From our families to yours, Andrew and all of Team Garbarino wish you a very Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday spent with loved ones.

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Since the horrific Hamas massacre of Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, antisemitism has skyrocketed in the United States and around the world. Calls for genocide against the Jewish people have been made repeatedly at riots and rallies across the country. College campuses have become hotbeds for hate and anti-Jewish sentiment. Too many seem inclined to turn a blind eye and defend the perpetrators with claims of free speech. Let me be clear: Antisemitism is not free speech, calls for genocide are not free speech, and anyone who defends these demands for violence is complicit. When discussing free speech and its narrow limitations in the United States, the phrase that comes to mind is shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater. It was an analogy made by Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. when discussing limits on free speech, and is widely understood to mean that not all rhetoric is considered free speech if it comes at the cost of another person’s life or safety. The recent rise of antisemitism is proof that the words of pro-Hamas activists are a threat to the lives and safety of those in our Jewish community...The battle against the poison of antisemitism stands apart from politics, and we must keep it that way. I will always stand by my Jewish friends and neighbors, and I urge every level of government — local, state and federal — to do the same. We will not become numb to the words or the actions antisemitism inspires. We will not see history repeat itself without interference. And we will not let supporters of terrorism and genocide bastardize constitutionally protected speech for their vile agenda. 

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Read the full op-ed here.

This week, Andrew had the pleasure of speaking with North Babylon High School students about his work in Congress and answering their questions about issues facing our community on everything from cybersecurity to job opportunities to SALT. Andrew enjoyed hearing the students' insightful questions and seeing their interest in getting involved.

This week, Andrew visited the facilities of Smart USA, a manufacturer of aluminum and plastic food grade packaging in Bay Shore. Their warehouse and manufacturing plant is a state-of-the-art facility using the most modern equipment. Andrew toured the facilities and listened to the concerns facing Long Island's manufacturing community and other Made in The U.S.A. companies, especially at the hands of nefarious trade practices from China. Andrew will always fight to empower Long Island businesses to thrive and keep manufacturing here at home.

A constituent reached out to Andrew’s office after waiting months to receive the Social Security Disability benefit he had been approved for. When in contact with the Social Security Administration (SSA), he received various excuses for the delay but not the answers or benefits he needed. Andrew's casework team contacted the SSA on his behalf and worked to correct the error that led to the delay. The constituent was then able to receive the disability benefits he was owed.

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. 

This week, Andrew cosponsored H.R. 4293, the American Farmers Feed the World Act. The Food for Peace (FFP) program works to alleviate global hunger and food insecurity, This legislation eliminates the use of food procured outside of the United States, food vouchers, or cash transfers as food assistance under the program. Ultimately, this legislation prioritizes Americans by increasing transparency at the FFP program and requiring a greater percentage of domestic commodities to be utilized in the provision of foreign aid.

Following a recurring trend by President Biden and his administration of undermining Israel and the Israeli Defense Forces’ stated objective to eliminate Hamas, questioning American support for the Israelis and failing to respond appropriately to Iranian-proxies across the region, Andrew joined his colleagues in sending a letter to the president urging him and his administration not to fall victim to Hamas's information war or use American political cycles to pressure the Israelis to alter their threat-based military objectives and end their campaign with Hamas still intact. Andrew will always stand against terror and with our allies.