The Right Time To Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell Is Now

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Monday October 05, 2009 · 2:59 PM PDT

2009/10/05 · 14:59

Since 1994, almost 13,000 gay servicemen and women have been discharged from the military based not on their performance but on their sexual orientation. In 2009 alone, we've had more than 400 of our brave men and women leave the military under Don't Ask Don't Tell. This is simply unacceptable. It is time to repeal this outdated and immoral policy once and for all and end the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly and honestly in our armed forces.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

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Thursday July 23, 2009 · 7:31 AM PDT

2009/07/23 · 07:31

As you know, there is a historic effort underway in Washington right now to finally address the health care crisis in this country, and I need your help.

As I've written here at DailyKos and as I told Howard Dean last week, I believe that a robust not-for-profit public option must be a part of the health care reform package Congress passes this year. I feel that opening up a Medicare For All type system to everyone would lower costs and increase efficiency by injecting some much needed competition into the market.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

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Friday July 10, 2009 · 7:54 AM PDT

2009/07/10 · 07:54

In 2006, I ran for Congress against -- and, with your help, defeated -- entrenched Republican incumbent John Sweeney. If there was one thing I knew about John Sweeney it's that he was not exactly a champion of open and honest government. So, when I entered Congress in 2007, it was very important to me to take a step toward restoring people's faith in government by setting a real example of transparency and disclosure. I felt then and believe now that my constituents deserve open and honest leadership, which is precisely what I endeavored to deliver through an unprecedented transparency agenda.

In 2007, as a new member of Congress, I was proud to be the first member ever to list all of my daily official meetings on my congressional schedule, all federal earmark requests I supported and all personal financial disclosure reports on my congressional Web site’s Sunlight Report. I am now continuing to do that in the Senate.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

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Tuesday June 30, 2009 · 1:03 PM PDT

2009/06/30 · 13:03

We've been waiting a long time for this, but let me be among the first to say, Congratulations, Senator-elect Franken and welcome to the Senate! I am thrilled that very soon you will become our 60th Democratic Senator.

While I'm excited to have you in the Senate after months of delay, I don't think anyone is more excited than the people of Minnesota. Minnesota deserves to have full representation in the Senate and now they will have another strong voice advocating on their behalf.

Your arrival, of course, also means that I am no longer the newest Senator. That honor will now go to you.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

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Thursday June 18, 2009 · 8:13 AM PDT

2009/06/18 · 08:13

Last week, I had the honor of meeting a proud graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY – Lt. Dan Choi. Lt. Choi came to my office to meet me and discuss how we right the wrong that has occurred in his life and ensure others do not experience the same injustice.

In 2003, Lt. Dan Choi graduated from West Point with a degree in Arabic. Since graduating, Lt. Choi has served honorably in the 1st Bn., 69th Infantry of the New York Army National Guard, including a deployment in Iraq. Now, it appears his service may come to an end simply because he has publicly said these three words: "I am gay."

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

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Wednesday June 03, 2009 · 7:07 AM PDT

2009/06/03 · 07:07

As a newly appointed Senator, I really felt it was important to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to get to know me. So, about a month ago, we launched Conversations With Kirsten, a website that gives me the opportunity to respond to your questions directly and I've been thrilled with the response. So far, we've received hundreds of questions at the website, via e-mail and in the comment threads here at DailyKos.

Today we posted several more video responses at the site, a few of which I'd like to share with you here. Below you'll find three of the questions I was asked, followed by my video response to each as well as a little update. Also, I'll be sticking around in the comments to answer some more of your questions, so I hope you'll join me.

Update [2009-6-3 13:39:35 by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand]:This is Todd, just wanted to address the trigger issue, which I'm sorry the Senator didn't get to respond to during the chat. She is opposed to the trigger and believes the public option has in fact already been triggered and must be a part of any healthcare reform passed this year.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

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Monday May 25, 2009 · 10:06 AM PDT

2009/05/25 · 10:06

Today, as we honor America’s fallen soldiers, I ask you to join me in renewing our commitment to the men and women who have served our nation in the Armed Forces.

When I ran for Congress, I was clear about my opposition to the War in Iraq . But while I did not agree with President Bush ’s policies, I worked hard in Congress to provide our servicemembers and returning veterans with the health care and educational opportunities they deserve.

Now I am renewing those efforts in the U.S. Senate. Last week I introduced legislation called PRO-VETS, to require the Veterans Administration to seek out and provide our returning heroes with information on the benefits they have earned. It will eliminate red-tape and bureaucratic bottlenecks, and require timely responses from the VA to all those who inquire about the benefits for which they are eligible.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

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Monday May 11, 2009 · 12:03 PM PDT

2009/05/11 · 12:03

Last Tuesday, I stopped by to announce my new website, ConversationsWithKirsten.com. We've already received hundreds of questions through the website, and I was excited to see that my post spurred a lot of discussion. We're still sorting through the questions to find the most asked questions, and I have posted some of my initial answers today.

During this process, it became clear that one topic was far and away the most discussed in this community and among the questions that I received through my website, and so I wanted to post here to make my views as clear as possible:

A not-for-profit public plan option must be included in any discussion about comprehensive health reform.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday May 08, 2009 · 11:20 AM PDT

2009/05/08 · 11:20

Since I was a kid, Mother’s Day was always a special day to tell my Mother and Grandmother how much I love them. Now that I’m a Mom, it is a special day to spend with my children.

In our busy lives, these special days are so important. But this year, with the difficult economy posing challenges for all families, our mothers need more than just attention on Mother’s Day. They need a legislative agenda that enables them to thrive -– creating economic opportunities for women, protecting the health and safety of mothers and children, and supporting the work women do to build strong, successful families. Please read on and then continue the conversation with me on my new web site www.conversationswithkirsten.com.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

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Tuesday May 05, 2009 · 7:22 AM PDT

2009/05/05 · 07:22

Last week, Scott Murphy was sworn in as my representative in the United States Congress. Thank you, Daily Kos, for playing a huge part in making that happen. Scott ran an inspiring race and I know that he is not only going to represent the 20th District well, but also will be a strong advocate for the fiscally-responsible, progressive priorities that we are all working so hard for.

I also want to thank you all for the great welcome that you gave me. This is a community with a wide variety of interests and no shortage of opinions, but also one with an extraordinary ability to rally together for the greater good and to stand up for what's right. I was touched by the reaction my diary received, and it's encouraged me to dive back in today.

After reading the comments in my first diary, it's clear to me that some in this community have real questions about me, my record, and my priorities as a United States Senator. I respect those questions, and I think that you deserve to hear the answers directly from me.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

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Tuesday April 14, 2009 · 5:32 PM PDT

2009/04/14 · 17:32

Today the Republicans stooped to a new low by challenging my ballot. The Republican’s challenge is frivolous and without merit.

Having spent so much time campaigning alongside Scott Murphy these past several weeks, I know Scott is the kind of hard-working and effective leader that the people of Upstate New York deserve. That is why I was so proud to vote for him to fill the seat I held in the 20th district.

All of us worked hard to elect Scott Murphy. We campaigned hard, made phone calls, and went door to door because we knew that Scott Murphy would help us change Washington and deliver for working families in Upstate New York and across the country.

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The Right Time To Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell Is Now

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Sunlight In The Senate

Congratulations, Senator-elect Franken!

I Stand With Lt. Dan Choi, It's Time To Repeal DADT

I'm Here To Take Your Questions

Renewing Our Commitment to Veterans

I Support The Public Option

More Than Breakfast In Bed: A Legislative Agenda for Moms

Answering Your Questions

Let my vote and every vote be counted