The Corrupt Reign of King Cuomo is Over at Last |
|
The corrupt reign of King Cuomo is over at last, but the fight for justice and accountability is just beginning. Investigations into Cuomo’s abuse of power, corruption, and criminal misconduct must continue. Cuomo should be immediately prosecuted, not just for sexual harassment and assault, but also for his deadly nursing home policies and subsequent cover up. Every principled District Attorney in the state with a conscience must now prove to New Yorkers that there is not a two-tiered justice system in this state. Albany’s political ruling class must finally be held to the same standards as the rest of us.
Those who aided and abetted Cuomo over these many years must also answer for their crimes and corruption. Cuomo’s criminal operation was not a one-man show. His actions were made possible by the support of his corrupt cronies and the acquiescence of elected and appointed leaders around him. They should all be held accountable.
Now is an opportunity for our great state – the Empire State – to look to the future and rebuild after more than a decade of Cuomo’s failed leadership. Over a million New Yorkers fled this majestic state under Cuomo. New York’s budget ballooned by nearly 60% and taxes, fees, and regulations on families, small businesses, and farms skyrocketed. Cuomo centralized unprecedented power in Albany. He weaponized state agencies against his political opponents and used economic development funds as his personal war chest. Without the country’s most corrupt and abusive governor at the helm of our state, this is a new chapter for New York.
|
|
Serious Concern About the Rapidly Deteriorating Situation in Afghanistan
President Biden’s disastrous policy has turned the situation on the ground in Afghanistan into complete chaos. Now he is sending American troops into a dangerous hornet's nest. As the days go on, more cities and provinces are falling to the Taliban and a humanitarian crisis is quickly unraveling. This poorly planned and tumultuous withdrawal has been a total failure from start to finish. It's leaving our partners in a vulnerable position and paving the way for the total return of the brutal Taliban.
I do not support 'forever wars,' but I also do not support exit strategies that are completely void of any detailed strategy and that place our soldiers in grave danger. What is happening now in Afghanistan could have been avoided if the Administration had devised and implemented a responsible withdrawal strategy, rather than a politically-driven and arbitrary draw-down meant to poke the eye of President Biden’s immediate predecessor. I continue to stand with our partners in Afghanistan and the many Afghans, including women and children, who are now in grave peril due to this Administration’s rushed and irresponsible policy.
|
|
Legislative Update: The Bipartisan 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act
Congress made a promise to the police, firefighters, and other first responders who answered the call on September 11 and in the days following. It is vitally important that we keep that promise. We must ensure the programs Congress created to support 9/11 survivors, first responders, and their families are fully funded. That's why I'm honored to support this legislation to strengthen the World Trade Center Health Program. We must meet the needs of the brave Americans who continue to suffer the trauma and physical pain of that tragic day. Read more about this bipartisan bill by clicking here.
|
|
Homeland Secretary Mayorkas Should Resign Amid Intensifying Border Crisis |
|
Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas’ trip to the Southern Border this week was more smoke and mirrors. President Biden's open border policies have incentivized a record number of illegal crossings into the United States. Migrant surges may not be new, but the magnitude of this current crisis is unprecedented. Illegal crossings have soared each month President Biden has been in office, reaching more than 200,000 encounters in July. This is more than three times the population of Utica and four times the population of Binghamton.
The inability of the Biden Administration to get this migrant surge under control is the very definition of failure. While the buck ultimately stops with President Biden, his Homeland Security Secretary bears significant responsibility. Since he was confirmed in February, Secretary Mayorkas has failed to secure our border and has instead repeatedly downplayed the crisis. He has attacked anyone, including Members of Congress, who question his ability to do the job. All the while, illegal crossings have topped one million under his watch.
It’s clear Secretary Mayorkas is failing to control the crisis at the border. He has lost the confidence of the American people. I therefore call on Secretary Mayorkas to resign effective immediately. President Biden must appoint someone to this important role who is up to the job of securing our border.
|
|
Led Letter Condemning EU's Decision to Attend Iranian President's Inauguration
This week I sent a letter to the European Union’s High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, expressing concern over the European Union’s recent decision to send a senior official to attend the inauguration of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s new president, Ebrahim Raisi. Raisi is a murderer who killed thousands of his own people and came to power in an election that was neither free nor fair. The European Union’s should uphold its human rights principles and stand with the Iranian people rather than honor and empower their corrupt and abusive leaders.
Representatives Tim Burchett (TN-2), Scott Perry (PA-10), Stephanie Bice (OK-5), Brian Mast (FL-18), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Fred Keller (PA-12), and Ronny Jackson (TX-13) joined me in sending this letter.
|
|
Congratulating Rome Lab on Its Recent
Designation as Quantum Research Center
This week Rome Lab was designated as the Quantum Information Science Research Center for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Rome Lab is truly a world class hub of high-tech research and innovation. The Lab's new designation by the U.S. Air Force will open up new federal funding opportunities for Rome and further cement our region's position as a leader in the critically important field of quantum technology. This win for our community is the result of continued collaboration between federal, state, and local officials who work closely with strong advocates like the CNY Defense Alliance. Together we are laser focused on fighting for Rome, advancing our nation's cyber defenses, and investing in our region. Read more about this designation here.
|
|
We Are Here to Help You!
If you need help dealing with a federal agency, you don't have to take the fight on alone. My office is here to fight for you. We have expert caseworkers in our Utica and Binghamton offices who can help you deal with federal agencies like the VA, IRS, Passport Office and many more.
If you need help, click here or call today so we can start fighting for you. So far this year, our office has helped resolve more than 500 constituent cases and returned over $300k in federal benefits to residents of the 22nd District.
Binghamton District Office: 607-242-0200
Utica District Office: 315-713-0713
|
|
Air Force ROTC Cadets Graduate from Cyber Summer Training Program in Rome
I was honored this week to attend the Griffiss Institute Annual Advanced Course in Engineering (ACE) Graduation to recognize the outstanding work of this year's graduates. The ACE program was started in 2003, to encourage young students and ROTC Cadets to develop and test their cyber skills. Cadets from across the globe graduated from this year's program. ACE leverages Rome Lab's leading role as our nation's premier center for cyber research and development to provide students with the skills and training to advance their knowledge and cyber expertise. Congratulations to this year's graduates and thank you to all those in our region who help make this program a tremendous success!
|
|
It's Not Too Late to Apply for a Fall Internship |
|
My office is still accepting internship applications for the Fall semester.
If you're a college student interested in public service and learning more about the legislative process, I encourage you to apply for an internship in one of my three offices in Washington, Utica, or Binghamton. Interning in a congressional office is a unique and rewarding opportunity to help those in need, serve your community, and gain valuable professional experience.
To start your application today, click here or call 202-225-3665.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
