Kirsten Gillibrand

Kirsten Gillibrand

Democratic Party

U.S. Senate New York

Tenure

2009 - Present

Term ends

2025

Years in position

12

Prior offices

U.S. House New York District 20

---

Compensation

Base salary

$174,000

Net worth

(2012) $102,003

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 6, 2018

Appointed

January 26, 2009

Education

Bachelor's

Dartmouth College

Law

University of California, Los Angeles

Personal

Religion

Christian: Catholic

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Official Twitter

Official Instagram

Official YouTube

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Kirsten Gillibrand (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. Senate from New York. She assumed office on January 26, 2009. Her current term ends on January 3, 2025.

Gillibrand (Democratic Party) ran for election for President of the United States. She withdrew before the Democratic convention on August 18, 2020.

Gillibrand launched an exploratory committee to run for president of the United States on January 15, 2019, and formally declared her candidacy on March 17, 2019.^[1][2]

On August 28, 2019, Gillibrand announced that she was ending her campaign for the presidency.^[3]

Gillibrand was first appointed to the Senate in 2009 to fill the seat vacated through Hillary Clinton's appointment to secretary of state. She won re-election in 2018.

Prior to serving in the U.S. Senate, Gillibrand worked as an attorney, law clerk, campaign staffer, and special counsel to the secretary of Housing and Urban Development. She also represented New York's 20th Congressional District in the U.S. House from 2007 to 2009.^[4]

Biography[edit]

Gillibrand was born in Albany, New York, in 1966 and grew up in upstate New York. She graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Asian studies in 1988 and obtained her law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1991.^[5][6]

After graduating from law school, Gillibrand clerked for Judge Roger Miner on the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. After working in private practice, she entered government service as special counsel to then-Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Andrew Cuomo. After working on Hillary Clinton's (D) campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2000, Gillibrand returned to private practice.^[7]

In 2005, Gillibrand left private practice to run against incumbent Rep. John Sweeney (R) in New York's 20th congressional district. Gillibrand won 53% of the vote to Sweeney's 47% in the 2006 election.^[8] Gillibrand won re-election with 62% of the vote in 2008.^[9]

In 2009, Gov. David Paterson (D) appointed Gillibrand to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton (D), who had resigned to serve as secretary of state.^[7] Gillibrand won election to the remainder of Clinton's term in 2010 with 60% of the vote. She was elected to a full term with 68% of the vote in 2012 and won re-election with 67% of the vote in 2018.

In December 2017, Gillibrand was the first member of the U.S. Senate to call on Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) to resign following allegations of improper conduct.^[10]

Career[edit]

Below is an abbreviated outline of Gillibrand's academic, professional, and political career:^[11]

• 2009-Present: U.S. Senator from New York
• 2007-2009: U.S. House of Representatives
• 1991: Graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a J.D.
• 1988: Graduated from Dartmouth College with an A.B.

Committee assignments[edit]

U.S. Senate[edit]

2021-2022

Gillibrand was assigned to the following committees:^[Source]

• Committee on Aging (Special)
• Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
• Commodities, Risk Management and Trade
• Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research
• Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Local Food Systems, and Food Safety and Security, Chair
• Committee on Intelligence (Select)
• Senate Committee on Armed Services
• Cybersecurity
• Emerging Threats and Capabilities
• Personnel, Chair

2019-2020

Gillibrand was assigned to the following committees:^[Source]

• Committee on Aging (Special)
• Senate Committee on Armed Services
• Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
• Committee on Environment and Public Works

2017-2018[edit]

At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Gillibrand was assigned to the following committees:^[12]

• Committee on Aging (Special)
• Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
• Committee on Armed Services
• Committee on Environment and Public Works

2015-2016[edit]

Gillibrand served on the following committees:^[13]

• Special Committee on Aging
• Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
  • Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade
  • Subcommittee on Nutrition, Specialty Crops and Agricultural Research
  • Subcommittee on Livestock, Marketing and Agriculture Security, Ranking Member
• Armed Services Committee
  • Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
  • Subcommittee on Airland
• Environment and Public Works Committee
  • Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife

2013-2014[edit]

Gillibrand served on the following Senate committees:^[14]

• Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee
  • Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Marketing and Agriculture Security Chairman
  • Subcommittee on Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Food and Agricultural Research
  • Subcommittee on Commodities, Markets, Trade and Risk Management
• Armed Services Committee
  • Subcommittee on Personnel Chairman
  • Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
• Environment and Public Works Committee
  • Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife
  • Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health
• Special Committee on Aging

2011-2012[edit]

Gillibrand served on the following committees:^[15]

• Environment and Public Works Committee
  • Subcommittee on Children’s Health and Environmental Responsibility
  • Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health
  • Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife
• Armed Services Committee
  • Subcommittee on Airland
  • Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
  • Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
• Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee
  • Subcommittee on Commodities, Markets, Trade and Risk Management
  • Subcommittee on Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Food and Agricultural Research
  • Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Marketing and Agriculture Security
• Special Committee on Aging

Key votes[edit]

See also: Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.

Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2020[edit]

Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018[edit]

For detailed information about each vote, click here.

• Votes on domestic policy (click to expand)

  Voted Yea on: First Step Act of 2018 (S 756)

   Motion Agreed to (87-12) on December 18, 2018

  Proposed making changes to the criminal justice system.^[16]

  Voted Yea on: Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (HR 2)

   Conference Report Agreed to (87-13) on December 11, 2018

  Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance through fiscal year 2023.^[17]

  Voted Nay on: "Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (PN2259)

   Nomination Confirmed (50-48) on October 6, 2018

  Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States^[18]

  Voted Nay on: "Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (PN2259)

   Cloture Motion Agreed to (51-49) on October 5, 2018

  Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States^[19]

  Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)

   Bill Passed (86-11, 3/5 majority required) on June 28, 2018

  Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance.^[20]

  Voted Nay on: Immigration reform proposal from Sen. Chuck Grassley and the Trump administration (S Amdt 1959 to HR 2579)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (39-60, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018

  Proposed providing a path to citizenship for 1.8 million individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children, $25 billion for border security, limits on chain migration or family-based migration, and eliminating the visa lottery system.^[21]

  Voted Yea on: Immigration reform proposal from the Common Sense Coalition (S Amdt 1958 to HR 2579)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018

  Proposed providing a path to citizenship for individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children, $25 billion for border security, and limitations on chain or family-based immigration.^[22]

  Voted Nay on: Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act amendment (S Amdt 1948 to S Amdt 1959)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018

  Proposed withholding funding from sanctuary jurisdictions for not cooperating with federal immigration officials.^[23]

  Voted Yea on: Coons-McCain immigration plan (S Amdt 1955 to S Amdt 1958)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (52-47, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018

  Proposed providing a path to citizenship for individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children and conducting a study to determine what border security measures were needed. It also proposed requiring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure the U.S.-Mexico border by 2021.^[24]

  Voted Nay on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S 2311)

   Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (51-46, 3/5 majority required) on January 29, 2018

  Proposed amending the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or more. The bill proposed providing exceptions for an abortion: (1) that was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.^[25]

  Voted Nay on: An amendment to repeal the requirements for individuals to enroll in health insurance and for employers to offer it—"Skinny bill" (S Amdt 667 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628 the American Health Care Act of 2017)

   Amendment Rejected (49-51) on July 28, 2017

  The amendment proposed repealing the requirements for individuals to enroll in health insurance and for employers to offer it.^[26]

  Voted Nay on: An amendment to repeal the ACA, including Paul amendment (No. 271) (S Amdt 271 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628)

   Amendment Rejected (45-55) on July 26, 2017

  An amendment to repeal the ACA, including Paul amendment (No. 271)^[27]

  Voted Nay on: Motion to advance the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, including Cruz and Portman amendments (S Amdt 270 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628)

   Motion Rejected (43-57, 3/5 majority required) on July 25, 2017

  A procedural vote to advance the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA), including the Cruz and Portman amendments.^[28]

  Voted Nay on: Motion to begin debate on the American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)

   Motion to Proceed Agreed to (50-50, Vice President voted Yea) on July 25, 2017

  Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017.^[29]

  Voted Nay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(4)—confirmation vote)

   Nomination Confirmed (54-45) on April 7, 2017

  Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—confirmation vote.^[30]

  Voted Nay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(3))

   Cloture Motion Agreed to (55-45) on April 6, 2017

  Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—second vote to end debate and move to a vote on Gorsuch's nomination under the new precedent requiring only a simple majority to pass.^[31]

  
  

  Voted Yea on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(2))

   Decision of Chair Not Sustained (48-52) on April 6, 2017

  Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—a vote to keep the Senate precedent of requiring 60 votes to close debate on Supreme Court nominations.^[32]

  Voted Nay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (55-45, 3/5 majority required) on April 6, 2017

  Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—initial vote to end debate and move to a vote on Gorsuch's nomination.^[33]

• Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand)

  Voted Yea on: "Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 6157)

   Conference Report Agreed to (93-7) on September 18, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.^[34]

  Voted Nay on: "Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 5895)

   Conference Report Agreed to (92-5) on September 12, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.^[35]

  Voted Yea on: "Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 6157)

   Bill Passed (85-7) on August 23, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.^[36]

  Voted Nay on: "Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 5895)

   Bill Passed (86-5) on June 25, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.^[37]

  Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)

   Motion Agreed to (65-32) on March 23, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.^[38]

  Voted Nay on: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892)

   Motion Agreed to (71-28) on February 9, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through March 23, 2018^[39]

  Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (55-44, 3/5 majority required) on February 8, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through March 23, 2018.^[40]

  Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

   Motion Agreed to (81-18) on January 22, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.^[41]

  Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

   Cloture Motion Agreed to (81-18, 3/5 majority required) on January 22, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.^[42]

  Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (50-49, 3/5 majority required) on January 19, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.^[43]

  Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370)

   Motion Agreed to (66-32, 3/5 majority required) on December 21, 2017

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.^[44]

  Voted Nay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

   Motion Agreed to (51-48) on December 20, 2017

  Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018 and proposed changes to the tax code.^[45]

  Voted Nay on: "A joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes." (HJ Res 123)

   Joint Resolution Passed (81-14) on December 7, 2017

  Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017.^[46]

  Voted Nay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

   Bill Passed (51-49) on December 2, 2017

  Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses.^[47]

  Voted Nay on: A concurrent resolution establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

   Concurrent Resolution Agreed to (51-49) on October 19, 2017

  Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027.^[48]

  Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601)

   Motion Agreed to (80-17) on September 7, 2017

  Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts.^[49]

  Voted Yea on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)

   Motion Agreed to (79-18) on May 4, 2017

  The $1.2 trillion budget bill proposed funding the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017.^[50]

• Votes on foreign policy and national security issues (click to expand)

  Voted Yea on: "A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress." (SJ Res 54)

   Joint Resolution Passed (56-41) on December 13, 2018

  Proposed removing United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that were not authorized by Congress.^[51]

  Voted Nay on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810)

   Bill Passed (89-8) on September 18, 2017

  Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, and to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. On November 15, 2017, the Senate passed the defense policy bill by voice vote. This bill was the result of compromises made in the conference report. For more information on the compromise bill, click here.^[52][53]

  Voted Yea on: Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364)

   Bill Passed (98-2) on July 27, 2017

  Proposed providing congressional review and proposed countering aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.^[54]

  Voted Yea on: Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 (S 722)

   Bill Passed (98-2) on June 15, 2017

  Proposed providing congressional review and proposed countering aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.^[55]

Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress[edit]

Key votes (click "show" to expand or "hide" to contract)

114th Congress[edit] The first session of the 114th Congress enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session. In the second session, the 114th Congress enacted 133 out of 3,159 introduced bills (4.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 7.0 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[56][57] The Senate confirmed 18,117 out of 21,815 executive nominations received (83 percent). For more information pertaining to Gillibrand's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections.[58] Economic and fiscal[edit] Trade Act of 2015[edit] See also: The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015 On May 22, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1314, which was used as a legislative vehicle for trade legislation with the titles "Trade Act of 2015" and the "Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015," by a vote of 62-37. The bill proposed giving the president trade promotion authority (TPA). TPA, also known as fast track authority, allows the president to negotiate trade deals that cannot be amended by Congress. Congress casts a simple up or down vote on a trade agreement, and the legislation only requires a simple majority for approval. The bill also included a statement of trade priorities and provisions for trade adjustment assistance. Gillibrand voted with 30 other Democratic senators against the bill.[59][60] Trade promotion authority On June 24, 2015, by a vote of 60-38, the Senate approved trade promotion authority (TPA) as part of HR 2146 - Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act. Gillibrand was one of 31 Democrats to vote against the bill. After, Senate Republican leadership honored a pledge to support trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by passing the measure as part of HR 1295 - Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 by voice vote. The House passed HR 1295 the following day, on June 25, 2015, and both TPA and TAA were signed into law on June 29, 2015.[61][62][63] 2016 Budget proposal[edit] On May 5, 2015, the Senate voted to approve SConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 51-48. The non-binding resolution will be used to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government before funding runs out on October 1, 2015. The vote marked the first time since 2009 that Congress approved a joint budget resolution. All 44 Democrats, including Gillibrand, voted against the resolution.[64][65][66] Defense spending authorization[edit] On November 10, 2015, the Senate passed S 1356 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 91-3. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included "$5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget" and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.[67][68] Gillibrand voted with 41 Democrats, 48 Republicans and one independent in favor of the bill.[69] On November 5, 2015, the House passed the bill by a vote of 370-58, and President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015.[70] On June 18, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1735 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 71-25. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Gillibrand voted with 21 Democrats, two Republicans and one Independent against the bill.[71] The House passed the bill on May 15, 2015.[72] President Barack Obama vetoed the bill on October 22, 2015.[73] 2015 budget[edit] On October 30, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 by a vote of 64-35. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017.[74] Gillibrand voted with 43 Democrats, 18 Republicans and two independents in favor of the bill.[75] It passed the House on October 28, 2015.[76] President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015. Foreign Affairs[edit] Iran nuclear deal[edit] See also: Iran nuclear agreement, 2015 On May 7, 2015, the Senate voted to approve HR 1191 - A bill to provide for congressional review and oversight of agreements relating to Iran's nuclear program, and for other purposes, by a vote of 98-1. The bill required President Barack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review. Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. All 43 Democratic senators who voted, including Gillibrand, approved the bill.[77][78] Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 On September 10, 2015, the Senate voted to filibuster the measure to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal by a vote of 58-42.[79] Sixty votes were needed to proceed to HJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Gillibrand voted with 39 Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the measure of disapproval.[80] Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 follow up votes On September 15, 2015, the Senate voted for a second time to filibuster the measure to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal by a vote of 56-42.[81] Sixty votes were needed to proceed to HJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Gillibrand voted with 39 Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the measure of disapproval.[82] The legislation was voted on for a third time on September 17, and it failed for a third time by a vote of 56-42.[83] Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 fourth vote On September 17, 2015, the Senate voted to filibuster a vote on S.Amdt.2656 to S.Amdt.2640 by a vote of 53-45. The amendment proposed prohibiting "the President from waiving, suspending, reducing, providing relief from, or otherwise limiting the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran."[84] Gillibrand voted with 42 Democrats and two Independents against proceeding to the amendment.[85] Domestic[edit] USA FREEDOM Act of 2015[edit] On June 2, 2015, the Senate passed HR 2048 - the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 by a vote of 67-32. The legislation revised HR 3199 - the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 by terminating the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, requiring increased reporting from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Gillibrand voted with 42 Democrats, 23 Republicans and one Independent to approve the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015.[86][87] Cyber security[edit] On October 27, 2015, the Senate passed S 754 - the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 by a vote of 74-21.[88] The bill proposed procedures that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Gillibrand voted with 29 Democrats, 43 Republicans and one independent in favor of the bill.[89] Immigration[edit] On October 20, 2015, the Senate voted against proceeding to a vote on S 2146 - the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act by a vote of 54-45. The bill proposed withholding federal funding from "sanctuary jurisdictions" that violate the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and other federal immigration laws. In addition, the bill proposed increasing "penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being removed" and providing "liability protection for State and local law enforcement who cooperate with Federal law enforcement."[90] Gillibrand voted with 41 Democrats, one Republican and two Independents against proceeding to the bill.[91] 113th Congress[edit] The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[92] The Senate confirmed 13,949 out of 18,323 executive nominations received (76.1 percent). For more information pertaining to Gillibrand's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[93] National security[edit] John Brennan CIA nomination[edit] Gillibrand voted for the confirmation of John Brennan as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2013, with a vote of 63 - 34. Most Democrats supported the nomination, while Republicans were somewhat divided with roughly one-third supporting the nomination.[94] Rooney undersecretary of the Navy nomination[edit] Gillibrand put a hold on Jo Ann Rooney's nomination on October 31, 2013. Gillibrand criticized Rooney's remarks in a confirmation hearing. Rooney said, "A judge advocate outside the chain of command will be looking at a case through a different lens than a military commander." "I believe the impact would be decisions based on evidence, rather than the interest in preserving good order and discipline. I believe this will result in fewer prosecutions and therefore defeat the problem that I understand it seeks to address." Gillibrand explained her concern over Rooney's remarks asking, "If you were a service member raped on duty, why would you have confidence to come forward and report after hearing that basing decisions to prosecute solely on evidence would be a bad outcome? Jo Ann Rooney’s testimony should send chills down the spine of any member of the armed services seeking justice."[95] Economy[edit] No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013[edit] Gillibrand voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.[96] Government shutdown[edit] See also: United States budget debate, 2013 During the shutdown in October 2013, the Senate rejected, down party lines, every House-originated bill that stripped the budget of funding for the Affordable Care Act. A deal was reached late on October 16, 2013, just hours before the debt ceiling deadline. The bill to reopen the government, H.R. 2775, lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[97] The final vote on H.R. 2775 was 81-18, with all 18 votes against the bill from Republican members. Gillibrand voted with the Democratic Party for the bill.[98] Immigration[edit] Mexico-U.S. border[edit] Gillibrand voted against Senate Amendment 1197 -- Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border. The amendment was rejected by the Senate on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 39 - 54. The purpose of the amendment was to require the completion of 350 miles of fence described in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 before registered provisional immigrant status may be granted. It would also require 700 miles of fence be completed before the status of registered provisional immigrants may be changed to permanent resident status. The vote followed party lines.[99] Social issues[edit] Violence Against Women (2013)[edit] Gillibrand voted for S.47 -- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. The bill was passed by the Senate on February 12, 2013, with a vote of 78 - 22. The purpose of the bill was to combat violence against women, from domestic violence to international trafficking in persons. All 22 dissenting votes were cast by Republicans.[100] Previous congressional sessions[edit] Fiscal Cliff[edit] Gillibrand voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. The bill was passed in the Senate by an 89 - 8 vote on January 1, 2013.[101] House of Representatives[edit] As a Member of the House of Representatives, Gillibrand supported the auto bailout.[102] As of September 13, 2010, 56 percent of Americans disapproved of the auto bailout, while 43 percent supported it.[103] Senate[edit] As a Member of the Senate, Gillibrand voted for the stimulus bill.[104] Fifty-seven percent of U.S. voters believed that the stimulus had either hurt the economy (36 percent) or had no impact (21 percent). Thirty-eight percent believed the stimulus helped the economy.[105] Gillibrand also voted in favor of the health care reform bill.[106] Fifty-seven percent of likely voters at least somewhat favored repeal of the health care reform bill, including 46 percent who strongly favored repeal. Thirty-five percent of likely voters opposed repeal. Fifty-one percent of likely voters believed the health care reform bill would be bad for the country, while 36 percent believed it would be beneficial.[107] Finally, Gillibrand voted against an amendment that would have defunded the Obama Administration's lawsuit against Arizona over its new immigration law. As of July 8, 2010, 56 percent of U.S. voters were opposed to the Obama Administration's challenge to the Arizona immigration law.[108]

Issues[edit]

Off the Sidelines PAC[edit]

See also: Off the Sidelines PAC

Off the Sidelines is a women's empowerment program and leadership PACA leadership PAC is a political action committee created by a federal officeholder to help other candidates for office.^[109] led by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). The group describes itself as "Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's call to action to encourage every woman and girl to make their voice heard on the issues they care about."^[110]

Presidential preference[edit]

2016 presidential endorsement[edit]

✓ Gillibrand endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic primary in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.^[111]

See also: Endorsements for Hillary Clinton

2016 Presidential Endorsements by U.S. Senators
State Sen.	Candidate	Date	Source
Angus King	Hillary Clinton	July 2016	Politico
Elizabeth Warren	Hillary Clinton	June 2016	The Boston Globe
Bob Menendez	Hillary Clinton	May 2016	Philly.com
Roy Blunt	Donald Trump	May 2016	The Atlantic
Richard Burr	Donald Trump	May 2016	IndyWeek.com
Mitch McConnell	Donald Trump	May 2016	Politico
Cory Gardner	Ted Cruz	April 2016	The Hill
Pat Toomey	Ted Cruz	April 2016	The Morning Call
Jeff Merkley	Bernie Sanders	April 2016	The New York Times
Mike Lee (Utah)	Ted Cruz	March 2016	Politico
Lamar Alexander	Marco Rubio	February 2016	Politico
Jeff Sessions	Donald Trump	February 2016	Politico
Harry Reid	Hillary Clinton	February 2016	Politico
Dan Coats	Marco Rubio	February 2016	Bloomberg
Dean Heller	Marco Rubio	February 2016	Politico
Tim Scott	Marco Rubio	February 2016	NBC News
Ron Wyden	Hillary Clinton	January 2016	The Oregonian
Jack Reed	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Providence Journal
Heidi Heitkamp	Hillary Clinton	October 2015	The Huffington Post
Ed Markey	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	WBUR
Gary Peters	Hillary Clinton	May 2015	The Hill
Michael Bennet	Hillary Clinton	May 2015	The Hill
Bob Casey, Jr.	Hillary Clinton	April 2015	CBS Pittsburgh
Tom Udall	Hillary Clinton	April 2015	Albuquerque Journal
Jeanne Shaheen	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	WMUR
Brian Schatz	Hillary Clinton	February 2015	Honolulu Civil Beat
Mazie Hirono	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	CNN
Al Franken	Hillary Clinton	December 2014	The Huffington Post
Mark Warner	Hillary Clinton	July 2014	The Hill
Martin Heinrich	Hillary Clinton	July 2014	New Mexico Telegram
Patrick Leahy	Hillary Clinton	June 2014	Vermont Public Radio
Dick Durbin	Hillary Clinton	May 2014	Politico
Amy Klobuchar	Hillary Clinton	June 2014	Politico
Debbie Stabenow	Hillary Clinton	May 2014	CNN
Tim Kaine	Hillary Clinton	May 2014	The Washington Post
Sheldon Whitehouse	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	The New York Times
Chris Murphy (Connecticut)	Hillary Clinton	June 2015	The Connecticut Mirror
Richard Blumenthal	Hillary Clinton	June 2014	WestportNow.com
Joe Manchin III	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	Politico
Maria Cantwell	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	The New York Times
Tammy Baldwin	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	The New York Times
Dianne Feinstein	Hillary Clinton	December 2013	MSNBC
Kirsten Gillibrand	Hillary Clinton	August 2014	People
Patty Murray	Hillary Clinton	November 2013	Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Chuck Schumer	Hillary Clinton	November 2013	The Washington Post
Barbara Boxer	Hillary Clinton	October 2013	ABC News
Claire McCaskill	Hillary Clinton	June 2013	Politico
Jim Inhofe	Marco Rubio	January 2016	Politico
Rob Portman	John Kasich (primary) Donald Trump (general)	August 2016	The Columbia Dispatch
Thad Cochran	Jeb Bush	December 2015	USA Today
John Boozman	Mike Huckabee	September 2015	Politico
Mike Rounds	Mike Huckabee	September 2015	Politico
Orrin Hatch	Jeb Bush	August 2015	Deseret News
Susan Collins	Jeb Bush	July 2015	Portland Press Herald
John McCain	Lindsey Graham (primary)	January 2015	Bloomberg.com
Bill Nelson (Florida)	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Miami Herald
Barbara Mikulski	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Baltimore Sun
Ben Cardin	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Baltimore Sun
Chris Coons	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	CNN
Jim Risch	Marco Rubio	November 2015	Politico
Steve Daines	Marco Rubio	November 2015	The Huffington Post
Sherrod Brown	Hillary Clinton	October 2015	MSNBC
Tom Carper	Hillary Clinton	October 2015	Roll Call
Cory Booker	Hillary Clinton	June 2015	NBC News

Elections[edit]

2020[edit]

Presidency[edit]

See also: Presidential candidates, 2020

Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) won the presidential election on November 3, 2020. Biden received 306 electoral votes and President Donald Trump (R) received 232 electoral votes. In the national popular vote, Biden received 81.2 million votes and Trump received 74.2 million votes.

Gillibrand announced that she was running for president of the United States on January 15, 2019.^[1]

On August 28, 2019, Gillibrand suspended her presidential campaign.^[3]

Ballotpedia compiled the following resources about Gillibrand and the 2020 presidential election:

• Recent news stories about the 2020 presidential election;
• An overview of key national and state campaign staffers;
• Endorsements from politicians, public figures, and organizations;
• An overview of candidate campaign travel; and
• A list of other presidential candidates who are running for election.

Click here for Gillibrand's 2020 presidential campaign overview.

2018[edit]

See also: United States Senate election in New York, 2018

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• David Webber (R)
• Jim Samsel (R)
• Pat Hahn (R)
• Rafael Jones (R)

2012[edit]

See also: United States Senate elections in New York, 2012

Gillibrand won re-election in 2012. She ran unopposed in the June 26, 2012, Democratic primary. She defeated Chris Edes (L), Wendy Long (R), Colia Clark (G) and John Mangelli (CSP) in the general election on November 6, 2012.

U.S. Senate, New York General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Kirsten Gillibrand Incumbent	72.2%	4,822,330
	Republican	Wendy Long	26.3%	1,758,702
	Green	Colia Clark	0.6%	42,591
	Libertarian	Chris Edes	0.5%	32,002
	CSP	John Mangelli	0.3%	22,041
	N/A	Write-in votes	0%	2,012
Total Votes				6,679,678
Source: New York State Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections U.S. Senator Election Returns November 6, 2012," accessed August 30, 2021

Full history[edit]

To view the full congressional electoral history for Kirsten Gillibrand, click [show] to expand the section.

2010 On November 2, 2010, Kirsten Gillibrand won re-election to the United States Senate. She defeated Joseph J. DioGuardi (R), Cecile A. Lawrence (Green), John Clifton (Libertarian), Joseph Huff (Rent Is 2 Damn High), Vivia Morgan (Anti-Prohibition) and Bruce Blakeman (Tax Revolt) in the general election.[112] U.S. Senate, New York Special Election, 2010 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Kirsten Gillibrand incumbent 62.9% 2,836,361      Republican Joseph J. DioGuardi 35.1% 1,581,834      Green Cecile A. Lawrence 0.8% 35,497      Libertarian John Clifton 0.4% 18,407      Rent Is 2 Damn High Joseph Huff 0.4% 17,021      Anti-Prohibition Vivia Morgan 0.3% 11,773      Tax Revolt Bruce Blakeman 0.1% 4,522      N/A Write-in votes 0% 1,211 Total Votes 4,506,626

Campaign themes[edit]

2018[edit]

Campaign website[edit]

Gillibrand's campaign website stated the following:

Presidential preference[edit]

2020[edit]

See also: Presidential election in New York, 2020 and Democratic National Convention, 2020

Gillibrand ran for president of the United States in 2020. After she withdrew, Gillibrand endorsed Joe Biden (D) in the 2020 presidential election.^[115]

2016[edit]

See also: Presidential election in New York, 2016 and Democratic National Convention, 2016

Gillibrand endorsed Hillary Clinton (D) in the 2016 presidential election.^[116]

Campaign donors[edit]

Comprehensive donor history[edit]

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

2018[edit]

2014[edit]

Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Gillibrand’s reports.^[117]

2013[edit]

Lobbyist contributions[edit]

In an analysis by Open Secrets of the Top 10 Recipients of Contributions from Lobbyists in 2013, Gillibrand was one of 115 members of Congress who did not report any contributions from lobbyists in 2013 as of July 3, 2013.^[120]

2012[edit]

Gillibrand won election to the U.S. Senate in 2012. During that election cycle, Gillibrand's campaign committee raised a total of $15,735,457 and spent $14,257,872.^[121] This is more than the average of $10.2 million spent by Senate winners in 2012.^[122]

Cost per vote[edit]

Gillibrand spent $2.97 per vote received in 2012.

To view the breakdown of campaign funding by type click [show] to expand the section.
Breakdown of the source of Gillibrand's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

2010[edit]

Gillibrand was elected to keep her appointment to the U.S. Senate in 2010. Her campaign committee raised a total of $13,418,545 and spent $13,007,808.^[123]

To view the breakdown of campaign funding by type click [show] to expand the section.
Breakdown of the source of Gillibrand's campaign funds before the 2010 special election.

Personal Gain Index[edit]

See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:

• Changes in Net Worth
• The Donation Concentration Metric

PGI: Change in net worth[edit]

See also: Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) and Net worth of United States Senators and Representatives

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Gillibrand's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $166,004 and $416,000. That averages to $291,002, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic senators in 2012 of $13,566,333.90. Gillibrand ranked as the 90th most wealthy senator in 2012.^[124] Between 2006 and 2012, Gillibrand's calculated net worth^[125] decreased by an average of 9 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.^[126]

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric[edit]

See also: The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by the Federal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated by OpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). Gillibrand received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by the Lawyers/Law Firms industry.

From 2005-2014, 35.47 percent of Gillibrand's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.^[129]

Analysis[edit]

Ideology and leadership[edit]

See also: GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Gillibrand is a "far-left Democratic leader" as of July 2014.^[130] Gillibrand was rated as a "far-left Democrat" in June 2013.

Like-minded colleagues[edit]

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.^[131]

Lifetime voting record[edit]

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Gillibrand missed 20 of 2,102 roll call votes from January 2009 to September 2015. This amounts to 1 percent, which is better than the median of 1.6 percent among current senators as of September 2015.^[132]

Congressional staff salaries[edit]

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Gillibrand paid her congressional staff a total of $3,321,631 in 2011. She ranked fifth on the list of the highest paid Democratic senatorial staff salaries and ranked seventh overall of the highest paid senatorial staff salaries in 2011. Overall, New York ranked fourth in average salary for senatorial staff. The average U.S. Senate congressional staff was paid $2,529,141.70 in fiscal year 2011.^[133]

National Journal vote ratings[edit]

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.

2013[edit]

Gillibrand ranked fifth in the liberal rankings in 2013.^[134]

2012[edit]

Gillibrand ranked 13th in the liberal rankings in 2012.^[135]

2011[edit]

Gillibrand ranked first in the liberal rankings in 2011.^[136]

Voting with party[edit]

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.

2014[edit]

Gillibrand voted with the Democratic Party 96.9 percent of the time, which ranked 12th among the 53 Senate Democratic members as of July 2014.^[137]

2013[edit]

Gillibrand voted with the Democratic Party 96.9 percent of the time, which ranked 11th among the 51 Senate Democratic members as of June 2013.^[138]

Personal[edit]

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Gillibrand and her husband Jonathan live in Brunswick with their two sons, Theo and Henry.^[139]

Recent news[edit]

This section links to a Google news search for the term Kirsten + Gillibrand + New York + Senate

See also[edit]

• New York
• U.S. Senate delegation from New York
• United States Senate
• United States Senate elections in New York, 2012
• United States Senate elections, 2012

External links[edit]

Footnotes[edit]

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