|
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.Res. 1213, A resolution regarding violence against law enforcement officers. H.Res. 1213 expresses condolences to the loved ones of fallen law enforcement officers, acknowledges the tremendous difficulties law enforcement officers face, and condemns calls to defund the police. While I am glad that the overwhelming majority of my colleagues supported this commonsense resolution, I am dismayed that 61 of my Democratic colleagues voted against this resolution. The radical left’s “defund and demoralize the police” movement has increased violence and threats towards law enforcement, and it is a travesty that 61 members of Congress refused to recognize the horrific effect that this movement has had on our law enforcement community. Rest assured that I will always Back the Blue and support those who keep our communities safe. H.Res. 1213 passed the House by a vote of 337-61.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 8369, the Israel Security Assistance Support Act. Recently, the Biden administration chose to unnecessarily delay the distribution of lethal aid to Israel, including various defense systems. This delay potentially violated the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which requires the administration to obligate and expend aid appropriated by Congress without delay, unless it goes through a formal notification process that the Biden administration failed to do. That is why I led a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding a special counsel be appointed to investigate and prosecute any wrongdoing. In addition to holding the Biden administration accountable, we must ensure this aid is distributed to Israel expeditiously. That is why I am a cosponsor of the Israel Security Assistance Support Act which will prevent the Biden administration from unnecessarily delaying aid to Israel. H.R. 8369 passed the House by a vote of 224-187.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 8146, the Police Our Border Act. The Biden administration’s border crisis has created new threats and challenges for our brave law enforcement officers. H.R. 8146 requires the U.S. Department of Justice to report to Congress on how the Biden border crisis has affected law enforcement. This includes details on the financial and operations burdens as a result of greater exposure to fentanyl, crimes committed by illegal aliens, and the impact on morale. We must do more to protect our law enforcement officers from the dire consequences of the Biden border catastrophe. H.R. 8146 passed the House by a vote of 254-157.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 354, the LEOSA Reform Act of 2024. Our brave law enforcement officers work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, both when on-duty and off-duty. The LEOSA Reform Act would allow qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to concealed carry in areas where concealed carry is traditionally prohibited, such as national parks and federal facilities. Law enforcement officers have proven their trustworthiness and ability to keep our communities safe and should not be unnecessarily restricted from carrying a concealed weapon that could be used to save lives. H.R. 354 passed the House by a vote of 221-185.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 7530, the DC CRIMES Act of 2024. The Council of the District of Columbia’s pro-criminal policies have led to skyrocketing crime in our nation’s capital. In 2023, crime increased 30 percent over 2022, homicides have doubled since 2012, and motor vehicle thefts have doubled since 2022. In response to this crime epidemic, the D.C. Council chose to redefine “youth” under criminal law, so individuals 25 and younger could not be charged as adults. H.R. 7530 would restore the definition of “youth” under D.C. law to 18 years old and prohibit the D.C. Council from enacting any changes to criminal liability sentencing guidelines. We cannot allow the D.C. Council to continue turning our nation’s capital into a safe haven for criminals. H.R. 7530 passed the House by a vote of 225-181.
I voted “Yes” on H.Res. 1210, Condemning the Biden border crisis and the tremendous burdens law enforcement officers face as a result. Due to the Biden administration’s radical open border policies, every community has turned into a border community and faced a surge in crime. Unvetted illegal aliens have flooded our communities, including those involved in fentanyl trafficking and human trafficking. This has placed a tremendous strain on law enforcement to clean up the Biden administration’s mess. I am disappointed that so many of my Democratic colleagues declined to support this commonsense resolution that stands with law enforcement. H.Res. 1210 passed the House by a vote of 223-185.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 7581, Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act. Law enforcement officers across the United States face increasing threats and violence due to the radical “defund and demoralize the police” movement. However, we currently lack sufficient data to determine the best methods to address the physical and mental impacts of this violence on our law enforcement officers. H.R. 7581 will require the U.S. Department of Justice to develop reports related to violent attacks on law enforcement, the efficacy of current data collection, and the efficacy of existing programs to support law enforcement officers. This commonsense bill will improve our ability to support law enforcement officers and ensure they have every tool necessary to protect our communities. H.R. 7581 passed the House by a vote of 356-55.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 7343, the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act. In January 2024, an illegal alien who assaulted two NYPD officers was released without bail and fled New York’s jurisdiction. H.R. 7343 would ensure that any illegal alien who assaults a law enforcement officer is detained and deported by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We cannot continue allowing violent illegal aliens to remain in the United States. H.R. 7343 passed the House by a vote of 265-141.
I voted “Yes” on S. 546, the Recruit and Retain Act. S. 546 would expand the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to include recruitment and retention efforts. It would also establish the COPS Pipeline Partnership Program to support partnerships between local schools and law enforcement agencies as a means to improve recruitment. This bill strongly supports recruitment and retention efforts by our local law enforcement officers which will help keep our communities safer. S. 546 passed the House by a vote of 370-18.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 7659, the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2024. H.R. 7659 reauthorizes the U.S. Coast Guard through fiscal year 2026 and includes many important programs for drug and human trafficking interdiction, as well as search and rescue operations. The U.S. Coast Guard provides vital services for many NY-24 communities on Lake Ontario and the surrounding shoreline. We must continue to support our Coast Guard and ensure they have the resources they need to bolster our national security and lakefront communities. H.R. 7659 passed the House by a vote of 376-16.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 4510, the NTIA Reauthorization Act, which reauthorizes the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This bill will significantly bolster America’s technological capacity by increasing spectrum management, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Additionally, it requires the NTIA to establish an interagency process to consider the law enforcement and national security implications of foreign ownership interests when licensing or authorizing telecommunications systems and infrastructure. It is long overdue that Congress moved forward with a comprehensive spectrum strategy. Passing this critical piece of legislation is a step in the right direction to ensure America's connectivity future. H.R. 4510 passed the House by a vote of 374-36.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 1797, the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act. This bill will set federal standards to protect against the risk of fires from lithium-ion batteries. Specifically, it will require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to set standards for lithium-ion batteries for micromobility devices, including battery chargers, charging cables, external terminals on battery packs, external terminals on micromobility devices, and free-standing stations used for recharging. Particularly due to the increasing adoption of these devices, it is clear that unregulated lithium-ion batteries pose an escalating threat to the public’s safety. H.R. 1797 passed the House by a vote of 378-34.
I voted “Yes” on the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3935, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. H.R. 3935 reauthorizes the functions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through FY2028, including activities and programs related to aerospace innovation, airport planning and development, facilities and equipment, and operations. In addition, it includes an amendment I led with Representatives Langworthy and Higgins to preserve the 1,500-hour flight requirement for pilots. The 1,500-hour requirement was passed in 2010 in response to the 2009 Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash in Clarence, NY, that killed all 49 individuals on board and one person on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined in its accident report that the crash could have been avoided if the pilots had received additional training in effectively handling a stalled aircraft. Ultimately, H.R. 3935 will support passenger safety on aircrafts, bolster the aviation workforce, and ensure that American skies remain the safest in the world. H.R. 3935 passed the House with a bipartisan majority of 387-26.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 4581, the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2023. H.R. 4581 clarifies that current funding through the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant may be used for stillbirth prevention activities. Approximately 21,000 babies are stillborn in the United States a year, 1,400 of which occur in New York. For the United States, with one of the most advanced health care systems in the world, this is a shocking and unacceptable reality. This bill builds on the success of the MCH Block Grant program by expanding its scope to include critical research and evidence-based programs and activities to reduce the rate of stillbirth. H.R. 4581 passed the House with a bipartisan majority of 408-3.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 4310, the Youth Poisoning Protection Act. H.R. 4310 would ban the consumer sale of products containing high concentrations of sodium nitrite, a meat-curing chemical that can be lethal when ingested. A 2021 report revealed that an online suicide forum was promoting sodium nitrite as an easily accessible method for suicide. The forum, masquerading as a safe space for discussing suicidal thoughts, contained threads where anonymous users share detailed methods and real-time guidance on using sodium nitrite to die by suicide. This legislation is a proactive step in addressing the ongoing mental health crisis among children and young people in our country and eliminates toxic consumer products that are used for self-harm. H.R. 4310 passed the House with a bipartisan majority of 376-33.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 6960, the Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2024. H.R. 6960 reauthorizes through FY2029 the Emergency Medical Services for Children State Partnership Program, which is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration. The program awards grants to state governments and medical schools to support emergency medical services for children who need treatment for trauma or critical care. This four-decades old program is the only federal grant program specifically focused on addressing the needs and challenges of children in emergency departments (ED) and will ensure continued access to ED services for children in NY-24. H.R. 6960 passed the House with a bipartisan majority of 399-13.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 6572, the Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2023. H.R. 6572 directs the Secretary of Commerce to take necessary actions to promote the competitiveness of the United States related to the deployment, use, application, and competitiveness of blockchain technology or other distributed ledger technology. This legislation will foster competitiveness and innovation for new technologies, like blockchain, and ensure the United States can outcompete China in the 21st century. H.R. 6572 passed the House with a bipartisan majority of 334-79.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 6571, the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2023. H.R. 6571 establishes a critical supply chain resiliency and crisis response program in the Department of Commerce, which will help promote American leadership in deploying emerging technologies. This initiative would establish a comprehensive government-wide strategy to map, monitor, and proactively strengthen American supply chains, which will bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States and reduce costs for New Yorkers for essential consumer products. H.R. 6571 passed the House with a bipartisan majority of 390-19.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 3950, the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act or “TICKET Act”. H.R. 3950 requires ticket sellers to clearly and prominently disclose the total ticket price and an itemized list of fees (e.g., service, processing, delivery, facility charge, tax, or other charges) at the start of the transaction and before a ticket is selected. This total ticket price must also be included in any advertisements, marketing materials, or price lists. Additional fees at the end of a transaction frustrates and confuses fans who expect the listed ticket price to be the final amount they will pay. H.R. 3950 passed the House with a bipartisan majority of 388-24.
| 
