Supporting President Trump and the Work of DOGE

Under President Trump's leadership and a Republican Congress, we are working diligently to cut wasteful government spending and reduce costs for hardworking Americans. 

So far, President Trump's and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has saved US taxpayers AT LEAST $55 BILLION.

Much of DOGE's work has centered around canceling DEI programs that are out of touch with the values of everyday Americans, as well as terminating leases for unused federal buildings. Some of the recent work DOGE has done includes:

• Revoking $59 million sent by rogue FEMA staff in early February to house illegal immigrants in high-end New York City hotels.
• Canceling 29 DEI contracts at the Department of Education, saving $101 million. 
• Canceling $182 million in HHS contracts meant entirely for administrative expenses, including $168,000 for an Anthony Fauci exhibit at the NIH Museum.
• Saving $110 million by canceling 78 contracts across DEI, Non-Performing, Media, and Consulting categories.
• Cutting a $45 million DEI scholarship in Burma.

As an original member of the DOGE Caucus, I am working diligently alongside the Trump administration to rein in bloated budgets, relocate and reform outdated bureaucracies, and ensure public servants actually show up for work. The American people deserve to know where every single cent of their hard-earned tax dollars are going, and that starts by promoting accountability and transparency in our government.

I have introduced a series of bills in Congress to sign the Trump administration's mission into law. Here's some information about them:

The Federal Freeze Act aims to curb spending and save taxpayer dollars by freezing salary increases for federal civilian employees, capping agency workforce numbers over three years, and reducing the federal employee headcount.

The Implementing DOGE Act would limit increases in non-security discretionary appropriations by requiring all increases in non-security appropriations above one percent to be rescinded on a prorate basis. This bill will help us get control of our deficit and national debt and require Congress to get serious about addressing our Nation's spending problem. 

The Commission to Relocate the Federal Bureaucracy Act would decentralize the power held by unelected bureaucrats in Washington D.C. by establishing a plan to relocate non-national security-related agencies to states across the country based on financial efficiency, existing infrastructure, and related industries.  

The Federal Employee Performance and Accountability Act would establish a performance-based pay structure that bolsters government efficiency by incentivizing high performance among federal employees, exempting agencies deemed necessary for national security or public safety. 

The Defund Government Sponsored Propaganda Act ensures that federal funding is no longer used to perpetuate the blatant left-wing media bias that has overtaken platforms such as the National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund political propaganda disguised as journalism. 

The Stop Funding Our Adversaries Act will end all American taxpayer-funded research in China and the Chinese Communist Party, ensuring we are not funding the technical, military, or economic advancement of our adversaries. This is especially crucial when considering the findings from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), which reported that from FY 2015 to FY 2021, $28.9 million was directly provided to Chinese entities for research and development activities. 

Introducing the New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act

The New Markets Tax Credit, an essential aspect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, is set to expire on December 31, 2025. This program has been a cornerstone of American economic growth, creating millions of jobs and facilitating billions of dollars of investment into our communities, including those in New York's 24th District. In Western New York, this credit supported the development of the new GLOW YMCA facility in Batavia, NY, which I had the privilege of visiting in September 2024. Making the NMTC permanent will ensure economically distressed communities continue to benefit from this vital resource by creating jobs and supporting economic development.

Reintroducing the PILLS Act to Promote the Production of Generic Medicine in the U.S.

Drug manufacturing has moved overseas, putting American jobs and the security of our essential medical supply chains at risk. To address this, I reintroduced the Producing Incentives for Long-term Production of Lifesaving Supply of Medicines or the PILLS Act to promote the domestic production of generic medicines. This legislation incentivizes businesses to produce critical generic medications and antibiotics here in the U.S. Strengthening tax incentives for domestic drug production will prevent dangerous supply chain disruptions, reduce our reliance on countries like India and China for generic drugs and antibiotics, and create American jobs.

Addressing the Physician Shortage in Rural Communities

Rural hospitals, like many in western New York, often face devastating physician shortages, threatening the ability to provide critical care to patients. These hospitals often rely on locum tenens providers to fill these gaps in hospital staffing that range from permanent staff on vacation or on maternity leave, to multi-year commitments or continuous revolving support due to workforce shortages. This week, I reintroduced the Health Care Provider Shortage Minimization Act to ensure that doctors and advanced practitioners who fill the void in our rural healthcare systems can maintain their status as independent contractors, ensuring they can maintain flexibility to serve communities that need them.

As your representative in Congress, my top priority is championing legislative initiatives that benefit you and your families. Each week, I review numerous bills and letters, engaging in thorough discussions with members of our community to determine which actions to support and address your needs. Below are a few bills I recently cosponsored.

H.R. 879 - Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act: This bipartisan legislation prevents cuts to Medicare reimbursement to providers and provides a modest inflationary adjustment to help ease the cost of care, and ensures Medicare remains viable for both doctors and patients. Financial stability for providers isn't just a matter of fairness—it's essential for protecting access to care, particularly in rural and underserved areas like Western New York where physician shortages have been a persistent challenge. The rising cost of delivering care, coupled with increasing administrative burdens, makes it clear that Medicare payment policies must evolve to reflect the true costs faced by physicians.

H.R.987 - Fair Access to Banking Act - This bill places restrictions on certain banks, credit unions, and payment card networks if they refuse to do business with a person who complies with the law. Restrictions include prohibiting the use of electronic funds transfer systems and lending programs, termination of an institution's depository insurance, and specified civil penalties.

Standing with our Correctional Officers

For years, Correctional Officers (COs) have raised serious concerns about unsafe working conditions caused by severe staffing shortages and pro-criminal policies pushed by Governor Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats. Assaults on COs have nearly doubled, and they are routinely forced to work double and even triple shifts.

Instead of addressing these issues and working to make these essential jobs safer, Governor Hochul and Acting DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello recently instructed prison superintendents to treat just 70% of staffing capacity as "full staffing." In addition, the HALT Act, implemented in 2022, has led to a dramatic increase in violence against Corrections Officers in prisons across our state, putting both COs and inmates at risk while rewarding violent criminals. 

This weekend, I joined the COs at Auburn Correctional to protest the dangerous and unsafe working conditions being forced on all by Hochul and Albany Democrats and demand the immediate repeal of the HALT Act. Albany Democrats must treat COs with the respect they deserve and recognize them as the essential workers they are. I stand with our courageous Correctional Officers.

Celebrating and Commemorating the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial

The Erie Canal was one of the most influential components in our region’s development and accelerated the Industrial Revolution, which created the spirit of innovation, hard work, and perseverance that we have in our country.

This engineering marvel paved the way for significant economic progress in New York State, connecting major cities and the interior of our country. The canal connects Lake Erie in the west to the Hudson River in the east, fundamentally connecting the Finger Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. Without the canal, our unparalleled development and westward expansion would have been far more challenging.

This week, I introduced legislation to commemorate the Erie Canal’s historic bicentennial and honor the profound impact it has had on our region and country’s history. This bill directs the U.S. Treasury Secretary to design and produce a commemorative $5 gold coin, $1 silver coin, and half-dollar coin in recognition of the Canal’s historic legacy.

I am honored to introduce this legislation to continue celebrating the Erie Canal's monumental milestone.

White House Tours are BACK!

The White House is open for tours. Tours are free to the public and can be scheduled through my website here. They are generally available from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM Friday through Saturday (excluding Federal holidays or unless otherwise noted). Please submit your tour request as soon as possible to ensure you receive your requested tour date. Please visit the White House website for more information on restrictions and requirements for your visit. 

Honoring Harriet Tubman during Black History Month

As part of black history month, we recognize the life of Harriet Tubman, one of the most iconic figures in U.S. history. After escaping slavery, Tubman settled in Upstate New York, where she became one of the foremost leaders of the abolitionist movement. Her home and eventual burial place, in Auburn, became a refuge for those seeking freedom from slavery. She became known as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, which spanned from the south and ran through several areas of NY-24, where many people eventually settled or continued to Canada. Tubman was also a tenacious advocate for women's rights. She worked alongside other abolitionists in Seneca Falls, New York, the birthplace of women's suffrage. Today, Tubman's legacy is celebrated in Upstate New York through memorials and museums, highlighting her work for freedom and justice. Tubman is estimated to have helped over 300 enslaved individuals, and her story has reached millions of people who wish to emulate her courage. 

Casework Success Story

A local pharmacy in NY-24 had difficulties with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding payments, hurting its business and the community it serves. After reaching out to my office, my team worked with CMS to get this resolved: 

"After trying to get resolution to my issue for over a year, I finally got a timely response after your office contacted CMS. Thank you very much for your assistance in this matter."

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 Canandaigua 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.