WCDO Radio News

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today discussed the impact that President Trump’s hiring freeze for federal workers will have on Americans receiving Social Security, Medicare benefits, or veterans’ benefits.

(Gillibrand 2-5-25)

Last year, the number of Social Security Administration employees, who process Social Security applications, hit a 27-year low; Trump’s hiring freeze risks increasing application processing times, wait times for appointments, and hold times for phone calls. 86% of Veterans Health Administration facilities reported severe shortages for medical officers, and 82% reported similar shortages for nurses.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 1-29-25

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand commented today on President Trump’s order to freeze virtually all grants and loans disbursed by the federal government for Law enforcement, fire departments, SNAP, HEAP, infrastructure projects, disaster relief and emergency preparedness programs, Veterans programs, child care centers and public schools that rely on federal funding to keep their doors open:

(Gillibrand 1-29-25)

President Donald Trump's budget office rescinded the order freezing spending on federal grants today, shortly after Senator Gillibrand and others went public with their oppositon to the act, as well as a number of legal challenges being filed across the country

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today discussed her "Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act" to address the nationwide shortage of affordable child care, as nearly two-thirds of New Yorkers live in communities that lack adequate access to child care, a share higher than in all but 4 states.

(Gillibrand 1-23-25)

Gillibrand’s bill would provide federal funding to help establish child care centers and to train workers to meet local needs for child care services, especially in rural communities.

In light of California’s devastating wildfires and the increasing frequency and severity of climate disasters across the country, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for state-federal cooperation to ensure that New York is fully prepared to respond to wildfires and other threats. Gillibrand commented about reaching out to state officials to see what can be done in New York State:

(Gillibrand 1-16-25)

Gillibrand said that New York State is not immune from the perils of wildfires, following last years Catskill's Fires, New York City's battle against brush fires & the previous years poor air quality from the Canadian Wildfires.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was re-elected to another term in the US Senate in November, today, she discussed her legislative priorities and goals for the 119th Congress:

(Gillibrand 1-8-25)

Senator Gillibrand was recently named to the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, She will also serve as the ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee and as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will be joining the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, which oversees federal spending and allocates funding to programs and government agencies. Gillibrand also became the ranking member on the Senate Aging Committee, a committee that she has served on since 2009.

WCDO NEWS FRIDAY 12-20-24

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is the chairperson of the Senate Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, she announced 5 provisions of her legislation to protect service members from traumatic brain injuries, included in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the Senate this week:

(Gillibrand 12-20-24)

Gillibrand introduced the Act following a disturbing report showing that service members are sustaining crippling traumatic brain injuries as a result of repeated exposure to explosions from their own weapons and explosives, which is known as blast overpressure. The bill heads to President Biden's desk for approval.

With crucial subsidies that help nearly 20 million Americans afford health insurance set to expire next year, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging Congress to pass the Health Care Affordability Act, which would permanently extend the enhanced ACA premium tax credits, she is not sure if Republicans who will have a majority in both houses next year will go along with that:

(Gillibrand 12-11-24)

Gillibrand said that without an extension to the Affordable Health Care Act, an estimated 4 million Americans will lose their health insurance, or pay exorbitant amounts for Health Insurance, their medical bills & prescriptions.

Judge Anthony Brindisi was confirmed to the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand recommended Judge Brindisi to President Biden earlier this year and he was nominated in July. Brindisi has been a judge on the New York State Court of Claims in Utica since 2022, he has been serving as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in Oneida County, Brindisi was served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing New York’s 22nd congressional district.

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged the Senate to pass the Social Security Fairness Act, which is bipartisan legislation that would increase Social Security benefits for 2.5 million Americans, including 35,000 New Yorkers, for various Government employees who were penalized for have a 2nd income:

(Gillibrand 11-20-24)

The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal the 2 provisions that reduce Social Security benefits and would provide retirees with the full payments they are owed. The bill passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support last week; the Senate has yet to vote on it, if they do, it would go to President Biden’s desk immediately for his signature.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will join elected officials and educators to encourage Binghamton University students to apply to the DoD Cyber Service Academy scholarship program, which provides full college tuition in return for public service in the Department of Defense or the Intelligence Community. Successful applicants will serve one year in the DoD or the IC as a civilian employee for each year of their scholarship. Gillibrand's event begins at 3:00 this afternoon at the Binghamton University Innovative Technologies Complex at 85 Murray Hill Road in Vestal.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that New Yorkers can now apply to receive federal assistance to pay their heating bills, after she was able to secure $360 million in federal funding for New York through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

(Gillibrand 11-14-24)

New Yorkers can find eligibility requirements at ny.gov/heat, Households can apply at myBenefits.ny.gov. or at otda.ny.gov/programs/heap

A.M. NEWS Thursday 11-14-24

State Police and the Susquehanna SPCA removed 21 cats from a property in Chenango County Wednesday. Investigators were advised of a possible animal cruelty case at a home on State Route 206 in the town of Coventry. Investigators visited the home and determined that the cats were living in deplorable conditions within the home and in surrounding buildings on the property. The cats were removed with the assistance of the Susquehanna SPCA and will be receiving further medical care from the Susquehanna SPCA. The investigation is on-going. Charges are pending.

Following yesterday's Building a More Resilient Southern Tier event in Binghamton, Governor Hochul and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand announced that the Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program will be investing $140 million in fiber-optic broadband expansion across New York— with $64 million in funds coming to the Southern Tier Region. Open Access fiber connectivity will be available for multiple internet providers to use to offer fiber optic cable services to the region.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-6-24

The results are in for yesterday's Election day, in the U.S. Senate race for New York, Incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand wins easily, in the U.S. House New York District 19, Josh Riley appears to have won a tight race over Marc Molinaro, in the State Senate District 51 race, Republican Incumbent Peter Oberacker wins by about 20% over Democrat Michele Frazier, in the local State Assembly Races, in the 121 District, Joe Angelino received double the vote over Vicki Davis, in the State Assembly 102nd District, Incumbent Republican Chris Tague wins by a substantial margin over Janet Tweed, and in the 122nd District, Brian Miller wins by a large margin over Democrat Adrienne Martini. in the Chenango County Court race, Republican Diane DeStefano wins easily over Democrat Lisa Natoli, and New Yorkers easily passed the STATE PROPOSITION to add an amendment to protect against unequal treatment.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-5-24

Today is Election Day with polls open until 9:00 PM, voters will be deciding on the next President, plus a US Senator between incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand against Republican Mike Sapraicone, 19th Congressional District Voters will chose their Representative between incumbent Republican Marc Molinaro & Democrat Josh Riley.

U.S. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand announced that New York will receive $360,185,996 in federal funding through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The money will help thousands of low-income households across the state afford their energy bills and make cost-effective repairs to their heating systems this winter. Individuals interested in applying for LIHEAP can visit energyhelp.us or call the National Energy Assistance Referral hotline toll-free at 1-866-674-6327.

US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced over $27 Million Dollars in federal funding for the Delaware County Electric Cooperative, which provides electricity to over 5,000 families, farms, and local businesses in Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie Counties. The Delaware County Cooperative will lead a partnership composed of 6 small electric cooperatives across 3 states to increase grid resilience against outages caused by weather events and tree damage caused by invasive species. The Cooperative will deploy advanced software to enable proactive grid management, as well as hardware such as grid sensors and drones to provide real-time data and monitoring capabilities.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 9-25-24

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is co-sponsoring legislation to have the Department of Homeland Security address the issue of illegal drugs, weapons & undocumented Migrants entering the U.S. through the Northern Border with Canada in increases numbers, likely from the efforts of Mexican & Central American Drug Cartels:

(Gillibrand 9-25-24)

The FBI statistics show that the number of people crossing the Southern border has decreased to more traditional levels of a million to 1.5 million a year, but the number entering through Canada has jumped from about 110,000 a few years ago, to almost 400,000 this year already. The bill is expected to be passed by a Senate Committee today & move forward to a possible full Senate vote.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 9-18-24

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced early successes in the seizure of illegal guns under the anti-gun trafficking statute in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Gillibrand commented earlier today:

(Gillibrand 9-18-24)

Gillibrand said that the vast majority of the guns making their way into New York State are trafficked from out of state along the I-95 Corridor. The statute has also been used to charge 423 defendants in 33 states, and to secure at least 119 convictions nationwide so far.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for the passage of legislation that would provide free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack to all schoolchildren regardless of income:

(Gillibrand 9-12-24)

Gillibrand said that Studies show that Free school meals are associated with a variety of positive outcomes, including improved attendance rates and school performance, fewer behavioral incidents, lower suspension rates, better health outcomes, and reduced financial stress for students and families.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $59,115,204 in federal funding to modernize facilities and strengthen airfield safety at 26 airports across New York State.  In the Southern Tier, The Greater Binghamton Airport will get $4.7 Million Dollars for Signage, Taxiway rehabilitation & lighting.

President Biden has nominated former area Congressman & current Judge Anthony Brindisi to serve at the federal level in Utica based on the recommendation of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Brindisi has been on the New York State Court of Claims since 2022. This nomination is for the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Brindisi will be to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee, followed by full Senate confirmation.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced new bipartisan legislation to expand access to mental health services for 1st responders, who have the most stressful jobs, and documented higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression than civilians:

(Gillibrand 7-31-24)

Gillibrand’s bill would establish a national mental health hotline for first responders and expand access to mental health care for law enforcement officers, it has bipartisan support among lawmakers.

US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has added her support to Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris this week:

(Gillibrand 7-26-24)

Gillibrand's endorsement coincides with the endorsement by former President Barack Obama for the Harris for President Campaign.

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced the Capping Prescription Costs Act, legislation that would cap the annual out-of-pocket cost of prescription drugs at $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families with private insurance:

(Gillibrand 7-24-24).

Gillibrand said that if the legislation is passed, about 10 million New Yorkers would benefit, Several Senators co-sponsor the bill, it also has a sponsor in the US House of Representatives.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 7-11-24

Following extensive allegations of misconduct by Supreme Court justices, including secretly accepting lavish gifts and luxury trips from businesses with cases before the Supreme Court & failing to disclose those conflicts of interest, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand supports bills to reform the Court by mandating robust ethics and transparency requirements and imposing term limits for Supreme Court justices:

(Gillibrand 7-12-24)

The bills that Gillibrand supports comes after articles of impeachment against Justice Alito & Thomas were filed in the US House of Representatives Wednesday.

In the midst of tick season, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced her push for federal funding to research tick-borne illnesses:

(Gillibrand 6-20-24)

Ticks are widespread throughout Upstate New York and has been a significant problem at Fort Drumm near Watertown, Gillibrand said that the issue has not been well-studied, and money would go to the CDC & The NIH among others to ramp up research on Lyme Disease.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced her bipartisan legislation to renew the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Affordable Connectivity Program, that provides financial assistance to low-income households to help them afford high-speed internet:

(Gillibrand 6-12-24)

The Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act would provide eligible households with a monthly discount of up to $30 per month off the cost of internet service.

As states across the country pass restrictions on abortion, In-Vitro Fertilization and other forms of reproductive care, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is voting in favor today on a bill to protect women’s reproductive rights:

(Gillibrand 6-5-24)

The Right to Contraception Act would codify women’s right to obtain and use contraception and prohibit the federal government or state governments from restricting its sale.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced her push to provide a boost in federal funding for the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program in the Federal 2025

appropriations bill, follow recent cuts to the program:

(Gillibrand 5-15-24)

Senator Gillibrand said that the Grant provides funding for local fire departments to purchase equipment and emergency vehicles and to address staffing shortages.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 5-15-24

The 214th New York State Police Academy Graduation, was held today this morning at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. 228 new Troopers completed the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy, 26 of the new Troopers are being assigned to Troop C in Sidney.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today discussed items that she fought to get into the Senate version of the Farm bill, that could potentially help New York farmers & low income residents:

(Gillibrand 5-8-24)

Senator Gillibrand said that the Federal Farm bill is updated every 5 years, the Senate is waiting to see the House of representatives Farm bill proposal, they hope to have an agreed upon bill passed by August.