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Transparency in Congress and a well-informed electorate are vital to preserving our self-governing Constitutional Republic. My constituents deserve to know how their members of Congress vote, which is why I have explained every vote I have cast in Congress since I was first elected.
To read more about my votes and see the full list with explanations of all the legislation considered this week by the House, please click here.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 6976, the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act, which would make driving under the influence a deportable crime for illegal immigrants. Each year, over 10,000 Americans, including roughly 1,000 children, die from drunk and impaired drivers. H.R. 6976 would ensure that illegal immigrants who carelessly risk the lives of Americans are deported and no longer pose an active threat to our fellow citizens. We must continue to combat the scourge of impaired driving, and this bill is a thoughtful first step. H.R. 6976 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 274-150.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, legislation to extend many critical provisions from President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I played a key role in shaping H.R. 7024, which is fully offset by curtailing a pandemic-era program and provides economic growth and much-needed tax relief for New Yorkers. This bipartisan legislation was developed with the feedback of Main Street Americans, provided through the House Ways and Means Committee’s numerous field hearings held across the country. It contains many provisions to support small businesses and boost our competitiveness with adversaries around the world, such as China. In particular, this bill will boost domestic research and development and encourage investments in American business and manufacturing. In addition, it would increase access to affordable housing and maintain a child tax credit structure that rewards work, while rejecting extreme policies advocated by far-left groups. From hardworking families, to manufacturers, to multigenerational family farms, H.R. 7024 will have wide-ranging benefits for so many New Yorkers who are suffering under soaring costs, rising taxes, and regulatory expansion. As a longtime small business owner, I understand firsthand the pressures that Americans are facing, which is why I was honored to support this bill as it passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 357-70.
I voted "Yes" on H.R. 2754, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2395 East Del Mar Boulevard in Laredo, Texas, as the "Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza, Lance Corporal Juan Rodrigo Rodriguez & Sergeant Roberto Arizola Jr. Post Office Building". Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza served in the United States Marine Corps until he and 13 other service members were killed by a suicide bomber in Kabul, Afghanistan during the withdrawal effort. Lance Corporal Juan Rodrigo Rodriguez joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves in 2000, serving until 2005 when was killed during a combat operation in Anbar Province, Iraq. Sergeant Roberto Arizola Jr. enlisted in the United States Army in 1996, eventually working as a U.S. Border Patrol agent in his hometown of Laredo, Texas. In May 2004, he was deployed to Iraq, where he would remain until 2005 when he was killed a day before his previously scheduled return home. These three men dedicated their lives to serving and protecting America, making the ultimate sacrifice in the process. This bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 420-0, with 2 voting present.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 6678, the Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act, which would make committing social security fraud or fraud related to COVID loans and grants a deportable crime. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, one of my top priorities is ensuring Social Security is protected for our seniors and available for generations to come. Social Security fraud weakens our nation’s Social Security system, costing billions of dollars per year. Illegal immigrants who commit Social Security fraud should be immediately deported. This bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 272-155.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 6679, the No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act, which would expedite the removal of members of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and anyone involved in the horrific October 7 massacre. In addition, it would ensure these individuals are ineligible for asylum claims. While hundreds of individuals on U.S. terrorist watch lists pour across our border, the Biden administration refuses to enforce U.S. immigration law. We must ensure that individuals that are associated with these horrific terrorist groups are not allowed in the United States. This bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 422-2, with 1 voting present.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 5585, the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act. H.R. 5585 would make intentionally evading U.S. Border Patrol agents, or law enforcement agents assisting U.S. Border Patrol, a deportable crime. Under this bill, aliens that are convicted of, or admit to, this offense would be ineligible for asylum and would be immediately removed from the United States. Further, this bill adds enhanced penalties if evasion from law enforcement results in serious bodily injury or death. Due to President Biden and his administration refusing to enforce our nation’s laws, Congress must work to give law enforcement the tools they need to effectively do their jobs. I wholeheartedly support this commonsense legislation and will work with House Republicans to bring an end to our crisis at the border. H.R. 5585 passed the House by a vote of 271-154.
I voted "Yes" on H.R. 5528, the Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act of 2023. H.R. 5528 requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to report to Congress on whether the “lowest price technically acceptable” procurement method creates strategic and technical vulnerabilities in our national defense. Under existing law, federal agencies are required to purchase the lowest price technically acceptable item, but in many cases, these items may be critical for national security and the lowest price technically acceptable solution may be from China or another hostile nation. H.R. 5528 would help evaluate whether this procurement method properly ensures America's national security, protecting our nation from threats and hostile foreign actors. This bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 397-0.
I voted “Yes” on S. 3427, the Overtime Pay for Protective Services Act of 2023. S. 3427 would extend authorization for overtime pay from 2023 to 2028 for the United States Secret Service (USSS). Additionally, this bill would require the USSS Director to provide an in-depth proposal on how to minimize overtime usage to save taxpayer dollars. S. 3427 promotes fiscal responsibility while ensuring America's leaders remain secure from threats. This bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 379-20.
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