Welcome to Kirsten’s New York Minute!
May 31, 2025
1. Assisting New Yorkers with federal agencies
So far in 2025, Kirsten’s office has helped over 3,200 constituents resolve issues with federal agencies. This includes approximately:
- $300,000 in Social Security benefits restored to seniors and Medicare bills covered for enrollees
- $200,000 in benefits reinstated to veterans from the VA
- $600,000 in revenue saved for New York cultural organizations that were in danger of canceling events without their top performers
- $51,000,000 released back to constituents and small businesses from delayed tax refunds
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
2. WATCH: Kirsten on ABC7
This week, Kirsten spoke with ABC7’s Bill Ritter about opposing efforts to cut basic needs like health care and food assistance for New Yorkers to pay for tax breaks for the super rich.
She discussed the ways that these cuts will harm seniors, veterans, and working-class New Yorkers. Watch here.
3. Helping veterans get their benefits
When a Korean War veteran from the North Country needed to secure VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits so he could pay senior living facility fees, he contacted Kirsten’s office for assistance.
Kirsten’s team liaised with the VA, and as a result, he is now receiving the benefits payments he relies on to pay for care and housing for himself and his wife.
4. Congratulations to the Cornell men’s lacrosse team!
This week, the Cornell men’s lacrosse team brought the national championship trophy home to New York, securing their first NCAA title in almost 50 years. Congratulations to the Big Red!
May 24, 2025
1. Happy Memorial Day!
On Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. As we remember their bravery this weekend, I’m praying for those who lost their lives in the line of duty and their families. We owe them an incredible debt.
– Kirsten
2. Fighting for free childbirth
The costs associated with having a baby–like those for ultrasounds, delivery services, and postpartum care–can be astronomical. Families deserve comprehensive coverage.
That’s why this week, Kirsten introduced legislation to require private insurance to fully cover expenses related to childbirth, as well as prenatal and postpartum care. This legislation could save families thousands of dollars and make sure moms and babies receive the high-quality care they need. Kirsten is committed to fighting for its passage.
Read more.
3. Working to guarantee timely access to health care
Seniors have spent their entire lives contributing to our communities, and they deserve every resource to support their health and well-being.
This week, Kirsten joined a bipartisan group of senators to reintroduce the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. This bill would help cut through unnecessary red tape and ensure that timely medical care is accessible to older Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.
Read more.
4. Supporting renewable energy
When the Trump administration issued a stop-work order for the Empire Wind project–which was set to deliver billions of dollars in capital investments, generate domestic energy for 500,000 homes, and create over a thousand union jobs and apprenticeships in New York–Kirsten fought back.
This week, in part thanks to her efforts, the Trump administration allowed construction of the offshore wind farm to resume. This is a huge win for Long Island and New York, and Kirsten will continue fighting to make renewable energy available across the state.
Read more.
5. Helping constituents with Social Security
When a senior in Manhattan discovered that her Social Security retirement benefits had been unpaid without explanation since January, she contacted Kirsten’s office for help. Kirsten’s team reached out to the Social Security Administration on her behalf, and within weeks, the constituent received over $5,500 in benefit payments owed to her.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
May 17, 2025
1. Demanding health care for 9/11 survivors
The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) is a lifeline for thousands of Americans who risked their lives to help our country during its darkest hour. Now, as many of these individuals battle horrific health conditions as a result of their service, we must guarantee they get the health care that they need.
This week, Kirsten joined 9/11 first responders and survivors to demand permanent funding and full restoration of the program in the wake of ongoing chaos, recurring cuts, and lack of transparency about the WTCHP caused by the Trump administration.
Read more.
2. Fighting for Medicaid
Millions of Americans rely on Medicaid to access lifesaving health care. But a recent Republican proposal could cause over 8.5 million Americans–including an estimated 400,000 kids–to lose their coverage.
Kirsten is committed to doing everything in her power to stop this dangerous proposal.
Read more.
3. Protecting infrastructure investments
Kirsten is committed to protecting investments in infrastructure that make New York safer, stronger, and more resilient.
This week, during her first hearing as ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Kirsten secured a commitment from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that he will not cancel two major transit projects in New York—the Hudson Tunnel Gateway Project and the Second Avenue Subway Extension—despite the Trump administration’s attempts to withhold funding to major projects in New York.
Watch here.
4. Safeguarding senior nutrition programs
Senior nutrition programs like Meals on Wheels are crucial for seniors, providing hot meals, sustenance, and social interaction to older individuals across the country. However, recently proposed Republican cuts are jeopardizing these programs.
This week, Kirsten led a group of Democratic Senators in condemning these cuts and asking their colleagues across the aisle to protect senior nutrition programs.
Watch more.
5. Encouraging disaster preparedness for seniors
Natural disasters pose unique challenges and heightened risks for seniors and people with disabilities.
This week, as ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, Kirsten held a hearing about how to best prepare seniors and people with disabilities for natural disasters and other emergencies.
Watch the hearing here.
6. Helping constituents get their benefits
A Saratoga County constituent contacted Kirsten’s office for help after she had been waiting four months to receive the Social Security Disability benefits that she was owed. Kirsten’s team reached out to the Social Security Administration, and later that week, the constituent was notified that her first payment of more than $2,000 was on its way.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
May 10, 2025
1. Protecting Head Start
Head Start—a federal program that provides free comprehensive early childhood education to low-income families—is an investment in our kids and our future. It’s been repeatedly proven to be highly effective at preparing children for school and improving both their social and physical health outcomes.
But President Trump is threatening to end the program. That would be catastrophic for the 50,000+ Head Start students and their families in New York.
That’s why last week, Kirsten visited Head Start centers in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse to meet with the families, teachers, and kids who rely on Head Start and to call on President Trump to preserve funding for the program.
Read more.
2. Fighting for families
President Trump’s chaotic tariff policy is making life more expensive for American families. His tariffs on China are set to make the cost of baby essentials like strollers, car seats, and cribs skyrocket. It’s unacceptable.
This week, Kirsten called on the Trump administration to exempt baby safety products from tariffs immediately.
Read more.
3. Demanding no cuts to the 9/11 Health Program
The Trump administration’s repeated attempts to cut the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) are a betrayal of our 9/11 survivors and first responders.
This week, Kirsten joined Senator Schumer in New York City to demand a reversal of the WTCHP cuts. Thanks to their efforts, the staff who were fired from the WTCHP were re-hired, but uncertainty about the future of the program remains. Kirsten is committed to continuing her fight for permanent funding and full restoration of the program.
Read more.
4. Working to prevent overdoses
Naloxone — more commonly known as Narcan — is a lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medication that saves thousands of New Yorkers’ lives every year. But now, the Trump administration is trying to end a program that distributes naloxone to law enforcement, community-based organizations, and tribes across the country — and trains them on how to use it.
This week, Kirsten condemned the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) plans to terminate this program and demanded that they implement measures to make sure this vital distribution and training continues.
Read more.
5. Helping seniors get their benefits
When a North Country senior with dementia needed help securing surviving spouse benefits to cover her health care costs, her family reached out to Kirsten’s office for help. Kirsten’s team contacted the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and now the constituent will receive $1,500 per month in survivor benefits through the VA Aid and Attendance Program.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
May 3, 2025
1. Protecting seniors from scams
In 2023 alone, Americans over age 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams. But now, President Trump is working to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which holds scammers accountable and provides compensation to individuals impacted by financial scams, frauds, and wrongdoing.
This puts American consumers–particularly seniors–at risk of losing their savings. That’s why Kirsten is fighting back. This week, she urged the acting CFPB director to immediately stop his illegal efforts to gut the agency.
Read more.
2. Preventing lithium-ion battery fires
This week, following years of Kirsten’s advocacy, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to move forward on safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used to power e-bikes and e-scooters. Faulty batteries have caused hundreds of fires in New York and these safety standards will save lives.
Read more.
3. Helping older Americans live independently
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is a critical federal agency that helps seniors and people with disabilities live independently by providing home-delivered meals, Medicare enrollment assistance, peer supports, community living activities, and support for family caregivers. But this week, the Trump administration announced plans to dismantle the agency and fire over half its workforce.
This is an attack on American seniors, and Kirsten will not stand for it. That’s why she led 22 of her fellow senators in a letter to Health and Human Services demanding that the administration halt this shortsighted effort and allow ACL to continue its vital work.
Read more.
4. Fighting for military justice
Earlier this year, the Department of Defense initiated a review that could jeopardize the Department’s sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR) services. These services are crucial to protect our servicemembers, and we must do everything we can to protect them.
Kirsten has spent nearly a decade fighting alongside survivors, veterans, and legal experts to build a bipartisan coalition dedicated to improving and protecting the military justice system. This week, she sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reminding him of the urgent need to protect servicemembers from assault and harassment and of the critical role that SAPR services play in this effort. She will not rest until she receives a guarantee that these services will remain intact.
Read more.
5. Promoting fairness for living organ donors
Nearly 500 New Yorkers die each year waiting for an organ transplant. Receiving an organ from a living donor can shorten this wait time and give recipients a second chance, saving countless lives.
This week, Kirsten introduced the bipartisan Living Donor Protection Act, which would remove barriers to organ donation and ensure that living organ donors do not face discrimination from insurance companies.
Read more.
6. Helping constituents with Medicare
When a New York County senior did not have a verified Medicare ID number and could not process any claims, she contacted Kirsten’s office for help. Kirsten’s team reached out to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and in less than 24 hours, the constituent’s Medicare ID number became functional.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
April 26, 2025
1. Fighting for Social Security
Social Security is a lifeline for seniors and people with disabilities. We cannot allow the Trump administration to make it harder for Americans to get the benefits that they deserve.
This week, Kirsten held a rally in New York City to demand that Elon Musk and President Trump keep their hands off Social Security. Millions of New Yorkers will be harmed if President Trump gets his way, and Kirsten is committed to doing everything in her power to make sure Social Security benefits remain secure and accessible.
Read more.
2. Advocating for nonprofits
New York’s nonprofit organizations fight for our environment, defend human rights, protect civil liberties, educate our youth, and provide necessary services in every corner of our state.
President Trump’s attacks on nonprofit groups are an unconstitutional attempt to silence those who disagree with him and a gross abuse of executive power. That’s why this week, Kirsten joined Senator Schumer in New York City to fight back and condemn these efforts.
Watch the rally here.
3. Protecting health care access
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is the primary federal agency tasked with improving access to health care for vulnerable populations, including uninsured and underinsured children and families, struggling postpartum mothers, and individuals living in rural communities. The Trump administration’s abrupt and unprecedented mass firing of HRSA employees is jeopardizing New Yorkers’ access to vital health services.
That’s why Kirsten is fighting back. This week, she sent a letter to HHS Secretary Kennedy demanding answers about these egregious firings. HRSA employees are critical health care providers, and Kirsten is committed to ensuring that they can continue their work.
Read more.
4. Making lithium-ion batteries safer
Lithium-ion batteries have caused over 1,000 fires and 34 deaths in NYC alone since 2019.
This week, Kirsten continued her efforts to protect consumers from these fires by urging the Consumer Product Safety Commission to move forward with federal regulations for lithium-ion batteries. We must ensure that these devices are subject to acceptable safety standards to save lives.
Read more.
5. Helping constituents with Social Security
When a Nassau County constituent needed to speak with a real person at the Social Security Administration about SSI benefits for her disabled daughter, she contacted Kirsten’s office for help. Kirsten’s team contacted the SSA, and within days, the constituent was awarded $645 per month in payments going forward.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
April 19, 2025
1. Defending Social Security
Our seniors depend on Social Security, and we cannot allow the Trump administration to make it harder for them to get the benefits that they deserve.
This week, Kirsten wrote to the acting Social Security commissioner to demand that the Social Security Administration (SSA) address ongoing issues with its website and reverse its reported plans to fire up to 50 percent of employees from the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). OCIO maintains the agency’s benefit claims processing systems, manages SSA.gov and SSA’s online benefits portal, and protects Social Security recipients’ sensitive information. Firing half of this workforce will make it harder for seniors to access their benefits, worsening an already dire situation.
Read more.
2. Helping small businesses
When a small business in New York City needed reimbursement for work that it had completed using funding from federal contracts that were abruptly canceled, it contacted Kirsten’s office for help.
Kirsten’s team contacted the agency that had issued the contracts, and the small business received the $140,000 payment owed to it within weeks.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
3. Fighting to preserve comprehensive weather forecasts
As New Yorkers, we know how much work goes into preparing for a bad blizzard. Without timely and comprehensive forecasts, we could be left in the dark about incoming storms and flooding.
However, the Trump administration is firing staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and they recently paused the National Weather Service’s severe weather alerts in languages other than English. I’m demanding answers about these decisions and their impacts on New Yorkers, and I will fight to reverse these dangerous actions.
April 13, 2025
1. Fighting Trump’s tariff tax hikes
By instigating a global trade war, President Trump is playing games with the American economy, driving up costs for hardworking families, and fueling inflation.
That’s why Kirsten is fighting back against Trump’s tariff tax hikes. This week, she joined a bipartisan bill to reestablish limits on the president’s ability to unilaterally impose tariffs, and she signed a letter demanding that the Trump administration repeal their ill-conceived tariffs immediately. As Trump continues to cause economic chaos, Kirsten is doing everything in her power to shield New Yorkers from the administration’s tariff tax hikes.
Read more.
2. Working to increase the minimum wage
No one working full-time in the United States should be living in poverty.
That’s why this week, Kirsten joined 178 colleagues in introducing a bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour for all workers and gradually eliminate subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers. A living wage is critical to make sure that Americans can pay their bills, feed their families, and put a roof over their heads, and Kirsten is determined to get this bill passed.
Read more.
3. Protecting Social Security
Social Security is a promise, not a political bargaining chip. The Trump administration’s heinous staffing cuts, plans for indiscriminate closures of SSA field offices around the nation, and threats to limit to phone services are endangering older Americans.
That’s why Kirsten is fighting back. Following her advocacy, the administration backed off of its plans to cut SSA phone services, announcing this week that these services will remain available.
This week, Kirsten continued her efforts to protect Social Security by leading a letter signed by 21 senators calling on the Trump administration and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to stop their attacks on this vital program.
Read more.
4. Fighting for childhood education programs
Head Start and Early Head Start are the only federally supported early care and education programs specifically dedicated to serving low-income households. The Trump administration’s decision to close Head Start’s only regional office in New York will harm children and families across our state.
This week, Kirsten called on the administration to reverse its reckless decision to close the office and demanded answers about how it plans to ensure that the early childhood education, child care, health, nutrition, and family support services provided by Head Start can continue without disruption.
Read more.
5. Working to preserve the Finger Lakes
Home to beautiful landscapes, rich history, and thriving small businesses, the Finger Lakes region of New York is a national treasure.
In recognition of all that this area has to offer, Kirsten is leading the push to designate the region as a National Heritage Area. This designation will promote tourism, create jobs, conserve natural resources, and make sure local communities have what they need to thrive for years to come, and Kirsten is committed to getting it done.
Read more.
6. Helping constituents fight credit scams
When a Chautauqua County senior discovered a fraudulent charge on his credit card statement from a country he had never traveled to, he reached out to Kirsten’s office for help.
Kirsten’s team contacted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to request a review of the issue, and the constituent was refunded for the $1,800 charge to his credit card.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.
April 6, 2025
1. Opposing Trump’s economic chaos
This week, Kirsten proudly supported Senator Cory Booker’s record-breaking speech on the Senate floor to protest the actions of the Trump administration. She joined Senator Booker to discuss the damage being done to Social Security, national security, and air travel safety.
Watch Kirsten’s speeches on Social Security, national security, and air travel safety.
2. Defending health care for 9/11 heroes
The Trump administration’s decision to fire staff that provide critical support to the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) is utterly disgraceful.
The first responders and survivors who put their lives on the line during our country’s darkest hour deserve treatment for the conditions that they developed as a result of 9/11. That’s why Kirsten led a bipartisan letter demanding that President Trump reverse cuts affecting the WTCHP, and she will not rest until he does so.
Read more.
3. Fighting for food bank funding
Last month, President Trump slashed $1 billion in federal funding used to purchase food for food banks, schools, and child care centers. Now, he is canceling another $500 million in already approved funding for food banks and other emergency food providers through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
This money is used to feed New Yorkers at regional food banks, soup kitchens, and food pantries. Without it, New Yorkers will go hungry.
That’s why Kirsten is doing everything in her power to reverse these cuts and call on the Trump administration to share what plans – if any – they have to keep Americans from going hungry.
Read more.
4. Protecting libraries and museums
Libraries and museums are crucial to meet the information, education, research, cultural, and civic needs of our country.
Following President Trump’s decision to place the staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services on administrative leave, Kirsten sent a bipartisan letter to the administration demanding that they continue to support museum, library, and information services in line with their legal obligations.
Read more.
5. WATCH: Kirsten on CNN
On Tuesday, Kirsten joined CNN’s Pamela Brown to discuss the harm being done by the Trump administration, Senator Booker’s marathon speech, “Signalgate,” and more.
Watch here.
6. Helping constituents with Social Security
When a constituent learned she was owed Social Security disability benefits but then did not receive additional payment, she reached out to Kirsten’s office for help.
Kirsten’s team contacted the Social Security Administration on her behalf. Within weeks, the constituent received a $60,000 payment for the retroactive benefits owed to her.
Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her here.