Weekly Newsletter from the Office of Congressman Andrew Garbarino If you were forwarded this email, click here to subscribe An update from the office of Congressman Andrew Garbarino SPOTLIGHT Andrew Works To Improve VCF For 9/11 Victims and Families This week, Andrew sat down with the VCF Special Master. The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) provides compensation to 9/11 victims and who have since been diagnosed with a 9/11-related illness and the families of deceased 9/11 victims. Following the VCF’s inception, the fund was plagued by long wait times and limited technology and resources, prompting former Attorney General Loretta Lynch to name a Special Master of the VCF. Andrew and the current Special Master discussed modernizing the VCF claims system to lower wait times for participants. ANDREW IN THE NEWS House cyber panel chair Garbarino pledges to examine regulatory overload as part of cyber workforce efforts " House Homeland Security cyber subcommittee Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) called Thursday’s hearing on cyber workforce shortages a “starting point” for discussing potential solutions, but stressed that regulatory streamlining must also be considered to reduce the burden on overextended cybersecurity professionals both in government and the private sector. 'As we anticipate the Office of the National Cyber Director’s National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, I hope to tease out specific areas where Congress can complement and build upon existing lines of effort across the federal government,' he explained in his opening statement. But after the hearing, titled 'Growing the National Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline,' Garbarino issued a statement saying, 'Based on what we heard from our witnesses today, a major lesson learned is that duplicative and unnecessary regulations exacerbate the workforce problem. The Federal government must streamline and harmonize regulation to ensure governmental burden is not stretching an already thin workforce to its limits.' He also touched on issues within the private sector, saying, 'The government should help employers visualize the playing field to ensure high barriers to entry do not dissuade differently qualified individuals from joining the cyber workforce.' Garbarino said, 'It remains my top priority as Chairman of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee to remove the red tape that is stifling our cyber workforce pipeline in order to protect the Federal and critical infrastructure networks that enable American prosperity.' " Read the full article here. WHAT'S NEW IN NY-02 Andrew Recognizes Eagle Scouts Eagle Scout is the highest rank a Boy Scout can achieve. Andrew recently issued certificates of recognition to newly minted Eagle Scouts during Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremonies in Lindenhurst and Babylon. Since the rank of Eagle Scout was established, only 4% of Scouts have successfully earned this rank. CASEWORK HIGHLIGHT: Securing Burial Honors For Local Veteran A veteran who resided in Massapequa unfortunately passed away. The veteran's family was unable to locate his service records so they contacted our office on a Monday afternoon and by that Tuesday morning, Andrew's casework team was able to obtain the records so that the Veteran would be able to receive the military honors he deserved at his funeral. Andrew knows how frustrating dealing with bureaucracy can be. That is why he has an entire team dedicated to helping constituents get what they need for the federal government. If you need help dealing with a federal agency, contact our office and our team will get to work on your case. KEEPING UP WITH CONGRESS Andrew Introduces Bill To Address Unaccompanied Minor Crisis This week, the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, led by Andrew as Chairman of the Subcommittee, held a hearing to examine ways to grow the national cybersecurity talent pipeline. In his opening line of questioning, Andrew highlighted how Congress must serve as a facilitator of key dialogue between the government and private industry to ensure any communication gaps are filled. Watch the hearing here. In addition to the hearing, Andrew helped introduce the Jobs of the Future Act of 2023. The bill builds off his cyber workforce efforts by requesting a joint study from the Department of Labor and NSF on the effects of AI on the US workforce, as well as recommendations on how to retrain the workforce to work alongside the technology and prevent potential job displacement. Building up our cyber workforce to protect Americans from cyber crime is one of Andrew's top priorities as Chairman of the Subcommittee. Andrew Votes To Expand Health Care Choices for Workers and Small Businesses This week, Andrew voted to pass H.R. 3799, the CHOICE Arrangement Act. This legislation will enhance the flexibility and affordability of healthcare options for small businesses. The package aims to reduce administrative burdens and empower small employers to provide the type of healthcare coverage that works best for their employees. Andrew Stands Up For Middle Class Home Buyers In January of this year, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced changes to the pricing grid for single family loans that forces borrowers with good credit to subsidize riskier loans for less reliable borrowers with low credit. Why should we penalize borrowers who have worked hard to pay their bills and establish good credit? It is unfair to punish borrowers for maintaining good credit and reward borrowers who haven’t. That's why this week, Andrew voted to pass H.R. 3564, the Middle Class Borrower Protection Act of 2023, to cancel the FHFA’s changes to single-family mortgage pricing framework that makes reliable borrowers with good credit subsidize riskier loans, and makes sure such changes cannot be done in the future. Thanks for reading! Do you know someone who might like to receive these updates? Forward this email to your friends and families and tell them to click below to subscribe! Click Here To Subscribe Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino Congressman representing New York's 2nd Congressional District Washington, D.C. 2344 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-7896 Patchogue 31 Oak Street Suite 20 Patchogue, NY 11772 Phone: (631) 541-4225 Rep. Garbarino | 2344 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]