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 Supporting Long Island Small Businesses Andrew is proud to be a fierce advocate for Long Island Small Businesses in Congress. Small businesses are the foundation of our local economy. He and his team stay in close contact with businesses across New York's Second District so that he can remain informed about the issues they are facing and how Congress can help our small businesses grow and thrive. That's why this week, Andrew's office attended several Chambers of Commerce meetings across the district - including in North Babylon, Copiague, and East Islip - to speak to business owners and receive updates on issues impacting the community. Remaining accessible to his constituents is one of Andrew's top priorities. If you have any concerns relating to small businesses or other issues, please contact our office. ANDREW IN THE NEWS It’s time to deliver on our promise to never forget By: Rep. Andrew Garbarino " On Sept. 11, 2001, New York, the nation and the world experienced one of the darkest days in history. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives, including hundreds of first responders. Now those who survived need our help, and I am fighting to ensure they get it. With toxic ash filling the Manhattan air and countless victims buried under the rubble, Long Islanders answered the call, setting out en masse to help with rescue and cleanup efforts — acts of heroism that many are paying dearly for today. Every year, more survivors and first responders fall ill with cancers and other 9/11-related illnesses. Nearly 22 years later, Americans are still getting sick. More first responders have died since Sept. 11 than on the actual day. The men and women who ran into crumbling buildings to save others, and the survivors who lived through one of the worst experiences imaginable, are suffering from illnesses and injuries that resulted from an act of terrorism. We owe it to them to make sure they receive the medical attention — screenings and treatment — they need to fight back and have the best chance of surviving...We all collectively promised to never forget, but it seems that too many have turned a blind eye to the ongoing suffering of our 9/11 heroes, survivors and their families. But I haven’t forgotten, and I know that no Long Islander has forgotten. Together we will deliver on America’s promise by securing the funding needed to safeguard the World Trade Center Health Program in whatever way we can. " Read Andrew's full op-ed here. WHAT'S NEW IN NY-02 Andrew Joins Local Food Bank Mobile Market Andrew joined Island Harvest Food Bank this week for a Mobile Market food distribution at the Patchogue YMCA. Island Harvest Food Bank is a hunger-relief organization with a mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. In addition to food distribution, they offer nutrition education programs, workforce skills development, and other services for Long Island's most vulnerable communities. Andrew was glad to have the opportunity to attend this event, hear more about the good work that they do in NY-02, and speak to members of the community they serve. CASEWORK HIGHLIGHT: Safeguarding Social Security Coverage A disabled Patchogue resident contacted our office over concerns that he was at risk of losing his Social Security Disability due to a paperwork error. Andrew's casework team contacted the Social Security Administration (SSA) on his behalf and the the SSA agreed to file a reconsideration for medical benefits which would allow the resident to retain his benefits.  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 Andrew Opposes Housing Migrants In State Facilities On Long Island This week, Andrew joined with Rep. Nick Lalota and other New York colleagues in writing a letter to Governor Hochul and NYC Mayor Eric Adams in response to disturbing reporting indicating New York City has requested migrants be housed at nearly two dozen state-owned facilities, including several locations on Long Island. The letter says in part, "... New York City Officials, who have implemented sanctuary city laws, have exacerbated the Biden Administration’s open-border migrant crisis. Even today, New York City has consistently refused to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and share citizenship status, arrest data and addresses...While New York City Officials have chosen to embrace sanctuary city policies, suburban officials like the ones in our districts have not. As such, suburban counties like the ones we represent must not be forced to incur the financial and public safety burden caused by the policy choices of New York City Officials..." The letter goes on to state opposition to the reported housing plan and to urge Mayor Adams to rescind all current sanctuary city policies and enforce our immigration laws. Andrew Cosponsors Bill To Hold Foreign Airlines Accountable This week, Andrew cosponsored H.R. 4021, the Fair and Open Skies Act. This bill would increase the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) powers to regulate unfair business practices from foreign airlines that negatively impact American workers. The United States continues to operate one of the safest aviation systems in the world, and Andrew believes that foreign air carriers should be held to the same standards as American companies if they would like to do business here. Foreign air carriers have a proven track record of undermining wage and safety standards overseas, which should be strenuously curtailed when it comes to their operations on American soil. 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. 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