Press Releases
Gillibrand, Lieberman, Udall Urge Department of Defense to Streamline Process to Correct Discharge Documents for Veterans Dismissed Under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Joseph Lieberman, and Mark Udall today urged the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to streamline their process for veterans discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) to have their discharge documents changed so that it is easier for veterans to gain employment. In their letter to DOD Secretary Leon Panetta, the Senators urged him to expedite the creation of a process that would streamline the process for these veterans who were discharged … Continue Reading
April 25, 2012
Senators Gillibrand, Brown to DOD: Maintain Civilian Workforce Before Awarding More Costly Private Contracts
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Sherrod Brown today led 26 senators on a letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta urging the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to implement sourcing and workforce management laws, and to use civilian personnel where possible as opposed to awarding more costly private contracts. The senators are urging the Department to make sourcing decisions based on merit, and urge against using contract … Continue Reading
April 25, 2012
Gillibrand Introduces Legislation to Rid NYC Airports of Bird Strikes by Cutting Through Federal Bureaucratic Red Tape
Washington D.C. - After another plane departing from a New York area airport was struck by geese last night forcing an emergency landing, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced new legislation today that would cut bureaucratic red tape between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Park Service (NPS) allowing for the swift removal of Canada geese currently posing a public safety risk at major New York airports. Since the … Continue Reading
April 24, 2012
Gillibrand Urges Air Canada to Land at Long Island MacArthur Airport
Islip, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today urged Air Canada to come to Long Island MacArthur Airport (LIMA) and create a Long Island-Toronto flight service route after recent reports that Air Canada may be considering expansion. Senator Gillibrand touted the advantages Air Canada would have from serving nearly two million travelers in the airport's immediate area and the accessibility that MacArthur airport would offer. Senator Gillibrand wrote in a letter to Air Canada CEO … Continue Reading
April 24, 2012
Gillibrand Calls for Historic Register Listing for Kenmore-Tonawanda Municipal Building
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged National Park Service (NPS) to include the Kenmore-Tonawanda Municipal Building on the National Registry of Historic Places. This designation would increase tourism profits while preserving the historic architectural tradition of Western New York. "Western New York is home to some of the most historic architecture in the country," Senator Gillibrand said. "Giving the Kenmore-Tonawanda Municipal Building historic status would help … Continue Reading
April 23, 2012
Gillibrand: NYU-Poly Applied Sciences Campus in Downtown Brooklyn is a Winning Idea for NYC
New York, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today commended the launch of the new partnership among New York City, New York University and The Polytechnic Institute of New York University to create a new applied sciences campus in Downtown Brooklyn, with a preferred location of the underutilized building at 370 Jay Street. In a December letter to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, the Senator applauded his administration for the successful Applied Science New York competition that resulted in … Continue Reading
April 23, 2012
Gillibrand, Schumer, Brown Praise President's Executive Order to Impose Sanctions Against Syria and Iran
Washington, DC - United States Senators Kirsten E. Gillibrand, Charles E. Schumer and Sherrod Brown today praised President Obama's executive order to impose sanctions against the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad and the government of Iran. The executive order comes after the Senators introduced a similar measure against Syria, which passed a key Senate committee in February. In the face of the Syrian government's violent and bloody crackdown on opposition protestors in the country, the … Continue Reading
April 19, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Reveal Plan to Name Buffalo Federal Courthouse After Robert H. Jackson, Supreme Court Justice From WNY, Famous for Role in Nuremberg Trials
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand reveal their plan to name the Buffalo Federal Courthouse after Robert H. Jackson, the distinguished Supreme Court Justice raised in Jamestown, famous for his role as chief prosecutor in the international Nuremberg Trials. Ahead of the official May 3rd dedication ceremony, Schumer and Gillibrand will introduce Senate legislation for the Courthouse to be named after Robert Jackson who began his legal career in a Jamestown firm and … Continue Reading
April 17, 2012
Following Year of Unprecedented Natural Disasters, Gillibrand Fights to Protect Investments that Help New York Communities Increase Preparedness, Reduce Costs, Damage of Disasters
Washington D.C. - Following a year of disaster declarations in 41 of New York's 62 counties, including back to back tropical storms, the Department of Homeland Security budget faces devastating cuts to funding for the National Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund, which supports efforts to reduce the cost and damage of disasters. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today is urging Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Committee leaders to protect this important funding, as well as investments in the … Continue Reading
April 13, 2012
Standing at Werecycle! in Mount Vernon, Gillibrand Announces Legislation to Promote Domestic Recycling of Electronic Waste, Combat Dangerous Handling of E-Waste Overseas
Mount Vernon, NY - Standing at one of Westchester County's largest electronic waste recycling facilities, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced legislation to promote domestic recycling of electronic waste. The Responsible Electronics Recycling Act would grow the domestic electronic recycling industry by limiting the export of electronic waste to countries that disregard the environmental impacts of their practices and exploit their workers. While many countries have laws in place to … Continue Reading
April 13, 2012
Gillibrand, Israel Host Protect Long Island Sound Roundtable
Oyster Bay, NY - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Steve Israel hosted a Protect the Long Island Sound roundtable with local stakeholders at the Sagamore Yacht Club. Federal funding for restoration and stewardship programs to protect Long Island Sound expired at the end of 2011. Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Rep. Israel, a co-chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, introduced legislation last month to support the … Continue Reading
April 04, 2012
President Obama Signs Gillibrand Co-Authored Stock Act Into Law Making Insider Trading by Members of Congress Illegal
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today applauded President Obama's signing of the STOCK Act into law. The bipartisan legislation passed the Senate almost unanimously and was led in the House of Representatives by fellow New Yorker Rep. Louise Slaughter. The new law is a common sense solution to make insider trading by members of Congress, their staff and their families clearly and expressly illegal. Senator Gillibrand has been a leading advocate for increasing the … Continue Reading
April 03, 2012
Gillibrand Fights to Protect Investment for Key Law Enforcement Program to Fight Crime, Drug Trafficking
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined a bipartisan coalition of Senators in urging the Senate Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies to fully support the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Program, a grant program designed to assist law enforcement agencies in their efforts to reduce crime, prevent juvenile delinquency and reduce recidivism. Last year, New York State received a total of $19.745 million. "The Byrne JAG … Continue Reading
March 29, 2012
Gillibrand Introduces Legislation to Require National Parks to Sell Only American-Made Products
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today introduced the American Parks, American Products Act to the Senate. The bill would require all items sold by National Parks Service gift shops to be produced in the United States. "This is commonsense legislation to stamp products sold at America's National Parks with the words 'Made in America,'" Senator Gillibrand said. "The pride of our National Parks goes hand in hand with the pride of American-made products and our strong … Continue Reading
March 29, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $790,000 for Suffolk County Fire Districts
Suffolk, NY - U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $791,600 in federal funding for the Smithtown, Halesite, Kings Park, Melville, and Centerport Fire Districts. This grant will go towards purchasing new breathing apparatus for firefighters as well as additional air tanks and individual masks. "This funding will ensure that our firefighters have the latest equipment they need to protect Suffolk County residents," said Schumer. "By funding the purchase of … Continue Reading
March 29, 2012
Gillibrand Announces Nearly $140,000 for Point Pleasant Fire District
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $139,422 in federal funding for the Point Pleasant Fire District to upgrade their air packs. This will allow them to respond to emergencies safely and more effectively. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "This federal funding is so important for the Point Pleasant Fire District," Senator Gillibrand said. "Our firefighters put their lives … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012
Gillibrand Announces Over $100,000 for City Of Beacon Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $101,856 in federal funding for the City of Beacon Fire Department to purchase new turnout gear for their firefighters. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. In September, Senator Gillibrand wrote to FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate to encourage FEMA to support the City of Beacon Fire Department's request for federal funding. "This … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012
After Natural Disasters Hit Nearly Three-Quarters of New York’s 62 Counties Last Year, Gillibrand Announces More Than $50 Million That Local Communities Can Now Apply for to Assist with Their Economic Recovery
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $53,735,000 is now available for New York communities affected by natural disasters to apply for from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA). Counties that have received major disaster declarations in the past year will be eligible for the funding designated for long-term strategic planning, infrastructure development and capital for alternative financing. "Nearly three quarters of the New … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012
Gillibrand Hails Consortium for Worker Education as Environmental Champion
Bronx, NY - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, congratulated the Consortium for Worker Education (CWE) for winning the 2012 Environmental Quality Award. The non-profit agency, which Senator Gillibrand nominated this past February, is partnering with Sustainable South Bronx and the Osborne Association to recruit and train Bronx residents for city jobs in emerging green industries. The organization is set to receive the Environmental … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand: Plan to Eliminate Highland Falls Impact Aid Funding Could Be Devastating for Teachers & Students – Senators Push to Restore Funding for Highland Falls Classrooms
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced their push to protect the Highland Falls school district from steep cuts in federal Impact Aid that would cripple the school district. The Administration's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year would eliminate Impact Aid Section 8002 Funding, a program that provides funding for districts that cover a large portion of federally-owned, nontaxable land. Highland Falls relies on the program that provided over $1.9 … Continue Reading
