|
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. 7888, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act. At a time when our adversaries are ramping up their military capabilities and seeking to orchestrate attacks on our homeland, we must ensure that our intelligence community has the capabilities to swiftly counteract and prevent terrorist attacks. Section 702, which applies only to foreigners outside the United States, is the most critical tool to keeping America safe. It plays an invaluable role in countering cyber attacks, hindering the flow of deadly fentanyl into our country, and averting threats from China, Iran, and foreign terrorist organizations. In addition, our Republican Majority is committed to preventing another Russia Hoax FISA disaster and ensuring that FISA can no longer be abused to target Americans and political adversaries. The abuses by the FBI have been outrageous and unlawful. That is why I support Representative Mike Garcia’s condemnation of FBI Director Wray for failing to uphold the law and holding those who violated our laws accountable. As a solution to this abuse, this legislation provides 56 reforms to the current law, including reducing the number of FBI agents who can perform Section 702 searches by 90 percent and enhancing criminal penalties for those who violate FISA, leak FISA applications, or lie to the FISA Court. This bill does not include a dangerous proposal that would have undermined the entire purpose of Section 702 through granting Fourth Amendment rights to foreign nationals by requiring a warrant to search foreign surveillance data already lawfully collected by our national security agencies. Under existing law, national security agencies already require a warrant to collect data and take any action against U.S. citizens. This amendment would hamper important law enforcement efforts to protect Americans and would further the radical Defund and Demoralize the Police movement that has been codified by New York’s Greenlight and Bail Reform laws. Approximately 90 percent of individuals on the terror watchlist who have crossed the border illegally have gone through our northern border, leaving New York particularly vulnerable to terror threats. Section 702 is a critical tool for law enforcement to protect New Yorkers and all Americans. By not reauthorizing a substantially reformed Section 702, we would have allowed our foreign adversaries to plan terrorist attacks and undermine our national security without our knowledge. We cannot give our enemies the ability to undermine our freedoms and orchestrate attacks on our soil. As a constitutional lawyer, I remain dedicated to protecting our civil liberties and privacy while defending our national security. The legislation effectively reforms Section 702, which was made by and supported by President Trump in 2017, and I was honored to support its passage. This bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 273-147.
I voted “Yes” on S. 382, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Confirmation Act of 2023. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is a federally recognized tribe located in western Washington state. S. 382 places 17.26 acres of land owned by the tribe into trust, while preventing gaming on the land. In addition, due to pre-existing contamination of the land, the bill clarifies that the United States will not be held liable for any contamination of the land that is taken into trust. S. 382 ensures American taxpayers are not held liable for the cleanup of the land, while also giving the tribe the land it needs to pursue economic development and job creation opportunities. The bill passed the House by a vote of 401-15.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 2560, the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023. H.R. 2560 would require the Department of Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Grant Program. The program would award grants for the recovery, care, transportation, and treatment of stranded marine turtles, the release of rescued marine turtles, the collection of data for scientific research related to marine turtle health, and associated facility operations costs. Grants would be limited to $150,000 over a 12-month period, and the non-federal share of any costs of an activity conducted with a grant award would be at least 50 percent, ensuring strong community buy-in. It is a thoughtful step to help these endangered animals without burdensome regulations on landowners and localities. H.R. 2560 passed the House by a vote of 332-82.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 3250, the National Museum of Play Recognition Act. H.R. 3250 designates the Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum in Rochester as the National Museum of Play. Margaret Strong, who lived from 1897 to 1969, was a prolific collector of dolls and toys, and amassed more than 27,000 dolls during her lifetime. Since the museum officially opened to the public in 1982, it has grown to more than 375,000 square feet, including the National Toy Hall of Fame and the World Video Game Hall of Fame. H.R. 3250 recognizes the National Museum of Play’s vital role in preserving the changing ways in which American children play. The bill passed the House by a vote of 385-31.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 6655, the A Stronger Workforce for America Act. H.R. 6655 would reauthorize certain programs that support workforce training and career services for adults, dislocated workers, and youth. In particular, the bill would reauthorize the Job Corps and YouthBuild programs and would enact key reforms to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), such as imposing more robust accountability and performance requirements. I am honored to represent the Iroquois Job Corps Center in Medina, which educates youth on career paths in the trades, including masonry, electrical work, and construction. Programs authorized by H.R. 6655 play a key role in supporting our local economy and our national security and I will always be a tireless advocate for those seeking the dignity of work. H.R. 6655 passed the House by a vote of 378-26.
I voted “Yes” on S. 2051, the Missing Children's Assistance Reauthorization Act. S. 2051 reauthorizes the Missing Children’s Assistance Act and improves the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Specifically, the bill would improve NCMEC’s ability to: assist law enforcement to identify, locate, and recover missing and exploited children; develop educational materials to reduce the risk of child sex trafficking, online enticement, sexual extortion, and cyberbullying; provide education and technical assistance on conducting background checks on individuals working with children; offer support services to missing and exploited children and their families; and facilitate requests to have child sexual abuse material removed from the internet. Congress must continue doing everything it can to combat child exploitation and this bill is an important step in helping our nation’s missing and exploited youth. S. 2051 passed the House by a vote of 406-0.
| 
