Press Releases
Gillibrand, Colleagues To DHS IG: Investigate Alleged Forced Hysterectomies At ICE Facility
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined 42 senators in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General Joseph Cuffari urging him to immediately investigate a whistleblower complaint alleging forced hysterectomies at the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia. "We cannot turn a blind eye to these horrific allegations about forced sterilizations of immigrant women in ICE detention centers - a practice all too common in our history and all too familiar for … Continue Reading
September 18, 2020
Gillibrand Statement On The Passing Of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The world has lost a giant. A brilliant jurist, a resolute champion for justice and a trailblazer for women's rights, Ruth Bader Ginsburg has left a legacy that will echo through history. Justice Ginsburg will forever be a feminist icon who inspired generations of young women--myself included--to follow their dreams, break through barriers and never let gender stand in the way. She will be deeply missed and my prayers are with her family and … Continue Reading
September 18, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge Postmaster General To Reverse Harmful Operational Changes To U.S. Postal Service That Have Resulted In Delays Of Medications To New Yorkers
Following alarming reports that delivery time for critical prescription medications have increased, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy calling for the immediate reversal of harmful operational changes. During the pandemic, even more New Yorkers, especially seniors, are relying on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for their prescription medications. However, increased demand, coupled with changes made by DeJoy, have slowed … Continue Reading
September 18, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand To Treasury Secretary Mnuchin: Restore 9/11 Health Care Funds To FDNY And First Responders
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand sent a letter this morning to Treasury Department Secretary Steven Mnuchin regarding the Treasury Department withholding nearly $4 million in reimbursements to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) for health care provided to firefighters who are sick and injured due to the toxins they encountered at Ground Zero. "The Trump Treasury Department siphoning congressionally appropriated funds meant to pay for 9/11 workers' healthcare is an … Continue Reading
September 17, 2020
Senators Gillibrand And Sanders Reintroduce Postal Banking Act To Fund United States Postal Service And Provide Basic Financial Services To Underbanked Americans
***Watch Their Conversation HERE*** Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) held a Facebook live conversation to announce the Postal Banking Act. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has faced repeated attacks by the Trump administration including denying emergency funding during the pandemic and putting postal workers at risk of losing their jobs, disrupting operations and services, and delaying mail delivery. The Postal Banking Act would re-establish … Continue Reading
September 17, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $1.5 Million In Federal Funding For Ithaca’s Cayuga Lake Waterfront Revitalization Project
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,372,533 in federal funding to develop pedestrian-friendly infrastructure along the Cayuga Lake Waterfront in the City of Ithaca. These funds will be used to redesign a .85 mile stretch of Route 13 to better facilitate pedestrian and bikers usage, and to greatly reduce traffic. The funds will also extend 5th Street for direct access to the Cayuga Lake waterfront. "Ithaca's Cayuga Lake is a … Continue Reading
September 16, 2020
Senator Gillibrand And Colleagues Urge Pompeo To Restore Critical Aid To Yemen To Help Combat Multiple Humanitarian Crises
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and a group of 18 senators urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Administrator John Barsa to restore $73 million in suspended USAID funding to Yemen -- to be disbursed by United Nations groups, non-profit organizations, and local partners -- and to work with the international community to disburse critical medical supplies in order to combat the spread of COVID-19 and help address multiple … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Discusses Landmark Legislation To Help Veterans With Diseases Linked To Burn Pits And Other Toxic Exposures Obtain Benefits From VA
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a press call with New York media to discuss her new landmark legislation, the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2020. Earlier today, Gillibrand stood in front of the United States Capitol alongside veterans advocate Jon Stewart, Congressman Raul Ruiz M.D. (D-CA), former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin, 9/11 responder and advocate John Feal and an array of veterans groups to announce … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Raul Ruiz, Jon Stewart, Veterans Advocates Announce Landmark Legislation To Help Veterans With Diseases Linked To Burn Pits And Other Toxic Exposures Obtain Benefits From VA
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), U.S. Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), veterans advocate Jon Stewart, 9/11 activist John Feal, former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin, and many veterans advocates, held a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol to announce new landmark legislation, the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2020. The bill would streamline the process for veterans to obtain VA benefits for illness due … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge President Trump To Support Major Disaster Declaration For New York State In Wake Of Tropical Storm Isaias
Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand wrote a letter to President Trump in strong support of Governor Andrew Cuomo's request for a Major Disaster Declaration for New York State. In the letter, they also encourage the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue working closely with the state to complete the outstanding Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) for several counties across New York including Dutchess, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland and Westchester … Continue Reading
September 11, 2020
Senator Gillibrand Delivers Weekly Democratic Address
As we commemorate the 19th anniversary of 9/11 today and as America continues to battle the coronavirus, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) delivers this week's Weekly Democratic Address. Senator Gillibrand begins the address by remembering the selfless and generous spirit Americans exhibited on that terrifying day 19 years ago and underscores that we are seeing the same spirit today as Americans face the coronavirus pandemic. She notes that like the heroes who stepped up on September 11, 2001, … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Gillibrand Statement: Four Years After Original Nomination, Diane Gujarati Is Confirmed For U.S. District Judge For The Eastern District Of New York
Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Diane Gujarati to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand had recommended Gujarati during each of the last two administrations. Gujarati will be the first Indian American to serve as an Article III federal judge in New York. "Diane Gujarati is a smart, fair and accomplished litigator with substantial experience in criminal prosecutions and appellate proceedings and an outstanding public servant," … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
As Republicans Move To Pass Woefully Inadequate “Skinny” Package, Gillibrand Outlines Key Priorities For COVID Relief
As Senate Republicans unveil "skinny" relief package that protects large corporations and leaves hardworking Americans in the lurch, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is pushing Congress to support families that were left out of the recently introduced bill. While the House passed the comprehensive HEROES Act in May, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has delayed bringing a desperately needed relief package to the Senate floor. Now, the "skinny" bill that McConnell is attempting to pass … Continue Reading
September 07, 2020
Senator Gillibrand, Representative Delgado Visit Bethel Woods Center For The Arts, Push For Legislation To Support Live Event Venues And Small Businesses
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado visited Bethel Woods Center for the Arts to push for legislation to support live event venues and small- and mid-sized businesses that have been hit hardest by the coronavirus crisis. While the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was intended to help small- and mid-sized businesses weather the economic crisis, many have slipped through the cracks and are struggling to maintain operations and pay their employees. … Continue Reading
September 07, 2020
Senator Gillibrand Stands With Postal Workers In Syracuse, Calls For Full Funding Of Post Office To Protect Jobs, Public Health, And Democracy
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood with members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 257 and National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 134 in Syracuse to discuss operational issues at the United States Postal Service and call on Postmaster General Louis DeJoyto reverse harmful changes to operations. While DeJoy has halted further changes to postal service operations, disturbing reports have emerged of slow mail delivery, mail left sitting in facilities … Continue Reading
September 07, 2020
Senator Gillibrand Stands With Postal Workers In Watertown, Calls For Full Funding Of Post Office To Protect Jobs, Public Health, And Democracy
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood with members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) and National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) in Watertown to discuss operational issues at the United States Postal Service and call on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to reverse harmful changes to operations. While DeJoy has halted further changes to postal service operations, disturbing reports have emerged of slow mail delivery, mail left sitting in facilities overnight, the sudden … Continue Reading
September 04, 2020
Gillibrand Continues Push To Extend School Nutrition Program Through 2020-2021 School Year
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined her colleagues to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to extend certain school meal waivers through the end of the 2020-21 school year to ensure that students receive nutritious meals during continued uncertainty over in-person learning. Specifically, the senators are requesting the extension of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO), and Area Eligibility Waivers, which, as of August 31, were only extended through … Continue Reading
September 04, 2020
ICYMI: Video: Gillibrand Join’s NY1’S Errol Louis To Talk NYC Events On Food Insecurity And Legislation To Combat Institutional Racism
In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined NY1's Errol Louis on Inside City Hall to discuss her recent events in New York City on food insecurity, her efforts to expand the P-EBT program and to address problems in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Gillibrand also highlighted her work to pass legislation to help combat institutional racism in maternal mortality rates, cash bail, infrastructure, access to capital and more. Watch the full video … Continue Reading
September 03, 2020
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $5 Million In FEMA Funding For New York Firefighters And Emergency Response Preparedness
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $5,046,694.73 in federal funding to bolster New York's firefighter force and to provide essential PPE for firefighters responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. "From the peak of the pandemic to normal times, our brave firefighters are always on the front lines, risking their lives to protect their communities," said Senator Schumer. "These courageous first responders deserve all the federal support … Continue Reading
September 02, 2020
Senator Gillibrand Calls For Strengthened Public Service Loan Forgiveness In Next COVID-19 Relief Package During Visit To NY Public Employees Federation
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) in Albany to call for reform of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program to support frontline public service workers as the economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. Since its inception, less than 1% of all public servants who have applied for the PSLF program have received loan forgiveness due to flawed implementation. Gillibrand's What Can You Do For Your Country Act would close … Continue Reading
