My friend,

Here's a quick update on what I've been working on during a busy few weeks in Washington, DC, Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn...

Earlier this month, I joined Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo, members of the National Association of Letter Carriers, and Castleton Corners residents at the Manor Road Post Office to address the removal of drive-through mailboxes due to vandalism and theft. Instead of penalizing residents for the rise in postal crime, we're urging USPS to implement additional security measures and replace the boxes to ensure continued accessibility and convenience for the community.

I will continue to stand with Bensonhurst residents against Mayor Adams' proposed shelter. This proposal is a disservice both to the community and to those who need help transitioning to self-sufficiency. Placing a shelter in a neighborhood with many schools and families raises significant public safety concerns and is not the right solution for Bensonhurst.

I'm pleased to have secured federal funding to enable NYCHA to upgrade the South Beach Houses’ fire alarm system, enhancing public safety, reducing hazards, and providing residents with peace of mind that their homes and families are protected. I look forward to continuing our partnership with NYCHA and HUD to further improve the infrastructure and quality of life at South Beach and other NYCHA residences.

Earlier this month, I stood with the families of 9/11 victims and first responders to call on the Biden-Harris Administration to pursue the death penalty and immediately set a trial date for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his associates. This comes after the Department of Defense revoked a pre-trial agreement that had removed the death penalty as an option.



While I am pleased that Secretary Lloyd Austin overturned this unacceptable plea deal, we are united in urging the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure these terrorist monsters face the death penalty and are held accountable for their crimes against humanity.

I'm proud to have secured $2 million in federal funding to help The Guild for Exceptional Children expand their program space and create a larger, more accessible community. For decades, they have done incredible work for families in our community, serving as a cornerstone of our city. I hope this funding enables them to continue providing invaluable resources to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for years to come. This investment is particularly important as The Guild hasn't undergone significant renovations in over 30 years.

I was honored to join the community in renaming a street in honor of NYPD Lt. John Rowland, who passed away in 2017 from 9/11-related cancer. As we continue to lose NYC heroes who dedicated themselves during the recovery, our grateful nation must ensure that the 9/11 healthcare program is fully funded.

INTRODUCING THE BIPARTISAN

END KIDNEY DEATHS ACT

I joined Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02), Josh Harder (CA-09), and Joe Neguse (CO-02) in introducing the End Kidney Deaths Act, a bipartisan bill that provides a refundable tax credit to living kidney donors who donate to strangers, particularly those who have been waiting the longest on the kidney transplant list.

Specifically, the End Kidney Deaths Act offers a $10,000 refundable tax credit per year for five years (totaling $50,000) to living kidney donors. If enacted, this legislation could save up to 100,000 Americans currently on the waitlist and save taxpayers an estimated $10 to $37 billion.

ADVANCING THE AMERICAN WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM

I was proud to join Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28), Jenniffer González-Colón (Puerto Rico), and Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) in introducing H.R. 9274, the Smithsonian History of American Women and Latino (SHAWL) Act, a bipartisan bill to establish the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum and the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall.

This legislation builds on ongoing efforts to make these critically important museums a reality. By establishing these museums, we ensure that future generations can learn about the trailblazing women and Latinos who helped build our nation and fought for equal rights and protections under the law.

VICTORY OVER PENTAGON ANIMAL TESTING

As co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I am proud to work across the aisle to stop the Department of Defense and other government agencies from subjecting innocent dogs and cats to cruel, costly, and unnecessary experiments.

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