Press Releases
Senator Gillibrand Announces Legislation to Provide Every American Worker With Paid Leave
Washington, D.C. - With 4.1 million New Yorkers serving as family caregivers, today U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand reintroduced legislation that would create paid family leave, including maternity and paternity leave, personal medical leave, and spousal support. Gillibrand's Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act would establish a national, gender-neutral paid family and medical leave insurance program, ensuring that American workers would no longer have to choose between a paycheck … Continue Reading
March 15, 2015
Gillibrand & Booker Meet with NY, NJ Families About New Bipartisan Medical Marijuana & Announce Endorsement of Epilepsy Foundation
New York City - Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today joined New York and New Jersey families who would benefit from the new bipartisan bill to allow patients in states that have legalized medical marijuana to access the treatment without fear of federal prosecution. The Senators also announced the support of the Epilepsy Foundation, which has endorsed the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act that Booker and Gillibrand, along with … Continue Reading
March 10, 2015
Schumer, Gillibrand, De Blasio, Jeffries Announce Over $15 Million In Sandy-Relief Funding For Repairs Made To The Louis Marshall School In Brooklyn
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries today announced $15,921,938 in federal funding for the New York School Construction Authority. The funding is a reimbursement for permanent repairs made to the K276 Louis Marshall School located in Brooklyn. The school incurred damages from Superstorm Sandy. "There is no better federal investment than one that helps educate students in a safe and learning-friendly environment," said … Continue Reading
March 10, 2015
Booker, Paul & Gillibrand Announce Bipartisan New Medical Marijuana Bill to Allow Patients – Including Veterans – to Access Necessary Care without Fear of Federal Prosecution
Washington, D.C. - Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today stood with patients, their families and advocates to announce new bipartisan legislation that will allow the use of medical marijuana in states where it is legal without fear of federal prosecution. The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act would reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule II drug to recognize it has accepted medical use, and would … Continue Reading
March 09, 2015
Gillibrand, Daines To Help Thousands Of "Blue Water" Vietnam Vets Harmed By Agent Orange, But Ignored By Feds Due To Technicality In The Law
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced legislation to ensure thousands of Navy veterans known as "Blue Water" vets from the Vietnam War exposed to the powerful toxin Agent Orange will be eligible to receive disability and health care benefits they have earned for diseases linked to Agent Orange exposure. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military sprayed approximately 20 million gallons of Agent Orange in Vietnam to remove jungle foliage. … Continue Reading
March 08, 2015
Gillibrand Statement On 50th Anniversary Of “Bloody Sunday” Selma March For Equal Voting Rights
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement today in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Selma march for equal voting rights: "Today we honor the 50th anniversary of a monumental event in American history. On that Sunday in Selma, Alabama, on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the forces of racism and progress met in a bloody clash that jolted our country forward. "In 2013, I had the honor and privilege to walk hand-in-hand with Congressman John Lewis, … Continue Reading
March 04, 2015
Gillibrand Statement On Mcdonald’s Decision: “Chicken Nuggets Shouldn’t Pose Public Health Risk”
Washington, D.C. - Following the recent introduction of new food safety legislation to combat the overuse of medically-important antibiotics - used to treat human illnesses - in animals raised for food, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement today on McDonald's decision to stop selling chicken raised with medically important antibiotics and milk from cows that are treated with the artificial growth hormone rbST. "Chicken nuggets shouldn't pose a public health risk," … Continue Reading
March 04, 2015
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $12 Million For Westchester And Rockland Head Start And Early Head Start Programs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced more than $12 million in federal funding for early childhood education programs in Rockland and Westchester counties. The funding will be used to help underserved children from low-income families. Community organizations from across the state applied for the funding, and the award to three programs in the Hudson Valley will support Early Head Start and Head Start programs that provide critical education … Continue Reading
March 04, 2015
Schumer, Gillibrand: FEMA Must Ensure That Pending Sandy Flood Insurance Settlement Applies To All Affected Policy Holders, Even If They Didn’t File Lawsuit – Also Urge That New Yorkers With Sandy Damage Have Access To Engineering & Insurance Documents To Determine If Fraud Has Occurred
U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer today called on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that all impacted Superstorm Sandy flood victims are included in the ongoing settlement regarding fraudulent engineering reports issued by insurance adjusters, regardless of whether the policyholder has filed a lawsuit. According to federal court records and recent media reports, including a months-long investigation aired by 60 Minutes, there is evidence that private … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Gillibrand Statement On Netanyahu’s Address To Congress
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today released the following statement after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress: "I share the Prime Minister's legitimate concerns about Iran's intentions and I passionately share President Obama's commitment that Iran never obtain nuclear weapons. I have always believed that the best solution is a strong and verifiable diplomatic deal, but whether any deal is truly verifiable and achievable is a serious question … Continue Reading
March 02, 2015
At Syracuse University, Senator Gillibrand & Congressman Katko Meet With Students And Lead Organizing Effort To Combat Sexual Violence On College Campuses
Syracuse, NY - At a round table meeting at Syracuse University, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. John Katko were joined today by students and officials from Syracuse University and other Central New York area colleges, as well as survivors, advocates, and law enforcement to discuss bolstering efforts to combat sexual violence on college campuses. According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, college campuses in New York reported 388 forcible sex offenses and over 5,000 … Continue Reading
March 02, 2015
At University Of Rochester, Senator Gillibrand Meets With Students And Leads Organizing Effort To Combat Sexual Violence On College Campuses
Rochester, NY - At a round table meeting at the University of Rochester, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was joined today by students and officials from University of Rochester and other area colleges, as well as survivors, advocates, and law enforcement to discuss bolstering efforts to combat sexual violence on college campuses. According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, college campuses in New York reported 388 forcible sex offenses and over 5,000 offenses nationwide in … Continue Reading
March 02, 2015
At University At Buffalo, Senator Gillibrand & Lieutenant Governor Hochul Meet With Students And Lead Organizing Effort To Combat Sexual Violence On College Campuses
Buffalo, NY - At a round table meeting at University at Buffalo, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul were joined today by students and officials from University at Buffalo and other Western New York area colleges, as well as survivors, advocates, and law enforcement and discussed bolstering efforts to combat sexual violence on college campuses. According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, college campuses in New York reported 388 forcible sex … Continue Reading
March 02, 2015
After Explosive ‘60 Minutes’ Story: Gillibrand, Schumer, Menendez, Booker Call For New Congressional Oversight Hearings In Senate Banking Committee Of FEMA-Run National Flood Insurance Program Ridden With Evidence Of “Widespread Fraud” And Potential Criminal Activity
New York, NY - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Charles E. Schumer, Robert Menendez and Cory Booker today called on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs to hold new oversight hearings of the flood insurance claims of homeowners impacted by Superstorm Sandy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to federal court records and recent news reports, including a months-long investigation … Continue Reading
February 26, 2015
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Town Of Marshall To Receive More Than $2.7 Million In FEMA Funds To Upgrade Flood-Prone Bridge Over The Oriskany Creek
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $2,737,500 in federal funding for the Town of Marshall in Oneida County to upgrade and scour the flood-prone bridge over the Oriskany Creek on Buell Avenue. These funds, which are being awarded as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will cover 100 percent of the cost for the project. The funds will allow the county to improve the State Route 315 bridge over the … Continue Reading
February 26, 2015
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Town Of Keene To Receive More Than $3.4 Million In FEMA Funds To Upgrade Flood-Prone Bridge Over East Branch Ausable River
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $3,472,000 in federal funding for the Town of Keene in Essex County to upgrade and scour the flood-prone bridge over the East Branch Ausable River on Route 73. These funds, which are being awarded as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will cover 100 percent of the cost for the project. The funds will allow the county to improve the Route 73 bridge over the … Continue Reading
February 26, 2015
Expanded Bipartisan Coalition Introduces Legislation to Prevent Sexual Assaults on College and University Campuses, Protect Students & Create Real Accountability
WASHINGTON - An expanded bipartisan coalition of 12 Senators - including two newly elected members - today introduced a strengthened version of the Campus Accountability and Safety Act. With added input from survivors, students, colleges and universities, law enforcement and advocates, the bill would flip the current incentives of a broken system to provide real accountability and transparency from higher education institutions. The legislation would professionalize the response to and … Continue Reading
February 24, 2015
Schumer, Gillibrand, De Blasio Announce $116 Million In Federal Sandy Relief Funding For NYC’s Rapid Repairs Program
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced over $116 million in federal funding to reimburse New York City's Rapid Repairs Program, which was established in the wake of Superstorm Sandy to make emergency repairs to damaged homes. Emergency work through this program included basic repairs to electrical systems, heat and hot water in homes, or the installation of temporary boilers. These repairs helped make homes livable until permanent … Continue Reading
February 24, 2015
Schumer, Gillibrand, Higgins & Collins Urge Air Force To Make Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station Host For New Refuel Tankers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representatives Brian Higgins and Chris Collins urged the Air Force to choose Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS) as a host station for the third main operating base (MOB 3) for the new KC-46A Pegasus tankers. The new tankers are used to refuel aircrafts and are vital to Air Force operations. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Reps. Higgins and Collins have long supported Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. … Continue Reading
February 24, 2015
A Week After Feds Bust Trafficking Ring In Rochester, Senator Gillibrand Spotlights Problem Of Human Trafficking, Testifies At Senate Judiciary Hearing
Watch Senator Gillibrand Testify Before the Committee HERE Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand spotlighted the problem of human tracking today as she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee at a hearing on protecting victims. This hearing was a result of a letter by Senator Gillibrand and all 19 of her women colleagues to the Committee's Chair and Ranking members, demanding a hearing to address this issue. Earlier this month, Senator Gillibrand introduced a human … Continue Reading
