Remembering Our Local Heroes
As we commemorated Memorial Day this week, I had the distinct pleasure of attending so many thoughtful and heartfelt ceremonies across our region. Remembering the sacrifices of so many heroes is extremely humbling and I am so grateful for the service of our military members. There is always more we can do to memorialize the legacies of our hometown heroes.
That's why I am pleased to announce that I am introducing the Remembering Our Local Heroes Act, which will preserve the memories of those who have honorably served our country and community, whether in the military, as a law enforcement officer, or a firefighter. My legislation establishes a new grant program for communities and non-profit organizations to construct, restore, and maintain memorials honoring hometown heroes. This bill is another step we can take as a nation to recognize the service of so many extraordinary individuals in our community and ensure their memories endure for generations to come.
Click here for additional details about the legislation.
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Texas Proposes Commonsense Election Reforms
As co-chair of the House Election Integrity Caucus, I am actively following the important work of state legislatures around the country to strengthen election security and adopt commonsense election reforms. This week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Republican members of the state legislature continued their efforts to advance reforms to make elections more secure in Texas.
I applaud them for taking this important step. Implementing widely supported safeguards like voter ID laws and ending ballot harvesting will make Texas elections more secure and restore faith in the democratic process.
Unfortunately, partisan political operatives in Washington and in the media are doing in Texas exactly what they did in Georgia by using disinformation to manufacture a crisis. The Texas legislation is not "un-American" as President Biden disingenuously claims. It offers two weeks of early voting, which is more than in many states, increases minimum voting hours, requires identifying information for mail-in ballots, and bans vote harvesting, among other reforms. Pedaling the false narrative that election reforms are an assault on our democracy did not work in Georgia, and it will not work in Texas. American voters overwhelmingly support commonsense election safeguards.
Radical proposals like H.R. 1, which would federalize our elections, are being rejected over and over again by the American people because they understand that the right to vote is sacred and should be protected.
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President Biden Taps Harris to Lead H.R. 1 Push |
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This week, President Joe Biden tapped Vice President Harris to shepherd the most radical election reform proposal ever through Congress - H.R. 1. This shows just how committed the Administration is to a complete federal takeover of our elections.
Vice President Harris has repeatedly advocated for policies that would undermine the integrity of our elections and lead to systemic problems in the future. The American people support voter ID, oppose ballot harvesting, and believe in reasonable standards for absentee balloting. She is out of step with the American people on each of these fronts. At one point, Vice President Harris even advocated for extending voting rights to terrorists.
She has utterly failed to address the unprecedented crisis at our southern border, leading to a humanitarian and national security catastrophe not seen in a generation. Rather than leading the charge to rig our election system to ensure a permanent majority for her Party, she should focus on the responsibilities she already has to restore order at our nation's southern border.
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VA Listening Sessions for NY-22 Veterans
An Important Notice to All Veterans: The VA is hosting listening sessions for veterans across America to share their experiences with the VA healthcare system. If you or someone you know are interested in attending an upcoming session, click the link here to learn more and register.
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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:
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H.R. 3642: To award a Congressional gold medal to the 369th Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the "Harlem Hellfighters", in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service during World War I.
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H.R. 3630: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of certain lymphedema compression treatment items under the Medicare program.
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H. Res. 450: Calling upon all Americans on this Memorial Day, 2021, to honor the men and women of the Armed Forces who have died in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
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Visit to Rome VA Clinic
With more than 50,000 veterans living in New York’s 22nd District, it’s critically important that we provide each American hero with the best possible care. I was pleased to meet with the leadership team this week at the Rome VA clinic to learn more about their planned expansion and ongoing efforts to deliver care to veterans. I’m honored to support their mission and our nation’s veterans.
This week, I also held the first meeting of my Congressional Veterans Advisory Committee to discuss ways we can improve care, services, and support for veterans. We discussed several important issues, including steps we can take to increase access to mental health programs.
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Supporting Our Local Businesses
This week, I was in Cortland and Madison Counties to meet with small businesses. I visited Jax Service Center, where I had a great conversation with owner Sean Smith. Sean and his wife have had tremendous success building their business, which they started together in 2014.
I also met with Ernie Dodge, President of the JM Murray Center. I learned more about the compassionate support services and opportunities they provide to individuals with developmental disabilities.
I also enjoyed meeting with Kristin Meyer, who is the owner of Northeast Information Discovery (NEID) in Canastota. As a woman-owned small business, NEID is leading in cutting-edge technological research and development right here in our community and I'm pleased to support its work.
Small businesses and organizations in our community have had a challenging year. I enjoyed talking about my efforts in Congress to speed up our recovery and continue finding solutions that empower our small businesses.
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Standing with Burma
Until peace is restored in Burma, and more is done to end the ongoing coup there, I will not stop fighting for the Burmese people – at home, in Congress, and on the international stage. This past weekend, I joined over one hundred Burmese refugees and new Burmese-American citizens in Utica to stand for democracy and call for action. It is crucial that the United States stand with the Burmese people as they pursue their freedom.
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Remembering Our Military Heroes
It was so moving to see heartfelt Memorial Day events taking place across our region this past weekend. I was honored to attend events in Oneida, Ilion, Utica, New York Mills, Whitesboro and Constantia. Thank you to all the families, veterans, first responders, and community leaders who came out to honor the sacred memories of our fallen heroes.
Tens of thousands of Americans have given their lives in service to this country. Memorial Day is so much more than barbecues, fireworks, and the official start of summer, it’s a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by generations of brave men and women who died defending our freedoms.
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June Mobile Office Hours
I would like to thank everyone who came to mobile office hours this week in Madison County! I am pleased to announce that my office will be holding additional office hours in Cortland County this week and in Chenango County the following week.
If you or someone you know are interested in attending a session, please contact my Binghamton District Office at 607-242-0200 or my Utica District Office at 315-732-0713 to schedule an appointment today.
Cortland County
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 from 11AM - 1PM
Cortland Fire Department
21 Court Street
Cortland, NY 13045
**New**
Chenango County
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 from 11AM - 1PM
Village of Greene Offices
49 Genesee Street
Greene, NY 13778
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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.
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