Press Releases
As Communities Across New York Suffer From Aging Water Infrastructure, Gillibrand Announces Legislation To Help Fund Critical Water System Upgrades
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced new legislation, the Promoting Infrastructure and Protecting the Economy (PIPE) Act, which would create a new grant program for water infrastructure projects. The bill would authorize $5 billion over 10 years to provide discretionary grants to state and local governments, tribal governments, and public water utilities for projects related to drinking water and waste water infrastructure. Grants funded by Gillibrand's PIPE Act … Continue Reading
March 20, 2018
Gillibrand And Twelve Senate Colleagues Demand Answers From Army Corps Of Engineers Following Reports That Personnel Will Leave Puerto Rico
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and twelve Senate colleagues called on the Army Corps of Engineering to answer questions regarding recent reports that personnel are leaving the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico before power restoration on the island is complete. "While we recognize that much progress has been made in restoring power to the majority of customers, the job is not done," the Senators wrote. "The federal government has a responsibility to the remaining customers … Continue Reading
March 19, 2018
Gillibrand Announces Bipartisan Legislation To Expand Small Business Administration’s Microloan Program, Help Women- And Minority-Owned Businesses Succeed
New Rochelle, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today stood with local business owners and community leaders at Modern Paint and Hardware to announce bipartisan legislation, the Microloan Modernization Act, to expand the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Microloan Program that provides loans and technical assistance to women and minority business owners, among other entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs face challenges accessing the capital needed to start and expand small businesses … Continue Reading
March 19, 2018
In Marcy, Gillibrand Pushes Bipartisan Legislation To Increase Access To Capital For Small Manufacturers
Marcy, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood today with community leaders at Advanced Tool Inc to push bipartisan legislation, the Investing in America's Small Manufacturers Act, that would increase the availability of affordable loans for small manufacturers through the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 7(a) and 504 loan guarantee programs. The bipartisan legislation would increase the loan guarantee limit for loans to small manufacturers, eliminate a penalty that new manufacturers … Continue Reading
March 19, 2018
Senator Gillibrand Statement On House and Senate Leadership Stripping Sexual Harassment Language From Omnibus Bill At 11th Hour
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today released the following statement after reports that House and Senate leadership stripped her Congressional Harassment Reform Act language from the omnibus bill. Provisions from Gillibrand's bipartisan Congressional Harassment Reform Act, which is currently cosponsored by over a quarter of the Senate, were included in the omnibus bill throughout the negotiation process, but were removed by Leadership at the last minute: "I am appalled that … Continue Reading
March 19, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $125,000 In Federal Funding For Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $125,000 in federal funding for Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. (COI). The funds were provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) Education and Outreach Initiative grants. The funding will specifically be used for outreach and education efforts on discriminatory housing practices for minorities, non-English … Continue Reading
March 19, 2018
Senators Schumer, Gillibrand And Congresswoman Clarke Introduce Legislation To Name Brooklyn Post Office In Honor Of Major Owens
Washington, DC - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced new legislation to rename the U.S. Post Office at 1234 Saint Johns Place in Brooklyn, New York, after former U.S. Representative Major Owens. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke with the full support of the New York delegation. "Brooklynites, like myself, will never forget Rep. Major Owens's tireless … Continue Reading
March 16, 2018
Gillibrand Statement On The Passing Of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today released the following statement on the passing of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter: "I am deeply saddened that my dear friend and colleague Louise Slaughter has passed away. As a long-serving leader of the House Rules Committee, she tirelessly fought for Democratic principles and gave a voice to those who needed it. Louise devoted her life to serving the Rochester community, she never wavered in her fierce defense of our shared values as … Continue Reading
March 13, 2018
As New York Dairy Farmers Struggle With Historically Low Milk Prices, Gillibrand Announces Legislation To Create New Dairy ‘Price Floor’
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today announced new legislation, the Dairy Farm Sustainability Act, to create a new 'price floor' for milk that would help New York's dairy farmers continue operating while milk prices are historically low. Gillibrand's legislation would work in tandem with the Margin Protection Program (MPP) and would bring back effective provisions of older dairy programs to create a 'price floor' for milk. The … Continue Reading
March 13, 2018
After Alarming Report About Patient Death At Buffalo VA And Systemic Failures By Facility Leadership, Gillibrand Urges Immediate Changes To Protect Western NY Veterans
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today called on Michael Swartz, Interim Healthcare Systems Director of the VA Western New York Healthcare System, to implement immediate changes to the Buffalo VA after the release of the Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General report that highlights major systemic problems including mismanagement of a resuscitation and other concerns affecting the care and treatment of patients. "Providing the highest standard of care for our veterans … Continue Reading
March 12, 2018
Senator Gillibrand’s Legislation To Designate Finger Lakes Region As A National Heritage Area Passes Key Committee
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that legislation she authored to designate the Finger Lakes Region as a National Heritage Area (NHA) passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Gillibrand's legislation would authorize the National Park Service to take the first step toward designating the region as a National Heritage Area by conducting a feasibility study in Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, … Continue Reading
March 12, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $125,000 In Federal Funding For CNY Fair Housing, Inc. In Syracuse
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $125,000 in federal funding for CNY Fair Housing, Inc. in Syracuse. The funds were provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) Education and Outreach Initiative grants. The funding will specifically be used to increase education efforts on fair housing rights throughout Central New York. CNY Fair Housing, Inc. … Continue Reading
March 10, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand Demand Answers From New York’s Utilities As Tens Of Thousands Of New Yorkers Faced Extended Power Outages In The Wake Of Winter Storms
Washington, DC - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today wrote letters to the heads of two major power utility companies, Con Edison and New York State Electric and Gas, demanding answers for why thousands of New Yorkers still lack power in the wake of winter storms Riley and Quinn. The letters also questioned the utility companies about whether they are following the recommendations made by New York State's Moreland Commission on Utility Storm … Continue Reading
March 09, 2018
Gillibrand Pushes Bipartisan Legislation To Increase Access To Capital For Small Manufacturers
Binghamton, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood today with community leaders and the co-owners of 3i Graphics & Signs to push bipartisan legislation, the Investing in America's Small Manufacturers Act, that would increase the availability of affordable loans for small manufacturers through the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 7(a) and 504 loan guarantee programs. The bipartisan legislation would increase the loan guarantee limit for loans to small manufacturers, eliminate a … Continue Reading
March 09, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge FEMA To Reverse Decision Denying Disaster Declaration For The Damage Caused By Severe Summer Storms In Upstate New York; Senators Say Flooding Cost Millions Of Dollars In Damages And That FEMA’s Denial Is Shortsighted
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reconsider their decision to deny New York State's recent appeal of FEMA's initial denial of a disaster declaration for New York State. The senators said 15 counties in New York State were devastated by severe storms and flooding between June 30th and July 24th 2017. That destroyed public infrastructure and caused tens of millions of dollars in … Continue Reading
March 09, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge FEMA To Stand Ready To Quickly Approve Disaster Declaration For Hudson Valley Counties Impacted By Winter Storms Riley And Quinn
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to stand ready to quickly approve any request from New York State for a major disaster declaration following winter storms Riley and Quinn. In a letter to FEMA Administrator Brock Long, Schumer and Gillibrand requested that FEMA stand ready to approve any forthcoming requests from the state for a disaster declaration for Hudson Valley counties that were … Continue Reading
March 09, 2018
Gillibrand Announces Bipartisan Legislation To Expand Small Business Administration’s Microloan Program, Help Women- And Minority-Owned Businesses Succeed
Farmingdale, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today stood with local business owners and community leaders at Farmingdale State College to announce bipartisan legislation, the Microloan Modernization Act, to expand the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Microloan Program that provides loans and technical assistance to women and minority business owners, among other entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs face challenges accessing the capital needed to start and expand small businesses … Continue Reading
March 08, 2018
Senator Gillibrand Leads Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee Hearing Examining Child Abuse And Intimate Partner Violence In The Military
**Watch Senator Gillibrand's opening remarks HERE** Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, today led a subcommittee hearing to examine the issues of intimate partner violence and child abuse within the military. A report by the Department of Defense documented 13,916 suspected incidents of child abuse and neglect, and 15,144 incidents of intimate partner violence in Fiscal Year 2016. Due to the stigma … Continue Reading
March 07, 2018
Ahead Of Upcoming Vote On Senate Banking Deregulation Legislation, Gillibrand Introduces Amendment To Close Tax Loophole That Forces Taxpayers To Subsidize Massive CEO Compensation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today introduced an amendment to the banking deregulation bill to close a tax loophole that forces taxpayers to subsidize massive CEO compensation. Gillibrand's amendment would put taxpayers first by closing the tax loophole that allows corporations to deduct part of the amount they spend on executive compensation. Gillibrand's amendment would also give shareholders more oversight in determining whether CEOs should receive substantial raises or … Continue Reading
March 06, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $2 Million In Federal Funding For Repairs To The Ogdensburg-Prescott Bridge
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $2 million in federal funding for the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority (OBPA). The funds were provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Grant Program. The Ogdensburg-Prescott Bridge handles over 800,000 vehicles annually and is an important thruway for billions of dollars of goods each year. The … Continue Reading
