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 ANDREW IN THE NEWS It may not be safe to mail checks anymore. U.S. Postal Service shares tips to fight rise in crime. " Between Oct. 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2022 (the USPS 2022 fiscal year), 412 letter carriers were robbed while on duty. That has increased to 305 incidents from Oct. 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 (the first half of the current fiscal year), the USPS said in May. Mail thefts of high volume, including from blue collection boxes, rose from 38,500 in fiscal year 2022 to more than 25,000 in the first half of FY23, the USPS said...some in Congress don't think the agencies are being aggressive enough about mail theft and protecting mail carriers. 'I am concerned about the thousands of dollars that a single family could lose if a check is stolen. And I am concerned about the safety of our hardworking postal carriers targeted by senseless crime,' Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Maryland, told Postmaster General Louis DeJoy during a May 2023 subcommittee hearing on the Postal Service. A bipartisan legislation called the Postal Police Reform Act, introduced in the U.S. House in May, would give Postal police officers more authority to protect the mail system. 'We must do more to combat rising mail crime, and that starts by getting our Postal Police back on the street where they can more effectively do their jobs,' said Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino, R-N.Y. 'The longer this senseless directive stays in place, the longer mail theft and violence against mail carriers continues to escalate.' " Read the full article here. WHAT'S NEW IN NY-02 Andrew Celebrates American Independence Every year, on the Fourth of July, we commemorate the day 13 colonies declared themselves to be an independent and free nation, the United States of America. Earlier this week, Andrew was glad to participate in the Village of Amityville’s Fourth of July parade to celebrate America’s Independence with local leaders, officials, and members of the community. NOTICE: Passport Agency Delays Affecting New York Travel New York residents are experiencing weeks of delays in receiving passport renewals and new passports due to a backlog at the New York City Passport Agency. Processing times are currently going beyond the stated time frame for receiving a passport. Andrew urges all NY-02 residents considering international travel to renew their passports early, before booking travel, to ensure that they receive their documentation on time. If you have already booked your travel and are concerned that your passport will not arrive on time, contact our Patchogue office at 631-541-4225 for assistance. CASEWORK HIGHLIGHT: A Case of Stolen Identity A married couple from Lindenhurst had been fighting for a year to receive their 2021 federal tax return due to a case of identity theft in which a fraudulent tax filing had been submitted in their name. They contacted Andrew's office and his casework team got to work with an IRS taxpayer advocate to resolve the issue. The couple was issued their tax return check in a matter of weeks after reaching out to Andrew's office. 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 Calls Out Absurd Policy Attacking New York Pizzerias This week, Andrew joined with his New York colleagues to call on New York City Mayor Eric Adams to change the city's proposed policy on coal- and wood-fired pizza ovens. The new emissions rule would have a negligible impact on air quality but significant impact on these small businesses which would be required to pay up to $20,000 on emissions filtration equipment in addition to other costs. "Coal-and wood-burning ovens have been integral to the traditional pizza-making process for centuries, with some brick ovens dating back as far as the Roman Empire," the letter states. "These ovens impart a unique flavor profile and texture that many patrons seek and appreciate." The rule would cost jobs and even force the closure of mom and pop pizzerias, harming the local economy. Read more. Andrew Cosponsors Bill In Support of Veteran Firefighters Andrew recently became a cosponsor of the Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act, legislation to recognize long-term risks of military firefighting, strengthen VA benefits for veteran firefighters, when it was reintroduced this Congress. The bill, which Andrew also supported when it was first introduced in January 2020, is named for a former U.S. Air Force firefighter who was twice deployed to the Middle East. Following his military service, Lecik became a civilian firefighter and then became chief fire inspector at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee. In February 2019, Lecik was diagnosed with multiple myeloma — a condition tied to the high-risk, carcinogenic workplace conditions that come with being a military firefighter. Lecik passed away in 2021. Our veterans and first responders are the very best of us and Andrew will always fight to ensure they are taken care of. 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]