Taking Funding From New York’s Kids, Military Academy Nominations From Long Island, Intimidation Of Fed Chair Powell, USDA Farmer Assistance Needed, Inflation Numbers, Wind Projects Paused, Restore School Funding: Senator Gillibrand

Taking Funding From New York’s Kids, Military Academy Nominations From Long Island, Intimidation Of Fed Chair Powell, USDA Farmer Assistance Needed, Inflation Numbers, Wind Projects Paused, Restore School Funding: Senator Gillibrand

See below for a Senator Gillibrand’s press conference about the withdrawal of childcare funding.  At this point, a federal judge has paused this funding withdrawal.  No evidence was provided by the administration that New York is actually experiencing any provable fraud, and no evidence has been provided yet about the alleged fraud in Minnesota.  

GILLIBRAND, PARENTS, KIDS DEMAND THAT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REVERSE DECISION TO RIP AWAY CHILD CARE FUNDING FOR NEW YORK

New York, NY – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) was joined by parents, children, and elected officials to demand that the Trump administration unfreeze the grants that provide child care assistance to thousands of families in New York. On Tuesday, the Trump administration froze $10 billion in funding for child care subsidies, social services, and cash support for low-income families in five Democrat-controlled states—including New York. The administration is claiming widespread fraud throughout these states, but it has not provided any evidence of this in New York.

“Investing in child care is investing in New York City’s future,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Trump administration’s decision to freeze child care grants is a reckless political move that will hit New York families, children, and providers hardest, along with working parents who are already stretched to the breaking point. If these cuts move forward, child care centers across the city could be forced to shut their doors, families will lose the support they depend on to stay in the workforce, and children will pay the price. I will continue working with city and state leaders to hold the administration accountable and fight to reverse this cruel and shortsighted decision.”

“Freezing child care funding means fewer child care slots, lower pay for caregivers, and parents being forced to cut work hours or leave their jobs altogether. This decision is patently unconscionable, full stop, and based on intentionally disingenuous claims that put politics ahead of how this actually impacts millions of Americans. Instead of freezing funding, we should be strengthening CCAP and uplifting an underpaid child care workforce — exactly the kind of support families were promised. I’m grateful for Senator Gillibrand’s leadership, and my Committee and the Legislature will use every tool we have to fight alongside our federal partners and protect New Yorkers,” said Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi, Chair, Committee on Children & Families.

As a new parent, I know how essential affordable, reliable child care is for families. The Trump administration’s decision to freeze those resources is appalling and reckless, if not surprising, and it puts New York’s working parents and young children in the crossfire of a petty political fight,” said Assemblymember Alex Bores. “I am joining my colleagues in demanding that this funding be restored immediately. Aid for children should never be used as leverage. New York families deserve better.

“The White House’s decision to freeze child care funding is unjustified and will directly harm working families across New York. With no evidence of fraud, the Trump administration is choosing to put children at risk, push parents out of the workforce, and disrupt the child care programs families rely on to keep their jobs. Child care is vital economic infrastructure. New York families will pay the price for this decision unless this funding is restored immediately,” said Council Member Virginia Maloney.

Combined, Minnesota, New York, California, Illinois, and Colorado will be cut off from about $10 billion in funding. This money comes from three funding streams: the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, which provides cash assistance to households with children; the Child Care and Development Fund, which supports child care for working parents; and social services grants that benefit at-risk children. In total, New York receives over 3 billion dollars between these funding streams, helping provide care to hundreds of thousands of New York children.

Senator Gillibrand discussed the importance of child care assistance for working parents, especially at a time when child care costs are rising faster than inflation in most states. According to the National Database of Childcare Prices, American families spent 9-16 percent of their median income on full-day care for one child in 2022.

Additionally, child care is proven to improve outcomes for children, workers, and the economy. It gives children vital early learning and socialization, increases labor force participation, and reduces worker absenteeism.

Gillibrand demanded an immediate reversal of the administration’s funding freeze.

The senator meets parents with their children at the press conference. Image Credit – Sen. Gillibrand

GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCES 2026 SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINATIONS FROM LONG ISLAND

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New York, NY – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced her nominations for candidates from the Long Island to four of the nation’s service academies: the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

“It is my distinct honor to nominate some of the best and brightest individuals from across Long Island to the nation’s service academies,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These young leaders have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement and dedication to their communities and nation. I look forward to seeing all that they achieve, and I thank them for their commitment to our country.”

A selection committee formed by Senator Gillibrand chose the nominees from a large group of qualified applicants. Decisions were based on criteria including academic record, leadership potential, and overall achievement. Final acceptance is determined solely by the service academies.

The United States service academies offer a first-class education as well as a chance for young people to serve our country upon graduation as commissioned officers in the United States armed services. This year, Senator Gillibrand nominated twelve candidates from Long Island to the service academies.

Senator Gillibrand’s nominees are listed below by their hometown and academies:

• Connor Ancipink (Islip, Suffolk Co.) — United States Military Academy
• Kaleb Gatto (Riverhead, Suffolk Co.) — United States Military Academy
• Julien Crampe (Garden City, Nassau Co.) — United States Military Academy
• Katherine Mazaroski (Carle Place, Nassau Co.) — United States Naval Academy
• Liam O’Hanlon (Greenlawn, Suffolk Co.) — United States Naval Academy
• Stephanie Marcheret (Syosset, Nassau Co.) — United States Air Force Academy
• Henry Peterson (Wantagh, Nassau Co.) — United States Air Force Academy
• Luciano Stallone (Melville, Suffolk Co.) — United States Air Force Academy
• LiAngela Ulloa (Hauppauge, Suffolk Co.) — United States Air Force Academy
• Zareb Gonzalez (Brightwaters, Suffolk Co.) — United States Merchant Marine Academy
• Chloe Horstmann (Lindenhurst, Suffolk Co.) — United States Merchant Marine Academy
• Andriana Perez (Mastic Beach, Suffolk Co.) — United States Merchant Marine Academy

GILLIBRAND STATEMENT ON LEGAL INTIMIDATION AGAINST FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIR JEROME POWELL

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement on legal intimidation against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell:

“A government that demands blind obedience through punishment is the hallmark of authoritarian regimes, not America.

“I oppose the wanton act of legal intimidation against Federal Reserve Chair Powell and will continue to support the vigorous independence of the Federal Reserve. In the first year of this administration, its economic and legal campaign of fear, punishment, and chaos have failed the American people. Costs are rising, trust has fallen, and the American people and businesses are being hurt. This ridiculous and blatant abuse of power does not just hurt the Federal Reserve, but threatens the stability of the American economy.

“As Chairman Powell made clear, the administration’s legal targeting of him ‘is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation.’  Regardless of party, I urge my colleagues to stand for the independence of our justice system and Federal Reserve to protect our economy and the American people.”

GILLIBRAND, COLLEAGUES URGE USDA TO EXPEDITE FARMER ASSISTANCE

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and nine of their Senate Democratic colleagues in pressing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to expedite and increase payouts, especially for specialty crop farmers, in disaster and economic assistance programs in the face of trade uncertainty, rising input costs, and natural disasters.

“Farmers across the country and in New York are facing soaring input costs, increasing uncertainty caused by this administration, and the growing impacts of natural disasters, and they cannot afford further delays in critical assistance,” said Senator Gillibrand. “New York’s farmers are the backbone of our Upstate economy, and I will continue pushing this administration to ensure farmers in New York and across the nation have the resources they need to thrive.”

“As farmers face continued trade uncertainty, rising input costs, and natural disasters, we encourage you to expedite economic and disaster assistance that will benefit all farmers, including specialty crop growers,” wrote the senators. “While significant assistance flowed quickly to farmers in the summer and fall, payments were limited to 35 percent of approved applications.”

“As a result, less than $6 billion out of the $16 billion available has been paid out to farmers more than a year after Congress provided the funds and nearly three years after some farmers faced losses,” the senators continued. “Farmers are talking to their lenders right now to make plans. Adjusting the factor and making additional top-up payments now will expedite assistance now when farmers need it most.”

The senators also highlighted that of “the Farmer Bridge Assistance program of $12 billion, just $1 billion of that total is for specialty crops, sugarbeets, and other crops.” The senators urged USDA to develop “a program that reflects the unique needs of specialty crop growers. We also encourage you to ensure this assistance truly meets the needs of all farmers.”

Along with Gillibrand, Klobuchar and Slotkin, the letter was signed by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).

The full letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Rollins,

As farmers face continued trade uncertainty, rising input costs, and natural disasters, we encourage you to expedite economic and disaster assistance that will benefit all farmers, including specialty crop growers. Specialty crop growers face tight margins, limited risk-management tools, and increasingly volatile markets and need timely relief. We know that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has implemented funding included in the American Relief Act of 2025 for economic losses in 2024 and natural disaster losses in 2023 and 2024. We were encouraged that disaster assistance for losses in 2023 and 2024 announced last summer used a simplified pre-filled application for Stage 1 that topped-up indemnities paid under Federal Crop Insurance and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

While significant assistance flowed quickly to farmers in the summer and fall, payments were limited to 35 percent of approved applications. As a result, less than $6 billion out of the $16 billion available has been paid out to farmers more than a year after Congress provided the funds and nearly three years after some farmers faced losses. It appears that nearly all Stage 1 applications have been submitted to USDA as payments on USDA’s dashboard have leveled off in recent weeks.

We are concerned that the subsequent announcement of the second stage of disaster assistance extended the deadline for both stages through the end of April 2026 and would delay decisions to adjust the factor on payments until at least May. This timeline means that farmers will have to wait until late spring or summer for a major portion of the assistance. Farmers are talking to their lenders right now to make plans. Adjusting the factor and making additional top-up payments now will expedite assistance now when farmers need it most.

Additionally, with your recent announcement of the Farmer Bridge Assistance program of $12 billion, just $1 billion of that total is for specialty crops, sugarbeets, and other crops, even though specialty crop sectors have been hit hard by lost markets, rising input costs, labor shortages, and ongoing economic uncertainty. No further details have been released about how the $1 billion in aid will be structured, which likely means it will be well into 2026 before any payments are issued. As you develop this assistance, we strongly urge you to look at the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Stage 2 and the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops programs as guides for developing a program that reflects the unique needs of specialty crop growers. We also encourage you to ensure this assistance truly meets the needs of all farmers.

Thank you again for your work on implementation of this critical assistance and for due consideration of our suggestions to ensure all farmers are able to access aid quickly.

GILLIBRAND STATEMENT ON INFLATION NUMBERS

Washington, DC – Today, in response to the newly released December Consumer Price Index report and inflation numbers indicating that American families are paying 2.7% more than last year under Trump’s economy, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issues the following statement:

“Candidate Trump promised over and over again in 2024 to ‘end inflation.’ He boasted that if he won, ‘prices will come down,’  he would ‘drive prices down,’ ‘groceries will be cheaper,’ and ‘we will be slashing energy and electricity prices by half within 12 months.’

“As president, he has called affordability a ‘hoax,’ claimed ‘inflation is stopped,’ and told Americans ‘don’t be dramatic’ about higher costs because of his policies.

“Nearly a year into his administration, President Trump has broken his promise and dismissed Americans’ concerns. Costs aren’t down, they are up — and American families are paying the price.”

GILLIBRAND, SCOTT TO HOST AGING COMMITTEE HEARING ON DANGERS OF INTERNATIONAL SCAMS FOR AMERICAN SENIORS

Washington, D.C. – Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 14, Chairman Rick Scott and Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand will convene a Senate Aging Committee hearing titled “Made in China, Paid by Seniors: Stopping the Surge of International Scams.” Members and expert witnesses will highlight how large-scale online fraud operations harm America’s aging population. This hearing will expose how China enables and profits from the global scam economy, highlight the connection between Chinese digital infrastructure, cybercrime, and human trafficking, and demonstrate the real-world impact these crimes have on American families, particularly the aging community.

Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Gillibrand have been leading the fight against scams targeting America’s seniors. In 2025, they:

• Led the bipartisan 2025 Fraud Report elevating national awareness of financial exploitation targeting seniors
• Continued the committee’s toll-free Fraud Hotline to expand access to education, prevention tools, and direct support for seniors and families; and
• Supported legislation to combat financial exploitation and increasingly sophisticated scams, including:
  • • National Strategy for Combating Scams Act;
    • GUARD Act;
    • National Slam the Scam Day resolution.

Witnesses for the hearing will include:

• Nathan Picarsic, Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies
• Kathy Stokes, Senior Director of Fraud Prevention, Fraud Watch Network, AARP
• Jacqueline Burns Koven, Head of Cyber Threat Intelligence, Chainalysis
• Seto Bagdoyan, Director for Audit Services, Government Accountability Office

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND DEMAND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IMMEDIATELY REVERSE RECKLESS PAUSE ON OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS, WARN MOVE WILL RAISE ENERGY COSTS, KILL JOBS & THREATEN GRID RELIABILITY

Trump DOI Halted Five Offshore Wind Projects, Including New York’s Empire Wind 1 And Sunrise Wind, Putting Over 1.7 Gigawatts Of Power And Electricity For 1.1 Million Homes At Risk

In Letter To Interior and Defense Secretaries, Senators Demand Immediate Reversal Of Pause And Access To Classified Defense Reports Used To Justify Decision

Washington, D.C. — After Trump’s Department of the Interior (DOI) abruptly paused leases for five offshore wind projects, including two off the coast of New York, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand demanded the administration immediately reverse what they called a reckless pause that threatens to raise electricity bills, kill good-paying union jobs, and undermine grid reliability.

“Even a short pause on these fully permitted, under-construction offshore wind projects risks permanent harm,” the senators said. “It will increase electricity costs for families, eliminate jobs, and weaken the reliability of our electric grid in New York and across the country.”

Schumer and Gillibrand said Empire Wind 1, by Norwegian developer Equinor, and Sunrise Wind, by Danish developer Ørsted, have already begun construction and would deliver a combined 1,734 megawatts of power to New York’s electric grid, enough to power approximately 1.1 million homes. If the projects do not resume, thousands of union workers risk losing their jobs and tens of millions of dollars in wages. The senators warned that halting these shovel-ready projects comes at a time of rising energy costs and shrinking reliability margins for all New Yorkers. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), the nonpartisan, independent electric reliability entity for New York State, has cited both Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind as projects critical to ensuring near term reliability in the New York City and Long Island regions, respectively

The senators also emphasized that they take national security concerns seriously, noting that both developers completed all required consultations with the Department of Defense (DOD) as part of the federal permitting process. The senators also emphasized that the project developers should be granted access to the information to allow them to work with the DOD to mitigate concerns.

“As part of our constitutional oversight responsibilities, we are demanding access to the classified Department of Defense reports DOI is using to justify this pause,” the senators said, requesting access for their offices, including appropriately cleared staff, no later than January 23, 2026.

The December 22, 2025 lease pauses come after the Trump administration paused Empire Wind 1 in the spring of 2025. Since Empire Wind 1 resumed construction, Equinor has invested $1.5 billion into the project. Equinor’s expected $2 billion of additional investment in 2026 is at risk if they cannot resume construction.

Schumer and Gillibrand said they will continue pressing the administration to reverse course immediately and allow these projects to move forward, protecting New York’s energy supply, workers, and families.

A copy of Schumer and Gillibrand’s demand to the Department of the Interior and Department of Defense can be found here.

The Empire 1 wind Project, located about 14 miles southeast of Long Island, was scheduled to provide power next year with 54 turbines in the Atlantic Ocean. The project would be the first offshore wind power source connected to New York City and the project is over half complete.

The Sunrise Wind project, located about 30 miles east of Montauk, was also expected to be operational around the same time. The project is about 40% complete.

GILLIBRAND RESPONSE TO TRUMP THREAT TO STOP FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NEW YORK

Washington, D.C. – Today, in response to President Trump’s threat to stop payments to states with immigration enforcement policies he disagrees with, including New York, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:

“President Trump’s continued partisan targeting of New York and other states that did not support his election is yet another broken promise from him. At a time when working Americans are already struggling under his administration’s inflation and tariffs, he continues to try and withhold your tax dollars, making life even harder for ordinary Americans. Funding for essential programs like Medicare, Social Security, health care, child care, education, law enforcement, anti-hunger initiatives, and transportation is not his to withhold. I would encourage our attorney general to again file suit against these illegal acts. She has beaten him in court before and can do so again.”

GILLIBRAND, COLLEAGUES DEMAND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RESTORE FUNDING FOR FULL-SERVICE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

$6 Million In Funding At Risk For New York Schools, Threatening Services For Rural Students

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) urged Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to reverse the Department of Education’s decision to discontinue $168 million in Full-Service Community Schools grants across 12 states, including New York.

Gillibrand joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and nine of their colleagues in opposing the administration’s abrupt cuts to this funding in the middle of the school year. This will force schools to shut down essential programs that support students’ academic performance and facilitate families’ access to food, housing, and health care, among other services.

The senators also criticized the department’s vague claim that the grants – which have existed for over 15 years – violate civil rights law and stressed that these grant cancellations run directly counter to congressional intent and long-standing bipartisan support for this program that serves students and families all across the country.

“As costs continue to rise for families across the country, the Trump administration should be strengthening support for students and families, not pulling the rug out from under them in the middle of the school year and disrupting essential services in underserved communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Students and parents rely on the critical resources provided by community schools to help them succeed inside and outside the classroom. I am a strong supporter of the Full-Service Community Schools program and will keep fighting to restore this critical funding while working to ensure that our students have the resources they need to thrive.”

In addition to Senators Gillibrand, Schumer, Van Hollen, and Sanders, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) also joined the letter.

“We write to express our strong opposition to the Department of Education’s (“the Department”) recent action on December 12th, 2025, to discontinue $168 million in Full-Service Community Schools grants serving students across 12 states. Pulling expected federal grant funds from public schools in the middle of the school year, built around community partnerships and parent engagement, is just plain wrong. Congress authorized and appropriated funds specifically for the Full-Service Community Schools program because research shows community schools improve student academic achievement, reduce chronic absenteeism, and support student wellbeing. We demand that the Department fully reinstate all Full-Service Community Schools grants that were abruptly discontinued,” the senators began.

“The Full-Service Community School grant program supports school districts and public schools in their mission to meet students’ needs so they can succeed academically and in life, focusing on the school as a community center that can connect families to food, housing assistance, medical care, and other services,” they continued. “This unnecessary termination of education funding is alarming families, disrupting carefully-planned programs that support children, and jeopardizing services for thousands of students in underserved communities.”

“The Department claims that affected grantees violate civil rights law or conflict with the administration’s policy priorities, but this rationale lacks any specificity. Grant recipients received letters providing few details, and just one week or less to appeal. These discontinuations directly contradict bipartisan congressional intent for this program. In 2023, Congress increased annual funding for the Full-Service Community Schools program from $25 million to $150 million, which was maintained in fiscal year 2024 and 2025 appropriations laws, reflecting bipartisan recognition that schools serving high-poverty communities require comprehensive support. All federal grants must abide by applicable requirements, but the Department has failed to produce legitimate reasons, including any grantee performance-related information, to discontinue multi-year grants that Congress authorized and appropriated, that grantees are implementing successfully, and that provide essential services to our underserved students,” they wrote.

“We demand that you reinstate all community school grants that have been abruptly discontinued and respectfully suggest that the Department refocus its efforts to support community schools in their efforts to meet the needs of and improve education outcomes for all students,” they concluded.

Text of the letter can be viewed here and below.

Dear Secretary McMahon:

We write to express our strong opposition to the Department of Education’s (“the Department”) recent action on December 12th, 2025, to discontinue $168 million in Full-Service Community Schools grants serving students across 12 states. Pulling expected federal grant funds from public schools in the middle of the school year, built around community partnerships and parent engagement, is just plain wrong. Congress authorized and appropriated funds specifically for the Full-Service Community Schools program because research shows community schools improve student academic achievement, reduce chronic absenteeism, and support student wellbeing. We demand that the Department fully reinstate all Full-Service Community Schools grants that were abruptly discontinued.

The Full-Service Community School grant program supports school districts and public schools in their mission to meet students’ needs so they can succeed academically and in life, focusing on the school as a community center that can connect families to food, housing assistance, medical care, and other services. Community leadership and school coordinators partner to co-locate services and provide cost-effective resources that are deemed necessary by the families they serve—a community-based approach that has been successful in both rural and urban areas. Multiple studies show that community schools lead to more positive academic outcomes for students and more successful schools. Discontinuing these grants puts students’ progress in jeopardy.

On December 12th, 2025, the Department abruptly discontinued $168 million in grants to community schools just two weeks before their next round of funding was set to arrive. Across the country, nineteen grant recipients received letters alerting them that, effective immediately, their projects would no longer receive future federal funding under their approved grant awards, including in many rural communities. Your decision is forcing schools and community partners to eliminate vital services for students and families in the middle of the academic year, with no transition period or alternative support.

Full-Service Community Schools grants are generally authorized for five years, providing schools and partners with the stability to plan for the reliable delivery of services. The grants that were abruptly cancelled had either two or three years remaining in their approved five-year projects. This unnecessary termination of education funding is alarming families, disrupting carefully-planned programs that support children, and jeopardizing services for thousands of students in underserved communities. Schools that built partnerships with community organizations, hired staff, and made multi-year commitments to families now face breaking those promises through no fault of their own.

The Department claims that affected grantees violate civil rights law or conflict with the administration’s policy priorities, but this rationale lacks any specificity. Grant recipients received letters providing few details, and just one week or less to appeal. These discontinuations directly contradict bipartisan congressional intent for this program. In 2023, Congress increased annual funding for the Full-Service Community Schools program from $25 million to $150 million, which was maintained in fiscal year 2024 and 2025 appropriations laws, reflecting bipartisan recognition that schools serving high-poverty communities require comprehensive support. All federal grants must abide by applicable requirements, but the Department has failed to produce legitimate reasons, including any grantee performance-related information, to discontinue multi-year grants that Congress authorized and appropriated, that grantees are implementing successfully, and that provide essential services to our underserved students.

We demand that you reinstate all community school grants that have been abruptly discontinued and respectfully suggest that the Department refocus its efforts to support community schools in their efforts to meet the needs of and improve education outcomes for all students.

Banner Image: The senator meets parents with their children at the press conference. Image Credit – Sen. Gillibrand