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 Urges Small Businesses To Bolster Cybersecurity Andrew was pleased to join Babylon Town Councilman Anthony Manetta and Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney for an educational cybersecurity event for small businesses and non-profits at the Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society. As Chairman of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, he knows that there is no organization too big or small to fall victim to cyber attacks. A representative from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) came out to help our small businesses learn how to protect themselves. Andrew encourages Long Island's small businesses and other organizations to take advantage of what CISA has to offer. Visit CISA.gov for more information and resources. ANDREW IN THE NEWS GOP lawmakers emphasize need for oversight in implementing White House initiatives to secure U.S. ports from China threats " Republican leaders from two key House committees say the actions announced this week by the Biden administration to secure U.S. ports are a “meaningful step,” while calling for additional oversight to address cyber maritime threats from the Chinese Communist Party. President Biden signed an executive order on Wednesday giving the Coast Guard new authorities to respond to malicious actors impacting the U.S. maritime transportation system...Homeland Security cyber subcommittee Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) said in a statement, 'Maritime port security is vital to our national security. The presence of this technology in U.S. ports significantly increases the cybersecurity risk to business operations systems and terminal industrial control systems. While I am pleased to see the Administration finally prioritizing the Cybersecurity of U.S. Ports, especially in light of heightened concerns over technology employed by Chinese-manufactured cranes, this action is long overdue.' 'Members of Congress have been raising the alarm about this threat since 2022, which is why last year, I and other Members of the Homeland Security Committee sent multiple letters to the Department of Homeland Security highlighting our concerns and urging action,' the subcommittee chair said. Garbarino said, 'The Chinese Communist Party continues to subvert U.S. economic and national security interests through the use of CCP-manufactured technology at our ports, so while this is a positive step forward, the Administration must ensure that it is more proactively mitigating these security risks and bolstering our cyber preparedness against malign Chinese actions going forward.' " Read the full article here. WHAT'S NEW IN NY-02 Andrew Discusses Critical Issues Facing New York This week, Andrew spoke to New York financial sector workers about critical issues facing the industry, New York, and our nation as a whole. They discussed cybersecurity, affordable housing, SEC overreach, challenges facing our state, and other topics of importance. Andrew is committed to fighting to ensure that New Yorkers are given the opportunity to succeed and thrive through our current challenging economic environment. Lindenhurst Community Comes Together The Lindenhurst Community Cares Coalition recently held a beautiful "Spirit of the Community" event at the Moose Lodge in Lindenhurst to bring awareness of all the resources local organizations have to offer. The event helps create a local network where residents can connect and build relationships to grow membership in the many organizations within the village and hamlet of Lindenhurst and the Town of Babylon. Andrew commends organizers for helping bring residents together with resources and organizations that can help them. CASEWORK HIGHLIGHT: Securing Last Minute Passport Appointment A week before a constituent was scheduled to travel to the Dominican Republic, he realized that his passport had expired. After calling to get an in-person appointment, he was able to schedule an appointment in Buffalo. However, an impending snowstorm would have made the trip difficult. He contacted Andrew's office for help getting an appointment closer to home and our casework team was able to secure him an appointment at the NYC Passport Agency. The constituent was granted his renewed passport in time to make his trip. 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 Andrew Honored with Leadership Award by Competitive Markets Groups The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) and Competitive Markets Action (CMA), recently announced the recipients of their 2023 Congressional Awards and honored Andrew with their Leadership Award for his work to defeat the so-called Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression (EATS) Act. In a statement Andrew said, "The EATS Act would directly harm producers who practice more humane, sustainable, and regenerative agriculture and to the safety and security of our food supply. House Agriculture Committee leadership should deliver a bipartisan Farm Bill that helps keep family farmers in business instead of shutting them down." Marty Irby, CEO at CMA said, "We are grateful to Rep. Garbarino for his leadership and tremendous work fighting against the China-backed EATS Act that would federalize American agriculture under Smithfield’s factory farming standards and allow the Chinese to gain more control over our food production systems.” Read more here. Andrew Cosponsors Bill To Protect Americans' Financial Privacy This week, Andrew became a cosponsor of H.R. 5403, the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, which amends Section 13 of the Federal Reserve Act to prohibit the Federal Reserve Banks from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC), or any substantially similar digital asset, directly or indirectly, to individuals. This legislation would halt the efforts of unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. from issuing CBDC that dismantles Americans’ right to financial privacy. Andrew Stands Up For Our Veterans This week, Andrew helped introduce H.R. 7411, the Restore Honor to Service Members Act. This bill would require the Department of Defense to proactively upgrade all discharges that were discriminatorily based on sexual orientation from dishonorable to honorable. It would also create an outreach program to simplify the process for veterans who are eligible for an upgraded discharge status – ensuring these veterans can receive the benefits they have earned. 13 years after the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' Andrew believes it's well past time these veterans receive the recognition they deserve for their service. 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. 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