Press Releases
With Growing Violence In Syria, Gillibrand, Kirk, Lieberman Call For Tough, New Sanctions Against Syria
Washington, DC - With Syrian government forces launching a new wave of violence against civilians this week killing more than 125 protestors, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) will introduce the Syria Sanctions Act of 2011 this week - new bipartisan legislation that would establish tougher U.S. sanctions against Syria and hold President Bashar al-Assad's regime accountable for its human rights abuses. Under this bill, the President would be … Continue Reading
August 01, 2011
Gillibrand Statement On Rep. Giffords’ Inspiring Return To The House Floor
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement after Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords' inspiring return to the House of Representatives floor to vote earlier this evening: "I had tears of joy seeing Gabby on the floor tonight where she belongs. Gabby is a fighter and I always knew this day would come. She continues to inspire the nation with her strength and … Continue Reading
August 01, 2011
Gillibrand Announces $197,500 Grant For Weeksville Heritage Center
Brooklyn, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced today $197,500 in federal funding for the Weeksville Heritage Center to provide low-income Brooklyn residents with access to fresh, healthy food and nutrition education while keeping with Central Brooklyn's African American gardening and cooking traditions. Funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). "It's important to keep Brooklyn communities green and healthy," Senator Gillibrand said. "Federal funding … Continue Reading
August 01, 2011
Schumer, Gillibrand Push Feds To Grant Individual Disaster Assistance In Wake Of April Storms & Flooding
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand wrote to President Obama and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, urging them to reverse an earlier decision to deny New York counties individual assistance in the wake of flooding from April storms. Schumer and Gillibrand believe the damage from these storms should make Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Herkimer, Oneida, Onondaga, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Tompkins, Warren, Washington, and Yates counties eligible for … Continue Reading
July 29, 2011
Gillibrand, Senate Colleagues Urge Major Airlines To Pass Expired Tax Savings Along To Travelers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today joined with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Finance Committee members Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), as well as Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) to call on major U.S. airlines to reduce airfares and pass the cost savings from temporarily expired aviation taxes onto travelers. In a letter to United Continental, American, Delta, US Airways, … Continue Reading
July 29, 2011
Key Senate Committee Bill Includes Gillibrand’s National Teen Driving Safety Plan – Important New Step To Save Lives
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that a section of the Transportation Authorization bill taken up by Senate Commerce Committee includes Senator Gillibrand's Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STAND UP) Act. The legislation would set national standards for states to implement Graduated Drivers License (GDL) programs that prepare teens to be safe, responsible drivers. The Senate Commerce Committee introduced the Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety … Continue Reading
July 29, 2011
Gillibrand Statement On Senate Vote To Protect Economic Stability
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement tonight after the Senate struck down the House Republicans' short-term plan that risks a credit downgrade: "Tea Partiers need to stop playing games with legislation that risks a credit downgrade, which would essentially raise taxes on all Americans. Linking the paying of our bills to amending the constitution is political theater. The economy demands a long-term solution, which House Republicans themselves have … Continue Reading
July 28, 2011
At Gillibrand’s Recommendation, White House Formally Nominates Ronnie Abrams For U.S. District Court Judge, Southern District Of New York
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the White House has formally nominated Ms. Ronnie Abrams to serve as U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York after Senator Gillibrand recommended her for the position in April, marking Senator Gillibrand's first judicial recommendation. Her appointment would add another exceptional female jurist to the federal bench. A distinguished prosecutor, Ms. Abrams rose to Deputy Chief, Criminal Division at the … Continue Reading
July 26, 2011
Gillibrand Announces Legislation To Promote Community Supported Agriculture
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today introduced legislation that would create a competitive grant program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) dedicated to the promotion of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). CSA is a renowned and proven system that directly connects consumers with the farmers who grow their food. At the beginning of each growing season, members of CSA pay for a share of a farm's produce. Throughout the season, members receive a weekly box … Continue Reading
July 26, 2011
Gillibrand Urges Feds To Speed Up Research Linking Cancer To 9/11 Toxins, Make Decision To Add Cancer To List Of 9/11 Illnesses
Washington, DC - After a report released today by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) noted insufficient data linking cancer to toxins at Ground Zero, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) urged the Director of NIOSH, Dr. John Howard, to speed up research and data collection examining ties between cancers and Ground Zero toxins so that an expedited decision can be made on adding the disease to the list of 9/11 health-related illnesses. With growing rates of … Continue Reading
July 22, 2011
Gillibrand Statement On Presidential Certification Of DADT Repeal
Washington, D.C. - After President Obama today officially certified the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement: "Today is a proud day for America and our Armed Services. Thousands of our brave men and women will no longer have to lie about who they are as they serve and fight for our nation. Putting this corrosive policy behind us will strengthen America both militarily and morally. "Just as every American deserves the right to serve … Continue Reading
July 22, 2011
Gillibrand Presses China On Rare Earth Metals After WTO Rules Against China’s Export Restrictions
Washington, DC - After the World Trade Organization ruled earlier this month that China has violated international rules by restricting exports of raw materials used in clean technology products, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) pressed China's Ambassador to the United States today to address her specific concerns over the country's stronghold of rare earth elements (REEs). China accounts for over 95 percent of the world's supply of REEs - minerals used in a broad range of household … Continue Reading
July 21, 2011
Gillibrand Urges EPA To Reject $1.6 Billion Unfunded Federal Mandate To Cover Hillview Reservoir
New York, NY - With New York City facing the forced implementation of an unfunded $1.6 billion federal agency mandate to cover the 90-acre Hillview Reservior that would have little public health benefit and place an unnecessary financial burden on City residents, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Environmental Public Works Committee, urged Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson to reject and lift the mandate. Senator Gillibrand pointed out … Continue Reading
July 21, 2011
Sens. Franken, Durbin, Gillibrand, Klobuchar Work to Protect Children During Immigration Enforcement Raids
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to keep kids safe and accounted for during federal immigration raids, a group of U.S. Senators reintroduced a measure today to ensure that children are not inadvertently abandoned after their parents are detained by U.S. immigration officials, and to allow those parents to communicate with their children, arrange for care, and participate in family court hearings. The bill, the Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections (HELP) Separated Children Act, was … Continue Reading
July 20, 2011
At Gillibrand’s Urging, EPA Launches New Efforts To Help Western New York Businesses Become More Energy Efficient
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today applauded the announcement of $230,000 in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and to the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York (CACWNY) to help make Western New York businesses more energy efficient, and help improve the local environment. Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, wrote to EPA Administrator Lisa … Continue Reading
July 19, 2011
Gillibrand Announces $300,000 Job Training Grant For Fortune Society
New York, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced today $300,000 in federal funding for New York City's Fortune Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to working with those who have been subject to the criminal justice process or formerly incarcerated to become positive, successful members of society. Federal funding will be used to train and transition dozens of New York City youth who have previous criminal histories and live in communities affected by contamination and … Continue Reading
July 19, 2011
Gillibrand Fights To Reform Crop Insurance For New York’s Grape Producers
Washington, D.C. - With unfair and outdated insurance regulations putting a strain on New York State's grape producers, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is urging the USDA to remove unnecessary burdens that hold grape producers back from their full economic potential. New York State produces 180,000 tons of grapes each year, making New York the third largest grape producer in the nation, and contributing $50 million to the state's rural economy … Continue Reading
July 18, 2011
With 9 Million ID Theft Victims Each Year, Gillibrand Pushes Bill To Remove Social Security Numbers From Medicare Cards
Washington D.C. - With 9 million victims of identity theft in the United States each year, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today pushed legislation to remove social security numbers from Medicare cards and communications. Forty million Americans carry Medicare cards with their Social Security number listed. Identity theft cost the average victim $631 in 2010-that's on top of civil, tax and employment problems identity theft causes. "Listing Social Security numbers on Medicare cards needlessly … Continue Reading
July 18, 2011
With 9 Million ID Theft Victims Each Year, Gillibrand Pushes Bill To Remove Social Security Numbers From Medicare Cards
Washington D.C. - With 9 million victims of identity theft in the United States each year, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today pushed legislation to remove social security numbers from Medicare cards and communications. Forty million Americans carry Medicare cards with their Social Security number listed. Identity theft cost the average victim $631 in 2010-that's on top of civil, tax and employment problems identity theft causes. "Listing Social Security numbers on Medicare cards needlessly … Continue Reading
July 14, 2011
Gillibrand Urges Walgreens To Renew Contract With TRICARE
New York, NY - After Walgreens announced that it will cut ties with TRICARE pharmacy military insurance by this year's end, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged Walgreens CEO to come back to the negotiating table and renew a contract with Express Scripts, Inc., the company that manages TRICARE's pharmacy program, in order to prevent New York's military veterans, retirees, and their families from being forced to meet their prescription … Continue Reading
