Press Releases
Gillibrand Statement on House Passage of Bipartisan 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Bill
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, bipartisan legislation she has sponsored to make the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund permanent: "I commend the House for passing the 'Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Gillibrand Writes to Acting Secretary Of Defense Esper to Express Concerns Over Handling of General Hyten Sexual Assault Case and Ask for Thorough Review
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, today expressed her concerns with the handling of the sexual assault allegations against General John E. Hyten, nominee for Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gillibrand called on Acting Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to address these concerns objectively by personally reviewing the case, providing the investigation file in the most unredacted form possible to the … Continue Reading
July 08, 2019
Following Reports That Trump Administration Is Considering Eliminating Deportation Protections For The Families Of Service Members, Gillibrand, Warren Call On Trump Administration To Keep Military Families Together
Washington, DC - Following reports that the Trump Administration is considering eliminating programs that protect undocumented family members of service members, reservists, and veterans from being deported, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today announced their letter to the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Kevin McAleenan, raising their concerns that the Administration intends to eliminate the Parole in Place and Deferred Action programs. Both … Continue Reading
July 08, 2019
Sponsors of Bill to Fully Fund & Make Permanent 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Announce Name Change to Honor Heroes
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), and Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY-12), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10), and Peter King (R-NY-2) today announced that their bipartisan legislation to make the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund permanent will be re-named to add 9/11 first responders Luis Alvarez and Ray Pfeifer, who will now join NYPD detective James Zadroga, as honorees of the bill. This legislation … Continue Reading
July 03, 2019
With Overhead Airplane Noise Plaguing Communities Near Westchester County Airport, Gillibrand, Schumer, Lowey Call On Faa To Hold Public Meeting In Westchester
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY-17) today announced their call for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hold a public meeting in Westchester to listen to the overhead airplane noise concerns of residents living near Westchester County Airport (HPN). Their call comes in support of County Executive George Latimer's request for this public meeting to help address the … Continue Reading
July 03, 2019
Following Troubling Reports Of Migrant Children Being Held For Extended Periods Of Time In Unlicensed Facilities With Dire Conditions, Gillibrand, Harris, Klobuchar Call On Agency To Immediately Implement Policies To Protect Children And Speed Up Family Reunification Process
Washington, DC - Following disturbing reports from federal oversight agencies and the media of children being held for extended periods of time in unlicensed facilities, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) called on the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to immediately reevaluate and reform its policies concerning migrant children in its care. The Senators called out ORR for being in direct violation of the 1997 Flores Settlement Agreement … Continue Reading
July 03, 2019
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $1.2 Million In Federal Funding For Town Of Schroeppel In Oswego County
Washington, DC - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,200,000 in federal funding for the Town of Schroeppel. The funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Grant Program and will be used to create a new municipal water distribution system. Specifically, the funding will be used to expand public water service to 551 residents and 12 businesses that currently do not have access to … Continue Reading
July 03, 2019
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $1.4 Million in Federal Funding for Town of New Haven in Oswego County
Washington, DC - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,400,000 in federal funding for the Town of New Haven. The funding is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Grant Program and will be used to create a new water system and expand residential access to potable water. Specifically, the funding will be used to construct Water Service Area #9 in the Town of New Haven, which would provide safe … Continue Reading
June 28, 2019
As Helicopter and Airplane Noise Continue To Plague Long Island and Queens Communities, Schumer, Gillibrand Call on Nominee for FAA Administrator to Prioritize Reducing Aircraft Noise for New Yorkers before Senate Considers His Nomination
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called on Steve Dickson, President Trump's nominee to serve as the next administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to commit to addressing the problem of overhead aircraft noise in New York. New York residents, particularly in areas of Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties, suffer year-round from excessive noise caused by helicopter and airplane traffic. This problem … Continue Reading
June 27, 2019
Gillibrand and Schatz Announce “Restore Honor to Service Members Act” To Clear Discriminatory Records of Service Members Discharged Due To Sexual Orientation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) today announced legislation to correct the military records of service members who were discharged solely due to their sexual orientation. The Restore Honor to Service Members Act would clear the records of LGBT service members whose discriminatory discharges range from "other than honorable" to "general discharge" to "dishonorable," depending on the circumstances. These discharges can disqualify service members … Continue Reading
June 27, 2019
Gillibrand Announces That Following Her Push, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Will Host Public Meeting At Indian Point in Westchester
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that following her push, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will host a public meeting in Westchester on the decommissioning of Indian Point Energy Center. This meeting will advise the public on efforts by community advisory panels to inform best practices and lessons learned associated with the decommissioning plant activity, ensuring that local voices are heard by the NRC. With Indian Point scheduled to shut down … Continue Reading
June 26, 2019
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $7.9 Million In Federal Funds For A New SUNY Pre-Apprenticeship Program To Help Train New Yorkers For Good Advanced Manufacturing Jobs
Washington, DC - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $7,999,226 in federal funds for the Research Foundation for The State University of New York System (SUNY). The funding will be used to create the SUNY New York College Apprenticeship Network (NYCAN), a pre-apprenticeship and on-the-job training program in advanced manufacturing. NYCAN will prioritize services for unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers, with a focus on … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
After Her Bipartisan Push, Gillibrand Announces Major Victory For Thousands Of Veterans After Legislation She Championed To Ensure Blue Water Navy Vets Get The Benefits They Have Earned Has Been Signed Into Law
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today announced President Trump has signed the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act into law. Gillibrand has championed this bipartisan legislation for nearly a decade, which will ensure Blue Water Navy Veterans have access to the benefits and care they have earned and deserve. "Today is a huge victory for thousands of veterans who served our country in the Vietnam War and have been waiting for the VA health care and benefits they … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Senator Gillibrand Announces 9/11 Bill Has Reached Filibuster-Proof Support of Bipartisan Coalition of 60 Senators
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today released the following statement after the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund permanent funding bill reached 60 cosponsors: "A bipartisan, filibuster-proof majority of the Senate has now cosponsored our bill to make the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund permanent. We have the votes for this bill to pass as soon as it comes to the floor. I urge Senator McConnell to not stand in the way and commit to a standalone, up-or-down vote on this legislation … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Schumer and Gillibrand Joint Statement on the Issuance of a Humanitarian Visa for Benjamin Barragan, Man With Young Children and Terminally Ill Wife in Brooklyn
"After working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico to ensure that they prioritized Mr. Barragan's urgent case, we are relieved to learn that he has been issued a temporary humanitarian visa to care for his children and terminally ill wife in Brooklyn. This was the humane and right thing to do; it made no sense to separate him from his family in the first place. Now they will have an opportunity to comfort and support one another during this difficult … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
Senator Gillibrand Statement On 9/11 First Responders’ Meeting With Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement on tomorrow's meeting between 9/11 first responders and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: "While I appreciate that Senator McConnell is meeting with the 9/11 responders, I hope that it will be the last time they have to come down to Washington, period. They are sick, they are dying, and they have already had to spend too much of their precious time walking the halls of Congress and fighting to … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $1.5 Million in Federal Funds for Ogdensburg International Airport in St. Lawrence County
Washington, DC - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,534,000 in federal funding for the Ogdensburg International Airport in St. Lawrence County. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Specifically, the funding will be used to install a new approach lighting system for the airport's runway. "Keeping our … Continue Reading
June 21, 2019
Gillibrand, Senate Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Require Alternatives to Detention for Asylum Seekers, Migrant Children, and Families Entering the Country
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), announced the Alternatives to Detention Act of 2019, legislation that would take important first steps toward reforming the nation's detention-based immigration system. With unprecedented levels of immigrants being detained around the country and alarming reports of mistreatment at immigrant detention centers, this legislation … Continue Reading
June 21, 2019
Gillibrand, Murkowski Announce Bipartisan Bill to Give More Kids Access to Healthy Meals When School Is Out For the Summer
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced a bill to expand access to healthy meals for kids when school is out for the summer. During the summer months, children who rely on school meals to eat face the risk of going hungry. Gillibrand and Murkowski's legislation, the Summer Meals Act of 2019, would improve the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Summer Food Service Program, which provides low-income children who would … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Gillibrand Announces Legislation to Block Proposed HUD Rule Prohibiting Families with Mixed Citizenship Status from Receiving Federal Housing Aid
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced legislation to block a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule that would prohibit families from receiving federal housing aid if there is at least one member who is undocumented living in the household. This rule proposed by HUD last month would require families receiving federal housing aid, such as those that live in public housing or receive Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, to provide evidence of citizenship … Continue Reading
