Email from Rep. Garbarino 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 Immigration Enforcement Legislation Heads To The President's Desk This week, the House and Senate came to an agreement, passing a final version of the Laken Riley Act, named in honor of a 22-year-old nursing student who was tragically murdered by an illegal immigrant on the University of Georgia campus last year. The legislation is now on its way to the President's desk for his signature and includes a provision from Andrew's own POLICE Act that explicitly makes assaulting a law enforcement officer a deportable offense. The final bill also incorporates provisions of Sarah's Law, which Andrew was proud to cosponsor, making causing serious bodily harm a deportable offense. In total, this bill ensures that illegal immigrants who commit crimes such as theft, assaulting a police officer, or causing serious bodily injury can be expeditiously detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deported. Andrew first introduced the Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement (POLICE) Act in 2021 and is proud to see this crucial protection for our heroes in blue on its way to becoming law. This legislation is for our law enforcement officers on the front lines of the border crisis, for Laken Riley, for Sarah Root, and for the countless other Americans who have suffered at the hands of criminal migrants. ANDREW IN THE NEWS Law change makes it easier for Long Island to qualify for federal storm aid " Recently passed legislation will make it easier for Long Island to qualify for federal aid to repair shorelines on Fire Island and the South Shore after damage caused by nor'easters. The bipartisan-endorsed federal law, passed every two years since 2014, authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to work on projects to improve water-related infrastructure across the country. In recent years, Long Island — especially Fire Island — has suffered increasingly damaging storms that have caused erosion, yet it has struggled to qualify for emergency federal assistance under the Water Resources Development Act. The new version of the law includes new language that will lower the federal aid threshold for coastal renourishment on Long Island in the wake of those storms...The barrier island already qualified for erosion replenishment every few years. But Fire Island in particular has suffered extensive damage requiring emergency repairs from the Army Corps in recent years, after a series of devastating storms that washed away dunes and coastline beaches. As a barrier island off the coast of Long Island, Fire Island is 'very important for the protection of the South Shore,' said Garbarino (R-Bayport), who advocated to lower the threshold for federal aid to Long Island municipalities. The Army Corps will also conduct townwide feasibility studies on the South Shore ahead of later project authorizations under the act. 'We saw what happened with Superstorm Sandy,' Garbarino said, referencing the 2012 post-tropical cyclone that devastated Long Island. 'There was that breach [on Fire Island] and you had that flooding all over the place. There is a lot of property, a lot of homes, that would be destroyed if something was ever to permanently take out Fire Island.' 'So making sure that the beach remains there, and when there are nor’easters that damage the dunes, that they get renourished and restored right away,' is important, he added. " Click here to read the full article. WHAT'S NEW IN NY-02 Andrew Honors Community Leaders In Islip This weekend, the Islip-Smithtown branch of the NAACP honored several local leaders for their outstanding work on behalf of the community, including Andrew's father, William Garbarino, for his contributions to the Town of Islip. Andrew was proud to attend the event and present Congressional Certificates of Recognition to all the honorees. It's important to remember the power of service—an ideal Andrew holds dear—and the difference we can make when we come together to help those in our community. Andrew Shares Resources Ahead of Identity Theft Awareness Week Identity theft can happen to anyone. That's why Andrew is sharing vital resources ahead of Identity Theft Awareness Week. As Chairman of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, Andrew knows just how easy it is for cyber criminals and scammers to steal your personal information. He encourages NY-02 residents to take advantage of free resources and events hosted by the FTC. Visit ftc.gov/IDTheftWeek to join free webinars and events and learn how to protect yourself, spot scams, and recover from identity theft. CASEWORK HIGHLIGHT: Securing Social Security Benefits A constituent reached out to Andrew's office for assistance with a delayed Social Security benefits application. Originally submitted in March 2024, the application had been directed to the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) of the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, as the constituent was residing primarily overseas at the time. There were significant processing delays and a lack of updates from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Andrew's casework team stepped in to resolve the miscommunication between SSA and the FBU. This ensured the constituent received a retroactive payment for the delay, and regular monthly benefits are now scheduled to begin in February 2025. 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 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 Fights for SALT Relief This week, Andrew testified before the House Ways & Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax legislation, about the harm caused by the SALT deduction cap on middle-class Americans. He called for action to address this unfair policy, which has placed an undue financial burden on hardworking families, particularly in states like New York. Andrew remains committed to fighting for SALT relief and will not stop until this critical issue is resolved. He continues to advocate for a fair tax system that eases the strain on middle-class families in NY-02. Click here to watch. Homeland Security Committee Holds Hearing on Global Cyber Threats This week, the House Homeland Security Committee held a full committee hearing titled “Unconstrained Actors: Assessing Global Cyber Threats to the Homeland.” The hearing, the committee's first of the 119th Congress, focused on the escalating global cyber threats. Andrew, Chairman of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, participated in the hearing, questioning witnesses about the threats posed by the CCP and other adversaries and emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector. Click here to watch his line of questioning. President Trump Sworn Into Office On Monday at noon, Donald J. Trump took the oath of office and assumed the presidency of the United States. Andrew attended the ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda with his fellow Members of Congress. He looks forward to working with President Trump and his administration to deliver meaningful results for New York's 2nd Congressional District. 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. Garbarino | 2344 Rayburn House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice