My friend,

Here's a quick update on what I've been working on during a busy few weeks in Washington, DC, Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn...

The anniversary of Superstorm Sandy serves as a stark reminder of the devastation our community endured eleven years ago. It also gives us an opportunity to reflect on the progress made as new sewers, berms, oyster beds, Bluebelts and other resiliency projects ensure Staten Island is protected in the event of another superstorm. The biggest of them all, the East Shore Seawall, got caught in a decade of bureaucratic red tape and endless redesigns, setting back its construction several years.

I’m happy to report that significant progress has been made and we’re getting the project back on track. Click the button below to read my op-ed about our efforts to deliver critical infrastructure funding for New York City and make Staten Island stronger and more resilient than ever.

I joined members of New York's Congressional Delegation, TWU International President John Samuelsen and Aviation Maintenance Technicians to push the Senate to pass bipartisan legislation that would establish global airline maintenance standards and protect American jobs from being shipped overseas to countries like China. Our legislation will increase aviation safety and give passengers and flight crews peace of mind knowing the best practices and safety standards are being met.

My office has heard complaints from members of the Travis Civic Organization on Staten Island about unregistered and uninsured vehicles driven by individuals residing at New York City migrant shelters that have caused property damage. We need Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban to STOP this illegal activity before someone is killed!

For almost 50 years, the Bay Ridge Center (BRC) has provided Brooklyn seniors with a place to exercise their minds and bodies, grow their independence, and increase their community involvement. I joined local officials and community leaders in officially opening their new center which will allow so many more seniors to enjoy the programs BRC has to offer. I was proud to have helped secure federal funding for the BRC to improve its drop-off area and entrance, add new ADA-compliant bathrooms and a food-prep kitchen, and upgraded electrical HVAC systems fire protection measures. It's my hope that these critical upgrades will give our seniors a comfortable place to gather and thrive for years to come!

My legislation to prevent migrant housing on federal lands passed out of the House Committee on Natural Resources with bipartisan support. Turning our federal parks into encampments for unvetted migrants is unfair to surrounding communities and the taxpayers being forced to foot the bill. I appreciate the Committee coming to New York City to see how President Biden and Mayor Adams are misusing our federal land and thank them for quickly taking up my legislation, putting us one step closer to ending this madness once and for all.

I joined Rep. Grace Meng and a bipartisan group of 144 colleagues in writing to Secretary Blinken calling for the State Department to use every tool at its disposal to get Americans out of Israel, including military and chartered flights. Because of our efforts, we were able to help secure evacuation flights from Israel to Cyrpus and Greece, and worked with Rep. Cory Mills who heroically flew to Israel in the absence of the Biden Administration and worked on the ground to get Americans out.

Washington DC Office

351 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

(202) 225-3371

Staten Island Office

1698 Victory Blvd

Suite 2L

Staten Island, NY 10314

(718) 568-2870