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Sen. Gillibrand Speaks Out on Secret Service Director

Kirsten Gillibrand and Nancy Gibbs speak at the TIME and Real Simple's Women & Success event at the Park Hyatt on Oct. 1, 2014 in New York City.
Larry Busacca—Getty Images for Time Inc. Kirsten Gillibrand and Nancy Gibbs speak at the TIME and Real Simple's Women & Success event at the Park Hyatt on Oct. 1, 2014 in New York City.

'If someone resigns, it's always the woman'

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said she wasn’t surprised by the resignation of Julia Pierson, the first woman to head the Secret Service, who stepped down Wednesday after the public learned of a number of potential threats that slipped past the President’s security detail.

“Obviously there was a massive failure that needed to be taken responsibility for,” Gillibrand said Wednesday during an interview with TIME managing editor Nancy Gibbs at the Women and Success event hosted by TIME and Real Simple. “But I do find that women are often eager to take responsibility for things… inevitably, if someone resigns, it’s always the woman.”

The junior Senator from New York has been speaking candidly about issues women face in the workplace and beyond since the release of her book, Off the Sidelines.

“I think for a lot of us, we feel deeply responsible for how our teams are run, how our businesses are run,” Gillibrand said.

Additional reporting by Eliana Dockterman and Charlotte Alter.

PHOTOS: Go Behind the Scenes with Joe Clancy, the New Director of the Secret Service

Barack Obama, Reggie Love President Barack Obama departs Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.Photo by Brooks Kraft/Corbis President Barack Obama greets supporters at the airport Fort Meyers, Florida.Photo by Brooks Kraft/Corbis Obama Inauguration Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, Malia Obama, Joseph Clancy U.S. President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron Marine One arrive in Toronto President Barack Obama speaks at the Arizona State University commencement ceremony at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, ArizPhoto by Brooks Kraft/Corbis President Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., are accompanied by Col. Howard Belote as they look at solar panels at Nellis Air Force Base in NevadaPhoto by Brooks Kraft/Corbis Barack Obama US President Barack Obama (C) shakes han Obama Holds Discussion On Economy At Private Home In Ohio Barack Obama, Bill Clinton President Barack Obama holds hands with daughter, Sasha, as they walk away from Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House after arriving home from their vacation in Hawaii, January 4, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House. President Barack Obama waves as he arrives at the White House in Washington D.C. on Oct. 15, 2010. President Barack Obama meets with NCTC Director Michael Leiter, center right, leadership and analysts in the Secure Video Teleconference Room at the National Counterterrorism Center in McLean, Va, Oct. 6, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House. National Security Advisor General James Jones, left, and USSS Special Agent in Charge Joe Clancy coordinate arrival details by telephone for President Barack Obama's visit to Baghdad on April 7, 2009. Joined also by White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod; Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; Jim Messina, Deputy Chief of Staff; White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, and National Security Counsel Chief of Staff Mark Lippert, background-right. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza President Barack Obama talks to the media aboard Air Force One upon arrival in Springfield, ILPhoto by Brooks Kraft/Corbis Barack Obama President Barack Obama boards Air Force One at Buckley Air Force Base in Denver, Colo., en route to Las Vegas, Nev., Feb. 18, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
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