Press Releases
Gillibrand Statement On Presidential Certification Of DADT Repeal
Washington, D.C. - After President Obama today officially certified the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement: "Today is a proud day for America and our Armed Services. Thousands of our brave men and women will no longer have to lie about who they are as they serve and fight for our nation. Putting this corrosive policy behind us will strengthen America both militarily and morally. "Just as every American deserves the right to serve … Continue Reading
July 22, 2011
Gillibrand Presses China On Rare Earth Metals After WTO Rules Against China’s Export Restrictions
Washington, DC - After the World Trade Organization ruled earlier this month that China has violated international rules by restricting exports of raw materials used in clean technology products, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) pressed China's Ambassador to the United States today to address her specific concerns over the country's stronghold of rare earth elements (REEs). China accounts for over 95 percent of the world's supply of REEs - minerals used in a broad range of household … Continue Reading
July 21, 2011
Gillibrand Urges EPA To Reject $1.6 Billion Unfunded Federal Mandate To Cover Hillview Reservoir
New York, NY - With New York City facing the forced implementation of an unfunded $1.6 billion federal agency mandate to cover the 90-acre Hillview Reservior that would have little public health benefit and place an unnecessary financial burden on City residents, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Environmental Public Works Committee, urged Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson to reject and lift the mandate. Senator Gillibrand pointed out … Continue Reading
July 21, 2011
Sens. Franken, Durbin, Gillibrand, Klobuchar Work to Protect Children During Immigration Enforcement Raids
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to keep kids safe and accounted for during federal immigration raids, a group of U.S. Senators reintroduced a measure today to ensure that children are not inadvertently abandoned after their parents are detained by U.S. immigration officials, and to allow those parents to communicate with their children, arrange for care, and participate in family court hearings. The bill, the Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections (HELP) Separated Children Act, was … Continue Reading
July 20, 2011
At Gillibrand’s Urging, EPA Launches New Efforts To Help Western New York Businesses Become More Energy Efficient
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today applauded the announcement of $230,000 in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and to the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York (CACWNY) to help make Western New York businesses more energy efficient, and help improve the local environment. Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, wrote to EPA Administrator Lisa … Continue Reading
July 19, 2011
Gillibrand Announces $300,000 Job Training Grant For Fortune Society
New York, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced today $300,000 in federal funding for New York City's Fortune Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to working with those who have been subject to the criminal justice process or formerly incarcerated to become positive, successful members of society. Federal funding will be used to train and transition dozens of New York City youth who have previous criminal histories and live in communities affected by contamination and … Continue Reading
July 19, 2011
Gillibrand Fights To Reform Crop Insurance For New York’s Grape Producers
Washington, D.C. - With unfair and outdated insurance regulations putting a strain on New York State's grape producers, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is urging the USDA to remove unnecessary burdens that hold grape producers back from their full economic potential. New York State produces 180,000 tons of grapes each year, making New York the third largest grape producer in the nation, and contributing $50 million to the state's rural economy … Continue Reading
July 18, 2011
With 9 Million ID Theft Victims Each Year, Gillibrand Pushes Bill To Remove Social Security Numbers From Medicare Cards
Washington D.C. - With 9 million victims of identity theft in the United States each year, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today pushed legislation to remove social security numbers from Medicare cards and communications. Forty million Americans carry Medicare cards with their Social Security number listed. Identity theft cost the average victim $631 in 2010-that's on top of civil, tax and employment problems identity theft causes. "Listing Social Security numbers on Medicare cards needlessly … Continue Reading
July 18, 2011
With 9 Million ID Theft Victims Each Year, Gillibrand Pushes Bill To Remove Social Security Numbers From Medicare Cards
Washington D.C. - With 9 million victims of identity theft in the United States each year, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today pushed legislation to remove social security numbers from Medicare cards and communications. Forty million Americans carry Medicare cards with their Social Security number listed. Identity theft cost the average victim $631 in 2010-that's on top of civil, tax and employment problems identity theft causes. "Listing Social Security numbers on Medicare cards needlessly … Continue Reading
July 14, 2011
Gillibrand Urges Walgreens To Renew Contract With TRICARE
New York, NY - After Walgreens announced that it will cut ties with TRICARE pharmacy military insurance by this year's end, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged Walgreens CEO to come back to the negotiating table and renew a contract with Express Scripts, Inc., the company that manages TRICARE's pharmacy program, in order to prevent New York's military veterans, retirees, and their families from being forced to meet their prescription … Continue Reading
July 13, 2011
Gillibrand Introduces New Measure To Improve Funding For Border Infrastructure Projects In NYS
Washington, D.C. - As Congress begins debate on the National Transportation Reauthorization, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today introduced legislation with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders to improve and offer more flexibility to the Coordinated Border Infrastructure (CBI) Program, which authorizes funding under the U.S. Department of Transportation for infrastructure projects in border regions. Senator Gillibrand's measure would … Continue Reading
July 12, 2011
With High Unemployment Among Recent Vets, Gillibrand Announces New Push To Equip Returning Troops With Job Training
Washington, D.C. - With 13.3 percent of recent veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan unemployed across New York State as of June 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is making a new push to pass the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, legislation that would equip all returning U.S. troops with critical job-skills training and ensure more job opportunities for veterans. The legislation seeks … Continue Reading
July 10, 2011
With High Unemployment Rate Among Young Vets, Gillibrand Joined By NYC Vets Announces New Push To Equip Returning Troops With Job Training Skills
New York, NY - With more than 20% of young veterans nationwide unemployed after returning home, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was joined by a group of New York City veterans today in Manhattan to announce a new legislative push for passage of the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 this year to help create more job opportunities for our veterans. Among other measures, the legislation seeks to help create new jobs for returning veterans through … Continue Reading
July 08, 2011
Gillibrand Urges Full Funding For Law Enforcement And Crime Prevention Program
Washington D.C. - With local government budgets across New York hit hard during the economic downturn, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged Senate Leaders to fully fund the Byrne Competitive Grants Program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2009, organizations in New York received $19.4 million in grants for the continuation or establishment of crime prevention programs. In her letter to the Appropriations Committee, Senator Gillibrand wrote, "Many local agencies have to make … Continue Reading
July 07, 2011
Gillibrand Applauds Senate Hearing To Begin Repeal Of “Defense Of Marriage Act”
Washington, D.C. - As Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announces he will hold the first-ever hearing on the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the coming weeks, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement: "I applaud Chairman Leahy for holding this important hearing to end the discrimination that is currently enshrined into U.S. law. "Marriage is the true foundation for strong … Continue Reading
July 07, 2011
Schumer, Gillibrand, Tonko Secure Second Inspector For Beech-Nut
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Paul Tonko announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has granted approval for a second food safety inspector for the Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation, which could help the Capital Region business that makes nutritious infant and toddler food grow by as much as 20-percent this year. Beech-Nut needs to hire a second, part-time inspector at their … Continue Reading
July 06, 2011
Hinchey and Gillibrand Reintroduce Bill to Study if Hudson River Valley Should Be National Park Service Unit
Washington, DC -- Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand have reintroduced legislation to authorize the National Park Service (NPS) to conduct a study on whether the Hudson River Valley should become a unit of the National Park system. Under such a distinction, the region would benefit from greater national attention, additional federal resources to support and preserve heritage sites, and increased regional tourism, all of which would contribute to job creation … Continue Reading
July 06, 2011
To Move Budget Debate Forward, Gillibrand Urges Colleagues To Choose Tax Breaks That Create Jobs Over Tax Breaks For Millionaires
Washington, D.C. - Making job creation her top priority in the debate over the federal budget, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging her colleagues to pass legislation that cuts taxes for businesses that create jobs while ending tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires that America cannot afford. Ending tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans would provide approximately $22 in savings billion each year for U.S. taxpayers. Senator Gillibrand is co-sponsoring a resolution that states … Continue Reading
July 05, 2011
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Plattsburgh International Airport Set To Receive Over $1.4 Million In Department Of Transportation Funding For Runway Rehabilitation
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that Plattsburgh International Airport is set to receive $1,425,000 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funds for airport facility upgrades. Specifically, the grant will be used to replace the incandescent lights with LED lights along the edge of taxiway Alpha. The existing system is over 30 years old and this rehabilitation will enhance safe airfield operations. Schumer and Gillibrand applaud DOT for their work to … Continue Reading
July 05, 2011
At Orange County Business Accelerator, Gillibrand Announces “Made In America” Grants To Bolster High-Tech Manufacturing For New York
New Windsor, NY. - While New York has lost a total of more than 123,000 manufacturing jobs since 2005, advanced and high-tech manufacturing jobs are thriving. Computer and electronic manufacturing industries increased employment by 9 percent from 2004 to 2008. To spark more growth in high-tech manufacturing in New York and create more of these good-paying jobs right here, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced her new manufacturing agenda. Senator Gillibrand's plan creates a Made In … Continue Reading
