September 16, 2023

Dear Friends,

This week, I returned to Washington following our August District Work Period. After six weeks traveling across our district and hearing from community leaders, advocates, and Capital Region residents from all walks of life about their priorities for this session of Congress, I headed back to Washington, eager to get back to work for the people of our region and for families across America.

With precious few working days left to pass a federal budget and avoid a government collapse, I had hoped that my Republican colleagues would return to Washington with the same sense of urgency. But instead of working to address the issues that impact our communities every day, House Republicans are in disarray. Unable to pass appropriations bills that fund our government, keep federal workers on the job, and provide vital services to Americans, the Republican majority is instead wasting America’s time pursuing a bogus impeachment inquiry motivated purely by partisan politics and personal antagonism towards President Biden. But even amid the chaos and dysfunction on the House floor, I’m staying laser-focused on the issues that matter.

As the clock ticks down to advance a federal budget, we continue our race to combat climate change and implement action that will stave off the worst consequences of this global crisis. Unlike on the federal budget, we’ve made significant progress in that effort, thanks to the success of this administration in advancing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This transformative legislation marked the largest clean energy investment in history. Just this week, the Biden administration announced the awarding of $1 billion in IRA funding for hundreds of projects across the nation, including several in our Capital Region, that will support communities in becoming more resilient to climate change. Climate can’t wait, and investments from the IRA are already beginning to address this crisis with the urgency it demands. But our work to accelerate the clean energy transition is far from over. That’s why I’m working tirelessly to find and support innovative solutions that will protect our planet for generations to come.

This week, I joined two hearings in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to hear from key officials about our progress on combating climate change. At one hearing, I learned more about the U.S. Department of Energy’s ongoing work to secure the reliability of our power grid and lower energy costs for American families. Through rebates for new equipment, tax credits for clean energy projects, and incentives for families made possible by the IRA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re already making progress on reducing emissions and cutting consumer costs, all while launching innovative new projects that support good-paying clean energy jobs.

At another hearing, my colleagues and I received an update from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Inspector General about the first two years of EPA’s Clean School Bus program. With $5 billion allocated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Clean School Bus program is helping hundreds of school districts, including some here in our Capital Region and across Upstate New York, to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission buses. Through this program and others like it, we’re working hard towards a greener future for our communities by protecting our children’s health and improving the quality of the air they breathe.

I’m also leading the way on efforts to develop innovative new technologies to help achieve our climate goals. This week, I joined Senator Brian Schatz (HI) to introduce the Carbon Dioxide Removal Research and Development Act, a bill to implement a federal plan for the development of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. Scientists have made it clear — we need a multi-pronged, innovative approach in order to reach net-zero climate pollution. CDR technologies, which work to remove carbon dioxide from our atmosphere, represent a crucial aspect of this strategy. This bill will set our nation on a path to meet our climate goals, respond to the call of scientists, and lead the world in innovative CDR development.

Throughout my first week back in Washington following the August work period, I’ve been forging ahead with my work to tackle the issues that impact our Capital Region and communities across the nation. The problems we face are too important to be relegated to the sidelines while Republicans focus on their partisan sideshow. Democrats are ready to pass a budget, avoid government collapse, and get to work addressing the needs of the American people. I urge my Republican colleagues to stop their irresponsible partisan gamesmanship and join us in that effort.

As always, thank you for reading.

Your friend,

DID YOU KNOW?

My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:

• With severe weather emergencies continuing to dominate the headlines, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sharing resources to help you spot, avoid, and report weather-related scams.
• The FTC’s website has information about staying alert to disaster-related scams, including how to:
  • Avoid unlicensed contractors and scammers promising quick repairs
  • Spot imposters who try to convince you to send them money or personal information
  • Spot disaster-related charity scams
  • And much more!
• The FTC has also released a one-page guide with advice to help people avoid common post-disaster scams, protect personal information, and get back on track financially.
• You can also click HERE to report any frauds or scams directly to the FTC.