Press Releases
Gillibrand, Velazquez, Chu, Honda Call for Army to Conduct Comprehensive Review of Hazing Incidents and Training After Private Danny Chen’s Death was Found by Army Investigators to Have Come Due to Abuse by Fellow Soldiers and Superiors
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representatives Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Judy Chu (D-CA), and Mike Honda (D-CA) called on the U.S. Army to provide a comprehensive review on how the department tracks its hazing and harassment incidents and implements anti-hazing training. The urging by the four members of Congress comes after Army investigators found that a New York resident, Private Danny Chen, was subjected to daily race-based hazing and physical abuse … Continue Reading
January 22, 2012
Gillibrand Statement on Gabby Giffords Resignation from Congress: “This is Just the Beginning of the Next Chapter of Her Story”
New York, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement today after Rep. Gabby Giffords announced her decision to resign from the U.S. House of Representatives: "For the past year, Gabby has shown the world the person I have always known - an extraordinary woman of fierce drive, determination and courage. Gabby made the right decision for her and her family, but this is just the beginning of the next chapter of her story. I know that Gabby will find other ways … Continue Reading
January 22, 2012
Gillibrand, Schumer Unveil Sanctions Bill Against Syria
United States Senators Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer announced today that they would be introducing the Syrian Human Rights Accountability Act to impose sanctions of the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad in the face of a violent and bloody crackdown the government has executed on opposition protestors in the country. The bill, set to be introduced this coming week, would require the president to identify those persons in the Syrian government, and those helping them, who have … Continue Reading
January 20, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announces $800,000 to Develop University of Rochester Transit Center to Link City’s Largest Employer to Downtown
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $800,000 for the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) to create an indoor transit facility that links the University of Rochester, the city's largest employer, to downtown and the rest of the community. The funds will be used as part of the University of Rochester's proposed College Town Project to foster a greater ease in travel from the city of Rochester to the University. "This … Continue Reading
January 20, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand, Owens Announce: Feds Release First-Ever Northern Border Anti-Drug Strategy – Plan Improves International Coordination to Shut Down Flow of Drugs from Canada to NY
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Bill Owens announced that the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has released the first ever National Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy. According to ONDCP the, "Strategy outlines new actions that seek to reduce the two-way flow of illicit drugs between the United States and Canada by increasing coordination among Federal, state, local, and tribal enforcement authorities, enhancing intelligence … Continue Reading
January 20, 2012
Gillibrand to Sec. Vilsack: Keep New York’s USDA Offices Open
Washington, D.C. - With seven USDA offices across New York State facing closure, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, New York's first member of the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 40 years, is urging U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to keep all of New York's USDA offices open and available to New York State's agriculture communities. "New York's farmland saw the worst of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee this summer - one right after the other," Senator Gillibrand said. … Continue Reading
January 19, 2012
Gillibrand Calls for Boost in Water, Sewer Infrastructure Funding in President’s FY 2013 Budget
Washington, DC - With President Obama set to unveil his annual budget plan next month, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today urged the Office of Management and Budget Director to include more federal funding for water and sewer infrastructure in the President's final FY 2013 budget. Senator Gillibrand called for allocating at least $2.1 billion for the federal clean water program and $1.4 billion for drinking water improvement programs in this year's blueprint - a significant increase … Continue Reading
January 19, 2012
Gillibrand Urges Niagara Parks Commission to Keep Jobs, Tourism Booming for New York in ‘Maid of the Mist’ Contract Talks
Washington, D.C. - With contract discussions underway deciding the future of Maid of the Mist boat tours at Niagara Falls, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging the Niagara Parks Commission to make a priority of protecting the 150 jobs the tours provide on the American side of the falls, and the tourism draw they provide the local economy. Senator Gillibrand also emphasized maintaining the famous Maid of the Mist brand, which has been servicing tourists worldwide for 125 years. In a … Continue Reading
January 18, 2012
Gillibrand Announces $224,000 for Northern Onondaga Volunteer Ambulance
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $224,000 in federal funding for Northern Onondaga Volunteer Ambulance (NOVA) to acquire new cardiac monitoring equipment. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). "If we're going to keep our communities safe, our first responders need the right resources," Senator Gillibrand said. "Northern Onondaga Volunteer Ambulance will be able to use these funds to … Continue Reading
January 18, 2012
Gillibrand, Lowey Announce More Than $100,000 for White Plains Fire Bureau
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Nita Lowey today announced $102,917 in federal funding for the White Plains Fire Bureau to acquire new Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs). The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). "If we're going to keep our communities safe, our first responders need the right resources," Senator Gillibrand said. "The White Plains Fire Bureau will be able to use these … Continue Reading
January 18, 2012
Gillibrand, Schumer Announce More Than $40 Million Now Available to Help NY Agriculture Communities Recover from Irene & Lee
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer today announced that the $ 41,794,484 they fought together to secure in disaster relief funding is now available to help New York agriculture communities recover from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. "America has always stood by those suffering from disaster and helped them to rebuild," said Senator Gillibrand, New York's first member of the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 40 years. "New York's farmland … Continue Reading
January 11, 2012
Gillibrand Announces More Than $14,000 for North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $14,012 in federal funding for the North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NAVAC) to upgrade their operations and safety measures to respond to emergencies more effectively. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "This is an important investment for the North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps," Senator Gillibrand said. "This federal grant will help … Continue Reading
January 11, 2012
Gillibrand Announces More Than $377,000 for Fulton Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $377,150 in federal funding for the Fulton Fire Department to acquire new equipment to respond to emergencies more effectively. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). "This funding will help equip the Fulton Fire Department with the tools they need to save lives," Senator Gillibrand said. "I will keep working to ensure our first responders have … Continue Reading
January 11, 2012
Gillibrand Announces More Than $94,000 for City of Corning Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $94,620 in federal funding for the City of Corning Fire Department to improve the safety of living spaces for firefighters. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "We must ensure that our firefighters have safe facilities so that and effectively keep our communities safe," Senator Gillibrand said. "The City of Corning Fire Department will … Continue Reading
January 11, 2012
Gillibrand Announces More Than $46,000 for Dundee Volunteer Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $46,693 in federal funding for the Dundee Volunteer Fire Department to upgrade their operations and safety measures to respond to emergencies more effectively. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. In November, Senator Gillibrand wrote to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate urging him to support the Dundee Volunteer Fire Department's grant … Continue Reading
January 09, 2012
Gillibrand Announces More Than $91,000 for Nanuet Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $91,401 in federal funding for the Village of Nanuet Fire Department to purchase new protective and communication equipment to respond to emergencies more effectively. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). In October, Senator Gillibrand wrote to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate urging him to support Nanuet Fire District's grant application for these … Continue Reading
January 05, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $5 Million for Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority to Construct New Transit Center
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) is set to receive $5,064,369 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to construct a new transit center in Downtown Rochester. The new transportation hub will provide an indoor facility for local residents to catch and transfer buses. The funds will be used to construct a new 26-bay transit center in Downtown Rochester to replace its … Continue Reading
January 05, 2012
Gillibrand Urges Feds to Speed Up FDA Study On Stronger Rules for Use of Opiate Painkillers
Washington, DC - After two deadly pharmacy shootings in Medford and Seaford, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged federal agencies to speed up their study examining stronger restrictions on the use of opiates, including the powerful opiate painkiller hydrocodone. With rampant pill abuse, and a wave of crimes involving prescription painkillers across Long Island, Senator Gillibrand requested an update on the status of the study, pointing out that reclassifying hydrocodone as a "Schedule … Continue Reading
January 04, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce New York Set to Receive Nearly $90 Million in Emergency Funding for Highway Flood Damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the federal Department of Transportation is releasing $89,751,296 in congressionally-approved emergency relief money for New York State after Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Specifically, this investment will help fund repairs to washed out roads and bridges, debris deposits on roadways, damaged roadway surfaces and more. Schumer and Gillibrand supported the legislation which appropriated this emergency … Continue Reading
January 04, 2012
Gillibrand Announces More Than $18, 000 for Binghamton Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today $18,315 in federal funding for the Binghamton Fire Department to purchase new protective equipment to respond to emergencies and medical care more effectively. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant. "This funding will help equip the Binghamton Fire Department with the tools necessary to save lives," said Senator Gillibrand. "I will continue working to … Continue Reading