Press Releases
Bishop and LI Delegation Leading Fight to Keep Federal Aviation Jobs on Long Island
WASHINGTON - Congressman Tim Bishop met this morning with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and acting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta to make the case for Long Island as the site for a new integrated Air Traffic Control system for New York's Airports. Bishop spearheaded a letter to LaHood and Huerta signed by the entire Long Island Congressional Delegation, including US Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, requesting that the proposed … Continue Reading
June 06, 2012
In Floor Speech, Gillibrand Calls on Senate Not to Slash $4.5 Billion for Hungry Children
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to protect access to healthy, nutritious food for struggling children and families, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand took to the Senate floor today to urge her colleagues not to cut $4.5 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of the Farm Bill, now being debated by the full Senate. A $4.5 billion cut to SNAP funding would affect nearly 300,000 New York families, who would lose approximately $90 a month, according to estimates … Continue Reading
June 06, 2012
Gillibrand Announces Agriculture Disaster Declarations for NY Counties
Washington D.C. - At the urging of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued federal agriculture disaster declarations for New York Counties that experienced crop damage as a result of a spring freeze. Last week, Senator Gillibrand called on USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue disaster declarations so that farmers across New York State can access federal funds to help them recover losses and stay afloat this season. "Farmers across New York who were … Continue Reading
June 05, 2012
Gillibrand Statement on Senate Republicans Blocking Paycheck Fairness for Women
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement today after Senate Republicans voted to obstruct debate on the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation to close loopholes employers can use to shortchange workers, hold big corporations accountable for pay inequity, make it easier for workers to pursue back pay, and empower working women to be appropriately and accurately compensated for their work and value: "Shortchanging women on the job doesn't just rob them of … Continue Reading
June 05, 2012
At Gillibrand’s Urging, Army Corps of Engineers Approves Moving Forward on Feasibility Study for Dredging Port of Ogdensburg
Washington, D.C. - At the urging of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to move forward on executing a feasibility study, a critical next step to future dredging of the Port of Ogdensburg - the northernmost port in New York State and the only U.S. port on the St. Lawrence Seaway, where cargo shipping is again on the rise in the first five weeks of the 2012 waterway season. After hosting an economic development roundtable in in St. Lawrence Country in … Continue Reading
June 04, 2012
Gillibrand, “Top Chef” Star Tom Colicchio, & Leading Anti-Hunger Advocates Urge Congress to Restore Food Stamp Cuts, not Tighten its Belt on Backs of Hungry Children as Farm Bill Heads for Full Senate Vote
New York, NY - With the 2012 Farm Bill expected to head to the Senate floor for a vote later this week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the first member of the Senate Agriculture Committee from New York State in nearly forty years, was joined today by New York City restaurateur and "Top Chef" star Tom Colicchio, New York City Coalition Against Hunger Executive Director Joel Berg, Food Bank for New York City President & CEO Margarette Purvis, AARP NY State Director Joan Parrot-Fonseca, … Continue Reading
June 01, 2012
Gillibrand Urges HHS to Fund New Health & Wellness Center at St. John Baptist Church in Buffalo
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged U.S. Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to approve a request for federal funds from St. John Baptist Church in Buffalo to support a project to construct a multi-use wellness center. The project would generate the potential to create and sustain in excess of 40 new jobs for the Buffalo Area. In May, Senator Gillibrand wrote Secretary Sebelius, urging her to fully support the funding request. "When we invest in community … Continue Reading
June 01, 2012
Following Spring Freeze that Destroyed Crops, Gillibrand Calls on USDA to Issue Disaster Declarations for 34 NY Counties
Washington D.C. - After a spring freeze that destroyed cropland on farms stretching from Western New York to the Hudson Valley, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, New York's first member of the Senate Agriculture Committee in four decades, is calling on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to declare 34 New York counties as federal disaster areas. In a letter to Secretary Vilsack, Senator Gillibrand pressed for the disaster declarations so New York farmers can access … Continue Reading
May 31, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Federal Investment to Repair Runway at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport – Over $1.6 Million Will Fund Important Apron Rehabilitation
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that $1,620,000 in federal funding was awarded to the County of Tompkins through the Department of Transportation Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Tompkins will use this federal grant to expand the apron at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. The terminal apron rehabilitation was recommended as part of an FAR Part 139 inspection and is needed to meet safety requirements. "This Department of Transportation grant will … Continue Reading
May 31, 2012
After Meeting with Young Veterans Across the State Earlier this Month, Gillibrand Announces Key Senate Panel Passage of TAP Amendment
Washington, D.C. - After meeting with young veterans across the state earlier this month, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced Committee passage of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would allow veterans access to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for up to one year after separation. Last year, Senator Gillibrand hosted roundtable discussions across the state with local business and veterans leaders to … Continue Reading
May 31, 2012
Gillibrand Statement on Appeals Court Ruling DOMA Unconstitutional
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, one of the Senate's leading voices for marriage equality, issued the following statement today after the First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional: "Today's ruling is a major step forward to end the discrimination that is currently enshrined into U.S. law. Marriage is the true foundation for strong families. Every loving, committed couple deserves the basic human right to get married, start … Continue Reading
May 30, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand, Slaughter, Higgins and Hochul Say Decision to Close Canadian Consulate in Buffalo is a Mistake and Would be Sharply Felt by Citizens & Businesses on Both Sides of the Border; Reps Strongly Urge Canadian Government to Reverse Course
Buffalo, NY - Today, in light of news that the Canadian government will close its Consulate in Buffalo, the Western New York Congressional delegation wrote to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper strongly urging him to reverse course and consider the negative effects of this closure. The representatives noted that this decision will negatively impact Western New Yorkers, Canadians and businesses on both sides of the border. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) along … Continue Reading
May 30, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Federal Investment to Repair Runway at Lake Placid Airport – Over $780,000 Will Fund Important Apron Expansion
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that $783,750 in federal funding was awarded to the Town of North Elba through the Department of Transportation Airport Improvement Program (AIP). North Elba will use this federal grant to expand the apron at Lake Placid Airport. The expansion of the apron will provide additional space for aircraft parking. "This Department of Transportation grant will ensure that Lake Placid's Airport can continue to serve residents … Continue Reading
May 30, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Job-Generating Federal Investment for Capital District Transportation Authority –$5.5 Million Will Fund Critical Bus System Improvements
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the Department of Transportation is releasing $5,500,000 in grant funding through the Federal Transit Administration's Bus Livability Initiative Project for the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA). The CDTA will use these funds along the Route 5 corridor for capital improvements to intersections and bus stations, including connecting Bus Rapid Transit stations with high-speed fiber optic connectivity for … Continue Reading
May 30, 2012
Gillibrand Congratulates Presidential Innovation Award Winner Patricia Lockhart from the Hubert Humphrey School
Staten Island, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today congratulated Staten Island science teacher Patricia Lockhart from The Hubert Humphrey School PS 57 for winning the 2011-2012 President Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. Ms. Lockhart was one of eighteen teachers nationwide recognized for their exceptional work as leaders in the field of environmental education. "I congratulate Patricia Lockhart for her dedication and excellence in preparing our students for the new … Continue Reading
May 30, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Malone-Dufort Airport is Set to Receive Nearly $120,000 in Department of Transportation Funding for Runway Improvements
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Malone-Dufort Airport is set to receive $118,080 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funds to help rehabilitate the airport's runway. Specifically, the grant will fund the design of an updated runway to maintain structural integrity of the pavement and minimize debris. Schumer and Gillibrand applaud DOT for their work to increase safety at all airports. "This Department of Transportation grant will ensure … Continue Reading
May 30, 2012
Gillibrand Urges Feds to Support SUNY-ESF - Syracuse Police Effort to Fight Gun Violence
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the U.S. Department of Justice to fully fund SUNY-ESF and the Syracuse Police Department's joint request for federal funding to invest in the research and development of forensic technology to be developed by SUNY-ESF and used by law enforcement officials in the Greater Syracuse Area. Senator Gillibrand pressed the Justice Department to support this effort to strengthen investigations into gun violence in a letter to U.S. … Continue Reading
May 30, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand, Owens Urge Feds to Approve Plattsburgh - North Country Chamber’s Application for Funding to Attract New Businesses, Jobs to Region
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Bill Owens today announced a new effort to help attract new businesses and new jobs to the North Country by filling gaps in supply chains for local businesses that specialize in advanced manufacturing, such as transportation technology, clean energy, computer technology, biotechnology and aerospace. Currently, North Country manufacturers can sometimes suffer from long waits and high shipping costs for … Continue Reading
May 30, 2012
Gillibrand, Bishop Urge Commerce Secretary to Appoint New Yorker on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tim Bishop today urged Commerce Secretary John Bryson to appoint a New Yorker for an at-large seat at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and to seriously consider Governor Cuomo's three nominees for this appointment. Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Bishop noted that it is critical that the seat, currently held by New Yorker Steven Schafer and set to open up later this summer, is filled by a nominee who … Continue Reading
May 25, 2012
On the Eve of Memorial Day Weekend, Gillbrand Announces Key Senate Committee Approval of Amendment to Establish Yellow Ribbon Day to Honor Members of the Armed Forces Serving Overseas
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that a key Senate Committee included her amendment to establish "Yellow Ribbon Day" to honor U.S. Armed Forces currently in combat and crisis situations abroad, and to serve as a reminder to the American people of the sacrifice made by U.S. troops both present and past in the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. "Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line … Continue Reading
