Weekly Newsletter from the Office of Congressman Andrew Garbarino NOTICE: The New York Passport Agency is experiencing severe delays. Be sure to renew your passports before booking travel. 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. If you were forwarded this email, click here to subscribe An update from the office of Congressman Andrew Garbarino ANDREW IN THE NEWS Andrew Joins New York First Responder Summit In D.C. This week, Andrew had the privilege of joining with firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and sheriffs from across New York State for a First Responders Summit on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. They discussed challenges facing New York first responders and top priorities like safeguarding the World Trade Center Health Program, an effort Andrew is proud to lead in the House. He is committed to ensuring that continued access to health care for our 9/11 heroes is preserved. Thank you to all of our brave first responders for all you do to keep our communities safe. ANDREW IN THE NEWS Senate approves $676 million for World Trade Center health fund " The Senate overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act Thursday to stave off the World Trade Center Health Program’s funding shortfall and expand its services to Pentagon and Shanksville responders. In a 94-4 vote, the Senate passed the amendment containing another incremental injection of $676 million in federal funding into the health care program for the ailing 120,000 responders and survivors of the 9/11 attack, its aftermath and the cleanup work...Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), the bill’s House sponsor, said in a statement: 'While procedural rules prevented us from including funds for the program in the House NDAA, my team worked closely with that of Senator Gillibrand every step of the way to secure this funding for the program in the Senate NDAA.' Garbarino said he, Gillibrand, Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) and the New York delegation 'will fight like hell to get this funding through conference committee and ultimately signed into law.' " Read the full article here. WHAT'S NEW IN NY-02 Andrew Meets With Local School District Andrew met with the Superintendent of Schools at Central Islip School District, her administrative team, and Board Of Education to discuss cybersecurity programs available to graduating seniors, manufacturing internships within NY-02, and other issues impacting the district. CASEWORK HIGHLIGHT: Securing Local Business Overdue Tax Refund A local business had filed for an Employee Retention Credit in 2021, but had not received a response from the IRS more than a year after the initial filing. The Employee Retention Tax Credit is for businesses and tax-exempt organizations that had employees and were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrew's casework team made contact with the IRS and worked closely with the IRS Tax Advocate to clear up any paperwork discrepancies and secure their refund. 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 from 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 Financial Services Committee Advances Several Pieces Of Legislation This week, Andrew participated in two Financial Services Committee mark-ups, passing several bills out of committee that would provide clarity to the digital assets industry, combat the ESG movement, and combat illicit financing. As a Member of the Financial Services Committee, Andrew is committed to strengthening our markets and making sure our economy is working for the people of New York's Second District. Andrew Cosponsors Bill To Gain Justice For Victims Of Terrorism Andrew cosponsored the Ensuring Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, which would make technical corrections to the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) to close loopholes that have been exploited by foreign state defendants, particularly in cases related to the September 11 attacks. Those changes include clarifying that plaintiffs can sue foreign states for aiding and abetting terrorism, specifying that judgments obtained under JASTA can use existing legal mechanisms to execute said judgments which fixes an oversight that has left plaintiffs unable to secure court-awarded payments, and making certain that all U.S. citizens, including businesses, can sue under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). Andrew Meets With Italian Prime Minister This week, Andrew was honored to meet with Her Excellency Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic. Andrew is a proud Italian American and looks forward to working together with Prime Minister Meloni to strengthen the partnership between our new nations and advance shared priorities such as trade and mutual security. 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]