatherization Assistance Program
Owego, NY - With temperatures in the Southern Tier dropping and heating bills soaring, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Richard Hanna urged the Administration to fund the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the State Energy Program (SEP). WAP helps families reduce energy bills by making homes more energy efficient. Funds are used to improve the energy performance in homes using the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available in the housing industry. In New … Continue Reading
