Press Releases
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
February 15, 2010
Gillibrand Announces Bipartisan Legislation Imposing Targeted Sanctions Against Human Rights Abuses in Iran
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, along witha bipartisan group of Senators, announced their intention to introduce legislation that will impose targeted sanctions against members of the Iranian government responsible for human rights abuses. The legislation - cosponsored by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Evan Bayh (D-IN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Robert Casey (D-PA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Ted Kaufman (D-DE), and … Continue Reading
February 12, 2010
Gillibrand Unveils Comprehensive Plan To Battle HIV/AIDS Among African American Communities
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced today that she has introduced comprehensive legislation in the Senate to reduce, prevent, treat and fight against HIV/AIDS among African American communities. The National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2009, which was authored and introduced in the House by Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY), would expand outreach and prevention efforts, train health care providers, create care centers, and develop research … Continue Reading
February 12, 2010
Gillibrand Applauds Reserve Officers Association For Rejecting “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”
Washington, D.C. - The Reserve Officers Association, the nation's largest organization of retired U.S. military reserve officers, voted this week to end its decade-long position of excluding gays and lesbians from the U.S. military and rejected the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement: "I am pleased and proud to see the Reserve Officers Association take this important step to make our country stronger morally and militarily. "Each … Continue Reading
February 12, 2010
On Anniversary Of Buffalo Plane Crash, Gillibrand Stands With Families Of Victims To Introduce “Flight 3407 Memorial Act” To Enact Safety Recommendations
Buffalo, NY - Standing with family members of the victims of Buffalo Flight 3407 that crashed one year ago today killing all 49 passengers on board, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today introduced the Flight 3407 Memorial Act -- new legislation that would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement all standards established in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigative report. "Time and time again the FAA has failed to heed the calls by the NTSB to … Continue Reading
February 11, 2010
Senator Gillibrand Announces 2010 Academy Nominations From Upstate New York
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today her nominations of Upstate New Yorkers to the nation's leading service institutions - the United States Air Force, Military, Naval, and Merchant Marine Academies. A selection committee formed by Senator Gillibrand chose the nominees from a large group of qualified applicants. Decisions were based on criteria including academic record, leadership potential, and overall achievement. Final acceptance is determined solely by the … Continue Reading
February 11, 2010
Senator Gillibrand Announces 2010 Academy Nominations From Long Island
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today her nominations of Long Island residents to the nation's leading service institutions - the United States Air Force, Military, Naval, and Merchant Marine Academies. A selection committee formed by Senator Gillibrand chose the nominees from a large group of qualified applicants. Decisions were based on criteria including academic record, leadership potential, and overall achievement. Final acceptance is determined solely by … Continue Reading
February 09, 2010
Sens. Gillibrand, Voinovich Introduce Resolution to Designate September “National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) and George V. Voinovich (R-OH) today introduced a resolution to designate the month of September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, bringing national attention to a growing epidemic among youth in the United States. In addition, the resolution requests that the president issue a proclamation calling on the federal government, states, tribes and localities to observe September with programs that promote healthy eating and … Continue Reading
February 09, 2010
Gillibrand Praises First Lady Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined First Lady Michelle Obama today to kick off Let's Move -- a new campaign to fight the childhood obesity epidemic and improve health and nutrition for our children. Senator Gillibrand issued the following statement praising First Lady Obama's leadership to put our children on a path to healthier, more successful future: "First Lady Obama understands that child obesity is a crisis that our nation must urgently address. "Every New … Continue Reading
February 09, 2010
With Approximately 2.1 Million New Yorkers Retiring In Next 10 Years, Gillibrand Unveils Plan To Help Middle Class Nyers Save For Retirement
Washington, D.C. - With approximately 2.1 million New Yorkers set to retire in the next 10 years and approximately 5 million to retire in the next 20 years, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today unveiled plans to help hardworking middle class New Yorkers save for retirement. Her new legislative agenda would expand tax credits that match contributions to retirement plans, protect 401(k)s with more security and transparency, and encourage automatic enrollment in Individual Retirement Accounts … Continue Reading
February 05, 2010
Gillibrand Introduces Solar Energy Legislation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced legislation this week to encourage the installation of 10 million solar systems on the rooftops of homes and businesses over the next decade. According the New York State Department of Labor report from 2009, New York has nearly 75,000 jobs associated with solar manufacturing and installation in more than 7,000 New York companies. Based on average wages, New York's solar industry payroll is approximately $4.8 billion dollars. … Continue Reading
February 05, 2010
After Gillibrand Called For Debt Relief For Haiti, Treasury Announces It Will Press For Action At This Weekend’s G7
Washington, DC - At the urging of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will announce U.S. support for a debt moratorium for Haiti at this weekend's meeting of G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to help remove some of Haiti's heavy financial burdens as it struggles to recover from a devastating set of earthquakes. Currently, Haiti faces approximately $429 million of external debt to the InterAmerian Development Bank (IDB), as well as other debt … Continue Reading
February 04, 2010
Gillibrand, Menendez, Clarke To Introduce Legislation To Speed Visas For Haitians With Families In The U.S.
Washington, DC - With Haiti in ruins and hundreds of thousands of people left homeless by the earthquake, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced today that they will introduce legislation that would allow an estimated 55,000 Haitians who already have approved immigration petitions to join their relatives in the United States. The legislation would also provide the opportunity to apply for work, and send money back home. The Gillibrand-Menendez bill would speed … Continue Reading
February 04, 2010
Gillibrand, Baldwin To Sec. Clinton: Save LGBT Refugees
Washington, D.C. - With hundreds of LGBT individuals being beaten, persecuted and even killed in Iraq, Iran and other countries, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), joined by 11 of their Senate colleagues and 31 of their House colleagues, today wrote to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging her to work with U.S. Ambassadors, the United Nations and NGOs across the globe to enforce human rights laws … Continue Reading
