Kirsten Gillibrand

Kirsten Elizabeth Rutnik Gillibrand (born December 9, 1966) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the junior United States senator from New York since 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2009. She formerly represented New York's 20th congressional district prior to being appointed to the United States Senate to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton following Clinton's appointment to the position of Secretary of State in the administration of Barack Obama.

Quotes

I don't think clients you represented as an associate are relevant … I think how you vote is relevant.
- Discussing her former legal representation of tobacco giant Philip Morris, Albany Times-Union, November 15, 2005

She seems like me — serious and policy-focused.
- Describing actress Jodi Foster and explaining she'd like Foster to play her in a TV-movie, the Saratogian, November 5, 2006

As a 10-year-old girl, I would listen to my grandmother discuss issues, and she made a lasting impression on me.
- Talking about her grandmother, Polly Noonan, leader of the powerful Democratic machine in Albany and confidant of long-time mayor Erastus Corning 2nd, Albany Times-Union, October 16, 2008

The Senate is extremely slow: They have enormous difficulty passing the bills that even get through the House. That's the reality that I've recognized in my two years: that it takes time to change the world.
- InsideOut Hudson Valley, January/February 2009

I realize that for many New Yorkers, this is the first time you've heard my name, and you don't know much about me. Over these next two years you will get to know me, but more importantly, I will get to know you.
- At the press conference where New York Governor David Paterson announced Gillibrand's appointment to the senate
- Pickert, Kate (2009-01-23). "N.Y. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand". Time (Time, Inc.). Retrieved on 2011-01-28.

I was just a young lawyer thinking, What am I doing with my life? What am I doing with my career? As I watched [Hillary Clinton] on that stage I thought, Why aren’t I there? It was so poignant for me. And that’s what made me figure out how to get involved in politics.
- Describing Hillary Clinton's influence on Gillibrand's entering politics
- Rodrick, Stephen (2009-06-07). "The Reintroduction of Kirsten Gillibrand". New York Magazine (New York Media Holdings). Retrieved on 2011-02-04.

I find that when you open the door toward openness and transparency, a lot of people will follow you through.
- Proposing reforms to increase transparency and accountability in Washington.
- Gillibrand, Kirsten (2010-07-20). "Reforming the Way Washington Works". The Huffington Post (AOL, Inc.). Retrieved on 2015-07-08.

[Hillary Clinton] was trying to encourage us to become more active in politics and she said, 'If you leave all the decision-making to others, you might not like what they do, and you will have no one but yourself to blame.' It was such a challenge to the women in the room. And it really hit me: She’s talking to me.
- Describing Hillary Clinton's influence on Gillibrand's entering politics
- Van Meter, Jonathan (November 2010). "In Hillary’s Footsteps: Kirsten Gillibrand". Vogue (Condé Nast Publications). Retrieved on 2011-01-26.

We’re [the US Senate] here to help people, and if we’re not helping people, we should go the fuck home.
- Kirsten Gillibrand Is an Enthusiastic No, in New York, published April 4, 2017

This is a sickening and outrageous attack, and horribly, it's the latest of too many hate crimes against LGBTQ people and people of color. We are all responsible for condemning this behavior and every person who enables or normalizes it. Praying for Jussie and his family.
- 29 January 2019 regarding Jussie Smollett

As president of the United States, I wouldn't use the dentition system at all
They don't need to be incarcerated
if they're given a lawyer and given a process, they will follow it. They can go into the community in the way we used to handle these cases under the Department of Justice.
- 19 May 2019

With far-right justices poised to overturn Roe, the lives of millions of Americans depend on us. We must codify the right to an abortion into federal law — even if it means eliminating the filibuster. We must flip state legislatures. And states like NY must open our doors,

After Senator Sanders, Senator Gillibrand has the second best record on opposing runaway military spending, voting against 47% of military spending bills since 2013..There is nothing on Gillibrand's campaign website about wars or military spending, despite serving on the Armed Services Committee. She took in $104,685 in "defense" industry contributions for her 2018 reelection campaign, more than any other senator running for president... Gillibrand was an early cosponsor of Sanders' Yemen War Powers bill. She has also supported a full withdrawal from Afghanistan since at least 2011... has spoken favorably of Trump’s diplomacy with North Korea.
- Medea Benjamin & Nicolas J S Davies War and Peace and the 2020 Presidential Candidates, Common Dreams (27 March 2019)

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Kirsten Gillibrand