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 Wishes NY-02 a Happy Thanksgiving! Andrew and all of Team Garbarino wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving as we head into the holiday this week. Thanksgiving is a time to come together, reflect on our blessings, and give thanks for our loved ones and our community. Andrew is particularly thankful to be able to represent New York's 2nd Congressional District and promises to fight for you every day in the halls of Congress. ANDREW IN THE NEWS Congressmen warn US menthol cigarette ban could benefit Hezbollah, Hamas " 'Despite the extent of cigarette smuggling and the use of illicit profits to fuel criminal enterprises, it does not appear any U.S. government agency has considered the threat of this FDA proposal on American security, let alone developed a mitigation plan,' Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) wrote to U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday. 'It would be concerning to move forward with this rule without considering the potential for foreign terrorist and criminal organizations, such as Hezbollah or Hamas, to generate revenue and fuel their operations in the wake of a ban on menthol cigarettes,' the two congressmen added. Hezbollah is known for its profitable tobacco smuggling operations in South America. The congressmen referred to the threat that a looming ban could aid terrorists as 'potential unintended national security consequences.' " Read the full article here. WHAT'S NEW IN NY-02 Recognizing a Story of Survival and Remembering the Holocaust At a recent event, Chabad of Islip, Members of the community came together to commemorate 85 years since Kristallnacht Holocaust survivor and Islip resident Edith Gross survived concentration camps, death camps, and the death march. She described her experiences and the horrors of Rottington Auschwitz-Birkenau, Stutthog, and more. It was truly an incredible story of survival against all odds. Team Garbarino attended in a show of support. Andrew will always fight to ensure hate and antisemitism have no place on Long Island. CASEWORK HIGHLIGHT: Securing Tax Refund A constituent contacted Andrew's office after being denied their tax refund. He had mailed in his amended tax return for 2018 well before the filing deadline. However, the IRS claimed they never received it despite the constituent having proof of the fact. Andrew's office was able to intervene and submit the proof that the constituent did in fact submit his return in a timely matter and the decision to hold his return was reversed. The constituent is now receiving his tax return. 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 Congress Funds Government Through The New Year This week, Congress passed legislation to fund the government. The Continuing Resolution (CR) would extend funding into the new year, break the cycle of annual omnibuses, and allow Congress to work on responsible spending legislation. In a statement, he said, "This Continuing Resolution would responsibly avoid a government shutdown while simultaneously breaking the annual cycle of bloated Christmas-time wish list omnibuses that have driven our deficit through the roof and damaged our economy. The CR will allow us to continue the appropriations process. I remain committed to curbing government spending, securing our border, and standing by our allies." Homeland Security Committee Holds Hearing On Worldwide Threats Against The United States This week, Andrew and other members of the House Homeland Security Committee questioned DHS Secretary Mayorkas, FBI Director Wray, and Counterterrorism Center Director Abizaid during a hearing entitled, “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland.” Watch Andrew's full line of questioning for the witnesses here. Andrew Introduces Bill To Roll Back SEC Overreach This week, Andrew introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) cyber disclosure rule. "This cybersecurity disclosure rule is a complete overreach on the part of the SEC and one that is in direct conflict with congressional intent...the SEC took it upon itself to create duplicative requirements that not only further burden an understaffed cybersecurity workforce with additional and unnecessary reporting requirements, but also increase cybersecurity risk without a congressional mandate and in direct contradiction to public law that is intended to secure the homeland. This CRA resolution will reinforce the congressional intent of CIRCIA and ensure that the SEC rule no longer poses a danger to our homeland," Andrew said in a statement. Learn more here. Andrew Cosponsors Bill To Root Out Federal Employees With Ties To Foreign Terrorist Organization This week, Andrew cosponsored H.R. 6250, the Prevent Hamas Supporters in the U.S. Government Act, which directs the inspector generals of the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Central Intelligence Agency to submit to Congress a report containing a list of any employee of such covered agency who has financial, organizational, or communication ties to the Hamas and a detailed description of such ties. This report includes every employee of DoD, DHS, FBI, and CIA, as well as members of the armed forces. Hamas is a U.S. designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Anyone with ties to terrorist groups has no place in government. 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]