Congresswoman Tenney's Weekly Newsletter   Have questions? Contact Me Here   Forcing TikTok to Cut Ties with the CCP & Protecting Americans’ Data Over the last two weeks, the Chinese Communist Party has aggressively spread misinformation about H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. In an attempt to strengthen their propaganda megaphone, the CCP uses TikTok to manipulate and exploit users' data for its own surveillance and monetary gains. This bill, which passed the House by a vote of 352-65, aims to ensure the safety of Americans' data and the national security of the United States from threats posed by foreign adversary-controlled applications such as TikTok. The legislation does not apply to U.S.-owned companies, thus mitigating the risk of weaponization against American social media companies like X, Truth Social, or Rumble. H.R. 7521 would simply require applications controlled by China, Iran, Russia, or North Korea to either divest ownership of the foreign adversary or face prohibition from operating in the United States. With over 170 million users, it was imperative that Congress took this decisive and critical measure to prohibit the Chinese Communist Party from controlling the TikTok application. I remain dedicated to cracking down on the CCP's malign influence and working to ensure that our adversaries do not have access to sensitive data held by individuals and businesses who use the app. Holding President Biden Accountable The facts of the matter remain the same even following Special Counsel Hur's testimony this past week: Our country has a two-tiered system of justice. Joe Biden kept 50 classified documents on the military surge in Afghanistan in his Delaware garage and wasn't prosecuted. There are two tiers of justice in Biden's America: Biden's political opponents get targeted and indicted, while Democrats get off without charge. In his testimony, Special Counsel Hur reiterated the facts spelled out in his report. President Biden "willfully retained and disclosed classified materials as a private citizen," but criminal charges were not warranted because President Biden is an "elderly man with a poor memory." Either President Biden is fit to stand trial for willfully lying about possessing classified materials, or he is unfit to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the United States. There is no middle ground. 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. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. H.R. 7521 would ensure the national security of the United States by safeguarding Americans’ data from applications, such as TikTok, that are controlled by hostile foreign actors. Congress has heard consistently from the intelligence community about the serious threats posed by TikTok to our national security. With over 170 million users, TikTok is the Chinese Communist Party's propaganda megaphone, using the app to exploit users' data for its own surveillance and monetary gains. In response, H.R. 7521 would require all social media applications with greater than one million users controlled by China, Iran, Russia, or North Korea to either divest ownership or face a prohibition from operating in the United States. This decisive move by the House will protect Americans’ data and take away a major tool from the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing initiatives regarding propaganda and censorship. As a result, the Chinese Communist Party has worked aggressively to spread misinformation about this bill. H.R. 7521 only applies to social media platforms owned by China, Iran, Russia, or North Korea, so the risk of weaponization against U.S. social media companies, such as X, Truth Social, or Rumble, is nonexistent. I was grateful to cosponsor this important bill to protect Americans’ data from the Chinese Communist Party and other hostile foreign actors. H.R. 7521 passed the House by an overwhelming majority of 352-65 with one present vote. I voted “Yes” on H.R. 6276, the Utilizing Space Efficiently and Improving Technologies Act of 2023. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, countless federal agencies have refused to bring their employees back to the office, leaving the federal offices they occupy empty or underutilized. This is an enormous disservice to American taxpayers who have to suffer under inadequate government services and pay to maintain unused buildings. In response, H.R. 6276 requires the heads of federal agencies to report to Congress on the utilization rate of each of their federal buildings. In addition, it instructs the General Services Administration and Office of Management and Budget to reduce or consolidate space in buildings that have a utilization rate below 60 percent. It is time for federal employees to return to the office and for our bureaucracy to use taxpayer funds more responsibly. H.R. 6276 passed the House by a vote of 217-203. I voted “Yes” on H.Res. 1065, Denouncing the Biden administration’s immigration policies. After inheriting a secure border, the Biden administration has completely failed to maintain it, with over 10 million unvetted migrants crossing our border. This is nothing less than a complete and utter crisis that is directly harming our national security as President Biden’s policies often have the effect of supporting drug cartels and human traffickers. In response, the House passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which was the strongest border security package to ever pass. H.Res. 1065 highlights the Biden administration’s dereliction of duty and raises seven key actions that the President could take to end the crisis. These actions are: ending catch-and-release; reinstating the Migrant Protection Protocols; entering into asylum cooperative agreements; ending abuses of parole authority; detaining inadmissible aliens; using expedited removal authority; and reining in taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens. Despite President Biden’s continued attempts to deflect blame for this crisis, the President must take responsibility for his failures and resign or face impeachment. I strongly supported H.Res. 1065 when it passed the House by a vote of 226-193. I voted “Yes” on H.R.1752, the E-BRIDGE Act. Across our country, countless Americans lack access to fast and reliable broadband. To ensure proper deployment of broadband, many local communities must partner with the private sector who provides the required expertise. However, such partnerships can render potential projects ineligible for federal grants. To address this issue, H.R. 1752 would allow the Economic Development Administration within the Department of Commerce to fund such arrangements. This is a commonsense step to help expand broadband access for more Americans, especially those in Upstate New York. H.R. 1752 passed the House by a vote of 375-20. I voted “Yes” on H.R. 886, the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act. H.R. 886 would reauthorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program (MDP), which was founded to coordinate the removal of debris in our nation’s waterways and oceans. H.R. 886 would extend MDP through 2028 and increase its annual appropriation from $10 million to $15 million per year. In addition, it would restructure the program into a nonprofit corporation under the supervision of the Secretary of Commerce, allowing the program to accept certain donations, acquire certain property, invest funds, and carry out contracts to address marine debris. People across New York flock to Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes for their natural beauty, not to see litter and pollution. It is vital we have a coordinated response to address such issues. H.R. 886 passed the House by a vote of 326-73. Demanding Answers on Governor Hochul's Misguided Migrant Relocation Assistance Program Since first hearing of Kathy Hochul's misguided Migrant Relocation Assistance Program, counties in New York’s 24th District have courageously stood up to Governor Hochul to protect local residents by passing resolutions in opposition to this program. Just five of New York's 62 counties are accepting illegal immigrants through this state's program. But recently there have been alarming reports of individuals with unproven asylum claims being transferred to Erie and Monroe Counties. This week, I sent a letter to Kathy Hochul, urging her to address these pressing concerns regarding her administration's program. I demanded answers to the following questions to ensure our communities are protected: How many individuals have been relocated to Erie County or Monroe County under MRAP? How much have the relocations to Erie County and Monroe County cost taxpayers? How is your administration vetting the individuals selected to participate in MRAP? Is part of this vetting an evaluation of the legitimacy of their asylum claims or a criminal background check? How is your administration ensuring the safety of American citizens in Erie County, Monroe County, and the surrounding counties with the influx of these individuals with unproven asylum claims? How is your administration ensuring that these individuals show up to their court dates and do not evade the law? Our communities are suffering under crushing inflation, record crime, and now an illegal migrant crisis. Central and Western New Yorkers should not be used as pawns in the lawless 'sanctuary city' policies imposed by Biden and Hochul. Honoring the Life of Marion Camardo Marion Camardo was a cherished member of our community, leaving a legacy of meaningful contributions to her family and Auburn, NY, throughout her admirable life. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who passed away on November 1st, 2023, after a life guided by faith, family, and service. This week, I had the privilege of celebrating Marion's life on the House Floor, reflecting on her wisdom and striving to live by her example. Let us all honor Marion by embodying the values of compassion and service that she so beautifully represented. READ MORE: Rep. Claudia Tenney honors late Auburn woman in House floor speech Remembering Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office NY-24 lost one of our finest this week. I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. His unwavering dedication and service to our community will forever be honored. My condolences are with his loved ones and fellow officers during this difficult time. Meeting with Students from NY-24 I am grateful to have had the wonderful opportunity to meet with high school students from NY-24 on the steps of the Capitol this week. We had an engaging discussion about the legislation being voted on this week and the issues facing our country. Their passion for civic engagement & desire to make a difference in their communities is commendable. 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. Tenney | 2349 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]