Police Badges of 29 NYPD Officers Who Died From 9/11-Related Diseases Come To Nation’s Capital As Senate Prepares To Consider 9/11 Health Bill – Gillibrand, Commissioner Kelly Unveil Week Long Exhibition

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer, together with U.S. Representatives Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, Peter King, Anthony Weiner, and New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly today stood with labor leaders and 9/11 survivors, family members and advocates to unveil a special exhibition of police badges belonging to members of the New York City Police Department who assisted in rescue efforts at Ground Zero and later died from 9/11-related illnesses. … Continue Reading

Gillibrand Durban III: “An Insult To America”

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement criticizing the United Nations' decision to hold the Durban III World Conference Against Racism in New York City next September. Senator Gillibrand was among the first lawmakers to successfully urge the Obama Administration to withdraw from Durban II. "It is an insult to America that the United Nations has decided to hold the Durban III conference in New York City just days from the tenth anniversary of the September 11th … Continue Reading

Gillibrand Responds To U.S. Supreme Court Decision On “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Traveling in Afghanistan and Pakistan, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy: "While this is a disappointing decision, it demonstrates the need for Congress to take action now. The 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy undermines our national security, the integrity of our armed services, and the moral foundation upon which this country was founded. We must put our national … Continue Reading

From Pakistan, Gillibrand Issues Statement On Bombing In Karachi

Islamabad, Pakistan - Traveling in Islamabad today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement in response to the terrorist bombing in Karachi that killed more than a dozen people this evening. "I am saddened by the loss of life due to another terrorist attack in Karachi today. Just today I raised concerns with Pakistan's top leaders that in order to end the attacks that terrorize the country, the military and … Continue Reading

Gillibrand Statement On Palestinian President Abbas Comments

Kabul, Afghanistan - Following comments made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement: "Peace in the region will only come through face-to-face negotiations between the elected representatives of the Israelis and the Palestinians. These negotiations should restart at once without preconditions. The recently floated idea from the Palestinian Authority of asking the United … Continue Reading

After Senator Gillibrand Took Action To Improve Milk Quality And Bolster Exports, National Milk Steps Up To The Plate To Raise Milk Standards

Washington, D.C. - After U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand took action to improve milk quality and bolster international exports, National Milk, which represents a majority of milk producers, stepped up to the plate this past week and developed a plan to limit somatic cell counts (SCC) to 400,000 over the next three years. Earlier this fall, Senator Gillibrand urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lower the SCC to improve quality and increase exports. Somatic cells are not a health … Continue Reading

As NJ Gov. Christie Turns Away Federal Transportation Funds, Gillibrand Urges Transportation Sec. To Redirect Investment To NY

Washington, DC - As New Jersey Governor Chris Christie turns away federal funding for the Access to the Region's Core (ARC) project, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today wrote to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood urging him to redirect this funding for two of New York's most critical infrastructure projects: the Long Island Rail Road East Side Access project and the construction of the Second Avenue Subway line. Advancing these two projects would help relieve massive traffic … Continue Reading

Following Terror Threat From Yemen, Gillibrand Calls For Greater Surveillance Of Air Cargo, More Funding For Security At Religious Institutions

Washington, DC -- Following the interception of cargo containing explosive materials originating in Yemen and targeting Jewish centers in Chicago, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement: "Clearly, we need to look at greater surveillance of all air cargo coming from abroad and more security funding for our religious institutions. We must always remain vigilant to all potential terror threats. Authorities have assured me that they are taking all the proper steps to … Continue Reading

Senators Query Secretary Clinton On Pending Decision On TransCanada Tar Sands Pipeline

WASHINGTON (FRIDAY, Oct. 29) - Led by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), 11 U.S. senators are raising questions about the pending approval of the TransCanada Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. In a letter sent Thursday to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the lawmakers sought answers to a series of concerns they have about the pipeline. Signing the letter, in addition to Leahy and Merkley, are Senators Roland Burris (D-Ill.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), … Continue Reading

Gillibrand Urges President Obama To Press China On Rare Earth Minerals At Upcoming G-20 Summit

Washington, DC - With reports showing China using its stronghold of rare earth elements (REEs) production to restrict export shipments, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today wrote to President Barack Obama, urging him to press China on this matter during the November G-20 summit in Seoul, Korea, to keep REE markets fair and open. China accounts for over 95 percent of the world's production of REEs -- minerals used in a broad range of household consumer products, as well as high-tech, clean … Continue Reading

Gillibrand Announces New Effort To Strengthen GI Bill, Expand Education Opportunities To All Members Of Military

Amherst, NY - As recent veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan struggle to find jobs, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a new push for legislation to expand the landmark G.I. Bill she helped pass as a Congresswoman and provide better higher education opportunities for more recent veterans, better preparing new veterans for the difficult economy. The Post-9/11Veterans Educational Assistance Act would: Expand the benefits of the existing G.I. Bill for National … Continue Reading

Gillibrand, Maffei Announce New Effort To Strengthen GI Bill, Expand Education Opportunities To All Members Of Military

Rochester, NY - As recent veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan struggle to find jobs, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Dan Maffei today announced a new push for legislation to expand the landmark G.I. Bill, provide better higher education opportunities for more recent veterans, better preparing new veterans for the difficult economy. The Post-9/11Veterans Educational Assistance Act would: Expand the benefits of the existing G.I. Bill for National Guard and Reserve … Continue Reading

Gillibrand Announces New Effort To Strengthen GI Bill, Expand Education Opportunities To All Members Of Military

Syracuse, NY - As recent veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan struggle to find jobs, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a new push for legislation to expand the landmark G.I. Bill she helped pass as a Congresswoman and provide better higher education opportunities for more recent veterans, better preparing new veterans for the difficult economy. The Post-9/11Veterans Educational Assistance Act would: Expand the benefits of the existing G.I. Bill for National … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand, Tonko Announce $2 Million In Federal Funding Coming To Bolster Livingston Avenue Bridge Replacement Project

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Paul Tonko announced that the Livingston Bridge project will receive $2 million in federal funding to lay the groundwork for a major revitalization to the 144 year old bridge. Today's announced funding will finance an engineering study that will serve as a blueprint for major upgrades to the bridge including an eventual full replacement. "The Livingston Avenue Bridge project will create jobs and lay down the building … Continue Reading

Members Of The Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force Urge President Obama To Award Dolores Huerta The Presidential Medal Of Freedom

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined with members of the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force to send a letter to President Obama urging him to award Dolores Huerta the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award. The letter was also signed by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ),Chairman of the Hispanic Task Force, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), and Senator John Kerry (D-MA). In their letter, the Senators … Continue Reading

Senator Gillibrand Challenges McConnell On Social Security

Washington, DC - With more than 50 million retirees and disabled Americans facing a second straight year with no increase in Social Security benefits, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today joined with five of her colleagues asking the Senate Republican leader to support a $250 emergency payment. "We hope that you will agree with us that it is far more important to provide $250 in emergency relief to senior citizens and disabled veterans than it is to provide an average tax break of over … Continue Reading

With Record Manufacturing Job Loss In NYS, Gillibrand Unveils Plan To Help Manufacturers Transition To Clean Energy Production, Create Jobs

Huntington, NY - New York has lost more than 160,000 manufacturing jobs since 2001, or nearly one-quarter of its manufacturing base. Long Island alone lost nearly 17,000 manufacturing jobs. To help New York's manufactures get back on track and to strengthen the economy for the long term, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today discussed her plan at a roundtable discussion at Telephonics in Huntington to help New York's manufacturers transition to clean energy production, including legislation to … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Opening Of New Passport Office In Buffalo

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the opening of a new passport office on Genesee Street in downtown Buffalo. The passport center was unveiled this morning in a ribbon cutting ceremony with Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick F. Kennedy; the new office will be one of only 23 nationwide and will work to boost regional commerce and make travel easier for Western New Yorkers. "The opening of the new passport office in Buffalo is a win-win-win. … Continue Reading

Paterson, Schumer, Gillibrand, Nadler, Lahood, And Bloomberg Break Ground On New Moynihan Station

Governor David A. Paterson, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and other officials broke ground today on phase I of the construction for Moynihan Station. The groundbreaking takes place on the 100th anniversary of the opening of Penn Station, the largest and most widely used train station in the United States. Prior to the groundbreaking, Governor … Continue Reading

Schumer, Gillibrand, Slaughter Announce $16.5 Million Coming For Revitalization Of Niagara Falls International Railway Station And Intermodal Transportation Center

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter announced that $16,500,000 in federal grant funding would be coming to Niagara Falls to revitalize the Niagara Falls Customhouse which will soon be known as the Niagara Falls International Railway Station. The funding comes from the Department of Transportation's competitive TIGER grant program which was enacted as part of the stimulus bill. "Over two decades ago this community set its mind to … Continue Reading