Congresswoman Tenney's Weekly Newsletter Have questions? Contact Me Here Celebrating Labor Day this Weekend On Monday, we pay tribute to the many contributions and achievements of America's exceptional workforce. Over the past couple years, America’s small businesses and workers have endured so many challenges. Last year, due to overreaching government policies in Albany and Washington that discouraged work, many small businesses struggled to find the workers they needed to keep their doors open. Even now, staffing shortages continue to hit all industries. That's why I want to share a very special THANK YOU to all of those American workers who have stepped up and continue to keep our businesses open and communities running! Your hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed. In Congress, I am fighting to restore opportunity and prosperity to our region. This includes driving costs down while expanding high-quality, well-paying jobs. I will continue to support pro-growth policies to boost small businesses. It also includes ensuring that those who lost their jobs because of unfair vaccine mandates can return to work with backpay. The injustice that was done to these workers during the pandemic is unacceptable and we must right this wrong. Last year, I released my comprehensive Community Opportunity Report, A Vision for Renewal, where I outlined my plan to expand jobs and opportunity. You can read it by clicking the link above. I will always fight for upstate New York! Congress Must Stop President Biden's Illegal and Overreaching Student Debt Plan Last week, President Biden announced his student loan debt "cancellation" scheme, sticking those who paid their debts or who chose not to go to college with the bill for others who did. His irresponsible plan totally fails to address skyrocketing higher education costs and is sure to drive inflation even further. That's why I joined with more than 90 of my colleagues in a letter to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, demanding she initiate immediate congressional action to stop President Biden’s illegal and overreaching student loan debt “cancellation” policy. Speaker Pelosi is on the record saying that the President does not have the authority to issue this kind of broad forgiveness, and if she has any respect for the rule of law, she will stand up to Biden’s overreach. According to an estimate from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Biden's unprecedented and illegal giveaway could cost as much as $600 billion and will benefit higher-earners with advanced degrees over hardworking American families. Some estimates have the cost as high as $1 trillion. Did you know that 87% of Americans do not have any federal student loan debt? President Biden’s plan to ‘cancel’ debt is a slap in the face to those who saved and paid their debts as well as to those who chose not to go to college. The full text of our letter to Speaker Pelosi is available here. Responding to President Biden's Mean and Divisive Speech in Philadelphia On Thursday night, President Biden gave a speech in front of Independence Hall, a place where our Nation's founders once came together to unify against tyranny and in support of freedom. Throughout Biden's speech, he amplified attacks against his political opponents, including calling them "extremists." This came just days after calling many of them "semi-fascists." President Biden claimed he would be the “unity” president. However, actions speak louder than words, and his speech this week was shameful. It was mean, divisive, and filled with demagoguery. Americans are hurting. President Biden’s speech proposed nothing to alleviate their suffering. Attacking the American people for his incompetent leadership as he did this week is neither a solution nor a strategy. It’s not extreme to support affordable energy, safe streets, fair elections, and secure borders. Leading the Charge to Stop the Dangerous JCPOA 2.0 READ MORE: Lawmakers Push Back Against Biden Effort to Close Probe Into Iranian Nuclear Sites This week, I led a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi. In it, we urged Grossi to maintain the independence of the agency’s probe into undeclared nuclear sites in Iran. The IAEA is potentially set to come under increasing pressure from the Biden Administration and others to prematurely close its ongoing investigation into Iran’s undeclared nuclear sites following demands from the Iranian regime, which has made it a precondition of joining a revived nuclear deal. President Biden is willing to jeopardize our national security and the credibility of the entire nuclear non-proliferation architecture in his misguided and irresponsible rush to rejoin the failed nuclear deal with Iran. Iran violated its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty by hiding nuclear sites from IAEA inspectors and since 2018, it has continued to stonewall investigators and conceal key information about its nuclear program. It is malpractice for Joe Biden to even consider a deal with Iran while it continues to violate international law and hide information about its nuclear program. I want Rafael Grossi, the IAEA's head, to know that despite the pressure he may face from the Biden Administration and others to prematurely halt his investigation into Iran, members of Congress support his mission. We believe that the investigation into Iran’s nuclear secrets should be guided by technical facts, not the political winds. If the IAEA terminates this investigation into Iran’s nuclear violations purely for political reasons to appease Iran, we are sending a message to rogue regimes around the world that we can be extorted. The full text of the letter is available here. ACTION ALERT: The Farm Overtime Wage Threshold Next week, the New York Farm Wage Board is expected to recommend that New York Labor Department Commissioner Roberta Reardon lower the farm labor overtime threshold from 60 to 40 hours. This means that, with costs from the price of diesel to fertilizer to labor already soaring, family farms across New York would be hit with an even higher cost of labor. This is unacceptable! This change would be devastating for family farms throughout Upstate, and could even force many farmers out of the state. Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences projected many New York farms would be forced to close or reduce their operations if the lower threshold is implemented. I am strongly opposed to this change, which is why I joined Congresswoman Elise Stefanik in a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to reject the proposal to lower the threshold. Agriculture is a key part of our economy in upstate New York, and farmers are vital to keeping food on our tables! JUST ANNOUNCED: Virtual and Mobile Office Hours Announced for September This week, I announced upcoming virtual office hours as well as in-person mobile office hour sessions for constituents in New York’s 22nd Congressional District. These sessions are an opportunity for constituents to connect with caseworkers for assistance dealing with a federal agency. Constituents interested in attending virtual office hours should RSVP directly to my Binghamton District Office at 607-242-0200 with their preferred time. Participants will receive a Zoom link on the morning of the session. Those interested in attending an in-person mobile office hour session are highly encouraged to schedule their appointments in advance by contacting either my Binghamton District Office at the number above or her Utica District Office at 315-732-0713. Scheduling your appointment in advance will provide a more expedited casework experience for individuals and ensure that every constituent is able to receive the help they need. 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. ‌ ‌ ‌ Rep. Tenney | 1410 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]