Press Releases
In Wake of Two Deadly Bus Crashes, Gillibrand Calls On Transportation Department to Immediately Remove Unsafe Bus Drivers Off The Road, Implement Tough Safety Guidelines
Washington, DC - After two deadly bus tour crashes in Washington and Virginia claimed six lives last week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced that she is calling on the Department of Transportation (DOT) to immediately implement tough safety standards and accelerate efforts to get unsafe buses and fatigued drivers off the road. In a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood, Gillibrand is demanding that the DOT shorten the timeframe in which operators must comply with tough … Continue Reading
June 06, 2011
Schumer, Gillibrand: Sunscreen Labels Promise Protection But Actually Put Sunlovers at Risk For Cancer Due to Lack Of Accurate Labeling; Join Colleagues to Introduce “SUN” Act That Would Require Clear Labeling To Protect Sunscreen Users
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced a new effort to put pressure on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to finally issue comprehensive regulations for the sunscreen industry, regarding formulation, labeling and testing requirements for over-the-counter sunscreen products, to protect consumers from dangerous ingredients and inaccurate labels. As the summer months approach, and one million more Americans are expected to be diagnosed with skin cancer this … Continue Reading
June 06, 2011
Gillibrand Announces New Steps in Ongoing Effort to Make Government More Open and Transparent at The Personal Democracy Forum 2011
New York, NY - Speaking at the Personal Democracy Forum 2011 at New York University, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today announced she is supporting two new efforts in an ongoing effort to make government more transparent and accountable. Senator Gillibrand said she will co-sponsor a proposal in the U.S. Senate which would for the first time require all Senators to file electronic Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports, a practice she will voluntarily comply with beginning the next … Continue Reading
June 03, 2011
At Watkins Glen Middle School, Gillibrand Sees Firsthand Virtual Classroom Software Program That Allows Students To Use Broadband At School And At Home
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today at Watkins Glen Middle School saw firsthand how local students are using virtual classroom software program to access the internet at school and home. At Senator Gillibrand's urging, the Greater Southern Tier Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (GST BOCES) in Watkins Glen was chosen as one of twenty national projects eligible for up to $170,000 in funding allocated through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its … Continue Reading
June 03, 2011
At Watkins Glen Middle School, Gillibrand Sees Firsthand Virtual Classroom Software Program That Allow Students to Use Broadband at School and Home
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today at Watkins Glen Middle School saw firsthand how local students are using virtual classroom software program to access the internet at school and home. At Senator Gillibrand's urging, the Greater Southern Tier Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (GST BOCES) in Watkins Glen was chosen as one of twenty national projects eligible for up to $170,000 in funding allocated through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its … Continue Reading
June 03, 2011
Gillibrand Meets with Central New York Farmers, Continues Listening Tour to Discuss 2012 Farm Bill
Preble, NY - As Congress begins debate over the next Farm Bill, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the first New Yorker to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 40 years, today met with Central New York farmers to continue her statewide listening sessions to discuss new efforts to help New York farmers and farming communities. Senator Gillibrand plans to focus on key areas of the Farm Bill that will have major influence on New York, including access to financing, new market … Continue Reading
June 01, 2011
At Gillibrand's Urging, U.S. Announces Pull-Out From U.N. Durban III Summit
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today commended the announcement from the Obama Administration that the U.S. will refrain from participating in the United Nation's Durban III World Conference Against Racism. In December, Senator Gillibrand led a bipartisan effort urging the U.S. not to participate in the conference that will likely once again serve as a forum for anti-Semitic and anti-American demonstrations. The Senators also expressed disappointment with the United Nation's … Continue Reading
June 01, 2011
Gillibrand Announces Nearly $20,000 For City Of Cortland Fire Department
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $19,750 in federal funding for the City of Cortland Fire Department. These federal dollars will be used by the City of Cortland Fire Department to provide comprehensive life safety education programs to the citizens of Cortland and the surrounding mutual aid areas. The funding is allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program under the Department of Homeland Security … Continue Reading
May 30, 2011
On Memorial Day, Gillibrand Pays Tribute To World War II Vets, Secures Posthumous Medals For Albany Family Members
Albany, NY - On Memorial Day, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), joined by Congressman Paul Tonko, paid tribute to the service of two World War II veterans by securing posthumous medals for their families in Albany. Senator Gillibrand honored a daughter's wish to secure war medals in memory of her father, the late Vincent Muraski, and an Albany soldier Robert O'Brien's dying wish to obtain medals to pass onto his grandchildren. Standing at Michael's Banquet House, the Senator presented … Continue Reading
May 27, 2011
Gillibrand Calls for Historic Landmark Designation for USS Slater
Washington, DC - This week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) urged the National Park Service to designate the USS Slater-one of the remaining World War II naval ships and the only destroyer escort afloat in the United States -as a National Historic Landmark. Senator Gillibrand wrote in a letter to Paul Loether, Chief of the National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program, "I urge you to consider the favorable findings of the National Park Service … Continue Reading
May 27, 2011
Gillibrand Announces Full Funding For Hudson Valley Company's I.E.D. Technology Program
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) will fully fund the second phase of the Fisher Program, which is administered and managed by the Army Geospatial center on behalf of JIEDDO. It is in the process of developing technology through the Fishkill-based Advanced Reconnaissance Corp. that would allow troops on the ground to detect improvised … Continue Reading
May 25, 2011
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge President And USDA To Swiftly Declare New York Counties Federal Disaster Areas; Storms Caused $38 Million In Damage To Land, Critical Infrastructure And Farms
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand wrote to President Barack Obama and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, urging the immediate approval of New York State's recent request for a federal disaster declaration in response to the April 26th storms that caused more than $38 million in debris removal costs and damage to critical infrastructure. The affected counties include Allegany, Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, … Continue Reading
May 25, 2011
As Nation Honors Fallen Heroes On Memorial Day, Gillibrand Fights For Legislation To Proactively Provide NY Vets With Care, Benefits
Washington, D.C. - As America honors our fallen heroes who have died defending our country this Memorial Day, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is introducing legislation to improve access to health care and other benefits for New York veterans by requiring the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to proactively inform all new veterans of the benefits they are eligible for, and provide all necessary application materials. "Our veterans have answered a call higher than any other, and … Continue Reading
May 24, 2011
Gillibrand Announces More Than $80,000 For Levittown Fire District
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $80,580 in federal funding for the Levittown Fire District. These federal dollars will be used by the Levittown Fire District to recruit additional first responders. The funding is allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. "This is a great investment for Levittown," Senator Gillibrand said. "This federal investment will help improve the … Continue Reading
May 20, 2011
At Eastview Middle School, Gillibrand Announces New Legislation To Connect Local At-Risk Youth With Job Opportunities
White Plains, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today stood with Westchester community leaders to announce new legislation aimed at increasing employment among at-risk youth. The Urban Jobs Act would provide federal funding to nonprofit organizations, allowing them to carry out programming to prepare youth for employment, particularly benefiting youth that have dropped out of high school or have been subject to any stage of the criminal justice process. "Supporting education and … Continue Reading
May 20, 2011
Gillibrand Urges Commerce Secretary to Designate Foreign Trade Zone for Genesee County Businesses
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to approve the application submitted by the Genesee County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) and the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GCLDC) for a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), a measure that could help attract more businesses to the region, help local businesses find new markets, and create more local jobs. In her letter to Secretary Locke, Senator Gillibrand wrote, "This … Continue Reading
May 20, 2011
At The Urban League of Long Island, Gillibrand Announces New Legislation to Connect Local At-Risk Youth With Job Opportunities
Hempstead, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today stood with Long Island community leaders to announce new legislation aimed at increasing employment among at-risk youth. The Urban Jobs Act would provide federal funding to nonprofit organizations, allowing them to carry out programming to prepare youth for employment, particularly benefiting youth that have dropped out of high school or have been subject to any stage of the criminal justice process. "Supporting education and … Continue Reading
May 18, 2011
With Over 23,000 Police and Fire Departments Across NYS That Cannot All Communicate With Each Other Effectively During Emergencies, Gillibrand Calls for Upgrade to Emergency Communications System
Washington, D.C. - With more than 2,300 police and fire departments across New York State that cannot all communicate with each other effectively during times of emergency, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is today calling on the House and Senate to pass legislation that would provide first responders and public safety officials with critical interoperable radio airwaves needed to effectively communicate in the event a major response is needed. The 9/11 Commission Report identified … Continue Reading
May 17, 2011
NY Lawmakers Urge Regulators to Reconsider Derivatives Rule That Would Hurt U.S. Competitiveness
WASHINGTON DC-Today, a bipartisan group of New York lawmakers warned federal regulators against implementing a new rule on derivatives that would put U.S. financial firms at a competitive disadvantage. At issue are new regulations that would apply margin requirements to derivative transactions between non-U.S. subsidiaries of U.S. entities and non-U.S. counterparties. By contrast, the proposed rules would not apply to non-U.S. banks doing business with non-U.S. clients. This disparity in … Continue Reading
May 17, 2011
Gillibrand, Senate Colleagues Call for Swift Passage of First Responder Communications Bill
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today stood with her colleagues Senators John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to call on the House and Senate to join them in passing legislation to provide America's first responders with lifesaving communications tools before the tenth anniversary of 9/11. "New York City remains the number one target for terrorists around the world who want to harm … Continue Reading
