Posts from Senator Gillibrand

Welcome to Kirsten’s New York Minute!

June 7, 2026

The most critical decisions affecting our national security and the lives of our service members must always be made by human beings, not artificial intelligence (AI).

This week, Kirsten introduced legislation to set strict boundaries for the military’s use of AI. Her bill would prohibit the use of AI to target or launch nuclear weapons, conduct mass domestic surveillance, or develop offensive fully autonomous weapons. By ensuring that human commanders remain in control of life-or-death decisions, this legislation would help protect American troops and our national security.

Read more.

New Yorkers are working harder, paying more, and falling behind in President Trump’s America. But instead of providing relief for working families, the president is focused on building a gilded ballroom, erecting monuments in his own honor, and using taxpayer dollars to pay off his allies.

During a late-night marathon budget vote this week, Kirsten and her Senate Democratic colleagues forced votes on measures to kill President Trump’s corrupt “anti-weaponization fund” and preserve the programs that Americans rely on.

Read more.

International medical graduates are vital to New York’s physician workforce, especially in rural areas of the state. However, Trump administration bottlenecks in the J-1 visa waiver process are making it harder for these individuals to begin their service, causing physician shortages across New York.

This week, Kirsten urged the administration to immediately address visa backlogs so that New Yorkers can get the high-quality care that they deserve. New York cannot afford to lose qualified doctors to administrative red tape, and Kirsten will keep holding the administration’s feet to the fire until the backlogs are remedied.

Read more.

Farmers are the backbone of New York’s economy. But as climate change worsens, extreme weather events are becoming more common and wreaking havoc on growers across the state.

This week, Kirsten requested that the USDA provide swift relief to New York fruit and specialty crop farmers who have lost their crops due to a severe early-season frost.

Read more.

American patients deserve to know that their medications are safe, regardless of where they are made.

As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, Kirsten held a committee hearing this week to discuss the need for increased transparency and consistent quality in America’s drug supply chain.

Watch here.

This week on her YouTube series, Kirsten breaks down how President Trump’s cuts to food assistance are hurting American families.

Watch here.

A Saratoga County veteran contacted Kirsten’s office after months of back and forth with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about changing their name in the VA portal to reflect their recent marriage.

After Kirsten’s team contacted the VA’s customer care team, the veteran’s married name was updated throughout the portal.

Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.

May 31, 2026

For too long, nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) have been used to silence survivors of child sexual abuse and shield perpetrators from accountability.

This week, Kirsten’s bipartisan legislation to correct this injustice passed the Senate. This critical bill would void NDAs in cases of child sexual abuse or assault, allowing survivors to publicly tell their stories. Kirsten is doing everything she can to make sure it passes in the House and is signed into law.

Read more.

New York seniors are confronting a long-term care crisis that threatens their savings, their peace of mind, and their health. While Republicans roll back vital nursing home staffing standards and slash hundreds of billions from Medicaid, Kirsten and her Senate Democratic colleagues are fighting back.

This week, they launched a new plan to improve access to affordable long-term care, secure living wages for caregivers, and raise standards for nursing homes. This plan builds on Kirsten’s work as the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee to support caregivers, protect Medicaid, and help seniors age with dignity, and she is determined to fight for it.

Read more.

Every American has the right to live freely and safely, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or religion. 

The alarming rise in hate crimes over the last few years demands a comprehensive federal response — and that starts with the establishment of a commission to investigate hate crimes. That’s why Kirsten introduced a bill to establish a bipartisan commission to examine the factors driving hate crimes, barriers to accurate reporting, and evidence-based approaches to prevention.

Read more.

Addressing microplastics pollution in our food and drinking water is vital to safeguard New Yorkers’ health.

This week, Kirsten demanded that the Trump administration develop a strategy to protect Americans from exposure to microplastics.

Read more.

An Albany County constituent contacted Kirsten’s office for assistance when her Medicare coverage lapsed due to an administrative issue that went unresolved for nearly six months. This situation threatened the constituent’s health, as she – a recipient of dialysis treatments – became unable to refill her medications, attend medical appointments, or apply to transplant centers. 

Kirsten’s team contacted the Social Security Administration immediately, and within one week, the constituent’s Part B coverage was reinstated and applied retroactively so that there was no gap in coverage.

Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.

May 24, 2026

Using AI to delay and deny seniors’ medical care is immoral and unacceptable. But that is exactly what the Trump administration is doing through the WISeR program, which allows AI to conduct prior authorization and deny seniors’ Medicare claims.

This week, Kirsten introduced a resolution to end this program once and for all. Seniors must be able to access the care that they need in a timely manner, and Kirsten is determined to get her resolution passed.

Read more.

This week, Kirsten secured significant federal funding to improve water quality across New York State. This includes:

• $185.2 million in funding to reduce lead in New York drinking water. Read more.
• $40.5 million in funding to combat “forever chemical” contamination in New York waterways. Read more.
• $315,000 in funding to monitor water quality at New York beaches. Read more.

As Americans struggle to afford groceries and gas in President Trump’s economy, it’s time to bring New York families some real relief.

That’s why Kirsten introduced legislation that would provide free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack to all schoolchildren, easing the cost burden on working families and guaranteeing that all children have access to nutritious meals.

Read more.

New York has cemented itself as a global leader in semiconductor technology.

Kirsten helped secure over $1.3 billion in federal CHIPS & Science Act funding for advanced semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing in New York. The projects will be spearheaded by IBM and GlobalFoundries. These federal dollars will create good-paying jobs, boost the Upstate economy, and further cement New York’s role as a leader in cutting-edge technology.

Read more.

Service members who put their lives on the line for our country deserve access to reproductive health care, regardless of where they are stationed. However, since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, our troops’ ability to receive reproductive health services now depends on where the military sends them instead of their own health care needs. 

That is unacceptable and a barrier to military readiness. That’s why Kirsten introduced legislation this week that would allow military medical treatment facilities to provide abortion services at all facilities. 

Read more.

Making sure that airport infrastructure is in good shape is critical for New Yorkers to travel safely and efficiently. Kirsten, the ranking member of the Senate’s Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, secured over $40 million this week to modernize and upgrade outdated airport infrastructure in communities across the state.

Read more.

Falls pose a significant health risk to our seniors and jeopardize their ability to age safely in the locations of their choice.

This week, Kirsten held a Senate Aging Committee hearing to discuss innovative ways to help protect seniors from life-altering falls. Prior to the hearing, she also requested a Government Accountability Office study on how emerging technology, such as wearable devices, can help keep seniors safe.

Read more.

Millions of Americans are losing their health insurance, and there is one clear reason: the Trump administration’s healthcare cuts.

This week on her YouTube series, Kirsten breaks down President Trump’s attacks on healthcare and speaks with an expert about how the president’s cuts will impact our communities.

Watch here.

The child of a trafficking survivor contacted Kirsten’s office for help securing a consular interview as the final step in their quest to secure a T-3 visa. 

Kirsten’s office contacted the State Department on the family’s behalf, and within weeks, the applicant was scheduled for a consular interview.

Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.

May 17, 2026

Every commute to work, every ride to a doctor’s appointment, and every carpool to school costs 50 percent more today than it did just a year ago due to skyrocketing gas prices. That is a direct result of President Trump’s reckless war with Iran.

This week, Kirsten reiterated her call in DC and as she visited communities across New York for an immediate and permanent end to the war in Iran and demanded that President Trump take action to lower gas prices.

Read more.

Kirsten is demanding answers about the Trump administration’s failure to show measurable progress on housing affordability and homelessness after a year in office.

At a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing this week, Kirsten grilled President Trump’s Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on his record and pressed him for answers after the secretary repeatedly blamed the Biden administration for his own failed record.

Read more.

At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing this week, Kirsten pressed the commander in charge of the war against Iran on reports that U.S. strikes in Iran damaged 22 schools and multiple hospitals, potentially causing civilian casualties.

During the exchange, Admiral Cooper acknowledged that the Pentagon has not conducted an investigation into these reports. Kirsten demanded an investigation, and she will keep holding the administration’s feet to the fire until the American people get answers.

Read more.

American civilians who fall sick due to toxic exposure while supporting our military deserve the same support as those in uniform. This week, Kirsten introduced bipartisan legislation to make sure federal employees exposed to toxic burn pits in support of our troops can access the compensation they deserve.

This legislation builds on the success of Kirsten’s PACT Act, which expanded healthcare and benefits to veterans suffering from illnesses caused by exposure to toxic substances while serving abroad, establishing a presumptive connection between their service and their illness. Kirsten’s new bill would extend similar presumption to federal law enforcement officers, Intelligence Community employees, and civilians who worked at federal agencies for at least 30 days overseas in support of U.S. military operations.

Read more.

More women in the United States die from pregnancy-related complications than in any of our peer countries. That is downright shameful. We must do more to support women at every step of their maternal health journey. 

This week, Kirsten introduced bipartisan legislation that would expand access to high-quality maternal mental healthcare and substance use disorder services to support moms and pregnant women — no matter their race, socioeconomic status, or zip code.

Read more.

This week, two of Kirsten’s bipartisan bills passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

The Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act would reduce delays in death and disability benefit determinations for survivors of first responders who have died in the line of duty and for officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty. The Terminating Restrictive Enforcement of Youth Settlements (TREY’S) Law would void nondisclosure agreements in cases of child sexual abuse or assault, giving survivors of child sexual abuse the right to tell their stories and seek public accountability for the horrors they endured. 

Kirsten will not stop fighting until both of these bills are passed by the full Congress and signed into law.

Read more.

This week, Kirsten called for an immediate reversal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s unilateral termination of collective bargaining rights for 300,000 Department of Defense employees, including thousands in New York.

Stripping these employees of their collective bargaining rights undermines workplace protections and jeopardizes the effectiveness of the civilian workforce that our military depends on. Kirsten will keep fighting until their bargaining rights are restored.

Read more.

8. WATCH: Two Truths and Trump’s Lies

President Trump said it himself: “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation.” He doesn’t care that New Yorkers are struggling as they are being forced to pay more for groceries, gas, and healthcare.

This week, Kirsten sat down with Under the Desk News’ V Spehar to cut through the chaos and bring you the truth.

Watch here.

9. Helping New York veterans

A Saratoga County veteran contacted Kirsten’s team after his pension was suspended due to an erroneous death determination. Despite his multiple attempts to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the agency failed to confirm if the error had been corrected or if his benefits would be reinstated. 

Less than a week after Kirsten’s team contacted the VA, the agency rectified the mistake and issued the veteran $700 in retroactive payments.

Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.

May 3, 2026

1. Cracking down on corruption in prediction markets

Elected officials should be working for the people they represent—not lining their own pockets with insider information.

This week, Kirsten introduced bipartisan legislation to regulate prediction markets. This commonsense bill puts strong guardrails in place to protect consumers, prevent insider trading, and hold prediction market platforms to the highest standards of integrity. Kirsten is determined to get it passed.

Read more.

2. Demanding answers about the Iran war

Americans want lower costs. But instead, the Trump administration is doubling down on its reckless war with Iran, which is driving up prices for working New Yorkers.

At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing this week, Kirsten pressed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth over the skyrocketing costs and deep unpopularity of President Trump’s war with Iran, and demanded answers after Hegseth claimed the administration has the support of the American people.

Read more.

3.  Fighting for student loan relief

Working Americans are already struggling to make ends meet as prices rise for everything from groceries to gas in President Trump’s economy. Threatening student loan relief programs on top of these rising costs is a recipe for disaster for working New Yorkers.

This week, Kirsten launched a new push for student loan relief. She demanded that the Trump administration immediately address the enormous backlog of student loan forgiveness and repayment applications to provide relief to student loan borrowers.

Read more.

4. Working to compensate caregivers

Caregiving for an aging parent, relative with a disability, or ailing loved one is a full-time job, and individuals who leave the workforce to take on this critical work should be compensated for it.

This week, Kirsten introduced a bill that would provide eligible caregivers with essential Social Security benefits in retirement, helping them to continue to provide for themselves and their families after leaving their jobs. As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, Kirsten is committed to prioritizing the needs of working families and protecting their retirement security. 

Read more.

5. Meeting with AAPI leaders

New York’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is critical to our state.

This week, Kirsten hosted a summit with over 150 AAPI leaders and advocates from across New York to discuss the issues most important to their communities. The day of programming included panels on grants, community mobilization, and immigration, as well as policy discussions with Kirsten and other elected officials.

6.  WATCH: Two Truths and Trump’s Lies

Last week, Senate Republicans voted against Democrats’ push to lower costs and moved to dump billions more taxpayer dollars into ICE. 

This week on Two Truths and Trump’s Lies, Kirsten broke down Trump’s priorities and spoke with two health care leaders about how President Trump’s cuts will hurt New Yorkers.

Watch here.

7. Helping immigrants work in New York

A Ukrainian national contacted Kirsten’s office about his pending re-parole application following months of delays by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

Kirsten’s office contacted USCIS on his behalf, and the agency promptly approved his application, allowing him to continue working in America.

Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.

April 26, 2026

1. Working to end senior hunger

Skyrocketing grocery prices have left many seniors unable to put food on the table. In the richest country in the world, that is unconscionable.

This week, Kirsten demanded passage of her Senior Hunger Prevention Act, which would expand SNAP benefits for all beneficiaries, simplify the SNAP application process for seniors and people with disabilities, and expand SNAP food delivery options.

Read more.

2. Demanding answers about civilian casualties in Iran

President Trump’s reckless war with Iran has caused over 1,700 civilian deaths and damage to more than 20 schools and a dozen health care facilities. Attacks on civilian infrastructure are unacceptable, and Kirsten is demanding answers.

Prior to the war, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made deep cuts to the military’s civilian harm prevention programs. Kirsten is investigating the impact of these cuts, and she will keep fighting until the Trump administration ends this war of choice and fully restores the programs and public servants that mitigate harm to civilians.

Read more.

3.  WATCH: Two Truths and Trump’s Lies

In her new YouTube series, Kirsten broke down President Trump’s lies about his reckless war with Iran and spoke with New York farmers about the rising cost of gas and fertilizer as a result of the war. 

Watch here.

4. Securing home energy assistance funding for New Yorkers

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides critical relief to families struggling to heat and cool their homes amid skyrocketing utility prices.

Despite widespread public support for the program, President Trump has attacked LIHEAP, stalled hundreds of millions of dollars of appropriated LIHEAP funding from reaching families in need, and proposed eliminating the program entirely. 

Following pressure from Kirsten, the Trump administration released millions in LIHEAP funding to New York, providing much-needed relief ahead of the summer. Kirsten will continue pushing back on the president’s attacks on LIHEAP.

Read more.

5. Supporting New York workers

New York workers are the backbone of our state, our economy, and our communities.

This week, Kirsten met with workers from the New York State Laborers’ Union to discuss the importance of labor protections and hear directly from two workers at Ground Zero about how the World Trade Center Health Program has been a lifeline for New Yorkers suffering long-term health impacts from the 9/11 terror attacks.

6.  Helping New Yorkers get their tax refunds

A Westchester County constituent contacted Kirsten for assistance getting the tax refunds owed to her mother’s estate from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

After Kirsten’s team contacted the IRS and confirmed that the constituent had submitted the necessary documentation, the constituent received over $3,000 in refunds.

Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.

April 19, 2026

1. Fighting to end President Trump’s war in Iran

President Trump’s reckless war with Iran is endangering our troops, jeopardizing our national security, and raising costs for working families already struggling to get by.

This week, Kirsten introduced legislation that can be used to force a vote to stop the war. New Yorkers want lower costs, not forever wars, and Kirsten is doing everything she can to end this reckless war.

Read more.

2. Securing health care for 9/11 survivors

After reports that the Trump administration had not addressed staffing cuts at the World Trade Center Health Program, Kirsten fought back.

Following her advocacy, the Department of Health and Human Services agreed to reverse the cuts and hire new staff to support the program, which provides health care for 9/11 survivors and first responders. Kirsten will continue to monitor to make sure staff is actually rehired and New Yorkers can get the care they need.

Read more.

3.  Fighting for good government

The president of the United States serves the people, not the other way around.

This week, Kirsten introduced her Halting Unilateral Money and Building Labeling by Egotistical (HUMBLE) Presidents Act to bar the use of a sitting U.S. president’s name, image, likeness, or signature to decorate or name federal property, assets, or currency. This critical legislation would force our leaders to focus on the issues that truly matter to American families, not their own personal brand, and Kirsten will do everything she can to get it passed.

Read more.

4. Supporting New York manufacturing

New York manufacturers are building the future right here in our state. This week, Kirsten visited three New York facilities that do cutting-edge work at the intersection of national security, manufacturing, and economic development:

• Innovare Advancement Center at Griffiss Institute: based in Rome, NY, Griffiss Institute is a nonprofit talent and technology accelerator that fosters collaboration between government, academia, and industry to drive innovation and support STEM education. Read more.
• GE Aerospace: in the Capital Region, GE Aerospace serves as a research and development hub where engineers and scientists are creating next-generation aerospace technology. Read more.
• CPI Aerostructures: a Long Island-based manufacturer of structural aircraft components for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, serving both our national security and commercial aerospace sector. Read more.

5. Honoring a Nuremberg prosecutor

As a Nuremberg trials prosecutor and lifelong advocate for justice, the late Ben Ferencz represents the best of humanity.

Kirsten was honored to lead the bill to award Mr. Ferencz the Congressional Gold Medal to recognize his tremendous service to our nation.

Watch her speech here.

6. Reversing Trump’s needless delays in funding New York infrastructure projects

The Trump administration has used New Yorkers as political pawns by holding up federal dollars for important projects like New York’s Second Avenue Subway extension.

This week, following pressure from Kirsten, the U.S. Department of Transportation restarted long-delayed reimbursements for the Second Avenue Subway extension project, allowing critical construction work to continue. This project will cut down on travel times, provide better connections between New York neighborhoods, and deliver the modern and accessible transit system that New Yorkers deserve.

Read more.

7. Fighting senior hunger

Skyrocketing grocery prices have left too many seniors struggling to put food on the table.

Unfortunately, the complexity of the current application process for SNAP benefits deters many older adults from using this critical resource. That’s why this week, Kirsten introduced a bill to simplify the SNAP application process for seniors and increase the monthly benefit available to all SNAP participants.

Read more.

A Queens County constituent contacted Kirsten’s office with a dire need request for Medicaid to permit an increase to her home health care hours. Despite being in a wheelchair and living alone with no way of moving around her home without assistance, her Medicaid insurance provider denied her request twice.

After Kirsten’s team contacted the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on her behalf, the constituent was notified of a favorable decision allowing her 24-hour, live-in assistance.

Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.

9. COMING SOON: Two Truths and Trump’s Lies

The truth matters – now more than ever.

Kirsten is launching a new series to help keep New Yorkers informed about what’s happening in Washington and how it’s going to affect you — whether it’s your health care, your paycheck, or your community.

Watch the promo here.

April 5, 2026

1. Fighting for good government

In America, we do not bow to kings. Our president should be focused on lowering costs for American families, not using their position to boost their own personal brand.

This week, in solidarity with over 8 million Americans who took to the streets at “No Kings” rallies across the country, Kirsten announced a new bill to bar the use of a sitting U.S. president’s name, image, likeness, or signature on federal property, assets, or currency. This is a commonsense bill designed to make sure the president prioritizes serving the American people.

Read more.

2. Working to prevent insider trading on prediction markets

Federal employees should not be able to use nonpublic information to cash in on prediction markets.

This week, Kirsten raised concerns about insider trading on prediction markets with the Trump administration. Having been a champion for transparency and good government throughout her time in office, Kirsten is dedicated to increasing oversight of federal employees using nonpublic information to trade on prediction markets for personal gain.

Read more.

3.  Fighting for equality

This week, Kirsten joined the Human Rights Campaign to celebrate their vital role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

Amid political extremism and the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, Kirsten is committed to continuing the fight for equality.

4. Making New York transit safer

Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe the moment they step onto a subway platform or board a bus.

Kirsten secured over $7 million for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) as part of a new federal program she wrote that cuts red tape, allowing MTA and other large urban transit authorities nationwide to use federal funding for security personnel and crisis intervention for the first time. This program will help ensure safer, more reliable commutes for New Yorkers, and Kirsten is proud to have gotten it done.

Read more.

5. Helping New Yorkers get their work permits

An attorney at a Westchester organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and human trafficking contacted Kirsten’s office on behalf of labor trafficking survivors who had been waiting months for their work permits to be processed.

After Kirsten’s office contacted U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on their behalf, the agency approved their work permits within one day.

Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.

March 29, 2026

1. Demanding an end to President Trump’s attacks on seniors

Instead of protecting American seniors, President Trump has attacked the very programs that help them stay afloat, including Social Security, Medicaid, and nutrition assistance programs.

This week, Kirsten released a new report detailing eight ways that the Trump administration harmed seniors during the president’s first year in office and proposing legislation to counteract these harms.

Read more.

2. Working to protect voting rights

Amid voter suppression efforts across the country, we must do more to make sure that voting is fair and accessible for all Americans.

This week, Kirsten reintroduced the Voter Empowerment Act to modernize voter registration, expand voting access, and protect our elections from interference.

Read more.

3.  Protecting SNAP Benefits

In just two years, hardworking New Yorkers lost at least $52 million in SNAP benefits to scammers. That is unacceptable.

This week, Kirsten cosponsored legislation to help prevent “SNAP skimming,” a form of fraud in which thieves steal EBT card information to create duplicate cards and drain victims’ benefits. The legislation would also allow states to issue replacement SNAP cards at no cost within three days for recipients whose cards are stolen, cloned, or malfunctioning, and it would help eligible vendors and merchants update their payment processing systems to accept chip-enabled cards.

Read more.

4. Demanding answers on World Trade Center Health Program cuts

Last month, Congress fully funded the World Trade Center Health Program to help 9/11 survivors and first responders get the health care that they need. Despite this, the Trump administration has done little to address the program’s outstanding staffing and administrative needs, resulting in continued delays for survivors trying to get care.

This week, Kirsten demanded that the administration immediately remedy these issues. She will continue holding the administration accountable until they do so.

Read more.

5. WATCH: How Kirsten would spend Trump’s $200 Billion for his war in Iran

President Trump wants 200 billion taxpayer dollars to spend on his war in Iran instead of prioritizing Americans who are struggling to pay for gas and groceries.

Kirsten outlined three ways she would use $200 billion to help New Yorkers instead of funding another endless war.

Watch here.

6.  Meeting New York letter carriers

Letter carriers provide crucial services to our communities across New York State.

This week, Kirsten was grateful to meet with members of the NYS Association of Letter Carriers and share her commitment to protecting them on the job and securing the benefits they deserve.

7. Supporting seniors

As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, Kirsten held a hearing to discuss the need to support seniors as they navigate their work and retirement journey. She also highlighted her efforts to defend Social Security and improve phone and in-person access to the Social Security Administration.

Watch here.

8. Helping NY veterans

A Rockland County veteran contacted Kirsten’s office for assistance after waiting months for answers about her Veterans Affairs (VA) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation claim.

Two weeks after Kirsten’s team contacted the VA on the constituent’s behalf, she confirmed that the claim had finally been processed.

Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.

March 22, 2026

Working families are struggling amid higher prices and substantial job losses due to President Trump’s reckless tariffs.

This week, Kirsten introduced the Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act to bring these families financial relief. This critical legislation would provide American consumers with direct tax rebates, putting money back into the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers. Kirsten is determined to get this bill across the finish line.

Read more.

As high prices strain working families, Kirsten introduced legislation that would provide broad, permanent tax cuts to nearly 130 million working Americans.

The Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act would eliminate federal income taxes for Americans who make under the median cost of living, $46,000, and provide a significant tax break to individuals making between $46,000 and $80,500. This critical legislation would support working families, drive economic growth, and reduce income inequality.

Read more.

No New York family should have to choose between putting food on the table and staying warm.

As working families across the country struggle to keep up with skyrocketing utility prices, Kirsten demanded that the Trump administration swiftly release roughly $400 million in heating assistance funding that has already been approved by Congress.

Read more.

The American people deserve transparency on the U.S. military’s use of artificial intelligence.

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Kirsten questioned two top generals about the use of AI in military operations and secured commitments from both generals that they would not use AI for any domestic surveillance.

Watch here.

Every New Yorker deserves safe, clean drinking water.

Kirsten was grateful to meet with New York members of The Garden Club of America to discuss their shared mission to protect New York’s bodies of water and keep dangerous chemicals out of our water supply.

A Nassau County constituent contacted Kirsten’s office for assistance after the Social Security Administration (SSA) wrongfully reported an overpayment debt to credit bureaus.

After Kirsten’s team contacted SSA, the agency reviewed the discrepancy and ultimately retracted its report to the credit bureaus.

Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.

President Trump’s SAVE America Act is a voter suppression bill disguised as an anti-fraud measure. By imposing onerous voter registration requirements and severely restricting mail-in and absentee voting, this bill would disenfranchise millions of Americans.

Kirsten opposed the bill on the Senate floor this week, and she will do everything she can to prevent it from passing.

Watch Kirsten’s Senate floor speech here.

March 15, 2026

1. Demanding answers about U.S. strikes in Iran

This week, Kirsten pressed the Trump administration for answers about an American missile that struck a girls’ school in Iran, reportedly killing over 150 children. Kirsten has been a vocal critic of President Trump’s war and the billions of dollars a day he is spending as he cuts health care spending for Americans here at home.

Watch her questioning here.

New Yorkers deserve better than President Trump’s illegal tariffs, reckless wars, and cost-increasing chaos.

This week, Kirsten introduced new legislation to exempt small businesses from the latest round of President Trump’s tariffs and require the administration to refund businesses for tariff costs they’ve already paid. Working New Yorkers and small businesses need relief, and Kirsten will continue to do everything in her power to protect them from the president’s chaos.

Read more.

Financial scams can be devastating for American seniors, robbing them of their hard-earned savings and stealing their personal information. Unfortunately, far too often, federal agencies are unprepared to address the specific needs of older populations.

This week, Kirsten introduced bipartisan legislation that would establish a dedicated task force to better protect investors over the age of 65 and help create the stronger protections that our seniors and their families deserve.

Read more.

Disturbing reports about toys that use generative artificial intelligence (AI) must be investigated. Our children should be protected from AI toys that have the potential to expose them to inappropriate concepts and compromise their privacy. 

Kirsten is demanding that the Federal Trade Commission investigate whether AI-enabled toy companies are misleading American families when advertising these toys and hold companies accountable for failures to protect children’s privacy.

Read more.

Kirsten joined CNN’s Wolf Blitzer to discuss her concerns about the war in Iran, homeland security, and President Trump’s recklessness.

Watch here.

Americans deserve to know that their medications are safe, regardless of where they are manufactured.

Kirsten spoke with ABC’s Lisa Fletcher about her bipartisan effort to strengthen the generic drug supply chain to make sure that these medications meet American standards for safety and quality.

Read more.

New York farmers are the backbone of our Upstate economy.

Kirsten was honored to meet with members of the New York Farm Bureau to discuss their Farm Bill priorities and how she can best support them in Washington.

A Queens County constituent reached out to Kirsten’s office for assistance when she needed approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use a non-approved material in a necessary surgery. After the constituent’s surgeon’s first request was denied, Kirsten’s team reached out to the FDA, and the agency approved the request so the constituent could get the procedure that she needed.

Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.

March 8, 2026

The American people want lower costs, not forever wars.

Kirsten is demanding that President Trump end his reckless, illegal war with Iran, and instead focus on lowering costs for hardworking Americans. The president must be held accountable for launching an unauthorized war that is endangering American service members, jeopardizing our national security, and raising costs for New York families.

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President Trump started a war with no plan for how to evacuate Americans caught in the crossfire. That is unacceptable.

Kirsten demanded that the Trump administration immediately develop a plan to get Americans stranded in the Middle East home safely. She will hold their feet to the fire until they do so.

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Supplemental Security Income forms a crucial lifeline for thousands of low-income New Yorkers, but outdated rules and antiquated policies mean that too many seniors and people with disabilities aren’t receiving the benefits they need.

This week, Kirsten introduced legislation to modernize this critical program by expanding eligibility, increasing benefits, and fixing outdated rules that penalize Americans for trying to save. As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee and a champion of empowering the most vulnerable, she is committed to getting this passed.

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Puerto Rico’s exclusion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has needlessly punished Puerto Ricans, ripping away essential nutrition benefits and billions of dollars in funding to the island.

This week, Kirsten introduced legislation that would correct this injustice by allowing Puerto Rico to fully participate in SNAP. Puerto Ricans deserve the same nutrition assistance afforded to other American citizens. Kirsten is determined to get this bill across the finish line.

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Filing your taxes shouldn’t be a burden. Unfortunately, the Trump administration sided with powerful special interests over everyday Americans and ended the highly successful Direct File program, which allowed Americans to file their taxes for free directly with the government. The administration’s action will make it harder and more expensive for working families to file their tax returns.

Kirsten introduced the Direct File Act to restore access to that free, easy tax filing option. This is a commonsense bill that would lower New Yorkers’ tax burdens.

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A New York hospital contacted Kirsten’s office for assistance securing the production and delivery of a physical work authorization document for one of their critical care fellows.

Kirsten’s team contacted U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the hospital’s behalf, and USCIS promptly delivered the physical work permit.

Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.