Press Releases
Senator Gillibrand Announces New Major Federal Investment To Expand Broadband Infrastructure For Rural Communities
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the omnibus spending bill passed last week includes significant investments that will expand access to high-speed broadband service in rural communities and other high-need areas. The bill provides $600 million for a new grant-loan program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS), which would provide much-needed investments in improving broadband service in rural and tribal areas. The … Continue Reading
March 26, 2018
Schumer And Gillibrand: Just-Passed Federal Spending Bill Includes More Than $700 Million In Funds For U.S. Israeli Missile Defense Programs
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced a substantial increase in funding for U.S. - Israeli missile defense programs in the bipartisan federal funding bill. Specifically, the omnibus spending bill provides $705.8 million in funding to the programs, an increase of $105.4 million over last year. The senators said this vital investment in funds will further defend Israel, our closest ally … Continue Reading
March 23, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand: Just-Passed Federal Spending Bill Includes $12 Million To Protect Long Island Sound—Highest Level Of Funding In 25 Years; Senators Say 50 Percent Increase In Funds From Last Year Will Help Better Protect Environment & LI Economy
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the just-passed federal spending bill includes $12 million to fund the Environmental Protection Agency's Long Island Sound program, an increase of $4 million from the year prior. The Senators said this is the highest level of funding for the LI Sound program in twenty-five years. "The Long Island Sound is a natural treasure and an economic engine for the whole region that draws families, boaters, tourists and anglers … Continue Reading
March 23, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $40 Million In Federal Funding For The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
Washington, DC - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the recently passed omnibus bill includes $40 million in federal funding for the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC), which is $3.972 million more than it received last year. The funding will support the continued operations of the SLSDC, as well as projects to modernize the agency's facilities. "The Saint Lawrence Seaway helps sustain tens-of-thousands of … Continue Reading
March 22, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $75 Million In Funding For Rochester Laser Lab Included In Just-Unveiled Omnibus Spending Bill – Passage In Congress Would Send Legislation To President’s Desk
Today, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the Omnibus spending bill - a must-pass bill that funds the federal government through the end of the fiscal year - includes $75 million for the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) and its OMEGA Laser Facility. Today's announcement is the continuation of their multi-year effort of advocating for federal investment in LLE. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 spending bill, … Continue Reading
March 22, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand Secure $75 Million In Fed Funding For Cleanup Of The West Valley Demonstration Project In 2018 Spending Bill; Program Has Been Shortchanged For Years & Site Continues To Pose Environmental Risk To WNY; Senators Say Funding Will Be Used For Waste Cleanup At The Cattaraugus County Site
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced more than $75 million was included in the recently announced omnibus bill for cleanup of the West Valley Demonstration Project. Schumer and Gillibrand were able to successfully secure an additional $8.6 million above FY17 levels in the spending bill. The funding was included as part of the FY18 Omnibus, which is set to pass Congress in the coming days, to pay for ongoing cleanup efforts at the … Continue Reading
March 22, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand Secure Major Victories For Upstate New York In Just-Announced Federal Funding Bill
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced major victories that will greatly help Upstate New York in the bipartisan federal funding bill. The senators said these victories will boost the economy and support vital programs, including funding for the opioid prevention, Great Lake Restoration Initiative (GLRI), funding HOME/CDBG Program, critical railroad safety programs, support for education and higher-education and much more. Schumer … Continue Reading
March 22, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $21 Million In Additional Federal Funding For Rome Lab In Just-Unveiled Omnibus Bill
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U. S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the bipartisan spending bill includes an increase of more than $21 million in funding for Rome Lab. The senators were successful in securing a total of $243,329,000 in funding for Rome Lab's operations and personnel. "In an era of constant hacking and cyber-spying, Rome Lab is at leading edge of countering cyber threats. Clearly, we must double down on our national investment in the work … Continue Reading
March 21, 2018
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce: Amtrak Will Rename Rochester Train Station After Friend & Colleague Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced Amtrak will rename the Rochester Intermodal Station the "Louise M. Slaughter Intermodal Station in Rochester." Last week, Schumer and Gillibrand in a letter to Amtrak said, renaming the train station is fitting for such an individual who busted through every bureaucratic hurdle and was solely responsible for securing the necessary federal funding for a train station that will strengthen … Continue Reading
March 20, 2018
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
