Press Releases
On May Day, Gillibrand Blasts Arizona Law, Renews Call For Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Washington, DC - As New Yorkers and people across America hold May Day demonstrations, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement deploring Arizona's discriminatory immigration law: "I stand with thousands of marchers across the country today who are expressing their outrage over the abhorrent law passed in the state of Arizona. "America, and particularly New York, was built by the contributions of immigrants, and our diversity only adds to the greatness of this country. … Continue Reading
April 30, 2010
Gillibrand Respectfully Disagrees With Admiral Mullen And Secretary Gates – Says Congress Must Repeal Dadt
Washington, DC - Following a letter from Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, telling Congress today to wait to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell," U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement: "I respectfully disagree with Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen. Congress should not sit on their hands. "Now is the time for Congress to show strong leadership and repeal this disastrous policy. 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is … Continue Reading
April 30, 2010
Gillibrand Announces Legislation To Renovate Over 50 Million Buildings & Homes Nationwide, Create Nearly 320,000 New Construction Jobs, Save Millions On Energy Costs
Niagara Falls, NY -U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced support for a new effort to create jobs and improve the air we breathe and the water we drink by renovating buildings and homes across the nation to make them more energy efficient. With approximately 15 percent of construction workers out of work in New York, Gillibrand's new effort tackles two of our nation's biggest challenges: unemployment and energy consumption. The new programs called "Building STAR" and "Home STAR" … Continue Reading
April 30, 2010
After Thousands Of Dangerous Cribs Recalled, Gillibrand Urges Craigslist To Remove Sale Of Simplicity Cribs Online
Washington, DC - After hundreds of thousands of Graco and Simplicity baby cribs were recalled from store shelves due to deadly defects, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged Craigslist to immediately remove online listings of dangerous Simplicity drop-side cribs currently for sale. Senator Gillibrand said, "The Simplicity cribs, which have trapped and suffocated infants, are all too easy to purchase online. We must immediately stop these harmful products from reaching any more nursery … Continue Reading
April 30, 2010
Gillibrand Pushes Legislation To Help Jumpstart Lending To Small Businesses, Create Jobs In Western New York – Urges Senate Leaders To Include In Upcoming Jobs Package
Cheektowaga, New York - At the Cheektowaga Community Federal Credit Union, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today pushed bipartisan legislation to spur small business growth and create jobs by increasing access to loans from credit unions. Senator Gillibrand promoted the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act that would increase access to credit union loans. By law, credit unions are required to limit member business lending to 12.25 percent of the credit union's total assets. Senator … Continue Reading
April 30, 2010
Gillibrand, King Push For Securing The Cities Funding
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, have contacted House and Senate appropriators urging them in a joint letter to include $20 million in the FY 2011 DHS appropriations bill for the continuation and expansion of the Securing the Cities Initiative, a highly successful partnership among federal, state and local authorities to prevent nuclear and radiological terrorism through a ring of … Continue Reading
April 29, 2010
Gillibrand Condemns Iran’s Election To U.N. Commission On The Status Of Women
Washington, DC - With Iran's long record of suppressing women's rights and lack of protections for crimes against women, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is joining with women's and human rights activists opposing Iran's election to the U.N.'s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Senator Gillibrand issued the following statement: "I strongly condemn yesterday's election of Iran to a seat on the UN Commission for the Status of Women. "This Commission was established to promote gender … Continue Reading
April 27, 2010
Gillibrand Announces National Plan To Require Minimum Requirements For Graduated Drivers Licenses In All 50 States
Washington, DC - With hundreds of thousands of young teen drivers on New York roadways, and with car accidents the number one cause of death for teenagers in America, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a new national plan to make our roads safer and save lives. Senator Gillibrand will introduce in the U.S. Senate the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STAND UP) Act - legislation to set national standards for states to implement Graduated Drivers License (GDL) programs … Continue Reading
April 26, 2010
Gillibrand Urges USDA to Regulate 6 Deadly, Unchecked E. Coli Strands
Washington, DC - Continuing her commitment to keep all families safe from contaminated food, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to include six additional strands of E. coli as hazardous adulterants that need to be tested by the USDA. In addition to the most common form of E. coli that is already regulated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified six other strands, known as non-0157 STECs, that … Continue Reading
April 23, 2010
Following Trip To Haiti, Landrieu, Gillibrand Continue To Advocate For Better Haitian Child Welfare, Education Systems
WASHINGTON - Following their trip to Haiti earlier this month, U.S. Senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) have sent a letter to U.S. Department of State Secretary Hillary Clinton, reiterating their concern for and commitment to Haiti's children. In the letter, Sens. Landrieu and Gillibrand reported key findings from their trip, and emphasized the need for the U.S. to focus its rebuilding aid on strengthening families and communities, with a particular emphasis on … Continue Reading
April 23, 2010
Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan Congressional Delegation Urging Russian President To Not Halt U.S. Adoptions
Washington, DC - With Russia's recent announcement of an immediate freeze on U.S. adoptions after a Tennessee mother sent her 7 year-old adoptive son back to Moscow, United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with over a dozen Senate and House colleagues, urged Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to lift the suspension on adoptions by American families. Led by Senator Gillibrand, the bipartisan Congressional delegation expressed … Continue Reading
April 22, 2010
Gillibrand Statement On President Obama’s Call To Action For Financial Reform, Stability And Growth For America’s Economy
Washington, DC - As President Obama addresses the nation today to build momentum for new rules of the road to protect taxpayers and keep our economy stable, growing and working for all Americans, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement: "President Obama today speaks on behalf of tens of millions of Americans who are out of work, have lost their home or can no longer retire because of the financial meltdown that almost pushed America into a depression. "For the future … Continue Reading
April 22, 2010
Gillibrand Takes Action To Prevent Health Insurance Companies From Hiking Premiums Before Health Reforms Take Effect
Washington, DC - Mere weeks after President Obama signed health insurance reform into law, insurance companies are searching out loopholes to find ways to raise premiums before insurance reforms go into effect. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is taking action and authoring new protections for consumers by preventing insurance companies from issuing baseless, exorbitant rate hikes. "We have to take additional steps to ensure that health insurance companies do not hike their rates before the … Continue Reading
April 20, 2010
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Aid On Its Way, SBA Grants LI's Request For Loans For Homeowners After March Storms Devastated The Region
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced today that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has granted Long Island's request for disaster loans for the March 12-30 storms that walloped the area. The SBA Disaster Assistance Program provides low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations to clean up from the storm. "Long Island was hit with major wind and rain storms that brought a great deal of … Continue Reading
April 20, 2010
In Honor Of Earth Day, Gillibrand Announces Legislation To Renovate Over 50 Million Buildings & Homes Nationwide, Create Nearly 320,000 New Construction Jobs, Save Millions On Energy Costs
Washington, DC - In honor of Earth Day this week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a new effort to create jobs and improve the air we breathe and the water we drink by renovating buildings and homes across the nation to make them more energy efficient. With approximately 15 percent of construction workers out of work in New York, Gillibrand's new effort tackles two of our nation's biggest challenges: unemployment and energy consumption. The new programs called "Building STAR" … Continue Reading
April 19, 2010
Gillibrand Hails City Small Biz, Non-Profits As Environmental Champions
New York, NY - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, congratulated three city organizations for winning the 2010 Environmental Quality Award. The eco-friendly small business, non-profits, and public service initiatives - all of whom Senator Gillibrand nominated this past February - will receive the Environmental Protection Agency's prestigious honor for their commitment and significant contributions to greening the city. "I … Continue Reading
April 17, 2010
More Than One Out Every Four Construction Workers Still Out Of Work – Gillibrand, Maffei, Miner Announce Federal Legislation To Spur Renovation Of Historic Buildings In Syracuse
Syracuse, New York - With more than one out of every four construction workers still out of work across the country, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Dan Maffei, and Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner today announced federal legislation that would modernize and expand tax credits to renovate historic buildings. The Community Restoration and Revitalization Act would harnesses private investment to create jobs, revitalize older communities, and promote sustainable … Continue Reading
April 16, 2010
Gillibrand, Tonko Push Legislation To Help Jumpstart Lending To Small Businesses, Create Jobs In Capital Region – Urges Senate Leaders To Include In Upcoming Jobs Package
Albany, New York - At the SEFCU headquarters, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Paul Tonko today pushed bipartisan legislation to spur small business growth and create jobs by increasing access to loans from credit unions. Senator Gillibrand promoted the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act that would increase access to credit union loans. By law, credit unions are required to limit member business lending to 12.25 percent of the credit union's total assets. Senator … Continue Reading
April 16, 2010
With Drug Use And Gang Violence Surging Across Long Island – Gillibrand Launches New Education And Prevention Strategy To Crack Down And Protect Children
Washington, DC - With drug use and gang violence on the rise and scourging Long Island communities, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today unveiled new efforts to crack down on heroin sales, drug crime, gang activity and establish new prevention and education programs to protect children in communities across New York. Standing with Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, Senator Gillibrand announced that her plan includes legislation that would give law enforcement agencies more … Continue Reading
April 15, 2010
To Stave Off Teacher Layoffs, Gillibrand Introduces New Legislation To Invest Over $235 Million In Long Island Schools – Helping Communities Hold The Line On Property Taxes
Washington, DC - With New York State facing a $1.3 billion shortfall for education, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced legislation that would invest more than $235 million into Long Island schools to keep teachers in our class rooms and help local communities hold the line on property taxes. The Keeping Our Educators Working Act would help prevent some of the 19,000 expected layoffs of teachers and support staff. "We are facing a real crisis right now in New York, and as a mother and a … Continue Reading
