Organic Agriculture Support, Social Security Data Accountability, World Trade Center Program Receives Full Funding, Other Updates: Senator Gillibrand

Supporting Organic Agriculture, Minibus Funding & DHS Reforms, Accountability For Social Security Data, Sunrise wind Contruction Resumes, Gateway Development Corp Lawsuit, Full Funding World Trade Center Program, Law Enforcement Health Services, Protecting Tractor Trailer Drivers: Senator Gillibrand

Editor’s note: See our most recent article from Senator Gillibrand with the latest updates here. The Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act recently signed into law has the beneficial effect of allowing more kids to become entitled to plant-based milk in school, without requiring a doctor’s note for lactose intolerance or milk allergy, as previously required.  Look out in the coming weeks for an interview with a PCRM expert about plant-based meals in schools: state and federal requirements or the lack thereof, planned legislation in New Jersey, and other important things for parents to know when sending their children to public school.  For the most part, if these people happen to also be low income, they will face even more challenges, which will likely include purchasing of suitable baggable lunch ingredients, along with the time needed for advance preparation.  

GILLIBRAND, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT FARMERS, REDUCE BARRIERS TO ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Legislation would help more producers transition to and maintain organic practices

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined 14 lawmakers in reintroducing the Opportunities in Organic Act, legislation designed to help farmers and other agricultural producers transition to organic practices and build successful and sustainable businesses.

The senators’ legislation would help eliminate steep barriers farmers often face to enter the industry, including high certification costs and insufficient technical assistance from existing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. The bill is led in the House of Representatives by Reps. Alma Adams (D-NC-12) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19).

“American farmers are the backbone of our Upstate economy. It is vital that the federal government continues to invest in their critical contributions as they deliver fresh, healthy food to our communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Our Opportunities in Organic Act will promote sustainable farming and help eliminate the steep barriers that farmers face when transitioning to organic methods. I will continue fighting to ensure organic farmers in New York and across the nation have the resources they need to thrive for generations to come.”

In addition to Senator Gillibrand, the bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Tina Smith (D-MN).

“Organic production has huge benefits for our rural economies and our environment. But farmers can’t make the switch to organic practices without help,” said Senator Welch. “We need to make changes that better support folks looking to make the transition to organic—and thrive while they do so. This bill is a win for Vermont’s rural farmers and communities.”

“Organically grown food has many benefits, including no use of toxic pesticides, no antibiotics given to farm animals, and increased soil health. However, farmers need more support to transition to organic and maintain those beneficial practices,” said Senator Booker. “The Opportunities in Organic Act helps organic farmers, which in turn will make organic groceries more affordable for Americans.”

“Pennsylvania has always been a leader in organic farming. Our small farms deserve the support to keep up with the growing industry demands,” said Senator Fetterman. “I am proud to support The Opportunities in Organic Act that will help more Pennsylvania farmers go organic and ensure our commonwealth remains a leader in this kind of agriculture.”

“While organic practices have tremendous health, environmental and economic benefits, producers face inefficient financial and logistical barriers to establishing organic farming practices,” said Senator King. “The Opportunities in Organic Act helps farmers with the high costs and hurdles associated with entering the organic business—a win-win for rural producers and consumers.”

“For years, America’s farmers have wanted to expand domestic organic food production and help our country reap the benefits of cleaner air, higher crop yields, and a more resilient, sustainable food supply,” said Senator Murphy. “This bill would cut red tape and give our farmers the support and investment they need to meet our country’s growing demand for organic food – and provide a real boost to rural communities in the process.”

Organic agriculture has a wide array of environmental and health benefits, including enhancing soil fertility and structure, which can boost crop yield and help reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. By reducing the use of fossil fuel-based fertilizers and toxic pesticides, organic farms further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the health of farmers, farmworkers, and consumers who might otherwise be exposed to dangerous pesticides. Organic practices also make farms more resilient to extreme weather patterns and climate change, helping farms to simultaneously fight future climate change and increase their own resilience to the climate impacts we are already experiencing.

The Opportunities in Organic Act helps mitigate challenges farmers and producers face when transitioning to organics by modernizing USDA’s reimbursements for organic certification and expanding the department’s available expertise for organic agriculture. Specifically, the bill would expand the existing National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program into a comprehensive Opportunities in Organic Program by:

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• Increasing USDA’s technical assistance for producers to advance organic practices;

• Making organic practices more accessible for agricultural producers from socially disadvantaged groups and underserved regions by increasing cost-share payments for organic certification and granting USDA flexibility to exceed current cost-share caps; and

• Providing additional support for non-governmental organizations working to help producers transition to organic practices.

The Opportunities in Organic Act of 2026 is endorsed by the Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association (ALBA); Beyond Pesticides; California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF); Carolina Farm Stewardship Association; Environmental Working Group; Dr. Bronner’s; Family Farm Defenders; Farm Aid; Friends of the Earth; Greensward New Natives LLC; Green America; Kanalani Ohana Farm; Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association; Marbleseed; Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance; National Co+op Grocers; National Family Farm Coalition; National Organic Coalition; National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition; Natural Grocerse; New Entry Sustainable Farming Project; Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance; Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (CT NOFA); Northeast Organic Farming Association of Massachusetts (NOFA-MA); Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH); Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY); Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT); Northeast Organic Farming Association – Interstate Council; Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA NJ); National Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association; OneCert, Inc.; Oregon Tilth; Organic Farmers Association; Organic Farming Research Foundation; Organic Seed Alliance; Organic Trade Association; Organically Grown Company; Quick Organics; Sierra Harvest; Slow Food USA;  Strengthening Organic Systems, LLC; The Cornucopia Institute; The Land Connection; Union of Concerned Scientists; University of Minnesota Student Organic Farm; Virginia Association for Biological Farming; and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Senator Gillibrand has long been a champion for New York’s farmers and rural communities. Earlier this year, she celebrated the passage of her Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which updated the U.S. Department of Agriculture meal program guidelines to allow schools to serve whole milk alongside reduced-fat and fat-free options, supporting both children’s health and New York’s dairy industry. Senator Gillibrand is also a proud original cosponsor of the Organic Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Reporting Yields Act (O DAIRY) Act, which expands eligibility for federal emergency assistance to organic dairy farmers and provides additional investments to support the organic dairy industry. Additionally, over just the past few months, Senator Gillibrand urged USDA to expedite assistance for farmers facing rising costs, pushed back on Trump administration plans to close critical USDA offices, and introduced bipartisan legislation to support family farmers and the growing agritourism industry across New York State.

This #BlackHistoryMonth, New York is fortunate to celebrate the extraordinary valor of the Harlem Hellfighters. These soldiers suffered more casualties than any other American regiment and spent more time on the front lines of WWI than any other similarly sized unit, all while battling racism at home. It was an honor to award them the Congressional Gold Medal back in September. Image Credit – Sen. Gillibrand

SENATOR GILLIBRAND STATEMENT ON 5-BILL “MINIBUS” APPROPRIATIONS FUNDING BILL AND DHS/ICE REFORMS

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the five-bill “minibus” appropriations funding package and proposed DHS/ICE reforms:

“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am proud that this package will deliver billions of dollars to New Yorkers for critical affordable housing and transit upgrades, quality child care, and vital mental health services that strengthen our communities. I am also thrilled to have secured full funding for the World Trade Center Health Program after a yearslong fight, ensuring that our 9/11 first responders and survivors continue to receive the care they deserve. 

I am thankful that we were able to separate DHS out of this funding package and allow Democrats and Republicans to work together on practical reforms that will make our communities safer, not endanger them – and avert a lengthy government shutdown. 

I remain steadfast in my support for commonsense, targeted immigration enforcement that prioritizes public safety. ICE’s current tactics inflame tensions, putting spectacle over public trust. The agency is out of control and must be reformed. Terrorizing communities, disregarding constitutional rights, and murdering Americans is unacceptable.  

House Republicans must return from their break and do their jobs: Put the American people first to fund the programs our constituents rely on and make changes to restore the public’s constitutional rights and public safety. 

They should not jeopardize health care for 9/11 heroes, a well-deserved pay raise for our troops, investments in fixing our crumbling roads and bridges, expanded child care funding, protections for mental health programs, or access to affordable housing for working families just to score political points at a time when we should all be working together to do what is best for the American people. 

Right now, we should be putting people over politics. Before we are Republicans or Democrats, we are Americans. It is time to come together to pass this five-bill package and reform the Department of Homeland Security.”

A partial list of Senator Gillibrand’s wins for New York includes:

Investments in Health Care

• Secures Funding for the World Trade Center Health Program: Updates the WTCHP funding formula through 2040, averting an impending budget shortfall and ensuring the program has sustainable funding to prevent disruptions to enrollees’ care. The WTCHP covers medical monitoring and treatment for responders and survivors diagnosed with conditions related to their service and exposure on 9/11, including over 93,000 New Yorkers.
• Averts over $2.8 billion in Medicaid cuts to NY Hospitals: Eliminates two years of cuts to hospitals that disproportionately serve our most vulnerable New Yorkers, helping to prevent provider closures and the elimination of crucial service lines.  The Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Program provides essential financial support to providers based on the cost of providing uncompensated care.
• Helps Keep Rural Hospitals Open: Extends federal reimbursement programs which allow small, low volume hospitals, like those in Upstate New York, to remain financially viable and protect access to life-sustaining care for rural communities. The Enhanced Low-Volume Adjustment and Medicare Dependent Hospital Program boost Medicare payments to create stability for vulnerable rural hospitals that treat a greater proportion of older, low-income, and sicker patients.
• Promotes Access to Primary Care for Over 2.4 Million New Yorkers: Invests $4.6 billion into Community Health Centers nationwide that provide comprehensive primary medical, dental, and mental health care to Americans, regardless of their insurance or ability to pay. The bill reauthorizes the Community Health Center Fund, which provides the majority of federal funding for health centers and ensures multi-year base grant funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers to promote financial stability for these essential providers.
• Protects Access to Telehealth Care for New Yorkers: Extends telehealth flexibilities for over 3.9 million New Yorkers who rely on Medicare or MA for their health coverage. The bill continues flexibilities related to geographic and originating site of care, the types of eligible practitioners, the format of communication, and in-person requirements to ensure older adults can continue to access the care they need in the location of their choice.
• Advances key bipartisan reforms to help improve access to affordable, high-quality care for every American: The bill would advance key bipartisan policies that lower the cost of prescription drugs, strengthen the health care workforce, end abuses from insurance companies, hold accountable pharmacy benefit managers, improve cancer care for children and seniors, ensure faster access to care for children who rely on Medicaid, and reauthorize programs that support new mothers and babies, bolster health care providers’ mental health, support the behavioral health workforce, and more.
• National Institutes of Health: Funds the NIH at $48.7 billion to propel medical research into life-saving cures and treatments. New York is one of the nation’s top recipients of NIH funding, and NIH research supports nearly $9 billion in economic activity and 30,500 jobs across the state.

Affordable Housing Investments

• Provides $66.5 billion to continue to provide rental assistance for over 10 million Americans, including 1 million New Yorkers, who would otherwise face eviction or homelessness, and rejects President Trump’s proposal to gut HUD programs. This includes $601 million for tenant protection vouchers to assist the most at-risk residents and support NYCHA redevelopment efforts;
• Invests a historic $4.4 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, a $366 million increase from last year, to expand and improve the homeless response system, and forces HUD to stop playing games with Continuum of Care grants and provide funds to expiring projects on a timely basis;
• Protects the FY25 enacted level of $3.3 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which provides flexible funding to local and state governments to support economic development, community development, and infrastructure. In FY25, New York jurisdictions, including the state, received a total of $319 million from the CDBG program. President Trump proposed eliminating this program; and
• Maintains the FY25 enacted level of $1.25 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program to assist local and state governments with expanding the supply of affordable housing. In FY25, New York jurisdictions, including the state, received a total of $117 million from the HOME program. President Trump and House Republicans proposed eliminating this program.

Transportation and Infrastructure Investments

• $1.7 billion for the Capital Investment Grants program, rejecting efforts by House Republicans to gut the program by 98%.
• $2.4 billion to fully fund Amtrak’s budget request, which includes $850 million for the Northeast Corridor and $1.577 billion for the National Network that supports State-Supported routes like the Empire Service.
• $22.6 billion to fully fund the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)—a $1.6 billion increase over last year—which will help address congestion issues at John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark Airports.
• $514 million for the Essential Air Service program to continue to support the Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, and Watertown airports, rejecting President Trump’s budget request to cut the program by 50%.
• $30 million for the Reconnecting Communities grant program Senator Gillibrand created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund projects to remove and mitigate infrastructure that divides communities.
• $15 million in new funding to assist large urban transit agencies with safety and security initiatives, including for the MTA.
• $201.5 million for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, including $50 million for campus capital improvements.
• $139 million to assist State Maritime Academies, including SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx.
• $100 million to help host cities throughout the country provide transit service in support of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the games at MetLife Stadium.
• Funding to increase FAA staffing to implement Senator Gillibrand’s COUNTER Act.
• Bill language requiring DOT to issue a new notice of funding opportunity for University Transportation Centers and prioritize grants to universities that had their grants cancelled in May 2025, including City College of New York and New York University.

Education and Child Care Investments

• Department of Education: This package provides a $217 million increase in funding for the Department of Education to $79 billion for 2026. The bill also rejects the administration’s attempts to eliminate the Department of Education.
• School Funding: The package increases funding for Title I grants by $20 million to $18.4 billion for 2026. Title I grants support the nation’s neediest students, providing support for high-quality education to students from low-income families. More than 80 percent of the nation’s school districts receive these funds, and New York State received roughly $1.6 billion in Title I grants in FY24. The package also provides a $20 million increase in funding to grants that support education for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). New York State receives nearly $1 billion each year in federal IDEA funding.
• Pell Grants: The federal Pell Grant program is the single largest source of federal grant aid supporting undergraduate students, and nearly 400,000 students in New York receive Pell Grants. This package provides funding for a maximum Pell Grant award of $7,395 for the 2026-2027 school year.
• Child Care: The package provides a combined $170 million increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Head Start—both of which support expanded access to child care across the nation.

Small Businesses and Economic Development

• Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund: The package includes $324 million for the CDFI fund, protecting current funding levels and rejecting the 59 percent cut proposed by the Trump administration. CDFIs help to expand economic opportunity for underserved communities and support the development of small businesses, child care centers, affordable housing units, health care facilities, and other community development financial needs.
• Small Business Administration (SBA): Provides $1.25 billion for the SBA, including $330 million for entrepreneurial development programs like Small Business Development Centers and Veterans Outreach programs that New Yorkers use to grow their small businesses.

USA! USA! USA! Rooting for all of our extraordinary athletes competing in the Winter Olympics! Image Credit – Sen. Gillibrand

GILLIBRAND, SCHUMER, ALSOBROOKS DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ABUSE OF SOCIAL SECURITY DATA

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), demanded a full investigation into the Trump administration’s mishandling of Social Security data.

This letter follows the Trump administration admitting in court documents that staff from the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) may have used Social Security worker and beneficiary data to work with an advocacy group seeking to “overturn election results in certain states.” Additionally, the court filing revealed multiple flagrant violations of federal data security and personally identifiable information requirements.

“The unauthorized harvesting of Americans’ Social Security data is a breach of public trust and a violation of federal laws,” said Senator Gillibrand. “At a time when seniors trying to access their checks are already facing skyrocketing wait times and delayed benefits, the Social Security Administration must focus on serving the public, not handing over our private data to political extremists. I will keep holding the administration’s feet to the fire until they fully investigate this incident and develop a comprehensive plan to protect our data in the future.”

“Americans work hard their whole lives, paying into Social Security, and deserve to trust their personal information will be kept confidential. Trump’s own Department of Justice is now admitting that Trump granted ‘DOGE’ staffers unprecedented access to Americans’ private information with a complete disregard for privacy protections, violating the law and hardworking Americans’ trust,” said Senator Schumer. “This could leave tens of millions of Americans vulnerable to identity theft costing billions of dollars. We need an immediate investigation, a full accounting of all of DOGE’s impropriety and a comprehensive plan to protect Americans’ data to ensure their private information is not exploited like this ever again.”

“It is deeply concerning that after repeated denials, we now know that DOGE – through its reckless actions – compromised private and sensitive information of the public,” said Alsobrooks. “It is incumbent on the wellbeing of our citizens that an independent and immediate investigation is conducted so that we know the size and scope of this data transfer, and those responsible for it are held accountable.”

As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, Senator Gillibrand is a staunch supporter of Social Security. She recently introduced three bills to boost and protect benefits for seniors:

• Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act: would provide a $200-per-month increase to Social Security checks until July 2026.
• Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act: would increase Social Security benefits by leveraging the formula used to calculate yearly cost-of-living adjustments to better account for seniors’ expenses.
• Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act: would help undo President Trump’s damage to the Social Security Administration.

In response to Trump administration cuts and overhauls at SSA, Senator Gillibrand has rallied alongside seniors and unions to demand a reversal of staffing and service cuts and advocated against the closure of SSA field offices across the country and in New York. Following Senator Gillibrand’s advocacy, SSA reversed its decision to restrict certain phone services that serve as lifelines to beneficiaries seeking to access and maintain benefits. She also invited Commissioner Bisignano to join her in a visit to an SSA field office in New York so they can evaluate the impact the Trump-era changes have had on SSA response times, communication, and outreach.

The letter can be found here and below:

Dear Acting Inspector General Anderson,

In a January 16, 2026, Department of Justice (DOJ) court filing, the Administration acknowledged that DOGE affiliated personnel improperly accessed and transmitted Social Security Administration (SSA) – maintained personally identifiable information to outside parties. The DOJ disclosure follows repeated assurances from the Administration and SSA that worker and beneficiary data had not been compromised in any manner by DOGE actions in 2025.

On November 20, 2025, we wrote to your office requesting a review of a series of disclosures made by former SSA Chief Data Officer Charles Borges regarding the violation of significant agency data requirements, as well as for a recommended remediation plan, if needed.

This subsequent disclosure further elevates the urgent need for the Office of the Inspector General to conduct its own investigation, and to present its findings to the U.S. Congress and to the American public. For over ninety years since its enactment in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Social Security has served as our nation’s primary program to combat poverty. American workers, retirees, and families expect, and rely upon, the SSA to operate in compliance with relevant privacy and IT laws, regulations, and protocols, and most importantly, for their Government to act on behalf of their interests and to do its best to safeguard their sensitive, personal information.

We look forward to a prompt reply regarding our renewed request.

Sincerely,

GILLIBRAND STATEMENT ON COURT INJUNCTION ALLOWING SUNRISE WIND CONSTRUCTION TO RESUME

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia’s preliminary injunction allowing the Sunrise Wind project to resume construction following the Trump administration’s stop work order, which constituted another brazen attack on New York’s energy economy:

“Today’s court decision allowing Sunrise Wind to immediately resume construction is a win for New York’s working families and our economy. As energy costs continue to soar, the Trump administration’s ridiculous attempts to halt this project would have killed good-paying jobs and raised energy costs on New Yorkers — all to score political points and benefit powerful special interests. I will continue pushing back on the Trump administration’s brazen political attacks on New York that are raising costs and hurting families. New Yorkers should not be forced to pay more because of reckless and politically motivated interference by the Trump administration.”

GILLIBRAND STATEMENT ON GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION LAWSUIT AGAINST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

New York, NY – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, released the following statement regarding the Gateway Development Commission’s lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking judgment that would release contractually obligated funding for the Hudson Tunnel Gateway Project.

If additional funding does not become available by February 6, 2026, construction of the Hudson Tunnel Project will be forced to pause, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,000 jobs. The $16 billion project is expected to create approximately 95,000 direct and indirect jobs over the course of the project and would construct a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River connecting New Jersey and New York City, which over 200,000 people rely upon every day.

Through her ranking member position, Senator Gillibrand has repeatedly pushed the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete the reviews and release the federal funding. On numerous occasions, USDOT committed to quick reviews so that reimbursements can move forward.

“New Yorkers will not tolerate the Trump administration playing political games with our workers or our economy. Once again, we are forced to rely on the courts to protect our state from the unlawful actions of this administration.  

The Hudson Tunnel Gateway Project is already supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, generating billions of dollars in regional economic activity, and sustaining domestic suppliers and manufacturers. Further political targeting to justify withholding federal funding is inexcusable. These actions put union workers and families across New York and New Jersey at risk and threaten the most critical infrastructure project in the nation.

As ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, I secured clear commitments from Transportation Secretary Duffy that he would not cancel grants for major transit capital investment projects, including Gateway. It’s time to make good on that commitment. I am going to fight to ensure that New Yorkers not be treated as political pawns in this administration’s twisted game of chess.”

GILLIBRAND, SCHUMER DELIVER FULL FUNDING FOR WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM

Washington, D.C. – Following years of advocacy, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer celebrated Congress’ passage of legislation to fully fund the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), which is now on its way to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

Twenty-five years after the September 11th attacks, first responders and survivors continue to be diagnosed with serious and often life-threatening 9/11-related health conditions, underscoring the ongoing need for stable federal support for the program. The WTCHP faces increasing demand as enrollment continues to grow and new illnesses are identified, putting pressure on the program’s resources.

The WTCHP was established in 2011 as part of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act and was originally funded for five years at $1.6 billion. The program was reauthorized in 2015 and extended through 2090 with bipartisan support. In 2022, Senators Gillibrand and Schumer led lawmakers in passing $1 billion for the WTCHP in the end-of-year spending bill, and in 2023, the senators helped secure an additional $676 million for the program. The updated funding secured this year continues that commitment to ensuring 9/11 responders and survivors receive the care they need, now and in the years ahead.

“The World Trade Center Health Program honors our promise to never forget our 9/11 survivors and the first responders who protected our nation in its darkest hour,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I was proud to work across the aisle to finally secure full funding for the World Trade Center Health Program, and I am relieved that the funding has been passed and will soon be signed into law. Ensuring our 9/11 first responders and survivors have the resources they need to cope with the long-term health effects from toxic exposure has been one of my top priorities for my entire tenure in Congress. I am so proud of the work that our tireless advocates have done to fully fund the World Trade Center Health Program.”

“Today, after years of work, we finally deliver on the sacred promise to ‘Never Forget’ by fully funding the World Trade Center Health Program to ensure the brave first responders & survivors always get the care they deserve. I have seen firsthand the toll that uncertainty and funding gaps take on our 9/11heroes, standing with them as more and more got sick with cancers and other illnesses from rushing to danger and working on the pile,” said Senator Schumer. “Families will no longer have to worry whether funding will be there for their loved ones to afford life-saving treatment. From the moment of the attacks, brave first responders and everyday New Yorkers made extraordinary sacrifices for our country. I promised I would not rest, never stop fighting until every 9/11 hero knows that when they need care, that care will be there for them. And today, a promise made becomes a promise kept. Now, with the World Trade Center Health Program fully funded, I’m thrilled to say we are eliminating funding cliffs for this program once and for all to ensure survivors will always receive the care they need. ”

“Senator Gillibrand has continued her tireless efforts on behalf of 9/11 responders and survivors,” said Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act. “Since the day she passed the James Zadroga Act, 15 years ago that created the World Trade Center Health Program, that now provides medical treatment and monitoring for over 140,000 9/11 responders and survivors in every state and in 434 out of 435 Congressional Districts, she has never wavered in her determination to protect the program and ensure the services it provides. Now after working in a bipartisan effort with Senator Schumer and Congressmen Garbarino, Nadler and the entire NY Delegation, she has succeeded in getting the World Trade Center Health Program fully funded and preventing any cuts in services to those that count on the program and are still dealing with the health impact of the toxins at Ground Zero, the Pentagon and the Shanksville crash site even as we approach the 25th Anniversary of the attack.”

“They say a victory has 1000 fathers. In all actuality this victory, the passage of the WTCHP Correction Act (H.R.1410) has 145,000 plus fathers, in which over 48,000 plus have a certified 9/11 relate cancer,” said John Feal, 9/11 Responder and Advocate. “Responders & Survivors will continue to receive treatment and those who will get sick in the future from their toxic exposure will be able to join them. This short lived victory which took over 2 years was only achieved by the commitment & leadership of the NY Delegation and a selective few across the Country who worked closely as partners with a team of Advocates (Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act & the FealGood Foundation) who refused to give up and take no for an answer. Everyone’s resolve & testament while tested, never waivered and for that I am humbled to be part of this victory.”

“Tonight’s action by the United States Senate is a critical step forward for the heroes of September 11th and their families. The continued funding of the World Trade Center Health Program is not a political issue — it is a moral obligation,” said Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro. “Thousands of firefighters and first responders answered the call on the worst day in our nation’s history, and many are still paying the price with their health. This funding ensures they will continue to receive the care they were promised and deserve. We are deeply grateful to Senator Gillibrand and her colleagues for standing with the men and women who ran toward danger, and for honoring our nation’s commitment to never forget those who sacrificed so much. The Uniformed Firefighters Association will never stop fighting to protect our members and all 9/11 responders, today and for generations to come.”

“Fully funding the World Trade Center Health Program is a major victory for all the 9/11 responders and survivors suffering from long-term health challenges because of exposure to toxins at Ground Zero,” said New York State ADL-CIO President Mario Cilento. “The union movement has proudly led the fight to create the health program. Still, its full funding would not have been possible without the relentless leadership and advocacy of Senator Gillibrand, who ensured these brave Americans receive the care they deserve.  We are deeply grateful for her unwavering commitment, alongside Senator Schumer, and the support of the entire New York delegation for getting this done and fulfilling a promise, as a country, that we would never forget.”

“The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations appreciate the steadfast efforts of Senator Gillibrand and the New York Congressional Delegation to extend the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act,” said New York State Police Investigators Association President Kurt Labuda. “While more than 24 years have passed since 9/11, the effects of that terrible day are still being felt by the police, firefighters and others who worked and lived in and around ground zero in the days and months following the attack. Tragically, the New York State Police continue to lose members each year of 9/11 related health issues. While this bill and funding will not bring them back, it will help countless others with screening, health care, and medical treatment. It is our duty to honor those who worked at great personal risk to themselves on and after that tragic day, and this is part of that responsibility.”

“Responders and survivors must always receive the care they were promised without delay or disruption. More than two decades after the September 11 attacks, hundreds of retired and active Troopers continue to live with the long-term health consequences of their service,” said Charlie Murphy, President of New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association. “Fully funding the World Trade Center Health Program as part of this year’s federal appropriations process ensures our members will not fall through the cracks and will continue to receive lifesaving medical monitoring and treatment. We are grateful to Senator Gillibrand for her steadfast leadership and for securing the stability that our responders have earned.”

“On September 11, 2001 we may have seen the worst of humanity, but the days, months, and years that followed were defined by the best of humanity as heroic first responders from the NYPD, FDNY, and the New York City Building Trades, stood side-by-side leading recovery efforts in the direct aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center. These selfless men and women deserve access to medical treatment and services for their September 11-related health conditions, and now that has been made possible through the passage of the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act,” said Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “We thank Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Nadler, and Congressman Garbarino for their continued and exceptional leadership on behalf of September 11 responders and survivors. This critical funding for the World Trade Center Health Program will improve the lives of countless patriots and their families by providing them the care they have long-deserved.”

“Since her election to Congress, Sen. Gillibrand has been a fierce advocate for 9/11 responders in New York and across the nation.  Thanks to her leadership, Congress has once again provided the funding necessary for the World Trade Center Health Program and honored its commitment to those who answered the call on September 11, 2001,” said NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) President Vincent Vallelong. “In the nearly 25 years since 9/11, we have seen daily reminders of the heavy price paid by our members and others who selflessly placed themselves in harm’s way for their neighbors and their country. The SBA is grateful for the efforts of Sen. Gillibrand to fulfill the promise of the original Zadroga Act, and we are proud to have worked alongside her to ensure that 9/11 responders and survivors receive the ongoing care that they deserve.”

“I would like to personally thank you for your tireless efforts on the passing of the budget, which included the Funding for the WTCHP. Your efforts will insure that my members of Local 94, and all the other first responders, will get the proper heath care they deserve. I would like to thank you for standing shoulder to shoulder with us in this battle. Without your commitment to these important issues, our heroes would go unrecognized in their times of need. Together we remain united in our vow to, NEVER FORGET,” said Thomas Hart, President  International, Union Of Operating Engineers Local 94.

“Fire fighters who responded to the terrorist attack at Ground Zero answered the call without hesitation. ‘Never forget’ means making sure these brave men and women have access to the healthcare they need to combat the long-term illnesses they’re facing due to their service on 9/11. It is long past time Congress preserved the World Trade Center Health Program, and the IAFF is grateful for Senator Gillibrand’s unwavering dedication to our nation’s fire fighters,” said Evan Davis, Director Government Affairs International Association of Fire Fighters.

 “The WTC Health Program is critical for the thousands of first responders already diagnosed with 9/11-related illnesses – and for all those who will be diagnosed in the years ahead. By strengthening the funding mechanism, Congress is upholding its promise to ‘Never Forget’ and ensuring these men and women will have the care they desperately need,” said IAFF 1st District Vice President James Slevin. “As we approach the 25th anniversary of September 11th, New Yorkers – and all those who rushed to Ground Zero – now know this vital program will continue to be there for them.”

GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCES $500,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS 

New York, NY — Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $500,000 in federal funding for the New York Law Enforcement Assistance Program (NYLEAP) to support its efforts to provide mental health services to law enforcement officers. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations package that was signed into law yesterday and was personally secured by Senator Gillibrand as a congressionally directed spending item. These federal dollars will enable NYLEAP to increase outreach and expand services to rural areas of New York State. 

“Law enforcement officers play a vital role in keeping our communities safe,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding will help NYLEAP provide officers across New York State with critical resources to address post-traumatic stress through peer training, prevention, and intervention programs. First responders put their lives on the line every day, and they deserve access to the mental health support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.” 

NYLEAP will use the funding to expand its Post Critical Incident Seminars for both administrators and line officers. Data shows that NYLEAP’s three-day, peer-to-peer program can significantly reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress among first responders. The funding will also support in-demand services, including peer training classes for Assisting Individuals in Crisis, Group Crisis Intervention, and Suicide Prevention and Intervention. 

GILLIBRAND, LUJÁN, COHEN, DESAULNIER, ROSS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT DRIVERS FROM FATAL TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK ACCIDENTS

The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 would require side underride guards on new trucks and direct additional research and data collection about underride crashes

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and U.S. Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN-9), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), and Deborah Ross (D-NC-2) introduced legislation to help prevent deadly truck underride crashes.

An underride crash occurs when a car slides under a large truck, such as a semi-trailer, during an accident. When these crashes happen, a car’s safety features are rendered useless because most of the car slides under the trailer and the trailer undercarriage crashes straight through the windows and into the passengers. The passengers in the car often suffer severe head and neck injuries, including decapitation. These accidents are frequently fatal, even at low speeds.

Studies and pilot programs show that a simple barrier attached to the lower area of a truck, called an “underride guard,” would help prevent a car from sliding underneath a truck in an accident. Under current federal law, unlike the rear of a truck, underride guards are not required to be on the sides or front of trucks. The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 would expand on current restrictions by instructing rulemaking to require side underride guards on new trucks, improving data collection, and directing additional research on underride crashes.

“Truck underride guards are one of the best and easiest solutions for protecting passengers during collisions with large trucks,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 is commonsense legislation that will protect passengers and make our roads safer. I look forward to working across the aisle to get this passed.”

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing life-saving legislation to make our roads safer,” said Senator Luján. “The Stop Underrides Act will help prevent deadly underride crashes and protect families from tragic, preventable loss. I’m grateful for Senator Gillibrand’s leadership on this important issue, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill signed into law.”

“The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 would help prevent these terrible and too-often fatal truck-trailer accidents by ensuring that cars can no longer slide underneath trucks,” said Representative Cohen. “In introducing this legislation, I’m reminded of my constituents Randy and Laurie Higginbotham who lost their son in an underride crash in Memphis in 2014. The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 builds on important progress made in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and will save lives by helping to end these fatal crashes.”

“With truck underride collisions claiming the lives of at least 300 people per year, the time to act on reforms is now. Small changes will make a big difference, and we cannot leave any room for error,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I am proud to join my colleagues in advancing this bill to put an end to these avoidable tragedies.”

“Requiring trucks to have underride guards is a simple way to prevent hundreds of deaths on our roads,” said Congresswoman Ross. “These guards are a proven, effective safety measure that will reduce underride crashes as well as severe injuries and fatalities caused by underrides. I have heard directly from families in my district about the lives this improvement could save. I’m proud to introduce legislation that will prevent vehicle fatalities and make our roads safer for drivers in North Carolina and across the country.”

Specifically, this bill would:

• Require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to finalize rulemaking requiring side underride guards on commercial trucks.

• Restart the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Advisory Committee on Underride Protection, to provide recommendations for how to reduce underride crashes and severe injuries and fatalities caused by underrides.

• Require the DOT to publish a website making underrides research accessible to researchers, industry, and advocates.

• Instruct the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the prevalence of underride incidents, including those involving the fronts of large trucks.

• Instruct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of the implementation of NHTSA’s 2022 rear underride rule and provide suggestions to better improve the rule.
• Instruct NHTSA to review its Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and correct crashes in the database that should have been classified as an underride but were not.

• Instruct NHTSA to create free, on-demand web-based training for state and local law enforcement to better identify and document underride crashes.

In the Senate, the Stop Underrides Act 2.0 is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). This bill is supported by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, America Walks, AnnaLeah & Mary for Truck Safety, Cascade Bicycle Club, Casey Feldman Foundation, Center for Auto Safety, EndDistractedDriving.org, Families for Safe Streets, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, League of American Bicyclists, Institute for Safer Trucking, Kids and Car Safety, Ride Illinois, Ride of Silence, Road Safe America, Sylvia Bingham Fund, Safe Routes Partnership, Stop Underrides, and Truck Safety Coalition.

“We appreciate Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) for her leadership on legislation to reduce preventable deaths and injuries involving large trucks. The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 would help stop devastating underride crashes by advancing research-backed protections which are long overdue. We urge Congress to advance this bill without delay to prevent more people from being horrifically killed or injured in an underride crash,” said Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

“I commend Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Cohen for introducing the Stop Underrides Act 2.0,” said Jennifer Tierney, Truck Safety Coalition and CRASH Board Member. “I lost my father, James Mooney, in a preventable side underride crash over 40 years ago. It is unconscionable that trailers still are not required to have side underride guards and my heart breaks for every single loss of life that could have otherwise been saved. This bill will save lives.”

“The Stop Underrides bill was written to solve the decades old problem of vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users from dying under tractor-trailers. It’s not the crash that kills; it’s the underride. Underride protection around tractor trailers and large trucks is necessary to save lives,” said Lois Durso-Hawkins of the Stop Underrides advocacy group.

“Hundreds of people are killed or injured each year in side underride crashes, a preventable consequence of semitrailer design. Requiring side underride guards on new semitrailers will save lives, protecting motorists and people walking or biking,” said Eric Hein, Board Member, Institute for Safer Trucking; bereaved father of Riley Hein.

“I’m grateful to Senators Gillibrand, Lujan, Blumenthal, and Duckworth, as well as Representatives Cohen, DeSaulnier, and Ross for taking this next important step to bring about long overdue underride regulations,” said Marianne Karth of AnnaLeah & Mary for Truck Safety. “The provisions in this bill need to become law to bring Americans safely home. I don’t want any more families to lose loved ones while engineering solutions gather dust on a shelf.

Senator Gillibrand has been at the forefront of the fight to prevent underride accidents from occurring. Several provisions of Senator Gillibrand’s Stop Underrides Act were included in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including a requirement that NHTSA complete rulemaking to improve the protections for drivers and passengers in the event of an underride crash.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

Banner Image: Senator Gillibrand at press conference. Image Credit – Sen. Gillibrand