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 Andrew Introduces Bill To Save Veterans Halls In advance of Veterans Day, Andrew announced the introduction of H.R. 6337, The Saving Vet Halls Act of 2023, bipartisan legislation that would create a grant program to address the needs of local Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), such as the American Legion, AMVETS, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), as they fight to keep their facilities open. Andrew said in a statement, "Veteran Service Organizations provide critical resources to our veterans and their facilities serve as places for our communities to come together... Unfortunately, many veterans’ halls have struggled to survive over the past few years due to declining membership numbers, outdated technology, and facilities in disrepair from years of neglect, leading to the closure of several thousand veteran’s halls across the country over the past decade. The Saving Vet Halls Act of 2023 would provide a crucial lifeline to ensure VSOs can continue serving our community." Learn more about this legislation here. WHAT'S NEW IN NY-02 Andrew Recognizes Veterans Day In Amityville Yesterday, Andrew joined with veterans, community members, and other elected officials to honor our veterans at the Amityville Veterans Day Remembrance Service. Veterans Day is a time to recognize the brave men and women who have services in our armed forces, and their families who support them. Andrew extends his profound thanks to all who have served our nation. Canine Companions Salute Independence This week, Long Island veterans and community members joined our canine friends Finley and Athena for the Canine Companions Annual Salute Independence. Canine Companions leads the service dog industry helping adults, children, and veterans with disabilities and providing dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings. They presented awards and honored individuals who go above and beyond to help our Nation’s heroes and their selfless sacrifice to our country. Andrew provided Congressional Certificates of Recognition in honor of their hard work. Andrew Hosts Annual Haircut For Vets Event This week, Andrew paid tribute to our Nation's heroes at his Annual Haircut for Vets event. Veterans were provided with haircuts at no cost and able to pick up a turkey and Thanksgiving items. Paws of War, EOC-Suffolk and Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency was onsite to provide resources to the community. A special thank you to Capozzi & Company Salon, Cafe Joelle, and Sayville Fire Department for making the day a success. It’s always an honor to serve those who bravely served us. KEEPING UP WITH CONGRESS Andrew Demands Answers from DOT on Sheltering Illegal Immigrants at U.S. Airports in New York and New Jersey This week, Andrew joined Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Garret Graves (R-LA), and 66 additional House Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg opposing the Biden Administration’s allowance and encouragement of the use of airports throughout the nation as temporary shelters for illegal immigrants. The Members of Congress cited reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed housing 60,000 migrants at four public airports and other facilities in New York and New Jersey. “We adamantly oppose these ill-conceived plans that blatantly ignore the true crisis at hand and would inappropriately utilize America’s infrastructure. Our Nation’s airport infrastructure was built to facilitate commerce and transportation, not to serve as housing for unvetted and undocumented migrants. We request that you enforce public airport grant assurances and reject such plans,” the Members wrote. Read more here. Andrew Calls on Leadership To Take Action On Permitting Reform To Bolster Domestic Energy Supply This week, Andrew led a bipartisan letter to Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jefferies urging them to advance policies on permitting reform to bolster domestic energy supply. The Members wrote in part, "...we believe that continued action on permitting reform, including addressing the constraints to expanding energy transmission, is necessary to support the United States’ energy needs, while also decreasing costs, reducing emissions, and protecting our environment for generations to come. Furthermore, by expediting domestic energy projects, our nation can more quickly reap the benefits of good paying jobs, cleaner air and water, and greater investment in state and local economies. In addition, necessary permitting reform measures will help to restore U.S. energy independence, which is a national security imperative." Read more here. 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]