Press Releases
Following Push, Gillibrand Welcomes The Elimination Of “Blank Space” Criteria For Asylum Applications
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand responded to a recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announcement that the agency has eliminated "blank space" criteria, and reverted back to the rejection criteria that applied before October 2019. USCIS will no longer reject Form I-589, Form I-612 or Form I-918 if an applicant leaves a blank space. In September, Gillibrand led a group of twelve senators in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Kenneth T. Cuccinelli inquiring about … Continue Reading
April 07, 2021
As Americans Struggle To Recover From COVID-19 Crisis, Gillibrand Announces Legislation To Break Down Barriers To Essential Social Services
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced legislation to break down barriers to essential social services as Americans struggle to recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Gillibrand will reintroduce the Health, Opportunities, and Personal Empowerment Act, or HOPE Act, comprehensive legislation to break down barriers for low-income individuals and families so they can access the social services and benefits they need to make ends meet. Throughout the pandemic, millions of recently unemployed … Continue Reading
April 06, 2021
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $1 Million In Emergency Funding For Public Housing Authorities Across New York
U.S. Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,161,357 in FY 2020 allocations for the Capital Fund for Emergency Safety and Security, which sets aside funds for Public Housing Authorities to confront an emergency situation or natural disaster. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and will help local New York PHAs increase health and safety measures for public housing residents through the … Continue Reading
April 05, 2021
Gillibrand, Colleagues Reintroduce Impact Aid Infrastructure Act To Support Efforts To Repair And Renovate Schools To Meet Public Health Guidelines
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, alongside U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Tina Smith (D-MN), reintroduced legislation to provide $1 billion in supplemental funding for school infrastructure construction grants through the Impact Aid program. Federally impacted school districts educate some of the most vulnerable student populations - including Native American and military-connected children, and children living in federal low-rent housing - and rely on Impact Aid for resources. The … Continue Reading
April 05, 2021
Following Years Of Advocacy, Gillibrand Joins Community In Hoosick Falls To Announce New Legislation To Create Access To Medical Monitoring For Victims Of Significant PFAS Exposure
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a roundtable discussion in Hoosick Falls with advocates and community leaders and announced legislation to provide Americans with improved legal pathways that would help courts award medical monitoring for victims of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and bolster PFAS research. PFAS are a group of thousands of manufactured chemicals that can seep into drinking water supplies. They have contaminated waterways in New York and across … Continue Reading
April 02, 2021
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $2 Million In Federal Funding For The Crouse Health Hospital In Syracuse
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $1,993,442 in federal funding for the Crouse Health Hospital in Syracuse. The funding was allocated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Public Assistance Program (PA). As the pandemic continues to drain resources, many hospitals and health centers have exceeded, and continue to exceed, their normal and assisted operating budgets. This … Continue Reading
April 02, 2021
Gillibrand Joins Bicameral Push For Gun Records Restoration And Preservation Act To Strengthen Efforts To Prevent Gun Violence
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Senate and House Democrats to call for the Gun Records Restoration and Preservation Act. The legislation would address the rise in gun violence across the country, and strengthen efforts to prevent it, by improving law enforcement's capacity to solve and prosecute gun crimes, stop illegal gun trafficking, and hold negligent gun dealers and owners accountable. Additionally, the legislation repeals the Tiahrt Amendments, which prevent gun data collection … Continue Reading
April 02, 2021
Gillibrand, Joined By Manhattan BP Brewer And Advocates, Announces Sweeping Legislation To Lower Prescription Drug Prices
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Aging Committee, stood with Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of the NY Statewide Senior Action Council, Mario Henry, Executive Board Member of the NY Statewide Senior Action Council, and Tim Clune, Executive Director of Disability Rights New York, to announce a package of three bills to help reduce the cost of prescription drugs, and help ensure that everyone can access the medicine they need. The … Continue Reading
April 01, 2021
Schumer, Gillibrand Deliver Nearly $3.7 Million In Economic Relief For Airports In Upstate New York
U.S. Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $3,647,300 in federal funding for five airports across New York State. This funding was allocated through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Department of Transportation (DOT) and will serve as a lifeline to local airports struggling to stay afloat after nearly a year of limited operations. Airports and tourism play an important role in New York's regional and rural economies and have … Continue Reading
April 01, 2021
Gillibrand, Warnock, Clyburn, Williams Announce Reintroduction Of Voter Empowerment Act, Originally Authored By The Late Civil Rights Icon John Lewis; With Voting Rights Under Attack, Legislation Would Protect Voting Rights And Ensure Equal Access To The Ballot For All Americans
Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Reverend Raphael Warnock, and U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn and Congresswoman Nikema Williams announced the reintroduction of the bicameral Voter Empowerment Act, legislation originally authored in the House by civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis, who passed away last year. This legislation would help protect the voting rights of people across the country by ensuring equal access to the ballot for every eligible voter, modernizing … Continue Reading
April 01, 2021
Gillibrand, Nadler, Maloney, Meeks, Jeffries, Meng, Espaillat Announce Bicameral Legislation To Establish African Burial Memorial Museum In NYC
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler, joined by U.S. Representatives Carolyn Maloney, Gregory Meeks, Hakeem Jeffries, Grace Meng, and Adriano Espaillat announced the reintroduction of the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Education Center Act. The lawmakers announced the legislation in lower Manhattan at the African Burial Ground. This legislation would establish a museum and education center at the African Burial Ground in Lower … Continue Reading
March 31, 2021
Gillibrand Announces Comprehensive Bicameral Plan To Protect New Yorkers From Growing Plastic Pollution Crisis
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Senate and House Democrats to announce comprehensive legislation to protect New Yorkers and families across the country from the growing plastic pollution crisis. The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act is made up of a collection of 'best practices' laws that have already been successfully enacted at the state level, or by other countries battling plastic pollution, to address the plastic pollution crisis that poisons air, water and land, and … Continue Reading
March 31, 2021
Gillibrand Makes Historic Recommendation For U.S. Attorney, Recommends Carla Freedman To Be First Woman Confirmed To Lead Northern District
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand recommended Carla Freedman for U.S. Attorney for the Northern District. With Senator Gillibrand's historic recommendation, Ms. Freedman could be the first woman confirmed to lead the Northern District. "I'm proud to recommend Carla Freedman to be U.S. Attorney for the Northern District. She is an accomplished and passionate attorney who has dedicated her career to equal justice under the law," said Senator Gillibrand. "Ms. Freedman is a brilliant legal … Continue Reading
March 30, 2021
Gillibrand Announces Legislation To Invest $6 Billion In Emergency Broadband To Close Growing Education Gap And Ensure Families Can Access Essential Online Services During Pandemic
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced legislation to invest $6 billion for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to help close the homework gap and ensure families across New York can access essential online services. The Emergency Broadband Connections Act will bolster funding for the program, which provides $50 per month to workers who have been laid off or furloughed during the pandemic and $75 per month on Tribal lands, along with a range of other assistance. The legislation also … Continue Reading
March 30, 2021
Gillibrand, Cornyn Call On Biden Administration To Implement Overdue NDAA Provisions To Bolster Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing
Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and John Cornyn (R-TX) called on the Departments of Commerce, Defense, and Labor to implement long overdue provisions included in the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would bolster domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Last Congress, Gillibrand and Cornyn led the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America (CHIPS) Act (S. 3933) and the American Foundries Act (S.4130) and successfully included provisions in … Continue Reading
March 30, 2021
Gillibrand, Colleagues Push For $55B In Capital Investments For Northeast Corridor Passenger Rail
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined a group of 12 other senators from states along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in a letter urging President Biden to support $55 billion in long-term funding for passenger rail infrastructure in order to repair the NEC rail network. The letter also calls for robust support to expand Amtrak passenger rail service nationwide. The senators are calling for an ambitious $55 billion over 10 years in dedicated federal funding to expand commuting zones, create … Continue Reading
March 29, 2021
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $100 Million For Flooding And Disaster Management Projects On Long Island
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $106,102,329 in federal funding for emergency and disaster prevention projects on Long Island. The funding was allocated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and will help safeguard our communities from natural disasters and better prepare for future flooding and severe storms in the town of Long Beach, West Islip, and Nassau County. "I was proud … Continue Reading
March 29, 2021
Gillibrand Announces Legislation To Invest In Workforce Training And Get New Yorkers Back To Work
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced legislation to invest in high quality workforce training so that New Yorkers have the necessary skills for in demand jobs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. New York State lost more than 1 million jobs between January 2020-January 2021 and the state's annual average unemployment rate grew to 10.0% last year from 3.8% in 2019. Because of the changing pandemic economy, access to affordable and high-quality job training will be critical to help … Continue Reading
March 29, 2021
Gillibrand Y Bennet Anuncian Las Guías Para El Programa De La “Fuerza De Salud” Y Hacen Un Llamado Para Que Haya Reclutamientos Equitativos En Las Comunidades Desatendidas
Hoy, los senadores de los Estados Unidos Kirsten Gillibrand y Michael Bennet enviaron recomendaciones y guías al Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos (HHS) y a los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) mientras que la administración labora para implementar el programa de la Fuerza de Salud para combatir la pandemia. El Plan de Rescate Estadounidense que se aprobó recientemente destinó $7.66 mil millones para una nueva fuerza de salud … Continue Reading
March 26, 2021
Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Marco Rubio Introduce Landmark Burn Pits Legislation, Championed By Congressman Raul Ruiz In The House; Announce April 13th Press Conference With Jon Stewart And Veterans Advocates
Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act, championed in the House by Congressman Raul Ruiz M.D (D-CA) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). This bill would streamline the process for veterans to obtain VA benefits for illness due to exposure to burn pit and other toxic exposures. Approximately 3.5 million veterans have been exposed to burn … Continue Reading
