Welcome to Kirsten’s New York Minute!
December 14, 2024
1. Fighting to keep health care affordable
No family should have to choose between life-saving health care and putting food on the table.
That’s why this week, Kirsten held a press conference to urge Congress to pass the Health Care Affordability Act by the end of this year. This legislation would permanently extend the enhanced premium tax credits (PTC) offered in individual marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Without an extension, these enhanced subsidies will expire at the end of 2025, which would increase premiums for nearly 20 million Americans and cause an estimated 4 million people to lose their insurance.
Read more.
2. Increasing pay and benefits for service members
Our troops are the armed services’ greatest asset, and they deserve fair pay and good benefits.
This week, Kirsten announced that this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes provisions that will significantly increase pay for troops and combat food insecurity among service members. Specifically, the FY2025 NDAA contains a 4.5 percent pay increase for all troops, as well as an additional 10 percent increase for junior enlisted service members in the ranks of E1 through E4. The bill also expands eligibility for the Department of Defense’s Basic Needs Allowance (BNA), which is a supplemental monthly payment for qualifying service members that is intended to address food insecurity in the military.
Read more.
3. Protecting American airspace
Incidents involving unknown drones over American airspace could pose risks to our safety and security.
That is why Kirsten is leading a charge to address the drones that have been seen flying over New York and New Jersey in recent weeks. This week, she led Senators Schumer, Booker, and Kim in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting a briefing on how the agencies are working with federal and local law enforcement to identify and address the source of the drones.
Read more.
4. Watch Kirsten on MSNBC
On Thursday, Kirsten joined Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC to discuss drones, national security, and more.
Watch here.
5. Helping NY veterans
When a Saratoga County constituent needed help with a long-awaited FOIA request to the Department of Veterans Affairs, he contacted Kirsten’s office for help.
Kirsten’s team contacted the VA and, within a month, he received a compact disc with all requested documents, which will allow him to file a supplemental appeal for the VA benefits he deserves.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with a federal agency, contact her here.
December 6, 2024
1. Fighting to fund meal deliveries to seniors
Everyone deserves access to the nutritious meals they need to stay full and healthy.
This week, Kirsten sent a letter to House and Senate appropriators calling for $1.842 billion in funding for the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III-C Nutrition Program, which provides affordable meals to older adults by funding services like those provided by Meals on Wheels America. The funding would help deliver 251 million nutritious meals to 2.2 million older adults facing hunger nationwide, helping meet increasing demand for nutrition programs amid high grocery prices.
Read more.
2. Leading the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment
To become part of the Constitution, a proposed amendment must be ratified by a two-thirds majority of Congress and by three-quarters of states. The Equal Rights Amendment is the only proposed constitutional amendment that has met these requirements but still has not been added to the Constitution. This is wrong, and Kirsten is leading the charge to get President Biden to direct the national archivist to publish the ERA before the end of his term.
This week, she spoke about the legal basis for the ERA and the importance of the amendment at an ERA digital town hall and in an interview with National Journal.
Read more.
3. Confirming judges for NY
Qualified, thoughtful, and fair judges are the backbone of the American judicial system. This week, Kirsten voted to confirm Judge Anthony Brindisi and Elizabeth Coombe to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. Kirsten had previously recommended both judges’ appointments to President Biden.
Read more about Brindisi and Coombe.
4. Watch Kirsten on Yahoo Finance
Kirsten spoke with Yahoo Finance about the need for cryptocurrency regulation, bipartisanship, and much more.
Watch here.
5. Leading the way on the next generation of economic development
Kirsten has worked tirelessly to foster the next generation of research and development, technology, and advanced manufacturing in Upstate New York.
At the close of the Biden administration, New York is now among the nation’s leading recipients of grant awards and prestigious designations for place-based innovation. Kirsten’s efforts to support legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act and secure federal investments in tech programs across Upstate New York have helped solidify the state’s leadership on this front.
Learn more about New York’s place-based innovation investments and designations here.
6. Helping constituents with Social Security Disability Insurance
When a Niagara County constituent needed help reinstating his Social Security Disability Insurance payments, he contacted Kirsten’s office for help. Kirsten’s team contacted the Social Security Administration and discovered that an error had been made on his record. Once the error was corrected, he promptly began receiving SSDI payments again.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with a federal agency, contact her here.
November 28, 2024
1. Happy Thanksgiving from the Gillibrands!
From my family to yours, happy Thanksgiving! Wishing you all a safe and peaceful holiday filled with lots of love, joy, and good food.
– Kirsten
2. Fighting for funding to combat NY wildfires
Over the last few weeks, hundreds of brush fires have blazed across New York State, endangering our firefighters, our environment, and our communities. This is an unprecedented occurrence, and our state needs additional resources to combat these dangerous wildfires.
That’s why this week, Kirsten called on congressional leadership to pass a comprehensive disaster relief package to replenish funding for key federal disaster response programs. This will help make sure that the FDNY and communities across New York have access to the resources they need to repair fire damage, boost climate resiliency, and better prepare our state for extreme weather.
Read more.
3. Federal $$$ → NY
Kirsten is committed to sending federal dollars to Upstate New York.
Just this week, she helped secure:
- $11.5 million in federal funding to provide care for individuals with substance use disorders and support related research initiatives in Western NY and the Rochester-Finger Lakes region. Read more.
- $7 million in federal funding for Erie County through the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program, which will be used to address lead-based paint hazards in old homes and affordable housing units.
- $2.4 million through the Department of Energy for Erie County’s Battery Education and Recycling (BEAR) Program, which will help create a collection system for all types of batteries to ensure their proper disposal.
4. Helping those in need
During the holiday season, it’s important to focus on giving back to our community.
Earlier this week, Kirsten visited Xavier Mission to join their volunteers in helping to combat poverty, homelessness, and hunger. Kirsten served nutritious hot meals, worked on art projects with children, and visited with guests of Xavier Mission who struggle with hunger and poverty. Every Sunday, when most other NYC soup kitchens are closed, Xavier Mission serves roughly 1,000 meals in a welcoming and warm environment to provide sustenance and support to guests in need.
5. Delivering for New Yorkers
When a new Kings County hospice provider experienced processing delays after applying to become an approved Medicare and Medicaid provider, they contacted Kirsten’s office for help. Kirsten’s team contacted the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the provider’s behalf, and the issue was resolved within 2 weeks.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with a federal agency, contact her here.
November 23, 2024
1. Fighting to expand Social Security benefits
Retired teachers, firefighters, and police officers deserve access to the Social Security benefits they’ve earned.
That’s why this week, Kirsten urged the Senate to pass the Social Security Fairness Act. This bipartisan legislation would increase Social Security benefits for 2.5 million Americans by repealing provisions that unfairly reduce Social Security benefits to public servants.
Read more.
2. Building the next generation of cyber professionals
This week, Kirsten traveled to six universities across New York to encourage students to apply to the Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy scholarship program.
Kirsten created the Cyber Service Academy program to help fill the nearly 30,000 open cyber positions within the Department of Defense. By granting one year of free college for every year of subsequent public service, this program will create a pipeline for a talented, highly trained cyber workforce to help protect our nation from cyberattacks. Read more about the program and find out if your school qualifies to host scholarship recipients here.
3. Accelerating chips manufacturing in Upstate NY
Kirsten is committed to making sure Upstate New York continues to be a hub for cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing.
This week, she announced $1.5 billion in guaranteed federal funding for GlobalFoundries to expand its current chip manufacturing facility and build a new state-of-the-art fabrication plant in Malta, NY. Together, these facilities are expected to create roughly 1,000 jobs. This funding was secured through the historic CHIPS and Science Act, which Kirsten fought to pass in 2022.
Read more.
4. Listen to Kirsten on The Brian Lehrer Show
Kirsten made her monthly appearance on The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC to talk about her priorities for the next Congress, her work on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and much more.
Listen here.
5. Helping service members
When a retired New York Air National Guard member needed to secure his military service records to retire from his federal job with 20 years of service, he contacted Kirsten’s office for help. Kirsten’s team contacted the Air Force, and he received his NGB-22 within weeks.
November 16, 2024
1. Delivering funds to renovate Penn Station
New York Penn Station is the busiest transit hub in the nation, and it is long overdue for an upgrade.
That’s why this week, Kirsten announced a $72 million federal grant that will be used to renovate the station, including by building more aboveground entrances, escalators, and elevators, as well as an underground connection to the Herald Square subway station.
Read more.
2. Fighting for dairy farmers
All farmers deserve fair compensation.
This week, following years of Kirsten’s advocacy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) restored the “higher of” Class I pricing formula for milk, which will allow dairy farmers to earn more for their product. Read more.
3. Expanding broadband access in Upstate NY
Every New Yorker deserves affordable, high-speed internet, regardless of where they live.
This week, Kirsten joined Senator Schumer and Governor Hochul to announce $140 million in federal funding to expand public broadband infrastructure throughout Upstate New York. This substantial investment will help connect New Yorkers to remote work opportunities, telehealth appointments, and online educational programs, bringing our state one step closer to closing the digital divide once and for all. Read more.
4. $$$ for constituents
After a constituent waited nearly four months for Treasury to process a redemption of his savings bonds, he contacted Kirsten’s office for help. Kirsten’s team contacted Treasury on his behalf and, within weeks, over $40,000 in funds were released to his account.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with a federal agency, contact her here.
November 3, 2024
1. Leading the world on semiconductors
Kirsten is committed to making sure Upstate New York continues to be a hub for cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing, research, and development.
This week, she announced $825 million in federal funding for NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex, which was also designated as the location of the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator. This funding and designation will bring good jobs, scientific innovation, and economic development to the Capitol Region, cementing New York’s place as a global leader in chip manufacturing.
Read more.
2. Funding clean energy initiatives
This week, Kirsten announced a $347 million federal investment in the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey through the EPA’s Clean Ports Program. This funding will support the installation of zero-emission equipment and promote good-paying and union jobs at the Port of New York and New Jersey, helping our state combat climate change through the use of clean energy technology.
Kirsten is a longtime advocate for clean energy initiatives. She was an original cosponsor and champion of standalone legislation to create the Clean Ports Program, and she helped secure its enactment as part of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Read more.
3. Keeping New Yorkers warm
Kirsten is dedicated to making sure all New York families stay warm during the winter.
This week, she announced that New York will receive over $360 million in federal funding through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This money will help thousands of low-income households across the state afford their energy bills and make cost-effective repairs to their heating systems this winter. Use the LIHEAP Eligibility Tool to find out if your household qualifies for assistance.
Read more.
4. Cyber Service Academy applications now open!
Applications for Kirsten’s Cyber Service Academy scholarship program are now open! Kirsten created this program to address a widespread shortage in government cyber personnel that leaves the U.S. vulnerable to cyber-attacks by foreign adversaries. The program grants successful applicants a free college education in return for public service in a cyber-related discipline with the Department of Defense (DoD) or the Intelligence Community (IC) after graduation.
Interested? Apply here.
5. Getting illegal guns off New York streets
Kirsten’s anti-gun trafficking statute in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act continues to take illegal weapons off New York streets.
This week, two traffickers pleaded guilty on charges related to illegal gun trafficking in Syracuse, and their weapons were seized by law enforcement.
Read more.
6. Supporting New York fashion designers
On Monday, Kirsten joined the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to honor those who help make New York the fashion capital of the world.
7. Delivering for constituents
When a constituent needed to urgently secure her passport in order to attend the funeral of a family member abroad, she contacted Kirsten’s office for help. Kirsten’s team reached out to the passport agency and, on the same day, the constituent was able to secure an in-person appointment to get her passport.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with a federal agency, contact her here.
October 27, 2024
1. Fighting for clean water
Every New Yorker deserves access to clean drinking water.
This week, as a direct result of Kirsten’s work to pass the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, she secured over $450 million in federal funding to replace lead pipes, improve water infrastructure, and safely manage wastewater in New York.
Read more.
2. $$$ → NY infrastructure
Kirsten is committed to bringing federal dollars home to New York to improve critical infrastructure across the state.
This week, she announced over $290 million in federal funding for various infrastructure projects, funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.
These investments include:
- $215 million to replace the Livingston Avenue Rail Bridge in the Capital Region. Read more.
- $48 million for improvements on the East Erie Commercial Railroad.
- $16 million to produce two hybrid battery-diesel locomotives at Alstom’s facility in Bath, NY. Read more.
Nearly $12 million for upgrades to railway infrastructure in the North Country.
3. Holding the VA accountable
Nothing should ever get in the way of veterans receiving the care that they deserve. This week, following her call for accountability after egregious failures at the Buffalo VA left veterans waiting weeks or months to receive care, Kirsten announced a nationwide evaluation of the VA’s community care referral practices.
Read more.
4. Cheering on the New York Liberty
Last week, Kirsten went to Barclays Center to cheer on the New York Liberty during their quest for their first-ever WNBA title.
On Sunday, the team won the championship game, bringing home the title to New York. Go Liberty!
Facts matter, and Kirsten is proud to be included as a factual example in the Washington Post’s misinformation quiz.
Test your ability to separate fact from fiction here.
6. Helping New Yorkers with Social Security
A constituent contacted Kirsten’s office for help with his Social Security Disability appeal. After 10 years and two federal remands, an administrative law judge awarded him a fully favorable decision. However, he never received an award letter, nor were his benefits released.
After Kirsten’s team contacted the Social Security Administration, the constituent’s benefits were reinstated back 10 years, and he received over $250,000 in retroactive benefits payments.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with a federal agency, contact her here.