As the home of trailblazers like Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, Rochester has a long and proud history of standing up for voting rights. I take seriously our obligation to carry on their legacy, which is why it was a privilege this week to join Leader Jeffries, Senator Schumer, and our colleagues in introducing the Freedom to Vote Act. 

This legislation takes important steps to fight back against disenfranchisement, combat voter discrimination, and strengthen access to the ballot box—which is the very bedrock of our democracy. As Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, I’m grateful for the chance to play a key role in leading this legislation. Together, we’re working to bring America closer to its foundational promise and protect the right to vote for every American.   

Small businesses are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods, providing individuals and their families with stable, good-paying jobs. Sadly, we’ve all seen a favorite restaurant or shop forced to close its doors due to damage caused by devastating flooding. Over the last two decades, New York State experienced five of its ten wettest years on record, and just this month, we’ve seen significant rainfall and evacuations in Canandaigua and across Ontario County. 

This week, I introduced legislation to combat the impacts of extreme weather and help small businesses better protect themselves from future flooding events. My legislation, the PREPARE Act, would create a pre-disaster mitigation loan program to equip small businesses with the necessary tools and resources to minimize damages and prevent additional economic hardship. This bill will help strengthen our coastal communities and ensure their resiliency from natural disasters, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to pass it into law. 

Read my full press release on the PREPARE Act here. 

It was great to be with my friend County Executive Adam Bello this morning to announce a new $2.7 million federal investment for St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center. For the last 30 years, the team at St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center and Sisters of St. Joseph have provided holistic, person-centered care to the most vulnerable in our community, and I’m grateful for their dedicated work. 

This funding I helped secure through the American Rescue Plan will allow them to make much-needed infrastructure upgrades, helping them to continue serving our community for years to come. To learn more about St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center and the important work they do, click here. 

Rochester’s Pride celebration is always one of the most fun-filled events of the summer, and this year was no exception. It was wonderful to see so many members of our community come together this weekend to support our vibrant LGBTQ+ community.  

While we’ve made great strides in the fight for equality, there is so much more to be done. This is a critical moment to stand together and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to securing the full equality, dignity, and respect all Americans deserve. As your representative and a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community, you can count on me to continue that fight. 

175 years ago this week, trailblazers like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Susan B. Anthony met in Seneca Falls, New York to demand the fundamental rights they deserved. Their “Declaration of Sentiments” made clear once and for all that “all men and women are created equal.” 

Today, it's up to us to honor their legacy by carrying on that fight. 

Click here to watch my full video remarks 

Is your passport expiring in the next 12-18 months? Processing times are longer than usual, so don't wait--reach out to the state department NOW to begin the renewal process. Visit their website here for more information. 

Please know my office is always here to help. Visit morelle.house.gov to learn more about how we can assist you and your family. 

Warmest personal regards, 

Joe Morelle 

New York’s 25th Congressional District