Restoring Transparency in Congress

This week I launched two new features on my website, My Votes Explained and Setting the Record Straight. Both of these initiatives will increase transparency and provide you with more information about what I’m doing in Washington as your representative. As soon as I vote on the House Floor, I’m going to publicly post a detailed explanation of how I voted and why. I know we won’t always agree on every vote I take, but you will always know my rationale and where I stand. This is just one part of my continued commitment to transparency and accountability!

Supporting a UN Arms Embargo on Burmese Military

This week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and I introduced a resolution urging the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to immediately impose an arms embargo against the military of Burma in an effort to end the ongoing coup by the Burmese military and deliver control of the nation back to its elected officials. Since early February, the Burmese military, also known as the "Tatmadaw", has been terrorizing the Burmese people after carrying out an illegal coup.

The 22nd Congressional District is home to more than 4,000 Burmese refugees and new Burmese-American citizens who have family back home in Burma. I have heard from them and am honored to champion this cause on their behalf. The United States must continue to advocate for the right of the Burmese people to live freely under a democratic, civilian government of their choosing. An immediate UNSC arms embargo would cut off the sale of weapons and equipment to the military, hold the Tatmadaw accountable for their human rights abuses. I will continue to stand with the Burmese people and support all diplomatic efforts to ensure an immediate return to democratic, civilian rule.

My Thoughts on the Need for Civility

This week, America watched as the final verdict in the Chauvin trial was announced. George Floyd's murder was a tragedy. We must now respect the outcome of the jury process, come together as a nation, and continue working each day to improve our self-governing Constitutional Republic.

Mere days before the jury came to its decision, Congresswoman Maxine Waters of California joined protestors in the streets of Minneapolis and took this opportunity to call publicly for more confrontation with law enforcement. Her comments followed several days of already violent protests in Minneapolis.

Elected officials should urge peace in times of crisis and find constructive ways to help our nation heal. Congresswoman Waters did the exact opposite, and she has a history of using divisive rhetoric. That is why this week, I supported efforts to bring a resolution to the House floor to censure the congresswoman for her actions. Unfortunately, Democrats refused to allow a vote to take place.

As your representative in Congress, I'm committed to restoring civility to our political discourse. I continue to urge all who serve in Congress and in public office to find ways to work together to move our great nation forward.

Preserving the Integrity of Voting

As co-chair of the House Election Integrity Caucus, I am fighting to preserve the integrity of our elections and make sure all Americans understand just how sacred the right to vote is. I joined John Solomon with Just the News this week to discuss my priorities as co-chair of the caucus and highlight the ways H.R. 1 would undermine the integrity and security of the ballot box. Click here or the link below to hear my full interview.

LISTEN: Rep. Tenney on Just the News: NY 'deliberately created chaos' with 2020 election

Weekly Cosponsor Update

I am pleased to share several bills that I cosponsored in Congress this week. I am focused on representing you in Washington and will continue to support commonsense legislation that delivers results for New York families, small businesses, and seniors. This is what I cosponsored this week:

H.R. 19 - The Lower Costs, More Cures Act
H.R. 2881 - The Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act.
H. Res. 349 - Supporting the goals of Overdose Awareness Day by lowering the United States flag to half-staff on all Federal buildings the 31st day of August each year.
H.R. 2718 - To impose additional sanctions with respect to Iran and modify other existing sanctions with respect to Iran, and for other purposes.

Votes this Week

Transparency in government is key, and I'm pleased to keep you updated on how I voted on legislation in the House of Representatives. For a more detailed explanation of my votes on each of the bills below, click here .

I voted "No" on H.R. 51, regarding District of Columbia Statehood. This partisan legislation would unconstitutionally create a fifty-first state from land that was intentionally set aside to constitute the federal district for the nation’s capital. H.R. 51 was adopted by a vote of 216-208.

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 1392, the Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021. This bill makes certain that Saudi dissidents in the United States are protected from political and financial retribution from the Government of Saudi Arabia while protecting our ability to continue supporting our partners in the Middle East against Iran’s malign activity. This legislation passed the House by a vote of 350-71.

I voted “No” on H.R. 1333, the No Ban Act. This bill unduly restricts the President’s authority to suspend or restrict entry of certain aliens on the basis that their entry would be detrimental to the interests of the United States due to a variety of threats, including to U.S. national security, financial markets, and public health. This legislation passed the House by a vote of 218-208.

I voted “No” on H.R. 1573, the Access to Counsel Act of 2021. This bill provides the right to consult with counsel for persons referred to secondary inspection at a U.S. port of entry, which would severely affect the ability of Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents to quickly and safely screen millions of people and goods in the middle of a serious border crisis. The House adopted this legislation by a vote of 217-207.

I voted “Yes” on a package of 16 bipartisan bills, which passed the House by a vote of 355-69. This legislative package included a range of bills and legislative fixes, including ones to foster greater growth, increase strategic planning at the Department of Homeland Security, and address errors in the Trusted Traveler Program. Other bills included in this package will strengthen global cybersecurity programs, protect seniors from financial scams, advance initiatives for young leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa, and reiterate our Nation’s strong support for the people of Belarus and their democratic aspirations as they strive for greater freedom.

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 1996, the SAFE Banking Act of 2021. This bill prohibits the federal government from penalizing a depository institution for providing banking services to a cannabis-related business operating legally in a state. While I have serious concerns with state-passed legislation legalizing marijuana, our small businesses and banking institutions shouldn’t pay the price. Current discrepancies between state and federal laws regarding marijuana create real uncertainty and costs for small businesses. This bill ensures they will not be negatively impacted for complying with state law. This legislation was passed by 321-101.

I voted “Yes” on H.Res. 130, which condemns the People's Republic of China and the Government of Hong Kong for violating the human rights and individual freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. This legislation was passed by the House by a vote of 418-1.

Update from SBA: Restaurant Fund

This week the Small Business Administration announced several partnerships with technology companies for a new initiative for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), which allows eligible restaurants and other food establishments to access the RRF application or data they need to complete their application for the program through their trusted point-of-sale (POS) service providers.

While SBA encourages applicants to use the POS ecosystem, applicants without access to point-of-sale service providers can still submit their applications electronically at https://restaurants.sba.gov/.

Mobile Office Hours

I would like to thank everyone who came to mobile office hours this week in Oswego County! I am pleased to announce that my office will be holding additional office hours in Madison, Chenango, and Cortland Counties. If you or someone you know are interested in attending a session, please contact my Utica district office at 315-732-0713 to schedule an appointment today.

Madison County

Tuesday, April 27, 2021 from 11AM-1PM

Madison County Office Building

138 N Court Street

Wampsville, NY 13163

***Announced New This Week***

Chenango County

Wednesday, May 5th from 11AM-1PM

Norwich City Hall

One City Plaza, Norwich, NY 13815

Cortland County

Wednesday, May 12 from 11AM-1PM

Place Cortland Free Library

32 Church St, Cortland, NY 13045

Supporting Binghamton University

Binghamton University leads our state and the nation in education and cutting-edge research. It was great meeting with university leaders to discuss federal resources to support their important work and the NorthEast Center for Chemical Energy Storage.

Celebrating Our Local Businesses

I was so pleased to see that just this week, COVID Cleanse LLC (left) cut the ribbon to its new location in Rome. They are working to clean and disinfect our small businesses and residences in the community to keep us safe. I am wishing them great success as they get to work!

I'd also like to congratulate Creative Minds Youth Foundation (right) in Rome for cutting the ribbon on their new facility this week. They are focused on being a reliable resource for young minds in our community.

Congratulations to these companies! As a Member of the House Small Business Committee, it is great to see small businesses growing in our community.

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 22nd 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 #NY22 as we can each week.