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Gillibrand Rebukes Criticism For Clinton Comments, Says Harrassment Culture Needs to Change

Gabe Altieri
/
WSKG News
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand speaking at Broome-Tioga BOCES Monday.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is pushing to change the sexual harassment culture in Washington.

In an interview last week with the New York Times, Gillibrand said President Clinton should have resigned over his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky 20 years ago.

Gillibrand’s been criticized for waiting until now to make the comments. Philippe Reines, an ex-Hillary Clinton advisor, called Gillibrand a “hypocrite” on Twitter. Reines said the Senator shouldn’t have taken campaign contributions if she felt so strongly about Clinton’s affair.

During a visit to Broome County on Monday, Gillibrand said Reines' comments were wrong, but didn’t focus much on the criticism. Instead, she wants to look at what she can do now.

“We have allegations against a sitting U.S. Senator. We have a Senate candidate who has been alleged to molest children. We have a president who’s alleged to have harassed and assaulted a dozen women, with President Trump," Gillibrand said. "I'm trying to change what’s happening right now.” 

Besides Trump, Gillibrand was referring to Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), who’s been accused of groping by two women, and Alabama Republican Senatorial Candidate Roy Moore, who’s alleged to have harassed and assaulted several women and teenage girls.

Gillibrand was in Broome County to push a bill that opens federal funding for vocational job training.