{"id":344,"date":"2024-02-05T03:18:29","date_gmt":"2024-02-05T03:18:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clarksondemocrats.com\/?p=344"},"modified":"2026-06-07T10:55:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T10:55:14","slug":"posts-from-senator-gillibrand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clarksondemocrats.com\/?p=344","title":{"rendered":"Posts from Senator Gillibrand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Welcome to Kirsten\u2019s New York Minute!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

June 7, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Regulating the military’s use of AI<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s 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.<\/u><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Fighting Trump’s corruption<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

New Yorkers are working harder, paying more, and falling behind in President Trump\u2019s 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\u2019s corrupt \u201canti-weaponization fund\u201d and preserve the programs that Americans rely on.

Read more.<\/u><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.\u00a0 Combating doctor shortages<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

International medical graduates are vital to New York\u2019s 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\u2019s feet to the fire until the backlogs are remedied.

Read more.<\/u><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Fighting for aid for NY farmers<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Farmers are the backbone of New York\u2019s 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.<\/u><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Examining drug safety<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s drug supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch here.<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.\u00a0 WATCH: Two Truths and Trump\u2019s Lies<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This week on her YouTube series, Kirsten breaks down how President Trump\u2019s cuts to food assistance are hurting American families.

Watch here.<\/u><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Helping NY veterans<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Saratoga County veteran contacted Kirsten\u2019s 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\u2019s team contacted the VA\u2019s customer care team, the veteran\u2019s married name was updated throughout the portal.

Individual casework is Kirsten\u2019s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her <\/em>here<\/u><\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 31, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Protecting survivors of child sexual abuse<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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

This week, Kirsten\u2019s 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.<\/u><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Fighting for long-term care improvements<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s 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.<\/u><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.  Cracking down on hate crimes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 and that starts with the establishment of a commission to investigate hate crimes. That\u2019s 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.<\/u><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Demanding action to address microplastics pollution<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Addressing microplastics pollution in our food and drinking water is vital to safeguard New Yorkers\u2019 health.

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

Read more.<\/u><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Helping New Yorkers get Medicare coverage<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An Albany County constituent contacted Kirsten\u2019s 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\u2019s health, as she \u2013 a recipient of dialysis treatments \u2013 became unable to refill her medications, attend medical appointments, or apply to transplant centers. 

Kirsten\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individual casework is Kirsten\u2019s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her <\/em>here<\/u><\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 24, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Protecting seniors\u2019 Medicare from AI intervention<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Using AI to delay and deny seniors\u2019 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\u2019 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.<\/u><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. $$$ for clean drinking water<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This week, Kirsten secured significant federal funding to improve water quality across New York State. This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n