Press Releases
Gillibrand, Fellow Senators Introduce Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Washington, D.C. - - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined with a coalition of United States Senators today to introduce legislation to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and enhance our country's military effectiveness. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010 contains three main provisions: it will repeal the law that prevents gay Americans from openly serving in the military, prohibit discrimination against current and prospective service members on the basis of sexual orientation, and … Continue Reading
March 03, 2010
To Help NY Dairy Farmers And Protect Consumers, Gillibrand Pushes Legislation To Require Country Of Origin Labeling On All Dairy Products
Washington, DC - Responding to yet another recall of milk from China, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced her push for legislation that would require country of origin labeling (COOL) on all dairy products. Just last month, the Chinese government recalled 170 tons of milk powder that had been tainted with melamine. In 2008, milk tainted with melamine killed at least six infants and sickened more than 300,000 in China. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), during … Continue Reading
March 02, 2010
Gillibrand, Murphy Announce More Than $876,000 To Expand Warren County’s Head Start Program
Washington, DC-U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Scott Murphy secured $876,948 for Warren County Head Start through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The federal dollars will help create an Early Head Start program, providing quality care to pregnant women, infants and toddlers throughout Warren County. Last year, Senator Gillibrand helped pass ARRA, and in June, urged Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to support Warren County's program. … Continue Reading
March 01, 2010
Gillibrand Congratulates New York’s Winter Olympic Athletes
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today congratulated the 18 New Yorkers who competed in the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. "New York is so proud of all of our athletes who competed in Vancouver. We all spent the last two weeks cheering them on and feeling honored to have so many top-tier athletes competing and winning at the highest level. "Our state has one of the best athletic traditions and some of most talented athletes who brought home medals in a broad range of … Continue Reading
February 28, 2010
Gillibrand Secures Recovery Dollars For New Cassel– Town Of North Hempstead To Allocate 80% Of Energy Funds For Community Center
New Cassel, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was joined by Town of North Hempstead Supervisor, Jon Kaiman, today to announce $892,000 for the Town of North Hempstead from the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which Senator Gillibrand helped pass last year. The Town of North Hempstead will direct 80 percent of the federal dollars towards the capital cost of high-efficiency technology in … Continue Reading
February 26, 2010
Gillibrand To Kentucky Senator Bunning: End Your Filibuster Now
Washington, D.C. - With Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning's one-man filibuster preventing an extension to unemployment and COBRA benefits for Americans hit hardest by this economic downturn, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement urging Senator Bunning to put Americans before politics and end his partisan filibuster. Without an extension, unemployment, COBRA, and other benefits will end this Sunday, February 28. "Amidst the worst economic downturn since the Great … Continue Reading
February 26, 2010
Bipartisan Group Urges Presidential Action To Bring GM To Negotiating Table And Save Delphi Pensions
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as Representatives Louise Slaughter, Eric Massa, Chris Lee, and Dan Maffei, have announced that they sent a personal letter to President Barack Obama asking him to assist in bringing GM to the negotiating table in efforts to reverse a decision to refer the pension plans of the Delphi Corporation's salaried retirees to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). The members of Congress urged the Administration to … Continue Reading
February 26, 2010
Gillibrand, Kaufman, Snowe, Tonko, Introduce Bill To Improve Engineering Education In Schools
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ted Kaufman (D-DE), and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced legislation that would help boost science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) education programs in the nation's elementary, middle and high schools. The bipartisan Engineering Education for Innovation Act (the E2 for Innovation Act) would create competitive grant programs to fund the implementation of engineering curricula and … Continue Reading
February 26, 2010
Gillibrand Announces Final Passage Of Travel Promotion Bill – Proposal Will Boost Tourism Across NYS
Washington, DC-U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced final passage late last night of the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, a proposal which will boost tourism in New York and across the country. The legislation will now be sent to the President for his signature. The legislation would invest federal dollars in private-public partnerships to actively promote and market American vacations to international travelers. "From world class vineyards on Long Island and in the Finger Lakes to … Continue Reading
February 25, 2010
Schumer, Gillibrand, Arcuri, Offer Whole-Hearted Support In Keeping Empire Aero Center Open; 200 Jobs At Risk
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Michael E. Arcuri announced that they have written a personal letter to Israel Aerospace Industries Chairman, Yair Shamir, offering him assistance in the quest to keep the Empire Aero Center open and its 200 workers employed. The officials said that their support could be used in everything from helping Israel Aerospace Industries navigate the military contracts process to offering available federal assistance to … Continue Reading
February 24, 2010
To Put New Yorkers Back To Work, Gillibrand Helps U.S. Senate Pass New Bipartisan Jobs Bill
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today passed the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act - legislation to cut taxes for businesses that hire new workers, invest in infrastructure projects and reduce financial burdens on small businesses to put more Americans back to work starting right now. "No one is feeling the burden of this economic downturn like New York families," Senator Gillibrand said. "After months of continued job loss, it's time to do whatever it takes to put New … Continue Reading
February 24, 2010
Gillibrand Takes Action To Help Local Communities Refurbish Military Bases
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced a bill to eliminate the cost-sharing requirement for Economic Development Administration (EDA) projects to fund the refurbishment of former military facilities for civilian uses. Congressman Michael Arcuri introduced the House version of the legislation. "During this time of economic difficulty, local governments cannot afford to be burdened with the costs of salvaging and refurbishing former military facilities for civilian … Continue Reading
February 23, 2010
As NYers Prepare Their Taxes, Gillibrand Outlines How To Take Full Advantage Of Middle Class Tax Cuts She Helped Create
Washington, D.C. - As New Yorkers get ready to file their tax returns for 2009, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging New York taxpayers to take full advantage of tax cuts she worked hard to secure. In addition to creating a broad range of tax relief for New Yorkers through the Property Tax Deduction and Child, Tuition and First Time Home-Buyer tax credits, Senator Gillibrand cut taxes for approximately 6.3 million middle class New York families - 93 percent of New Yorkers - through the … Continue Reading
February 22, 2010
Ahead Of Senate Hearing On Asian Carp, Gillibrand Pushes Legislation To Require Feds Temporarily Close Locks To Prevent Asian Carp From Invading NYS Waterways
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today pushed the Close All Routes and Prevent Asian Carp Today Act of 2010, which would require the Secretary of Army to temporarily close the O'Brien and Chicago Locks as a temporary management solution to stop the spread of Asian Carp making their way into the Great Lakes and toward New York's waterways. The closure would be a temporary solution until a long-term … Continue Reading
February 22, 2010
Gillibrand Praises New Senate Bill To Repeal DADT
Washington, DC - As U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) announced his intention to introduce legislation that would fully repeal the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement praising the new bill and commending Senator Lieberman: "I commend Senator Lieberman for helping lead the charge to repeal a policy that weakens our nation, both morally and militarily. There is tremendous momentum behind our cause. Opponents are on the … Continue Reading
February 22, 2010
Gillibrand, Schumer Introduce Legislation To Name Lansingburgh Post Office After Martin G. Mahar
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer today introduced legislation that would rename the Post Office in Lansingburgh after Martin G. "Marty" Mahar. Congressman Paul Tonko introduced HR. 4425 last month. "Marty Mahar represented the very best of Troy and all of New York," Senator Gillibrand said. "He served his community and country with honor, integrity and dignity. Naming the Lansingburgh Post Office after him will honor his legacy in the community he loved … Continue Reading
February 19, 2010
Schumer And Gillibrand Announce $550,000 Coming To Greater Binghamton Airport To Expand And Improve Service
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirstin Gillibrand announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has granted the Greater Binghamton Airport a total $550,000 to expand and improve service. The grant was awarded under the Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) Program and will spread hub service westward and increase airline competition. Senator Schumer wrote a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in support of Binghamton's application last fall. "This … Continue Reading
February 19, 2010
Gillibrand Pushes Bipartisan Legislation To Cut Mercury Emissions 90 Percent From Coal-Fired Power Plants, Limit Other Emissions
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, helped introduce The Clean Air Act Amendments of 2010 last week. This legislation would cut mercury emissions by 90 percent from coal-fired power plants and tighten national limits on emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). According to the American Lung Association, 186 million Americans live in areas where air pollution endangers lives. The bipartisan … Continue Reading
February 19, 2010
Gillibrand Helps Oswego Senior Dial Up Free Cell Service
Oswego, NY - After an Oswego senior tried for months to obtain a free cell phone under a government-backed program, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, helped the 68 year-old resident secure one. The legally blind senior, who enjoys staying active throughout the day, feels safer now that he has a way to reach someone at all times. Oswego resident Ron Weaver said, "I'm glad that we have a Senator who listens to the people and their problems. I … Continue Reading
February 16, 2010
Gillibrand Pushes To Include Public Option In Health Insurance Reform Reconciliation Package
Washington, D.C. - In the continued effort to pass health care reform that lowers costs and leads to higher quality care, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is working to pass health insurance reform that includes a public health insurance option under budget reconciliation rules. Senator Gillibrand joined Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to write to Senate Majority Leader Reid highlighting findings from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office … Continue Reading
