Kirsten Gillibrand: US senator announces White House bid

New York Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has announced her plans for a 2020 presidential run during an appearance on late-night television, BBC reports.

She told CBS host Stephen Colbert she has launched an exploratory committee for her bid on Tuesday.

Mrs Gillibrand, a vocal supporter of the #MeToo movement, has made headlines for her sharp criticism of President Trump.

She joins a growing group of Democrats hoping to win the party's nomination.

"I'm filing an exploratory committee for president of the United States tonight!" she said in a clip of her taped interview released ahead of the programme on Tuesday night.

Asked why she is running, Mrs Gillibrand replied: "As a young mom I'm going to fight for other people's kids as hard as I fight for my own, which is why I believe health care is a right and not a privilege."