Kirsten Gillibrand

Kirsten Gillibrand

US Senate, New York

  • A dedicated public servant
  • A Democratic leader to watch
  • A battle-tested campaigner

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About Kirsten Gillibrand

A rising Democratic star

The buzz surrounding Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand from Democratic party leaders has only grown louder since she unseated an entrenched Republican congressman and helped Democrats take control of the House in 2006. Her 62-38 percent victory in 2008 in New York's 20th district confirms that this rising star is a leader to watch.

A champion of progressive issues

Winning past endorsements from the League of Conservation Voters and the Human Rights Campaign, Gillibrand has been a champion of progressive policies. In Congress, she has been a leader for women and families, fighting for equal pay and expanded health care for children.

A role model for women leaders

A top aide to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo during the Clinton administration, Gillibrand is founder and former chair of the Women’s Leadership Forum Network, which encourages political activism among women under 40. Before running for Congress, Gillibrand received a candidate training from EMILY’s List through the Political Opportunity Program (POP).

October 28, 2009

New bill to aid vets hurt by Agent Orange - by land & sea

New York Daily News

New bill to aid vets hurt by Agent Orange - by land & sea

Bobby Condon was a young kid from Flatbush when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy to fight in the Vietnam War.

Nicknamed "Brooklyn" by fellow soldiers, Condon, now 63, has developed an Agent Orange-linked cancer - but was denied coverage by the Veterans Administration because he never set foot in Vietnam.

"I would have flown to Saigon and put my feet on the ground for 30 minutes [had I known]," said Condon, a flight operator on the USS Intrepid who last year was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), an incurable form of cancer. "But I was denied and I didn't get nothing."

This week, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand will introduce legislation that will require coverage for the estimated 800,000 nationwide "blue-water vets," like Condon, who have illnesses linked to Agent Orange exposure but never set foot in Vietnam

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October 19, 2009

Gillibrand: Republicans must stop playing politics with unemployment benefits

Huffington Post

Gillibrand: Republicans must stop playing politics with unemployment benefits

More than 7,000 people across the country are losing their unemployment benefits every single day because Republicans are playing politics. Hardworking, middle class families, who are already cutting coupons and squeezing pennies to make ends meet, are now going to have the last strand of the safety net pulled right out from under them, simply because Republicans are obstructing progress.

Last week, the majority of my colleagues and I moved twice to extend unemployment benefits for millions of hardworking Americans who have been laid off and unable to find work in this difficult economy. These are our families, our friends, our neighbors. We all know someone who has been thrown into this situation.

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October 9, 2009

Democratic women senators unite behind health care reform

Read My Lipstick: The EMILY's List Blog

Democratic women senators unite behind health care reform

At EMILY's List, we believe that electing women to office is critical for creating a more representative, progressive democracy. And with women at the table, our issues are a top priority.

This week, that couldn't have been clearer.

EMILY's List women of the Senate took center stage this week, speaking about the essential ways in which health care reform will benefit the country's women. From the House floor to Larry King Live, these women senators spoke out for women across America, describing the obstacles to care many women face.

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