I had the joy of joining volunteers and local partners at Thanksgiving turkey distributions across our district, meeting families and lending a hand as our community came together. I am grateful for everyone who helps ensure our neighbors have what they need this holiday season.

I joined neighbors at the Mitchel Houses to help distribute meals and take part in the Friendsgiving celebration, spending time with families and community leaders to hear about their celebrations and concerns. I am grateful to Community Board 1, DC7, the Mitchel Houses Tenant Association, and Catholic Charities for the warm welcome and for supporting our community.

I was grateful to join Pastor Paris for a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration and honored to welcome Grandmaster Flash as part of the festivities. Moments like these remind me how strong and vibrant our community truly is.

I visited the MMCC Senior Center and met with residents to hear about their experiences and daily needs. I appreciate the staff and community members who shared their insights, which help guide my work in Congress.

D.C. Updates

I was honored to receive the National Hispanic Council on Aging Outstanding Public Policy Award. This recognition reaffirms my commitment to advancing equity and improving the wellbeing of older adults in our communities.

I am proud that, as lead of the New York Congressional Delegation letter to CMS, our advocacy helped prompt the agency to scale back the proposed cuts in the CY2026 Home Health Final Rule, protecting access to care for tens of thousands of older New Yorkers. While this is an important step, more must be done to ensure CMS fully addresses ongoing rate reductions, regional access disparities, and fraudulent billing practices that continue to put home health care at risk.

I have called on New York State officials to extend the 53 day public comment period for the Cross Bronx Expressway project because our communities need more time to review a six thousand page environmental assessment released during the holiday season. I believe residents deserve a fair and accessible opportunity to weigh in on a project that will shape the Bronx for decades.

I introduced H.R. 6314 to require health insurance plans to cover annual lung cancer screenings for adults aged 50 to 80 who are at increased risk for lung cancer. This bill would help ensure that eligible older adults have access to early detection screenings without worrying about insurance coverage.

I introduced H.R. 6346 to ensure the U.S. Coast Guard cannot replace its existing policy on divisive or hate symbols and flags with weaker guidance. I believe maintaining strict restrictions on hate symbols is necessary to uphold respect and unity within the service.

I introduced H.R. 6345 to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop federal guidelines for point-access block buildings. This will help cities build more homes, especially family-sized homes that are urgently needed in communities like ours. By modernizing how we design and approve these buildings, the bill will unlock new housing opportunities and increase the supply of safe, affordable homes for working families.

I introduced H.R. 6344 to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to mandate that public housing agencies publicly disclose contracts they enter into. I believe that exposing such contracts will increase transparency and accountability in public housing.

As we wrap up the Thanksgiving season, I’m especially grateful for the generosity, resilience, and unity I continue to see throughout our community. Thank you for all you do to support one another, and please know that my office remains here to serve you as we head into the final weeks of the year.

Sincerely,

Fighting for Our District