Press Releases
Gillibrand To EPA: Don’t Let Gulf Oil Spill Workers Follow The Same Fate As 9/11 Workers
Washington, DC - As British Petroleum (BP) dumps unprecedented levels of chemicals into the Gulf of Mexico to disperse the oil, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to use her legal authority to force BP to disclose confidential information related to the chemicals used in the dispersants. There are growing concerns over the confidential chemical make-up of the dispersant being used in the Gulf and its potential … Continue Reading
June 02, 2010
Gillibrand Asks Secretary Of State To Help Preserve Ancient Jewish Burial Grounds
Washington, DC - With historic Jewish cemeteries across Europe being desecrated, vandalized, or redeveloped, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to encourage embassies and local governments abroad to preserve these burial sites, which represent thousands of years of Jewish tradition and are the few ancient European Jewish burial grounds still in existence. Moving or disturbing these sites is a … Continue Reading
May 31, 2010
Gillibrand Statement On Latest Developments In Middle East
Washington, D.C. - In response to the latest developments in the Middle East and specific comments from the UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued the following statement: "I am greatly concerned by public statements earlier today from a UN official that displays an alarming rush to judgment against Israel before the facts have been gathered and ignores Israel's basic … Continue Reading
May 28, 2010
Ahead Of Memorial Day Weekend, Senator Gillibrand Announces New Effort To Help Prepare New York Veterans For The Jobs Of Tomorrow
New York State -- Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced landmark bipartisan veteran's employment legislation that would prepare New York veterans for the jobs of tomorrow. Currently, more than 21 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are unemployed. The Veterans Employment Act of 2010 is the first bipartisan legislation that would address skyrocketing veteran's unemployment rates with a series of proposals to improve job training, help veterans … Continue Reading
May 28, 2010
Gillibrand Joins Amicus Brief In Support Of Rights Of Military Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today joined many of her Senate colleagues on an amicus brief filed today in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder's family in the case of Snyder v. Phelps (No. 09-751). The case concerns an ugly protest at the funeral of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder, who was killed in Iraq in 2006 in the line of duty. After Matthew was killed, members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, … Continue Reading
May 27, 2010
Gillibrand Hails Passage Of DADT Repeal Measure In Senate Armed Services Committee
Washington, D.C. - As the Senate Armed Services Committee today passes a measure to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement: "I applaud my colleagues on the committee for doing what's right, and voting to put America's national security before all else. "'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is wrong for our national security and is inconsistent with the moral foundation upon which our country was founded. Each time we discharge a member of our Armed … Continue Reading
May 27, 2010
Gillibrand To CEO: Come Back To The Table And Negotiate With Mott’s Workers
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the CEO of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group to return to negotiations with workers at the Mott's facility in Williamson. After several months of negotiations, Dr. Pepper Snapple broke off negotiations and workers at the plant went on strike. This current impasse and strike does not just affect Mott's workers, but could have a ripple effect in the Upstate economy, including on the important apple industry and the hard working farmers in the … Continue Reading
May 27, 2010
Gillibrand Statement On Meeting With Solicitor General Kagan Today
Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today met with Solicitor General Elena Kagan, nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court. Photos of the meeting in Senator Gillibrand's Washington office are available here. Following the meeting, Senator Gillibrand issued the following statement: "Solicitor General Kagan is clearly an extremely brilliant and strong New York woman, who is not always focused on being right, but on getting it right. I know she would bring a greater degree of dialogue … Continue Reading
May 27, 2010
Gillibrand Introduces New Legislation To Regulate 6 Deadly, Unchecked E. Coli Strains
Washington, DC - As the Senate Agriculture Committee holds a confirmation hearing for the new head of Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today is introducing new legislation to require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to regulate the six currently unregulated strains of E. coli proven to cause food-borne illnesses. In addition to the most common form of E. coli that is already regulated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has … Continue Reading
May 26, 2010
Gillibrand, Schumer, Crowley Announce Final Passage Of Bill To Re-Name Genesee Street Post Office After Zachary Smith
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer announced final passage of their legislation to rename the Genesee Street Post Office in Hornell in honor of Lance Corporal Zachary Smith, who was killed while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Congressman Joseph Crowley sponsored a companion version of the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. "Zachary Smith is truly a hometown hero," Senator Gillibrand said. "He made the ultimate … Continue Reading
May 26, 2010
Gillibrand, Schumer, Tonko Announce Final Passage Of Martin G. ‘Marty’ Mahar Post Office Building
Washington, DC - U. S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer announced final passage their legislation to rename the Lasinburgh Post Office in Troy in honor of World War II Veteran Martin G. 'Marty' Mahar who passed away in 2007 after a distinguished life as a soldier, veteran and community leader. Congressman Paul Tonko sponsored a companion version of the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. "Marty Mahar represented the very best of Troy and all of New York," … Continue Reading
May 26, 2010
Gillibrand, Inhofe, Landrieu Introduce Proposal To Clear Legal Hurdle For Adopted Haitian Orphans To Become U.S. Citizens
Washington, DC - Approximately 1,000 Haitian orphans who left the earthquake-ravaged country for the United States before their adoptions were finalized are now facing legal limbo and fewer legal protections. U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) proposed legislation to clear the way for these adopted Haitian orphans who were granted humanitarian parole to the U.S. to become citizens. Senator Gillibrand said, "I am relieved that the Haitian … Continue Reading
May 25, 2010
Schumer, Gillibrand Unveil Bill To Restore MTA Commuter Service Cuts And Stave Off Future Fare Hikes; Would Restore Service Cuts To NYC Mass Transit, LIRR, And Metro North
United States Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand introduced today an emergency transit bill that would restore major reductions in public transit services and stave off future fare hikes imposed on commuters throughout the New York City subway system, Long Island Railroad, and Metro North Railroad. Under existing transit formulas, the NYC-NJ-CT urbanized area would be in line to receive roughly $345 million. "Mass transit is the very lifeblood of the New York and our … Continue Reading
May 25, 2010
Gillibrand Announces New Push To Extend Tax Cuts To Help NY Middle Class Save On Property Taxes, Sales Taxes, College Tuition
Washington, D.C. - On the heels of passing landmark Wall Street reform legislation last week in the U.S. Senate to establish new rules of the road to protect taxpayers and consumers, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is now pushing to pass a series of tax initiatives to help hardworking, middle class families save on property taxes, sales taxes and college tuition. The new legislation is expected to pass this week. "New Yorkers pay some of the highest taxes in the nation," Senator Gillibrand … Continue Reading
May 24, 2010
Ahead Of Memorial Day Weekend, Senator Gillibrand Announces New Effort To Help Prepare Long Island Veterans For The Jobs Of Tomorrow
Babylon, NY - Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced landmark bipartisan veteran's employment legislation that would prepare Long Island veterans for the jobs of tomorrow. Currently, more than 21 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are unemployed. The Veterans Employment Act of 2010 is the first bipartisan legislation that would address skyrocketing veteran's unemployment rates with a series of proposals to improve job training, help veterans … Continue Reading
May 23, 2010
Gillibrand, Parents Whose Children Have Died In Drop Side Cribs Call For Federal Ban, Over 1.5 Million Deadly Drop Side Cribs Recalled From Store Shelves This Year Alone
New York, NY - Earlier this month, the fifth major drop-side crib recall of 2010 resulted in hundreds of thousands of drop-side baby cribs being removed from store shelves due to deadly defects. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) stood in midtown Manhattan with two New York families whose children died from faulty cribs today to take action, calling for a federal ban on the sale, re-sale, manufacture, and distribution of all drop-side cribs. Gillibrand's legislation would also ban … Continue Reading
May 20, 2010
Gillibrand Joins Senate Colleagues To Introduce Bill To Protect LGBT Students From Bullying At School
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Senator Al Franken and 21 of their Senate colleagues to introduce the Student Non-Discrimination Act to protect students who are (or are perceived to be) lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) from harassment, bullying, and violence at school. "All children should always feel safe and secure in our schools," said Sen. Gillibrand. "While at school to learn, some students are forced to endure harassment, violence, bullying, … Continue Reading
May 20, 2010
Gillibrand Pushes To Make Newtown Battlefield A National Park
Washington, DC -U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced legislation today to begin the process of making the Newtown Battlefield National Historic Landmark a National Park. As the site of one of the most significant victories for the Continental Army during the American Revolution, the Newton Battlefield is an important historic and cultural landmark for the people of Chemung County and New York State. "Making Newtown Battlefield a National Park is an integral part of Chemung County's … Continue Reading
May 20, 2010
Schumer, Gillibrand Call On Feds To Make It Easier For Former WNY Nuclear Workers To Get Justice And Compensation They Deserve
Today U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today released a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Director of the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) John Howard, calling for reform of the compensation program for nuclear workers at Bethlehem Steel, Linde Steel and other former New York atomic weapons production facilities. Schumer and Gillibrand had been working to reform the compensation system through legislation … Continue Reading
May 20, 2010
Gillibrand Statement On Final Passage Of Financial Stability Act
Washington, DC - Tonight, as the U.S. Senate passes the Restoring American Financial Stability Act, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement: "Today, taxpayers and middle class families are getting the protections they deserve after experiencing the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. "The Restoring American Financial Stability Act establishes new, common sense rules of the road to protect taxpayers, ensures the stability of our economy, and prevents … Continue Reading
