Standing for Our Second Amendment |
|
Law-abiding gun owners in New York have endured attacks on our Second Amendment rights for decades. I was in Ilion, home of Remingon Arms, this week to highlight my fight in Congress to preserve the Second Amendment and announce an initiative I'm leading to challenge New York's unconstitutional conceal carry restrictions. The Supreme Court will soon hear the case of New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Corlett that challenges New York’s onerous and arbitrary conceal carry restrictions, which unconstitutionally bars law-abiding New Yorkers from exercising their Second Amendment rights.
I am leading a congressional amicus brief to the Supreme Court, which 175 Members of Congress have now joined, in support of the plaintiffs in this case. I'm honored to lead this brief, which defends our right to keep and bear arms for personal protection. The stakes are high: this Supreme Court case is the most significant Second Amendment case heard in Washington in more than a decade. This congressional amicus brief sends a clear message that our constitutionally protected Second Amendment rights are not up for negotiation.
|
|
Thank You for Joining My Town Hall |
|
This week, I hosted a Tele-Town Hall for residents of New York's 22nd Congressional District. During this live discussion, I provided updates on my work in Congress. I also answered several questions on a range of issues, including infrastructure negotiations in Washington, vaccine mandates, election integrity reforms in Congress and across the country, broadband expansion in the area, and assisting individuals with VA benefits and other federal issues.
We had more than 4,500 constituents from across the district join the call and share their thoughts and feedback with me. I asked several poll questions during the conversation and have included the results to the questions below.
If you missed out on this week's call, don't worry, I will have more in the future. You can register to be included on our next call by clicking the link here.
|
|
Fighting Back Against Big Tech |
|
I am pleased to share that I have been selected to serve on the House Big Tech Censorship and Data Task Force. This group review the laws governing Big Tech companies like Facebook and Twitter and examine how it impacts Americans' rights and freedoms, including our free speech rights.
I am honored to be selected to the Big Tech Taskforce to lead the fight to protect our First Amendment rights, hold big tech accountable, and safeguard our personal data. Not only have Facebook and Twitter made a habit of censoring conservatives online and harvesting our private data, they've also started playing a partisan role to influence our elections, as I recently exposed. It's time big tech plays by the same rules as everyone else, and I look forward to serving on this task force to drive real results that safeguard our liberties.
|
|
Highlighting America's Generosity Abroad
Operation Warp Speed produced effective vaccines in record time, ensuring that every American who wants a vaccine can receive one. Now as we look to help our allies and partners beat COVID-19, it's simple: every vaccine the United States provides abroad should proudly bear the American flag.
Last week, the Foreign Affairs Committee adopted my amendment to ensure this is the case! The United States is the most generous nation on earth, and as China ramps up its propaganda efforts abroad, those we help around the world should know when it's coming from the United States.
|
|
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. 4310: To amend the Lacey Act of Amendments of 1981 to prohibit the import, export, transport, sale, receipt, acquirement, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce of mink, and for other purposes.
-
H.R. 2409: The U.S.-Israel Cooperation Act which promotes law enforcement cooperation between the US and Israel.
-
H.R. 3685: To impose sanctions with respect to foreign support for terrorist organizations, including Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
-
Cosigned a letter, led by Reps. Peter Meijer and Joaquin Castro, to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen requesting that the Biden administration develop a strategy with allies and partners to identify offshore Tatmadaw assets and strengthen sanctions laws/designations to freeze those assets.
|
|
House Appropriations Committee Approves Sherburne's Broadband Funding Request
I was honored to support the Village of Sherburne’s federal funding request to expand broadband for local consumers, which has officially been approved by the House Appropriations Committee. This is a significant step in the legislative process that moves this funding one step closer to crossing the finish line.
Expanding broadband access in our region is one of the most important issues we face today. Far too many rural consumers have nonexistent or substandard broadband service, which is why I’m fighting to bring greater and more reliable internet choice to you. Thank you Sherburne Mayor Bill Acee and State Senator Peter Oberacker for joining me to make the announcement.
I’m now calling on House and Senate leaders, especially Speaker Pelosi, to bring a clean, targeted, bipartisan spending bill to the floor that includes this important project funding. I know your internet connection determines your future and shapes your access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, which is why I am so committed to this important issue.
|
|
$10 Million Grant for Rural Broadband Access in Madison County
I am pleased to announce Madison County has received $10.1 million in funding from the Department of Agriculture through the USDA’s ReConnect Program. This program provides loans and grants to cover the costs to construct, improve or acquire facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in rural areas. This grant will connect 798 households, 2,170 people, 30 businesses, and 50 farms across over 48.21 square miles.
I am a strong supporter of cultivating a robust internet marketplace that provides better service for a lower cost. This June, I testified in front of the powerful House Appropriations committee to urge it to continue funding rural broadband expansions through the USDA ReConnect Program and reform the program to raise the federal definition of internet service to help more communities. I'm also an original cosponsor for H.R. 3377, the Gigabit Opportunity Act, and cosponsor of H.R. 3435, the American Broadband Act, which aim to boost federal and private sector resources to expand broadband access in underserved communities. I'm committed to this fight and bringing better internet to you.
|
|
Celebrating the Congressional Art Competition Winners
I was honored to announce the winners of this year's Congressional Art Competition during a ceremony at Munson-Williams. My office received so many outstanding works of art from talented young artists, which I've posted on my website, found here.
I want to congratulate Gavin of New Hartford High School for winning this year’s Congressional Art Competition. He now has the tremendous honor of having his artwork hang in the U.S. Capitol Building. I'd also like to congratulate our second place winner, Alexis of Thomas R. Proctor High School, our third place winner Kara of Whitesboro High School, and our fourth place winner Kylee of Adirondack Central High School. Competition was strong this year and each of these talented artists should be proud of their tremendous achievements. Thank you to all the students who participated in this year’s competition.
|
|
Honoring Our Heroes
100 years ago, in the early morning of July 8, 1921, Oneida County Deputy Sherriff Charles J. Kammerlohr was shot and killed in the line of duty while attempting to apprehend bootleggers in Utica.
On the 100th anniversary of his death, members of our community joined together for a touching tribute to honor his service and remember his sacrifice. My office was honored to participate and reflect on his legacy.
|
|
Supporting Our Local Businesses
I had the pleasure of stopping by Gilligan’s Ice Cream in Sherburne - no better way to celebrate summer in Chenango County! Glad I could join Mayor Acee and others for a sweet treat this week.
Make sure you get out to support our local ice cream shops and small businesses this summer.
|
|
July Mobile Office Hours
I am pleased to announce that my office will be holding office hours in Oswego County this 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.
Oswego County
Wednesday, July 13, 2021
11AM - 1PM
1134 US-11
Central Square NY 13036
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
