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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Thursday that Democrats will reject any short-term spending bill that includes Trump-backed policy provisions or kicks the issue of 2025 spending into next year. Jeffries noted that Republican leaders in both chambers have already backed legislation, known as the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), that set government spending levels for both fiscal 2024 and 2025 and are now walking away from that deal at the risk of a shutdown.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $7,595,180 in federal funding for the City of Syracuse to hire up to 20 new firefighters. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program, a program which the senators fought hard to successfully preserve and fund earlier this year.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. 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. 

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Democratic Party of Georgia sued the State Election Board for passing rules this month that could delay the certification of election results.

The Democrats, along with several county election board members, filed a lawsuit challenging what they call the “reasonable inquiry rule” passed on Aug. 6 and the “examination rule” passed on Aug. 19. 

The Georgia State Election Board voted this week to pass a new rule that could potentially delay the certification of the election. The rule says the board can only certify an election “after reasonable inquiry that the tabulation and canvassing of the election are complete and accurate and that the results are a true and accurate accounting of all votes cast in that election.” They have empowered themselves to delay election certification and more discretion to investigate elections.

On the 59th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Gov. Hochul signed legislation to strengthen voting protections and make it easier for voters to cast their ballots. The legislation includes measures that strengthen access to the ballot – building on the historic John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York to protect against voter discrimination and disenfranchisement, and seeking to enfranchise new voters and standardize important elements of the electoral process.

Kamala Harris has earned enough votes to win the Democratic Presidential nomination!

On Friday, Harris gained “presumptive nominee” status, after the Democratic National Committee chair announced in a Zoom call that the vice president had already crossed the delegate threshold. Harris, who joined the call, said she “will officially accept your nomination next week, once the virtual campaign is closed. But already, I’m happy to know that we have enough delegates to secure the nomination.”

President Biden on Monday voiced his support for a series of important and long-overdue measures that would dramatically reform the U.S. Supreme Court, including a proposal to establish term limits and an enforceable ethics code.

Two new reports show violent crime continued to fall to historic lows in the first half of 2024. One report from the University of Chicago shows ‘unprecedented’ declines in crime across multiple categories, including homicides and motor vehicle thefts, across more than 40 cities. Another report, from the Council on Criminal Justice, found that homicides decreased by 13%, motor vehicle theft fell by 18%, and violent crime fell overall in more than two dozen cities.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $665,310.24 in federal funding for fire departments across Upstate New York. The funding will be used to provide protective gear, training, and supplies to emergency personnel across nine fire departments. This federal funding was administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG).

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, building Democratic backing for her sudden presidential run, rallied supporters on Monday with a debut campaign speech vowing to go after convicted felon and adjudicated rapist Republican Donald Trump like the courtroom prosecutor she once was. Democrats have united behind her candidacy and millions of grassroots supporters have donated money and signed up to volunteer for her ground-breaking campaign.

Since taking office, President Biden has worked in close cooperation with our NATO Allies and followed through on the commitments he announced at the 2022 Madrid Summit, joining Allies in implementing a new generation of NATO’s defense plans and strengthening NATO’s defense and deterrence capabilities

We salute all our men and women in uniform from across North America and Europe who continue to serve daily to keep us safe.

Gillibrand, A Champion Of Government Accountability And Transparency, Announces Legislation To Reform The Supreme Court

Following extensive allegations of misconduct by Supreme Court justices, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced her support for the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency (SCERT) Act and the Supreme Court Biennial Appointments and Term Limits Act, bills that would reform the court by mandating more robust ethics and transparency requirements and imposing term limits

Governor Kathy Hochul signed nation-leading legislation to combat addictive social media feeds and protect kids online. Legislation S.7694A/A.8148A establishes the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) For Kids Act to require social media companies to restrict addictive feeds on their platforms for users under 18.

The Yates County Democrats are gratified that the rule of law was upheld when a jury of everyday New Yorkers selected to do their civic duty unanimously found Donald Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records with the intent to commit election interference. See our full statement by clicking below.

Today, the members of the Yates County Democratic Committee (YCDC) announce their endorsement of David Wagenhauser in his bid for election to Congress to represent New York’s 24^th District. Learn more about David by clicking below.

There are big problems at the borders and in Congress. Unfortunately, immigration has once again become an election year tool that politicians are using for their own political agendas. In baseball, if you can’t hit a curveball, you’re benched. In Congress today, if you can’t or won’t do your job you blame someone else.

"Between Yachts and Flags, It’s Time for Supreme Court Accountability"

Maya Angelou warned us: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Just how many times do the conservative Supreme Court justices have to show us who they are before we respond accordingly?

Across the country, access to contraception, IVF, and other forms of reproductive care is under attack. Democrats are fighting to protect women’s reproductive rights.

This week Republicans voted against the Right to Contraception Act, legislation that would have protected access to birth control pills and other contraceptives and protect freedom of choice for every woman in the country by codifying the right to obtain and use contraception.

Yesterday, Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 felony charges. The Republican Party is nominating a convicted criminal as its presidential candidate, and New York House Republicans are doubling down on their support. While New York Republicans claim to be for law and order, they were quick to come to the defense of their boss, convicted felon Donald Trump.

Former President Donald Trump was convicted of all charges in the NY election interference trial.

After considering evidence and deliberating for many hours, a New York jury made up of everyday citizens doing their civic duty found Trump guilty of all 34 felony counts in the election interference case — marking the first time a former U.S. president has ever been criminally convicted and further marking a victory for the American rule of law.

Sentencing will take place on July 11 at 10 a.m. EDT.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York State becoming the first state in the nation to offer the first phase of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program funding to consumers. The initial $39.6 million formula grant will expand the reach of New York’s EmPower+ program by allowing more low-income families to improve their homes with energy efficiency and electrification upgrades

Shooting Incidents With Injury Decreased 37% Through the First Four Months of 2024 Compared to Five-Year Average

Gun Violence Declined Two Years in a Row, Reaching Historic Lows

New York State Police Continue To Seize Illegal Firearms at Record Pace

As President Biden stated so forcefully in his recent State of the Union speech, “this is no ordinary time. Not since President Lincoln and the Civil War,” he said, “have freedom and democracy been under assault at home as they are today,” The Rural Freedom Network is a grassroots media organization supporting  Democratic candidates to ensure our Democracy is safe and secure. View their new ad on YouTube and learn more about them by clicking on the link below

Funding from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda Will Accelerate Progress Toward the President’s Commitment to Replace Every Lead Pipe in the Country Within a Decade and Deliver Clean Drinking Water to Communities Across the Country.