This week, legislation securing permanent, uninterrupted funding for the World Trade Center Health Program was signed into law by President Trump, delivering long-overdue certainty for 9/11 responders and survivors.

This achievement would not have been possible without the relentless advocacy of the organizations, unions, and first responder groups who never stopped fighting to protect the care promised after September 11th. Their persistence, partnership, and leadership ensured this legislation crossed the finish line and became law.

Andrew was proud to recognize and thank the many organizations that worked alongside him throughout this effort.

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Spending package signed by Trump includes money to shore up WTC Health Program

"The World Trade Center Health Program will remain fully funded under a provision included in the spending package passed by Congress and signed into law Tuesday by President Donald Trump.

The program, which provides health care to more than 135,000 people who have fallen ill from their exposure to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack sites, was facing up to a $3 billion shortfall over the next decade, as the program continues to see a rise in new patients.

A bipartisan deal ushered by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) in the House, and New York Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand in the Senate, ensured an incremental bump in funding for the health program through 2040 to address any yearly shortfalls.

"New Yorkers will never forget September 11th, and our responsibility doesn’t end with words," Garbarino, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said in a statement to Newsday. "Responders and survivors were promised care, and today we are finally delivering certainty that that care will always be there."

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Andrew is inviting Long Islanders to take part in this year’s Valentines for Heroes initiative to thank our first responders and veterans for their service and sacrifice.

Community members are encouraged to create Valentine’s Day cards with messages of appreciation, which Andrew’s office will deliver to local first responders and veterans. It is a simple but meaningful way to show gratitude to the heroes who keep our communities safe.

Cards can be mailed or dropped off at Andrew’s Patchogue office and must be received by February 13. For questions or pickup information, please contact our office.

Andrew’s team attended the Island Harvest Food Bank Legislative Breakfast at the organization’s Melville distribution center, joining community leaders to discuss efforts to address food insecurity across Long Island. Island Harvest plays a vital role in supporting families, seniors, and individuals in need through its food distribution programs.

Andrew remains grateful for Island Harvest’s leadership and for the opportunity to engage with partners working to strengthen food access and support vulnerable communities throughout the region.

Casework Highlight: Assisting a Service Member

When a service member contacted Andrew’s office about a delayed reissued payment totaling over $1,000, Andrew’s team worked directly with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to help resolve the issue. As a result, the payment was successfully reissued. Andrew and his team are always ready to assist service members and veterans with navigating federal agencies and resolving pay or benefits concerns.

Andrew and his team look forward to helping more Long Islanders get the assistance they need. Whether it’s the VA, Social Security, Medicare, the IRS, passports, or other federal services, the office is always ready to step in and help. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Discussing SALT wins with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

During a Financial Services Committee hearing this week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that New York’s Second Congressional District will see the second-largest benefit nationwide from the increased State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction.

For Long Island taxpayers, this change delivers real, meaningful tax relief and helps families keep more of their hard-earned money. Andrew thanked Secretary Bessent for his partnership and remains focused on ensuring federal tax policy reflects the realities of living in a high-cost region like Long Island.

Advancing Energy Reliability and Affordability

Andrew spent this week engaging with energy leaders at events hosted by the American Gas Association and Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions. During these discussions, Andrew focused on the importance of energy reliability and affordability.



For Long Island families, energy policy is about keeping the heat on, keeping costs down, and ensuring communities remain secure. Andrew emphasized the need for balanced, all-of-the-above energy solutions that strengthen grid resilience and support economic growth while maintaining affordability for consumers.

Andrew will continue working with industry leaders and stakeholders to advance practical energy policies that meet Long Island’s needs today and into the future.

Improving Transparency for Homebuyers on Flood Risk

This week, Andrew reintroduced the bipartisan Flood History Information Act alongside Congresswoman Madeleine Dean to ensure homebuyers and renters have access to a property’s flood history before making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. This legislation would require FEMA to provide clear information on prior flood insurance claims and disaster assistance tied to a property, giving families greater transparency and certainty before they buy.

Andrew is proud to work across the aisle to bring common-sense transparency to the flood insurance process and help homeowners better understand their flood risk, especially in flood-prone and coastal communities like Long Island.