The Public Record
Kirsten Elizabeth Gillibrand is a United States Senator from New York, serving since January 26, 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, she has been a prominent advocate for women's rights, healthcare reform, and environmental issues. Throughout her tenure, Gillibrand has focused on legislation aimed at improving the lives of families and promoting equality in various sectors. She has also been vocal on issues related to national security and veterans' affairs.
I rise today in vigorous opposition, and with very deep concern, to an amendment offered by the Senator from Oklahoma that would prohibit Urban Areas Security Initiative, or UASI, funds from being used to be able to pay local public safety…
Under the leadership of New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, 16 publicly known terrorist attacks on our city have been thwarted since 9/11. Our local law enforcement must continue to have every tool available to them to remain…
To be effective, a regulatory body must be independent from economic, policy and political interests. Its decision must not be subject to undue influence that can compromise safety.
If we have more convictions and justice is served, that will signal change within the military.
What is it going to take to convince the military that sexual assault is a violent and vicious crime and that those who perpetuate it are capable of other violent crimes, including murder?
It is high time not only for this hearing but for changes in the way the military handles these cases.
It is time for us to take swift decisive steps to ensure that decisions in the military justice system do not rest solely in the hands of one individual.
This is the beginning of a much longer conversation, a conversation that we need to have not just as a committee in the Senate, but as a Nation.
Lets not allow sexual predators in uniform the opportunity to become highly-trained, highly-degreed, military-decorated sexual predators.
I want to thank Senator McCaskill, who has introduced legislation to do just that. That is the first step and only the first step.
We need to do something on the front end to prevent sexual assault from happening at all.
We need to take a close look at the military justice system and we need to be asking the hard questions...
I think there is no problem the military cannot solve if it puts its mind to it.
What you all are doing today allows us to focus on the mission to get the coward rapists out of the ranks, and we are going to do everything we can to make that happen.
What we need is a military with a fair and impartial criminal justice system, one that is run by professional and legal experts, not unit commanders.
I will do everything I can within reason to make sure that that stops and that if you are accused of an offense in the military, you still get a fair trial.
The military, most of all, wants this to go away, and we have to end this terrible tragedy of sexual assault.
Senators, do not let today's servicemembers become another generation of invisible survivors.
I am extremely disturbed, based on the last round of question and answer, that each of you believes that the convening authority is what maintains discipline and order within your ranks.
Just think of what an amazing legacy it will be for this Senate if we succeed.
I am grateful that many members of the armed services who are currently in command sat here for your testimony.
I want to talk with each of you about this real challenge of under-reporting.
Lets make sure they are convicted and dishonorably discharged and listed on the national registry.
Politicians like Kirsten Gillibrand
