Press Releases
Bipartisan Senate-House Coalition Introduces Bill To Facilitate U.S. Preclearance Operations In Canada, To Expedite U.S.-Canada Travel And Commerce
WASHINGTON (TUESDAY, March 1, 2016) - Bipartisan legislation to increase national security and facilitate travel and commerce between the United States and Canada was introduced Tuesday in the House and Senate. The Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act paves the way for expansion of preclearance facilities, operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, at land, rail, marine and air ports of departure in Canada. Expanding preclearance operations will be on the table for … Continue Reading
March 01, 2016
As Divided Supreme Court Considers Gun Ban for Domestic Violence Convictions, Senator Gillibrand Pushes for Legislation to Close Domestic Violence Gun Loophole
Washington, D.C. - As the now-divided U.S. Supreme Court considers a case that could allow many domestic abusers to keep firearms, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the passage of new legislation to close DV gun loopholes and prevent domestic abusers from possessing firearms. Yesterday the U.S. Supreme Court heard Voisine v. United States, a case that could determine what type of domestic violence convictions result in the abuser being banned from possessing a firearm. An … Continue Reading
February 29, 2016
Gillibrand Resolution Celebrating Black History Month Passes U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a bipartisan resolution commemorating Black History Month has unanimously passed the U.S. Senate. The resolution honors the contributions and achievements of African American pioneers who have overcome injustice and forged the fight for freedom, equality and opportunity for all Americans. "We cannot move forward on the path to freedom, justice and equality for all without honoring our past and reflecting on the invaluable … Continue Reading
February 29, 2016
Senator Gillibrand Urges U.S. Department of Agriculture to Provide Update on Purchase of Kosher and Halal Food for Food Banks
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide an update on the agency's purchase of Kosher and Halal foods for distribution in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which food banks and pantries rely upon to feed families struggling with food insecurity. After hearing reports of shortages of Kosher and Halal foods in New York food banks, Gillibrand fought to include a proposal in the 2014 Farm … Continue Reading
February 26, 2016
Gillibrand Announces Commerce Department Approves Foreign Trade Zone Application for Townsend Leather in Fulton County
Fulton, N.Y. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of President Obama's Export Council, today announced the U.S. Commerce Department approved Townsend Leather's application for its Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program, which would encourage more companies with import and export operations across the region to take advantage of associated tax breaks and incentives. Townsend Leather, located in Fulton County, specializes in creating high-quality leathers for aviation, hospitality, residential, … Continue Reading
February 26, 2016
Gillibrand Statement on Albany Institute of History & Art's 225th Anniversary
Albany, N.Y. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today issued the following statement in recognition of the Albany Institute of History & Art's 225th Anniversary. "The Albany Institute of History & Art is one of the oldest and most respected museums in the country. For 225 years, this dynamic museum has helped bring to life stories about our past, and has taught generations of families in the Capital Region about our history, our art, and our culture. The collection at the Albany … Continue Reading
February 25, 2016
Senators Gillibrand, Franken, And Peters Announce Bipartisan Legislation To Modernize Foster Care System, Help More Children Quickly Find A Home
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Al Franken (D-MN), and Gary Peters (D-MI) today announced bipartisan legislation to streamline the process of placing children in foster homes across state lines. States currently use antiquated paper-based administrative systems that are unnecessarily slow, differ state-by-state, and lack adequate transparency measures for children being placed in foster or adoptive homes in other states. The Modernizing the Interstate Placement of … Continue Reading
February 25, 2016
Senators Gillibrand and Ernst Urge Department of Veterans Affairs to Screen Veterans for Food Insecurity
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) today sent a bipartisan letter urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin screening veterans for food insecurity as part of routine health care screenings. Veterans are at an increased risk for food insecurity, or a lack of reliable access to affordable and nutritious food. Food insecurity is more prevalent among veterans than the general population due in part to higher rates of disability, medical … Continue Reading
February 23, 2016
Senators Gillibrand And Capito Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Require CDC To Issue Guidelines For Prescribing Opioids For Acute Pain
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today introduced the Preventing Overprescribing for Pain Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue guidelines for the safe prescribing of opioids for the treatment of acute pain. The CDC is currently only focused on guidelines for opioids prescribed to treat chronic pain. However, many individuals become addicted to opioids after taking … Continue Reading
February 22, 2016
Schumer, Gillibrand, Velazquez, De Blasio Announce more than $4.8 Million to Complete Sandy-Related Repairs at Brooklyn Naval Yard
New York, N.Y. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez and Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced over $4.8 million in federal FEMA funding for the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) for repairs to electrical substation G in Building #386 and Dry Dock No. 1/Caisson Gate and Pump Well No. 124 at the Brooklyn Navy Industrial Park damaged as a direct result Superstorm Sandy. The funding was allocated by the Department of … Continue Reading
February 22, 2016
Blumenthal, Ayotte, Gillibrand Urge Senate HELP Committee To Consider Bipartisan Bill To Combat Tick-Bourne Diseases
Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) urged the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee to consider their bipartisan bill to combat tick-borne diseases. With Lyme disease the most commonly reported vector borne illness in the country, tick-borne diseases remain a significant public health threat. In a letter today, the Senators urged the Senate HELP Committee to consider the bipartisan Lyme and … Continue Reading
February 22, 2016
As Divided Supreme Court is Set to Consider Gun Ban for Domestic Violence Convictions, Senators Gillibrand & Blumenthal, Survivors & Advocates Push for Legislation to Close DV Gun Loophole
New York, NY - As the now-divided U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a case next week that could allow many domestic abusers to keep firearms, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Richard Blumenthal, along with Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., domestic violence survivors and advocates, today urged the passage of new legislation to close DV gun loopholes and prevent domestic abusers from possessing firearms. Next Monday, February 29th, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear … Continue Reading
February 18, 2016
Schumer, Gillibrand Urge FCC to Grant Phase-In Period for Westelcom to Maintain Broadband Services to the North Country
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today wrote to the Federal Communications Commission urging the agency to approve a waiver requesting to retain its classification as a rural broadband provider that would allow Westelcom, a leader in the deployment of fiber-based broadband in the North Country, to meet the FCC's overall goals of expanding broadband deployment in rural areas and ensure the infrastructure for expanded rural telehealth medicine. Westelcom … Continue Reading
February 18, 2016
Senator Gillibrand Announces Syracuse University Endorses Campus Accountability and Safety Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that Syracuse University has endorsed her bipartisan Campus Accountability & Safety Act, becoming the first large private university to add its name in support of the bill. The Campus Accountability & Safety Act combats sexual assault on college campuses by transforming the way that colleges and universities deal with these crimes. This legislation would professionalize the response to and reporting of sexual assaults … Continue Reading
February 16, 2016
Schumer, Gillibrand: President's Budget Request for 2017 Provides Increased Funding for Brookhaven National Lab's Ion Collider; Senators Vow to Continue Fighting for Increased Funding in the Senate
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced today that President Obama's budget request for FY2017 includes an increase in federal funding for Brookhaven National Lab's (BNL) Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Specifically, the President has requested $179.700 million in federal funding for the RHIC. Last year's omnibus allocated $172.088 million in federal funding for the RHIC. Additionally, the President requested an increase in federal funding for BNL's National … Continue Reading
February 16, 2016
Gillibrand Urges USDA To Expand Barley Crop Insurance Coverage To New York State Producers To Boost Local Breweries & Distilleries
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today wrote to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) urging the Agency to expand crop insurance for barley in all counties in New York where production is possible. Crop insurance would afford additional protection to growers of barley and help farmers meet the current demands of local breweries and distilleries. Since 2011, there has been a 72 percent increase in farm based breweries, cideries, and distilleries in New York, which has … Continue Reading
February 11, 2016
Gillibrand, Schumer, Cuomo Secure Dept. Of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance For Alcoa Workers Who Lost Their Jobs As A Result Of Unfair Trade
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer and Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has approved a much-needed Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) certification for laid-off workers at Alcoa in Massena. The approval of the TAA certification means former employees can now apply for critical TAA benefits. Last fall, Alcoa announced that it would be shutting down its Massena smelter and laying off more than 480 workers. … Continue Reading
February 11, 2016
Schumer, Gillibrand: President's Budget Request for 2017 Provides Increased Funding for Brookhaven National Lab's Ion Collider; Senators Vow to Continue Fighting for Increased Funding in the Senate
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced today that President Obama's budget request for FY2017 includes an increase in federal funding for Brookhaven National Lab's (BNL) Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Specifically, the President has requested $179.700 million in federal funding for the RHIC. Last year's omnibus allocated $172.088 million in federal funding for the RHIC. Additionally, the President requested an increase in federal funding for BNL's National … Continue Reading
February 10, 2016
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $220 Million in Fed Funding Needed for Rome Labs has Officially been Included in President's 2017 Budget Request
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the just-released President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 includes nearly $220 million in funding for the Information Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, or Rome Labs. Schumer and Gillibrand explained that Rome Labs is a national leader in communications and cyber technology in the heart of the Mohawk Valley. Schumer visited Rome Labs in November 2015 to tour the facility, as well as reaffirm his strong … Continue Reading
February 09, 2016
Bipartisan Group of Senators and Representatives Introduce New Legislation to Create Regional Manufacturing Hubs, Invest in Manufacturing Jobs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE) along with Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI), Richard Hanna (R-NY), Tom Reed (R-NY), Tim Ryan (D-OH), John Katko (R-NY) and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to boost American manufacturing. This legislation would grow the manufacturing industry across the country by creating a permanent program that … Continue Reading
