Congresswoman Tenney's Weekly Newsletter   Have questions? Contact Me Here   Our office hit the ground running this year, starting off the 118th Congress by introducing 54 bills, cosponsoring 324 pieces of legislation, and returning over $13,000,000 in benefits back to our community. It has been an honor to represent New York's 24th Congressional District for an entire year now. To celebrate, our office has come up with our 24 Wins for NY-24 Headed into 2024! These 24 wins, and many others, are detailed in our full 2023 Year End Report, which you can view here. I'm honored to share that this year, my office assisted thousands of New Yorkers who had issues with federal agencies. We returned more than $13.5 million in benefits or back pay to residents. Taking on the federal bureaucracy can be overwhelming, but you never have to do it alone. The closure of over 1,500 federal casework cases demonstrates our office's unwavering commitment to serving and resolving the issues facing the constituents in our district. Through diligent efforts and a focus on effective governance, I have been able to provide tangible solutions and assistance to a wide range of individuals on their federal casework issues. The grandson of a World War I Veteran from Cayuga County contacted my office about replacing his grandfather’s headstone in a local cemetery. After contacting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on his behalf, the replacement headstone was sent to the cemetery for installation: “I am extremely happy with the fast response, excellent communication, and positive outcome I received in addressing the issue of a replacement veterans grave marker for my grandfather. I was told by others that it would be near impossible to obtain a replacement marker, however, with the help of Claudia Tenney and her staff, it is becoming a reality. Many thanks!” My office was contacted by a Livingston County constituent who needed to get to Germany to visit a dying relative. The passport could not be renewed the traditional way in time for the trip, and my office was able to secure an in-person passport appointment in Buffalo: “Your service was rare in these days. Very personal, supportive, and effective. We were able to receive special help to receive an updated passport in good time - no stress, no missed flight. We are very appreciative that we have a politician who cares about people! Thank you!” To ensure every resident of NY-24 can access the services they deserve, my office has a permanent mobile office hosted in Watertown and mobile office sessions in communities across the district. Since February 2023, we have hosted 20 mobile office sessions in each county where we don’t have an office already in, bringing our services to thousands of constituents who otherwise may not have been able to make the trek. This year, my office continued to host a seminar series that brings experts from federal departments and agencies directly to stakeholders in our community. My office has hosted the USDA and FEMA sessions on topics like flood mitigation, rural water infrastructure, and the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. These seminars have been an excellent opportunity for local officials and stakeholders to receive information directly from federal agencies or offices and to ask specific questions they may have about various programs. I am honored that this year, my office announced $9,266,122.72 in federal grants and awards that were returned to New York's 24th Congressional District. This includes grants for restoring Krull Park in Niagara County, the Cayuga and Seneca Community Action Agency, and fire departments in Jefferson and Cayuga Counties. Transparency in Congress and a well-informed electorate are vital to preserving our self-governing Constitutional Republic, which is why I have explained the votes I cast in Congress since I was first elected in 2016. So far, I have explained 573 votes. Those I represent will always know where I stand, and I will continue to prioritize transparency, accessibility, and integrity in everything I do on behalf of NY-24. It is vitally important to me that community stakeholders throughout our district provide their valuable input. This year, I launched several Advisory Committees comprised of stakeholders from across the district who provide regular feedback and updates. This includes the Agriculture Advisory Committee, the Service Academy Review Committee, and the Second Amendment Advisory Committee. Since the beginning of this Congress, more than 28,000 residents of New York's 24th Congressional District have contacted my office to express their views, share their concerns, and ask important questions. I value this feedback and am honored to have responded to more than 43,000 messages this year. While we may not always agree, you have my commitment that I will always carefully consider your views as I represent you in Congress. By being actively engaged with our community and attending a remarkable 285 events, our team and I have exemplified our commitment to connecting with constituents. Through these interactions, we have fostered a strong bond with the community, gaining valuable insights and addressing your concerns directly. I am dedicated to being accessible and responsive to the needs of NY-24. Every five years, Congress passes legislation that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policies. This legislation is commonly called the “Farm Bill.” In order to ensure our agriculture communities' most important priorities are included, I hosted a series of roundtables to hear directly from farmers and producers about issues facing the agriculture industry in New York’s 24th District. Last year, I worked diligently to craft and release seven comprehensive legislative plans aimed at addressing the crucial issues impacting our constituents. These proposals reflect our commitment to finding practical solutions in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, and the economy. I am committed to working toward the goals outlined in these plans to benefit those I am privileged to represent. I am honored to have introduced 54 bills in 2023, each aiming to advance the interests and well-being of the constituents I represent. These legislative initiatives reflect my tireless dedication to addressing a diverse range of issues, from economic growth and healthcare to education and border security. I am committed to ensuring that the voices of NY-24 are heard in the legislative process. In 2023, I cosponsored 324 bills, 47 of which successfully passed the House, demonstrating our commitment to effective governance and policy driven solutions for NY-24. ​​Across the United States, there are 32.4 million family businesses, which generate 59% of American jobs and 54% of our gross domestic product. Yet despite their impact, family businesses are often overlooked and misunderstood. As a small family business owner and co-chair of the Congressional Family Business Caucus, I am committed to working with this bipartisan caucus to continue advocating for our family-owned businesses in NY-24 and across the country. ​​I introduced the New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2023. This bill would make the new markets tax credit a permanent part of the Internal Revenue Code, provide adjustments for inflation, and exempt investments from the Alternative Minimum Tax. Investors would be provided with a 39% credit against federal income taxes for certain investments made in underserved and low-income communities, such as rural areas. This bill would create jobs and revitalize rural economies, particularly those in Upstate New York. This year, the Biden administration intentionally chose to warp Congress’ intent by arbitrarily restricting federal funds for hunting and archery programs in schools. I introduced the Protecting Hunting and Archery in Schools Act to fix the language to make it crystal clear that the Biden administration cannot do this. This year, I continued fighting for our military service members as well as our regional defense installations and assets, including Fort Drum, Rome Laboratory, and the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. I voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act NDAA for Fiscal Year 2024 to provide a 5.2% pay raise in servicemember basic pay, the largest in over 20 years, and support our military families. My bill, the Fairness in Vineyard Data Act, will require the USDA to perform a nationwide grape statistics survey and increase its annual grape data location collection. This will ensure our local vineyards in New York are included in the survey and are able to use its findings to guide their growing plans. As one of the largest dairy-producing regions on the East Coast, ensuring federal producers meet the needs of our dairy farmers is a top priority. In response to pricing problems and increased consolidation in the dairy industry, I am an original cosponsor of the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act of 2023, which returns liquid milk pricing for farmers to the highest of milk prices used for butter and cheese and requires a report on the margins for dairy producers. Department of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has failed to fulfill his constitutional duty to secure our border. Thanks to his failures, there have been at least 7.8 million illegal crossings of our Southern Border since Biden took office, turning all our communities into border communities. That is why I was one of the first members to call for his resignation or impeachment. It's time he is held accountable for his dereliction of duty! This bill would create a National Heritage Area covering the Finger Lakes to recognize their unique heritage, geology, and contribution to American history. As a center for abolitionism, women’s suffrage, and countless religious movements, it is vital these stories are preserved and shared for future generations. The brave men and women of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency put their lives on the line every day to secure our borders and protect the homeland. Earlier this year, I visited CBP stations in Buffalo and Rochester to examine first-hand the challenges our CBP agents are facing at the Northern Border. I reiterated my commitment today to our law enforcement officers at the border – I will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure they have the resources to do their jobs effectively and continue to keep our nation safe. Need Help with a Federal Agency? Call us today. If you or someone you know ever needs assistance with a federal agency, we are just a phone call away and are ready to help you! Please contact my Victor Office at 585-869-2060, my Oswego Office at 315-236-7088, or my Lockport Office at 716-514-5130! I am honored to have the opportunity to represent you. Have news or updates to share? Email me!  If you have updates regarding events in the community or other news to share from across New York's 24th District, please visit the "Contact Me" page on my website to share it with me. My team will try to include as many of your updates from around #NY24 as we can each week.     tenney.house.gov Rep. 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