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When it comes to helping those with 9/11-related illnesses, pleas for adequate funding must be written again and again. That's because federal officials are still filling the World Trade Center Health Program's budget holes piecemeal. Month after month, year after year, 9/11 first responders and other survivors and the advocates who support them struggle to make sure the health program is on solid financial footing. The program covers those who breathed the toxic dust in the days and weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and are now suffering from or at risk of cancers and other illnesses. In the latest chapter, both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives agreed to include $676 million for the World Trade Center Health Program in this year's National Defense Authorization Act...the inclusion of the health program in the annual defense authorization highlighted the efforts of Long Island's three congressional representatives — Anthony D'Esposito, Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota. Garbarino, like his predecessor former Rep. Peter King, took the lead on the issue, along with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. The three local representatives wisely made 9/11 health care funding a pivotal issue in their votes during the race for House speaker — and secured pledges of support from their ultimate choice, Mike Johnson. Johnson, whose father was a firefighter critically burned in the line of duty, kept his promise. At a time when promises in Congress often mean little, it's refreshing to see leadership on such a critical issue emerge — and hold. Long Island's delegation deserves credit for prioritizing 9/11 health funding, as does Johnson for shepherding it through a rocky negotiation.

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This week, Andrew had the pleasure of attending the swearing-in ceremonies for several local elected officials, including our new Suffolk County Executive Ed Romain and returning Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter. Angie has been an invaluable partner in helping revitalize the Town of Islip and Andrew looks forward to working with Executive Romaine in his new role as he works to uphold Suffolk County values and keep our communities safe.

A constituent from Sayville reached out to Andrew’s office to request help obtaining the military records of his late great uncle so the family could learn about his service and save them for future generations. They had been told the records had been destroyed in a 1973 records fire, but Andrew's casework team contacted the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, the military, and the Department of Veteran's Affairs and was able to track down the veteran's DD214 military records for this Sayville family.

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. 6789, the Rectifying Undefined Descriptions of Abusive Acts and Practices Act (Rectifying UDAAP Act). The bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to clarify standards for unfair, deceptive, acts and practices (UDAAP) enforcement actions brought by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB). More specifically, it requires the CFPB to go through notice and comment rulemaking to define “abusive” and covers the main principles released under former Director Kathy Kraninger. Andrew will always push back on federal overreach to protect his constituents.