Press Releases
Schumer, Gillibrand Reveal: House Budget Cuts Could Delay Construction of Brookhaven National Lab’s National Lightsource II; Senators Urge Key Senate Committee to Fully Fund BNL’s Crucial Programs
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today revealed that under the budget passed by the House of Representatives, funding for key programs at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) would be slashed, jeopardizing research and high-tech jobs on Long Island. The House version of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill would cut funding for the ongoing construction of the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), delaying and increasing the total cost of … Continue Reading
December 08, 2011
With Final Decision Approaching, Gillibrand Renews Call for Historic Landmark Designation for USS Slater
Washington, DC - After a key decision last week paving the way to designate the USS Slater, one of the remaining World War II naval ships and only destroyer escort afloat in the United States, as a National Historic Landmark, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is renewing her call for its final approval, a decision expected within months. In her letter to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Senator Gillibrand wrote, "The USS Slater played a prominent role in American naval strategy and … Continue Reading
December 08, 2011
Gillibrand Statement on Obstruction of Consumer Watchdog
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement today after Senate Republicans blocked the confirmation of Richard Cordray to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: "The American people expect and deserve better than today's filibuster in the Senate. Creating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was an important step to ensure fundamental fairness for consumers when it comes to lending practices and much more. Richard Cordray has all the qualities … Continue Reading
December 08, 2011
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Approval of Petition for Compensation for Linde Ceramics Workers Exposed to Harmful Radiation
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health has unanimously approved the petition for eligible retirees of Linde Ceramics facility for the illnesses caused from radiation exposure on the job between November 1, 1947 and December 31, 1953. During the Cold War, employees of Linde Ceramics were exposed to radioactive materials, which then caused a variety of cancers and other injuries in many of those exposed. For … Continue Reading
December 06, 2011
Gillibrand Urges DOD to Require U.S.-Made Steel for Military Vehicles
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today urged the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to require American made steel be used for military vehicles. This change would boost domestic steel production and bring jobs to upstate New York. "In these tough economic times, it is critical that the federal government does everything it can to encourage manufacturing in the U.S.," Senator Gillibrand said. "I want to see 'Made in America' … Continue Reading
December 04, 2011
Gillibrand, Schneiderman Announce Federal Measure to Crackdown on Illegal Guns on the Heels of A.G.’S Investigation Finding Blatant Disregard of Current Law
New York, NY - Just days after New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's undercover investigation led to criminal charges against 10 New York gun dealers for illegal gun sales, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) was joined today by Schneiderman, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence to announce the introduction of federal legislation to crack down on corrupt gun dealers and eliminate the steady flow of illegal guns into New York. Nearly 90 … Continue Reading
December 02, 2011
Gillibrand Secures Senate Approval of Defense Department Review Boosting Minorities and Women in Military Leadership Positions
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced that her amendment requiring a Defense Department review of key Military Leadership Diversity Commission recommendations, including strengthening diversity among military leadership, and repealing the policy blocking women from serving in combat, was included in the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act that passed the Senate late last night. "More than sixty … Continue Reading
December 02, 2011
Gillibrand Secures Senate Approval for $50 Million for Nanotechnology Research and Development
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Armed Services Committee, secured Senate approval for an increased focus on nanotechnology research by the Defense Department, including a study to determine the need for a center for nanotechnology. If a new center is established, it is likely to be located at the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering devoted to research and development of nanotechnology. Senator Gillibrand included language in the … Continue Reading
December 02, 2011
Gillibrand Takes Action to Preserve Jobs of Members of the National Guard Who Serve the Nation
Washington D.C. -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that her bipartisan amendment to preserve civilian jobs of National Guard members is included in the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act that passed the full Senate last night. "This amendment is critical for members of the National Guard," Senator Gillibrand said. "Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line every day in the service of this country and it … Continue Reading
December 02, 2011
Gillibrand Secures Senate Approval for Defense Department Study on Recruiting and Retaining Cyber Warriors
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced the inclusion of her Cyberspace Warriors Act in the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the Senate late last night. While the establishment of U.S. Cyber Command and cyber components in each of the four services has been crucial to the development of military cyber security, military leaders recognize that attracting, retaining and maintaining cyber warriors … Continue Reading
December 02, 2011
Schumer, Gillibrand Secure Senate Passage of $20 Million for Schenectady Army Reserve Center from Key Senate Committee
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that the Senate has fully authorized $20 million for the construction of a new Army Reserve Center in Schenectady. The new facilities would allow for state-of-the-art, high security military and counter-terrorism training. "This federal investment would mean that state of the art, cutting edge training could happen right here in Schenectady," said … Continue Reading
December 02, 2011
Schumer, Gillibrand Secure Senate Passage of Nearly $54 Million for Fort Drum
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that the Senate has fully authorized $53.7 million for the construction and upgrading of several facilities at Fort Drum. These facilities would help address a variety of shortages that have occurred as the base's population and mission have grown over the past years. "We need to have the backs of our brave men and women, and their families, who are … Continue Reading
December 02, 2011
Gillibrand Secures Senate Approval for $1.2 Billion for Naval Reactor Programs Including in Saratoga County
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that the Senate has fully authorized $1.2 billion for naval reactor programs. Two of the three projects included in the funding would be overseen by Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) in West Milton. "This is great news for Saratoga County," Senator Gillibrand said. "KAPL's projects are crucial to the development of our Navy's capabilities. I will continue to work to … Continue Reading
December 02, 2011
Gillibrand Secures Senate Approval for an Army Reserve Installation at Fort Wadsworth
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that the Senate has fully authorized $18.55 million for Staten Island Army Reserve Center at Fort Wadsworth. The project would upgrade the three-building complex, improving training, boosting military recruitment, and lessening the travel burden on New York reservists. "This is great news for Staten Island," Senator Gillibrand said. "Building the Army Reserve Center right here … Continue Reading
December 01, 2011
Senator Gillibrand Testimony on “Insider Trading and Congressional Accountability”
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following testimony for the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Hearing on "Insider Trading and Congressional Accountability:" WATCH Senator Gillibrand's full testimony here "Thank you, Chairman Lieberman, and Ranking Member Collins, for holding this important hearing, and for inviting me to offer testimony this afternoon. Your strong leadership today in shining a light on this issue of fundamental … Continue Reading
December 01, 2011
Gillibrand: New Yorkers Have Two Weeks to Apply for Disaster Assistance from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging New Yorkers affected by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee to file their applications for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster assistance. December 15, the deadline to apply for federal assistance, is just two weeks away, and Senator Gillibrand wants to ensure that all New Yorkers eligible for federal assistance have access to it. "Hurricane Irene and Tropical Strom Lee had a … Continue Reading
November 30, 2011
With Key Decision on Historic Landmark Status for Montauk Point Lighthouse, Gillibrand Renews Call to Approve Status for Iconic Site
Suffolk, NY - With a key decision this week on whether or not to designate the Montauk Point Lighthouse as a National Historic Landmark, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today renewed her call for the National Park Service to approve the status for the iconic lighthouse- New York State's oldest lighthouse and one of the first seacoast lighthouses authorized by Congress. The National Park System (NPS) Advisory Board Landmarks Committee will make a key recommendation this week, with final … Continue Reading
November 28, 2011
Gillibrand Announces More Than $8.5 Million to Upgrade Senior Housing in Syracuse
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, today announced an $8,587,883 Assisted Living Conversion Program (ALCP) grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Loretto in Syracuse to support a multi-year project to renovate 39 units of affordable housing and install a full size elevator for senior citizens living at the Bernardine assisted living facility. "This is a great investment for Syracuse seniors," … Continue Reading
November 21, 2011
Gillibrand Applauds President’s Signing of Legislation to Put America’s Heroes Back to Work
Washington, D.C. - After a unanimous vote in the House last week, the President has signed the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, legislation co-sponsored by Senator Gillibrand that addresses unacceptably high rates of unemployment among veterans, including measures to incentivize their hiring and ease their transition into the work force. The bill, which passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support, aims to ensure that all troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have the necessary tools … Continue Reading
November 18, 2011
Gillibrand, Snowe, Feinstein Resolution Honoring the Life and Legacy of Evelyn H. Lauder Passes U.S. Senate
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) announced today their resolution honoring the life and legacy of Evelyn H. Lauder, a world-renowned champion of breast cancer research and advocate for women's health, has passed the U.S. Senate. Mrs. Lauder, who passed away this week at the age of 75, helped create the ubiquitous pink ribbon campaign which has increased breast cancer awareness around the globe. "We honor a great … Continue Reading