Press Releases
After Two Republicans Block 9/11 VCF Bill, Gillibrand And Gardner Call For McConnell To Put Legislation On The Floor For An Up-Or-Down Vote
**WATCH Press Conference Video Here** Washington, DC - Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) today called on Senator McConnell to put the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act on the floor for an up-or-down vote. Earlier today, Gillibrand asked for unanimous consent to pass this legislation, but two Senate Republicans are blocking the bill from passing despite a … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019
Gillibrand, Menendez, Colleagues Introduce Comprehensive Flood Insurance Reform Bill To Extend National Flood Insurance Program And End Systemic Problems Plaguing The System
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), along with eight Senate colleagues, announced bipartisan legislation to extend and reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). More than five million American families depend on the NFIP for affordable insurance to help prepare against flooding damage and to help rebuild after flooding. Unless Congress acts, the NFIP will expire on September 30th, 2019. This new legislation would extend the NFIP … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019
Gillibrand Statement on Justice Department Decision Not to Charge Police Officer in Eric Garner’s Death
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today released the following statement after the Justice Department announced it would not bring federal charges against the NYPD officer in connection with the chokehold death of Eric Garner. "It's an outrage that five years after Eric Garner was placed in a banned chokehold in clear violation of NYPD policy, and said 'I can't breathe' eleven times on video, his family still won't get justice. Now that the federal justice system has … Continue Reading
July 15, 2019
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $500,000 in Federal Funds for Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. in Rochester
Washington, DC - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $500,000 in federal funding for Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. in Rochester. These federal funds are administered through the U.S. Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) and will assist homeless veterans in their job search by providing occupational skills training, on-the-job training, and apprenticeship opportunities. Specifically, the funding … Continue Reading
July 15, 2019
Gillibrand and Daines Demand No Further Delays for Blue Water Navy Veterans
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Steve Daines (R-MT) today urged Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie to reverse his recent decision to delay benefits to Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans by another six months. This delay comes even after President Trump signed the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act into law last month, guaranteeing sailors who were exposed to Agent Orange while serving off the Vietnamese Coast would have access to benefits they have already … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
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
