Press Releases
Gillibrand Statement on New Disappointing Military Sexual Assault Data - Nearly Two-Thirds of Those Who Reported an Assault Say Faced Retaliation Despite Reforms Made Making Retaliation a Crime
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement tonight after news reports of data to be released tomorrow by the Pentagon in their annual survey on sexual assaults: "For a year now we have heard how the reforms in the previous Defense bill were going to protect victims, and make retaliation a crime. It should be a screaming red flag to everyone when 62% of those who say they reported a crime were retaliated against - nearly two-thirds - the exact same … Continue Reading
December 03, 2014
Gillibrand, Schumer, Hanna Announce After Their Push, Provisions that Would Provide Congress With More Oversight Over DFAS Personnel Plans and Add Protections for Rome DFAS Workers Included in Annual Defense Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer and Representative Richard Hanna today announced, after their push, a measure that would help provide additional protections for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The language included in FY 2015 NDAA requires an independent review by the Deputy Chief Management Officer of an Army pilot program that threatens to harm DFAS. The bill also … Continue Reading
December 03, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand, Maffei Announce Provision to Create Harriet Tubman National Historical Park Included in National Defense Bill Unveiled Today – Urge Colleagues to Support Bill; House Will Vote This Week, Senate Next Week; Passage in Both Houses Would Then Send Request to President’s Desk
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Dan Maffei today announced that a provision to establish the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn as a National Historical Park, which would also encompass the Tubman Home for the Aged, the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church and Rectory, is included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that was unveiled today. The provision also establishes the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Maryland. … Continue Reading
December 02, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More than $72 Million in Federal Funding to Upgrade & Replace Flood-Prone Upstate New York Bridges
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $ $72,263,840.00 to update and replace 29 bridges throughout Upstate New York. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and will fund the necessary improvements for bridges in high-risk flood areas throughout the Capital Region, Central New York, Southern Tier, Hudson Valley and North Country. This $72 million in federal … Continue Reading
December 02, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand, Lowey Announce More than $1.7 Million in Fed Funds for the Village of Nyack for Hurricane Sandy Repairs
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representative Nita Lowey announced that the Village of Nyack will receive $1,762,175.82 in federal funds to cover costs for repairs made to Memorial Park and the local marina, which were damaged during Hurricane Sandy. The funding is being allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) public assistance grant program. As a result of Hurricane Sandy, the Village of Nyack needs to repair many of the … Continue Reading
December 02, 2014
With NDAA Expected on Senate Floor in December, Former Air Force Chief Prosecutor Don Christensen Joins Gillibrand, Collins, Boxer, Grassley, Blumenthal, Cruz, Hirono, Paul, Heller in Push for Independent Military Justice System
Washington, D.C. - With the U.S. Senate expected to take up the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) before the end of the year, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Dean Heller (R-NV) were joined today by former Air Force Chief Prosecutor Colonel Don Christensen (Ret.) to renew the push for passage of the bipartisan Military … Continue Reading
November 24, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand, Collins and Higgins Urge SBA to Prepare to Swiftly Offer Assistance to Western New Yorkers
LANCASTER, N.Y. - Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Chris Collins and Congressman Brian Higgins today wrote to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Contreras-Sweet urging the SBA to prepare to swiftly administer disaster assistance to the Western New York region. County officials have said they expect the cost of this disaster to meet the criteria needed for federal support, and, if it does, Schumer, Gillibrand, Collins, and Higgins have said that … Continue Reading
November 24, 2014
Gillibrand Statement On Resignation Of Secretary Of Defense Chuck Hagel
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement today after President Barack Obama announced the resignation of U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel: "While I did not agree with Secretary Hagel on a number of issues, I deeply appreciate his service to our country and his dedication to our men and women in uniform. I look forward to working with his successor on issues where we must do better such as ending the scourge of sexual assaults in our military, … Continue Reading
November 24, 2014
Gillibrand Calls On HUD Secretary To Designate Rochester A Federal Promise Zone
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today called on US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro to designate Rochester, New York, a federal Promise Zone. Senator Gillibrand's letter follows a visit last week with Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren to the Teen Empowerment youth center, an organization dedicated to empowering youth as agents of change in their communities. Recent data from the US Census Bureau estimated that over one-third of … Continue Reading
November 21, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand, Higgins, Collins Urge USDA To Immediately Conduct Damage Assessment Of Impact Of Historic Snowstorm On WNY Farms – Urges USDA To Provide All Available Resources To Upstate Farmers Impacted By Devastating Snowfall
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representatives Brian Higgins and Chris Collins urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack provide an immediate assessment of the damage done to Western New York farms, as well as stand at the ready to swiftly approve any requests from Upstate New York farmers for federal USDA disaster assistance following the historic snow storm. County officials have said they expect the cost of this disaster to meet the … Continue Reading
November 21, 2014
Gillibrand Along With Nine U.S. Senators Urge President Obama To Include Additional $7 Million In Funding In His Fy16 Budget Request To Enforce Campus Sexual Assault Provisions Of Clery Act And Title Ix Laws
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand along with nine Senators today urged President Barack Obama to include an additional $7 million in funding to enforce campus sexual assault laws, in his FY 2016 Budget Request. The request for $2 million in additional funding for the U.S. Department of Education Clery Compliance Division and an additional $5.046 million for the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) would be used to employ and train more staff within the Clery Compliance Division and … Continue Reading
November 19, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $560,000 For New York Community Projects To Help Restore The Long Island Sound
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced nine grants totaling $562,888.88 to fund projects throughout New York that will help improve the Long Island Sound. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's (NFWF) Long Island Sound Futures Fund and will be used to fund habitat restoration projects, water quality projects, water quality monitoring and public education … Continue Reading
November 18, 2014
Gillibrand Statement On Terror Attack In Jerusalem Synagogue
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement today in response to the murder of four rabbis who were worshipping in a synagogue in Jerusalem: "This massacre in a house of worship while innocent people prayed is absolutely horrifying and unconscionable. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were killed and injured. Those responsible for these heinous and cold-blooded murders must be held … Continue Reading
November 17, 2014
Gillibrand, Schumer Push For Formation Of A Combined New York And New Jersey Cyber Protection Team; Urge Army National Guard Director To Approve Bid For Team Located In Albany County
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) along with Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today announced their support for the New York and New Jersey Army National Guards' formation of a combined Cyber Protection Team. In a letter to the Army National Guard's Acting Director, Major General Lyons, the senators urged for swift approval of a proposal allowing the New York and New Jersey Army National Guards to form a joint team … Continue Reading
November 17, 2014
Gillibrand Calls For Sylvester Manor To Be Placed On The National Register Of Historic Places
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the National Park Service to place Sylvester Manor Educational Farm on the National Register of Historic Places. Sylvester Manor is a former 17th-century farmstead that currently serves as a non-profit organic farm and educational center. This designation would expand opportunities for federal historic tax credits and other resources, to support preservation and economic development initiatives at Sylvester Manor. "Sylvester Manor … Continue Reading
November 17, 2014
Gillibrand Applauds Passage Of Legislation To Provide Vouchers Easing Burden Of Sky-High Child Care Costs For Working Families
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today applauded the passage of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, bipartisan legislation that will greatly ease the burden of child care costs for hundreds of thousands of families. The vote passed in the House of Representatives in September 2014 and passed in the Senate today by a vote of 88 to 1. "These Child Care and Development Block Grants are so important to our families and to our national economy," said Senator … Continue Reading
November 14, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand: FEMA Must Conduct Top-To-Bottom Investigation Into Repeated Red Flags In How Insurance Companies Have Handled & Denied The Claims Of Sandy Flood Victims For Damage To Their Homes
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today called on the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to immediately investigate repeated red flags involving Superstorm Sandy insurance claims for homeowners on Long Island. The Senators said that FEMA must conduct a top-to-bottom investigation to ensure that insurance companies have evaluated Long Island homeowners' insurance claims fairly and without bias, in light of many serious signs that this is not the case, … Continue Reading
November 14, 2014
Gillibrand Awards Veteran With Army Commendation Medal
Hudson Falls, NY - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today awarded Corporal James Ganser (Ret.) with the Army Commendation Medal. Corporal Ganser is an Army veteran who served in the 1950s and went on to have a storied journalism career. Corporal Ganser's famous radio shows entertained American troops during the height of the Cold War. The Army Commendation Medal is awarded to soldiers who distinguished themselves by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. It can be given to … Continue Reading
November 14, 2014
Pallone, Gillibrand Urge FDA to Evaluate Safety of Plastic Microbeads in Oral Care Products
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) sent a letter to Margaret A. Hamburg, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urging the agency to evaluate the safety of oral care products, such as toothpastes and gum, that contain polyethylene microbeads. Accounts from both consumers and dental professionals suggest that these small bits of plastic, which are not biodegradable, may get lodged in crevices between the teeth … Continue Reading
November 14, 2014
Schumer, Gillibrand, Hanna Urge Armed Services Committee Leaders To Continue To Protect Rome DFAS Jobs – Push Leaders To Green-Light Provision That Would Provide Congress With Oversight Over DFAS Personnel Plans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Richard Hanna called on both the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and House Armed Services Committee to preserve language from the already-passed House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would help provide additional protections for Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) to be included in the final version of the NDAA for Fiscal Year … Continue Reading
