Press Releases
Atlantic Senators Seek Preparedness In Case BP Oil Spill Hits East Coast
WASHINGTON - With some communities along the eastern seaboard concerned that the BP oil spill could reach their waters, a bipartisan group of Atlantic Coast U.S. Senators wants to coordinate preparedness between their states and federal response agencies. In a letter to the heads of the relevant federal departments, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and 21 of his East Coast colleagues asked specifically for: Immediate communication with all Atlantic Coast state emergency preparedness agencies … Continue Reading
June 10, 2010
Senators Urge Overhaul Of Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill As The House Unveils More Robust Plan
Washington, D.C. - As the House of Representatives unveiled their Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, along with six of her colleagues, sent a letter to Senate Leaders, urging them to overhaul the Senate version of the legislation to include a significant increase in the reimbursement rate for school meals. Joining Senator Gillibrand are Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Al Franken (D-MN), Tim … Continue Reading
June 09, 2010
Gillibrand Statement On UN Security Council Vote To Implement Sanctions Against Iran
Washington, DC - As the U.N. Security Council voted to implement new sanctions against Iran, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement: "I commend President Obama, Secretary Clinton, Ambassador Rice, and their team for their work and determination to pass international sanctions. While many of us would have liked to have seen stronger sanctions, this move by the UN Security Council demonstrates international solidarity … Continue Reading
June 08, 2010
Gillibrand Convenes Summit Of NY College And University Presidents In Washington To Announce New Agenda To Expand Higher Education In NY
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Gillibrand convened the first Washington, D.C. summit of college and university presidents from around New York. During meetings with U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and nearly 80 college and university presidents from across New York, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced her new agenda to rebuild New York's economy by creating more higher education opportunities, and fostering innovation at New York's colleges and universities to create … Continue Reading
June 08, 2010
Gillibrand Fights For Subpoena Power For BP Oil Spill Investigation
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today joined nine of her Senate colleagues to introduce legislation to grant subpoena power to the bipartisan National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, which President Obama created by executive order on May 22. Congress has previously granted subpoena power to presidential commissions investigating national crises, including the Warren Commission and the Three Mile Island Commission. "Our … Continue Reading
June 04, 2010
Gillibrand, Schumer, Bishop Blast FEMA Decision To Deny Long Island Disaster Funding – Call On NYS To Appeal Immediately
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Tim Bishop blasted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) decision to deny Long Island needed federal dollars to recover from heavy storms this spring. Officials are requesting that FEMA recognize the storms beginning March 13 and ending April 12 as a single weather system, since the damage is cumulative from several storms. Two other northeast states received disaster declarations by … Continue Reading
June 04, 2010
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
