Press Releases
With 55,700 Unemployed Western New Yorkers, Gillibrand Fights To Extend Emergency Unemployment Assistance For Struggling Families
Buffalo, NY - With 55,700 Western New Yorkers out of work and approximately 14,390 about to lose the emergency unemployment insurance assistance they depend on, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is fighting to extend long-term unemployment insurance benefits through the end of 2011. Without an extension, approximately 200,000 total New Yorkers will lose their benefits by the end of this year, and will nearly double to approximately 400,000 by May of 2011. More than 40,000 New York jobs will be … Continue Reading
December 04, 2010
Gillibrand Announces Senate Vote On 9/11 Health Bill
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is announcing that Majority Leader Harry Reid intends to file for cloture on the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act on Monday and that an initial Senate vote to begin formal debate on the bill will likely take place on Wednesday. Senator Gillibrand released the following statement: "When I first introduced this bill in the Senate last year, no one thought we would make it to this point. Due to the tireless effort of so many first … Continue Reading
December 04, 2010
Gillibrand On Tax Votes: Republicans Have Wrong Priorities
Washington, DC - After Republicans today voted to obstruct efforts to cut taxes for middle class families and small businesses, and extend emergency unemployment assistance for millions of Americans who are looking for jobs, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement: "Republicans simply have the wrong priorities and are refusing to compromise. We need to deliver for the people in the middle, who are always left behind, not the people at the very top, who are doing just … Continue Reading
December 03, 2010
Gillibrand: New Jobs Report Shows Urgent Need To Extend Emergency Unemployment Assistance
Washington, DC - November unemployment data released today from the U.S. Department of Labor shows the unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement: "The new job numbers show that we need to extend emergency unemployment assistance for people that are out there desperately trying to find a job. The economy is simply not producing enough jobs to support these families right now. "I cannot believe that Republicans want to extend Bush … Continue Reading
December 02, 2010
New Unemployment Data: 40,000 NY Jobs, 200,000 NYers At Risk – Gillibrand Urges Extension Of Emergency Unemployment Assistance
Washington, DC - According to a new report out today from the White House Council of Economic Advisers, New York State would lose more than 40,000 jobs over the next year if Congress fails to extend emergency unemployment assistance. More than 200,000 New Yorkers, who are currently looking for work, could lose their assistance by the end of the year if an extension is not passed. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement urging Congress to pass an extension of emergency … Continue Reading
December 01, 2010
Gillibrand, Inhofe, Landrieu Announce Final Passage Of Help Haiti Act – Proposal Clears 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 all of their administrative steps 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) today announced final passage of legislation to clear the way for these adopted Haitian orphans who were granted humanitarian parole to the U.S. to become citizens. Senator Gillibrand … Continue Reading
November 30, 2010
Lieberman, Udall, Gillibrand Praise Pentagon Report On “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Mark Udall (D-CO), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) issued the following statement today regarding the Pentagon's release of a report on repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the law that prevents gay Americans from openly serving in the military: "The Pentagon report makes it unambiguously clear that the risk of repeal on military effectiveness is minimal, that any risks can be addressed by implementing the report's recommendations, and that a … Continue Reading
November 30, 2010
With More Than 50,000 Nyers Enrolled In Wtc Health Registry, Gillibrand Demands Senate Passage Of 9/11 Health Legislation
Washington, DC - With more than 50,000 New Yorkers, hailing from 58 of New York's 62 counties, enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today restated her call for passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would ensure proper monitoring and treatment for the innocent men, women and children who face potential life-threatening health effects due to the toxins released at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. … Continue Reading
November 30, 2010
Gillibrand Announces Senate Passage Of Food Safety Bill – Includes Gillibrand Recall Alert Measure
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced U.S. Senate passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act -- the first major, comprehensive update to America's food safety laws in over a century. The legislation includes a key measure authored and introduced by Senator Gillibrand that requires grocery stores and food distributers to effectively and proactively alert consumers when food recalls occur. "We must make it easier for consumers to know exactly which foods have … Continue Reading
November 29, 2010
Police Badges of 29 NYPD Officers Who Died From 9/11-Related Diseases Come To Nation’s Capital As Senate Prepares To Consider 9/11 Health Bill – Gillibrand, Commissioner Kelly Unveil Week Long Exhibition
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer, together with U.S. Representatives Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, Peter King, Anthony Weiner, and New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly today stood with labor leaders and 9/11 survivors, family members and advocates to unveil a special exhibition of police badges belonging to members of the New York City Police Department who assisted in rescue efforts at Ground Zero and later died from 9/11-related illnesses. … Continue Reading
November 24, 2010
Gillibrand Durban III: “An Insult To America”
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement criticizing the United Nations' decision to hold the Durban III World Conference Against Racism in New York City next September. Senator Gillibrand was among the first lawmakers to successfully urge the Obama Administration to withdraw from Durban II. "It is an insult to America that the United Nations has decided to hold the Durban III conference in New York City just days from the tenth anniversary of the September 11th … Continue Reading
November 12, 2010
Gillibrand Responds To U.S. Supreme Court Decision On “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Traveling in Afghanistan and Pakistan, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy: "While this is a disappointing decision, it demonstrates the need for Congress to take action now. The 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy undermines our national security, the integrity of our armed services, and the moral foundation upon which this country was founded. We must put our national … Continue Reading
November 11, 2010
From Pakistan, Gillibrand Issues Statement On Bombing In Karachi
Islamabad, Pakistan - Traveling in Islamabad today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement in response to the terrorist bombing in Karachi that killed more than a dozen people this evening. "I am saddened by the loss of life due to another terrorist attack in Karachi today. Just today I raised concerns with Pakistan's top leaders that in order to end the attacks that terrorize the country, the military and … Continue Reading
November 10, 2010
Gillibrand Statement On Palestinian President Abbas Comments
Kabul, Afghanistan - Following comments made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement: "Peace in the region will only come through face-to-face negotiations between the elected representatives of the Israelis and the Palestinians. These negotiations should restart at once without preconditions. The recently floated idea from the Palestinian Authority of asking the United … Continue Reading
November 10, 2010
After Senator Gillibrand Took Action To Improve Milk Quality And Bolster Exports, National Milk Steps Up To The Plate To Raise Milk Standards
Washington, D.C. - After U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand took action to improve milk quality and bolster international exports, National Milk, which represents a majority of milk producers, stepped up to the plate this past week and developed a plan to limit somatic cell counts (SCC) to 400,000 over the next three years. Earlier this fall, Senator Gillibrand urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lower the SCC to improve quality and increase exports. Somatic cells are not a health … Continue Reading
October 29, 2010
As NJ Gov. Christie Turns Away Federal Transportation Funds, Gillibrand Urges Transportation Sec. To Redirect Investment To NY
Washington, DC - As New Jersey Governor Chris Christie turns away federal funding for the Access to the Region's Core (ARC) project, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today wrote to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood urging him to redirect this funding for two of New York's most critical infrastructure projects: the Long Island Rail Road East Side Access project and the construction of the Second Avenue Subway line. Advancing these two projects would help relieve massive traffic … Continue Reading
October 29, 2010
Following Terror Threat From Yemen, Gillibrand Calls For Greater Surveillance Of Air Cargo, More Funding For Security At Religious Institutions
Washington, DC -- Following the interception of cargo containing explosive materials originating in Yemen and targeting Jewish centers in Chicago, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement: "Clearly, we need to look at greater surveillance of all air cargo coming from abroad and more security funding for our religious institutions. We must always remain vigilant to all potential terror threats. Authorities have assured me that they are taking all the proper steps to … Continue Reading
October 29, 2010
Senators Query Secretary Clinton On Pending Decision On TransCanada Tar Sands Pipeline
WASHINGTON (FRIDAY, Oct. 29) - Led by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), 11 U.S. senators are raising questions about the pending approval of the TransCanada Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. In a letter sent Thursday to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the lawmakers sought answers to a series of concerns they have about the pipeline. Signing the letter, in addition to Leahy and Merkley, are Senators Roland Burris (D-Ill.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), … Continue Reading
October 28, 2010
Gillibrand Urges President Obama To Press China On Rare Earth Minerals At Upcoming G-20 Summit
Washington, DC - With reports showing China using its stronghold of rare earth elements (REEs) production to restrict export shipments, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today wrote to President Barack Obama, urging him to press China on this matter during the November G-20 summit in Seoul, Korea, to keep REE markets fair and open. China accounts for over 95 percent of the world's production of REEs -- minerals used in a broad range of household consumer products, as well as high-tech, clean … Continue Reading
October 27, 2010
Gillibrand Announces New Effort To Strengthen GI Bill, Expand Education Opportunities To All Members Of Military
Amherst, NY - As recent veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan struggle to find jobs, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a new push for legislation to expand the landmark G.I. Bill she helped pass as a Congresswoman and provide better higher education opportunities for more recent veterans, better preparing new veterans for the difficult economy. The Post-9/11Veterans Educational Assistance Act would: Expand the benefits of the existing G.I. Bill for National … Continue Reading
