Welcome to Kirsten’s New York Minute!
August 31, 2025
1. Attending the New York State Fair
Kirsten had a blast attending the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse this week! Highlights of the day included visiting vendors, meeting the New York State Police’s canine team, and enjoying her favorite maple ice cream.
Watch Kirsten at the fair here!
2. Fighting for public health funding
Public health research saves lives, and we must do everything we can to support the institutions doing this critical work.
On Monday, Kirsten visited Trudeau Institute, a not-for-profit research institute in Saranac Lake that conducts life-saving studies on immunology and emerging bio-threats. Kirsten successfully fought for the inclusion of $2.5 million in federal funding for this research in the Fiscal Year 2026 Senate appropriations bill currently under consideration by Congress, and she is working to ensure this funding is delivered so that Trudeau Institute can continue its crucial work.
Read more.
3. $$$ → New York airports
From the New York City metropolitan area to rural communities Upstate, airports are gateways for tourism, commerce, and opportunity across New York.
This week, Kirsten announced over $66 million in new federal funding to upgrade airport facilities and equipment at 22 airports across the Empire State. As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee, Kirsten is committed to bringing home federal dollars so that New York’s airports can provide top-notch service, efficiency, and safety for all travelers.
Read more.
4. Securing funding for NY redevelopment
Albany has a special place in Kirsten’s heart as her hometown, and she is committed to fighting for its revitalization to give New Yorkers the vibrant capital they deserve.
This week, Kirsten headed to the capital city to celebrate the use of federal funds she secured for the Lincoln Square Redevelopment Project. The redevelopment of the vacant Lincoln Square Towers will make Albany a safer and better place to live, and Kirsten is eager to see this project continue.
Read more.
5. Helping military families get health care
An Onondaga County veteran contacted Kirsten’s office for assistance after waiting months to hear about the status of their child’s Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) application, which was needed to restore the child’s health, dental, and vision insurance.
After Kirsten’s office contacted the VA, the agency swiftly approved the benefits. Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
August 24, 2025
1. Fighting for Social Security
90 years ago, the U.S. government made a promise to take care of seniors by establishing Social Security.
But now, the Trump administration is threatening access to the benefits that more than 3.8 million New Yorkers rely on to pay their bills, afford medical care, and put food on the table. It’s unacceptable. That’s why Kirsten announced that she’s signing onto the Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act, which would reverse Trump administration cuts to the Social Security Administration (SSA), protect Americans’ data, and prohibit unnecessary SSA office closures and staff layoffs.
Read more.
2. Protecting schools from cyberattacks
In recent years, K-12 schools have experienced an increase in data breaches and cyberattacks, posing a serious threat to student safety and privacy.
This week, Kirsten demanded that the Trump administration take immediate action against these attacks and strengthen the agencies and programs needed to combat them.
Read Kirsten’s letter here.
3. Helping New Yorkers get their tax refunds
A New York City constituent contacted Kirsten’s office after waiting over a year and a half for his delayed tax refund. He was initially contacted by the IRS to complete an identity verification, and despite his prompt completion, his return remained unprocessed due to an identity protection hold.
Kirsten’s office reached out to the IRS on his behalf and secured the release of his refund, which totaled over $800,000. Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
August 17, 2025
Helping New Yorkers with federal agencies
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. So far in 2025, her office has helped over 5,300 constituents resolve issues with federal agencies.
Kirsten’s team can help with issues involving passports, federal taxes, the Social Security Administration (SSA), Medicare benefits, veterans benefits, the Small Business Administration, federal student loans, the World Trade Center Health Program, and much more. If you need help with a federal agency, contact her here.
Casework by the numbers
This year, Kirsten’s casework team has helped secure over $160 million in federal benefits for New York constituents, businesses, and cultural organizations. This includes:
- $750,000 in Social Security benefits restored to seniors and Medicare bills covered for enrollees;
- $400,000 in VA benefits reinstated to veterans;
- $110,000,000 for New York cultural organizations and businesses that were in danger of losing revenue without their top performers and staff;
$53,000,000 released back to constituents and small businesses from delayed tax refunds.
Success Stories
From assisting veterans and 9/11 survivors to aiding immigration cases, Kirsten’s team is here to help. Here are some success stories from 2025 so far:
- Veterans Affairs: When a Purple Heart recipient needed help securing his retirement benefits after 32 years of service, he reached out to Kirsten’s office. Kirsten’s team contacted the Department of the Army and discovered agency errors that were promptly corrected. Within two weeks, the constituent’s retirement and health care benefits were approved, and he received nearly $60,000 in retroactive payments.
- Social Security: A Suffolk County senior contacted Kirsten’s team after she applied for Social Security survivor benefits and did not hear from the SSA for six months. Kirsten’s team inquired with the SSA about the status of her approval, and the agency released a $27,000 payment to the constituent.
- Immigration: When a Senegalese domestic violence survivor needed help with her application for permanent U.S. residency, she contacted Kirsten’s office for help. Kirsten’s team contacted U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the constituent received her green card.
- Education: When cuts at the Department of Education left a local university’s federal student aid in limbo, the university reached out to Kirsten’s office for help. Her team reached out to the agency, and the university was eventually approved to receive $13 million for student aid.
- World Trade Center Health Program: A retired firefighter and 9/11 first responder contacted Kirsten’s office for assistance after he was informed that, due to budget cuts, treatment for his pancreatic cancer would not be covered by the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). Kirsten’s team contacted the WTCHP to support his request for emergency acceptance. The next day, the constituent was accepted into the program, allowing him to begin his lifesaving treatment.
Kirsten is eager to continue working on behalf of her constituents. If you need help with a federal agency, contact her here.
August 10, 2025
1. Fighting for the 9/11 health program
It is vital to support the heroes who put their lives on the line during one of our nation’s darkest hours. As many survivors and first responders battle horrific 9/11-related conditions, we must guarantee that they receive the care and treatment they need.
This week, Kirsten demanded that Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. immediately address the administrative issues within the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) that are threatening to impede care for survivors. These issues stem from staffing shortages due to Trump administration cuts; an ongoing pause in communications with the 9/11 community and travel restrictions for program staff; and halted research meetings. They must be addressed immediately, and Kirsten will continue holding the administration’s feet to the fire until our 9/11 heroes get the care they deserve.
Read more.
2. Protecting clean air
Climate change and toxic air pollution are a significant threat to human health and the environment. Despite this, the Trump administration proposed repealing regulations that target emissions of greenhouse gases and other hazardous substances from fossil fuel-fired power plants.
This deregulation would put clean air, the environment, and the health of all New Yorkers at risk. That’s why Kirsten joined 30 of her fellow senators in demanding a reversal of the administration’s decision to roll back emissions standards that keep New Yorkers safe.
Read more.
3. Helping people with disabilities get their benefits
A Putnam County constituent contacted Kirsten’s office on behalf of her disabled son after his Social Security Disability Insurance benefits were suddenly suspended.
Kirsten’s team inquired with the Social Security Administration about the case, and the beneficiary’s $2,000 monthly benefits were swiftly reinstated along with his past-due payment for the month of July.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
August 3, 2025
1. Protecting New Yorkers from tick-borne illnesses
Tick-borne illnesses are a growing threat across the country; in New York, reported cases of Lyme disease skyrocketed from 2,200 in 2020 to over 22,000 in 2023. We must do more to ensure that all Americans are protected.
This week, Kirsten pushed for passage of the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act, which would support research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. This legislation would help protect families, communities, and service members across New York, and Kirsten is determined to get it passed.
Read more.
2. Working to expand SNAP benefits
No college student should have to scrounge for food or wonder where they’ll get their next meal.
Kirsten’s Enhance Access to SNAP (EATS) Act would eliminate work-for-food barriers to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for low-income college students, ensuring that they can get the benefits they need to study and thrive. If passed, this legislation would give as many as 290,000 additional students in New York access to SNAP benefits. Kirsten introduced the EATS Act this week, and she’s fighting hard for its passage.
Read more.
3. Reducing PFAS contamination at military sites
Water contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) poses a serious health risk to New Yorkers living near military sites.
That’s why Kirsten introduced the bipartisan DOD PFAS Discharge Prevention Act. This legislation would reduce drinking water pollution and exposure to toxic forever chemicals for firefighters, service members, and communities by facilitating better monitoring and management of forever chemicals at Department of Defense installations.
Read more.
4. Fighting for the Older Americans Act
Elder abuse and neglect are an ever-present threat against seniors.
At the Senate Aging Committee hearing this week, Kirsten highlighted the need to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA), a cornerstone law that funds programs that provide nutrition assistance, meal delivery services, caregiver support, disease prevention services, long-term care, and more. These programs are essential to safeguarding the health, safety, and dignity of aging Americans, and they are critical tools that help make sure seniors are well taken care of.
Read more.
5. Protecting seniors from financial fraud
Last year, seniors lost over $2.8 billion to fraud schemes involving cryptocurrency. Unfortunately, many state and local law enforcement agencies lack the capabilities to catch fraudsters using blockchain technology, allowing these scammers to go undetected.
That’s why Kirsten introduced the Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception (GUARD) Act. This critical legislation would enhance law enforcement’s ability to utilize the blockchain to investigate financial fraud, bolstering their ability to catch scammers.
Read more.
6. Helping New York veterans
A Yates County veteran contacted Kirsten’s office for assistance when he was experiencing inconsistent care at his local VA.
Kirsten’s team contacted his VA’s Patient Advocate team on his behalf, and, within a day, the VA replied that they would be working directly with the veteran to ensure that his requests for care are met. Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
July 26, 2025
1. Fighting for first responders
First responders are the backbone of our public safety system, and they deserve our support. This week, Kirsten hosted over 100 New York firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement officers for a day of panels, workshops, and advocacy on Capitol Hill.
From supporting the 9/11 health program to making sure police officers have the mental health resources they need, Kirsten is committed to fighting for first responders in New York and beyond.
2. Advocating for child care for police officers
Offering child care for law enforcement officers could boost recruitment, help families plan around abnormal work schedules, and increase public safety.
This week, Kirsten announced a bipartisan bill that would provide $24 million in federal funding for each of the next 5 fiscal years to establish a pilot program to provide child care for law enforcement families. This bill is a win-win for law enforcement and communities, and she’s committed to ushering it to passage.
Read more.
3. $$$ → NY infrastructure
This week, as ranking member of the Transportation and Housing Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, Kirsten secured significant funding for New York infrastructure, transit, and housing projects in the Senate Appropriations Committee’s draft Transportation and Housing bill.
This funding will help New Yorkers travel more easily, make homes more affordable, and improve air traffic congestion at local airports—and Kirsten is pushing to get this bill passed.
Read about the specific funded projects here.
4. Helping seniors with Social Security
A 91-year-old Westchester County senior contacted Kirsten’s office for assistance when her Social Security benefits were paused for two months after the passing of her husband, pending transition from Railroad Retirement Board benefits to Social Security Retirement benefits.
After Kirsten’s team inquired about the status of the benefits transition, the constituent received a $3,000 payment in past-due benefits and had her ongoing benefits reinstated.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
5. Protecting estuaries in New York
Protecting estuaries is critical for our environment, our economy, and our health.
This week, Kirsten sounded the alarm about a Trump administration proposal to cut $8 million in funding from the National Estuary Program (NEP), which works to maintain and restore water quality of estuaries across the country, including the Peconic Estuary and Long Island Sound. Without sufficient funding, the NEP will not be able to keep New York’s estuaries safe from pollution, jeopardizing public health, the environment, and local jobs.
July 19, 2025
1. Combating scams against seniors
Last year, seniors lost almost $5 billion to scammers. But instead of supporting the agencies that combat fraud and scams, the Trump administration is making cuts at these very institutions.
As the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, Kirsten called on the Trump administration to develop and implement a strategy to fight scams and to stop making cuts to the federal agencies doing this critical work.
Read more.
2. Fighting Republican funding cuts
This week, Republicans passed a rescissions package that claws back funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid.
Our public broadcasting system is one of the few remaining institutions committed to providing free, fact-based programming to every American—regardless of zip code. By rescinding funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Republicans are betraying the rural communities that rely on public media for trusted news, high-quality educational content, and lifesaving emergency alerts.
Kirsten is appalled by the rescissions package and committed to doing everything she can to protect public broadcasting and support rural communities in the wake of these cuts.
Read Kirsten’s statement here.
3. Improving our transit infrastructure
As extreme weather events become more common, ensuring that our transportation system is equipped to handle heavy rains, wind, and flash flooding is critical.
That’s why this week, following flash flooding in New York City brought on by heavy storms, Kirsten reintroduced the Resilient Transit Act. This legislation would provide a dedicated stream of federal funding to strengthen the resilience of America’s public transportation systems.
Read more.
4. Strengthening defense
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Kirsten is committed to protecting service members and making our country safer.
She secured major wins in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, including provisions that will help victims of sexual assault and address brain-related health incidents. The bill also expands Kirsten’s Cyber Service Academy scholarship program—which provides students with full scholarships in exchange for public service after school—and includes millions in funding for New York military installations.
Read more.
5. Helping seniors with Social Security
A Monroe County senior contacted Kirsten’s office for assistance after she had waited three months to hear from the Social Security Administration about her application for survivor benefits. Kirsten’s team inquired about the status of her application with the SSA, and she received approval in addition to $4,200 in past-due benefits. Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
July 12, 2025
1. Fighting for our schools
Last week, the Trump administration confirmed that it is blocking $7 billion in congressionally approved funding for education. This money funds before- and after-school programs, professional development for teachers, STEM education, accelerated learning courses, school-based mental health services, and more.
We need a government that works to support students, not steal from them.
That’s why this week, Kirsten led the New York congressional delegation in demanding answers from the Trump administration on why they’re withholding these funds. She’ll hold their feet to the fire for as long as it takes to get our students the resources they deserve.
Read more.
2. Supporting Head Start
Head Start is an investment in our future that helps make sure every child has the support they need to thrive.
This week, Kirsten announced the reintroduction of the bipartisan Head Start for Our Future Act. This legislation would make child development and early education jobs eligible as community services under the Federal Work-Study program, ensuring that aspiring teachers have the support they need while also helping remedy the nationwide shortage of early childhood education workers. This legislation is critical, and Kirsten is committed to doing everything she can to get it over the finish line.
Read more.
3. Protecting seniors from frauds and scams
Last year, seniors lost a record $4.8 billion to scammers.
But instead of bolstering the agencies responsible for protecting consumers, the Trump administration is gutting these very entities. This week, Kirsten joined forces with Senator Elizabeth Warren to demand that the Trump administration stop cutting agencies that protect seniors from financial frauds and scams.
Read more.
4. $$$ → NY airports
From big cities to rural communities, New York’s airports are gateways for commerce, tourism, and travel.
This week, Kirsten announced $21 million in federal funds for airports across New York State. These funds will be used to make critical safety and infrastructure upgrades while enhancing reliability and comfort at 16 airports across our state.
Read more.
5. Helping veterans secure health care
When a Suffolk County veteran with Alzheimer’s disease was denied a hospital transfer, his family contacted Kirsten’s office for help. Kirsten’s team worked with the VA on his behalf, and as a result, the VA reassessed the case and placed him in a new facility within the week—fully covered under VA care. Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
July 5, 2025
1. Happy 4th of July!
Happy 4th of July, New York! As we celebrate our country’s independence, I’m reflecting on America’s enduring promise of democracy, freedom, and equality for all. On this holiday, let’s celebrate the progress we’ve made and recommit ourselves to the work that must still be done to build a more just and inclusive nation.
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday filled with fun, family, and good food.
– Kirsten
2. Fighting President Trump’s Big Beautiful Betrayal
President Trump and congressional Republicans are cutting health care and food assistance for working families just to give massive tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.
Earlier this week, during a marathon vote-a-rama, Kirsten joined other Senate Democrats in trying to amend President Trump’s budget bill to protect Medicaid and SNAP. Despite their best efforts, the bill ultimately passed.
The GOP bill is an outrageous betrayal of the American people, and Kirsten will continue to do everything she can to fight back.
Read Kirsten’s statement on the bill here.
3. Securing funds for New York airport upgrades
As the top Democrat on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Kirsten is committed to ensuring that air travel infrastructure is safe, strong, and reliable.
This week, she announced over $40 million in federal funding to upgrade airport facilities at sixteen airports across New York State. This federal funding was secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that Kirsten fought to pass, and it will help fund projects that modernize terminals, improve safety, and enhance passenger experience.
Read more.
4. Helping New Yorkers leave Israel
When a constituent in Manhattan with serious medical conditions needed help to secure required travel documents for his wife in Israel, he contacted Kirsten’s office for help. Kirsten’s team contacted the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and promptly secured an appointment with agency staff. Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.