December 10, 2022
Dear Friends,
This session of Congress has been one of the most productive in American history. From our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act, we’ve enacted numerous pieces of transformative legislation which will have positive impacts that reverberate across our nation for years to come. But even amid these unprecedented accomplishments, I am always mindful that my greatest honor and responsibility as a member of Congress is the opportunity to work on behalf of our Capital Region and all who call it home. This week, I’m sharing some of the work my incredible team and I have done this year to deliver for our communities through legislation, advocacy, and direct engagement with you.
My legislative efforts in Washington are continually shaped by my discussions with families, individuals, and advocates here in the Capital Region. One such conversation with a constituent inspired me to introduce the Helping Experts Accelerate Rare Treatments (HEART) Act, an important bill that would strengthen and streamline the review process for drugs that treat rare diseases. And after our community came together to mourn the 20 lives lost in the 2018 Schoharie limousine crash, I worked directly with the families to introduce and enshrine into law lifesaving national safety standards for limos that will make our roads safer and prevent another devastating tragedy.
And this year, I worked alongside local advocates to introduce the New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act, legislation that would restore the critical waters that flow through our district into the New York-New Jersey Harbor. I’m thrilled to say that this week, my work to protect our local waterways received a big boost as my provisions to authorize new assessments for flood risk, ecosystem restoration, and other watershed needs in the Hudson and Mohawk River Basins were included in a bipartisan, must-pass legislative package. I’m always proud when conversations with our Capital Region partners lead to new and meaningful legislation with significant positive impacts for our district and for the nation as a whole. But legislating is only one part of my job as a member of Congress.
All year, my team and I have been working nonstop to support jobs and businesses in New York’s 20th Congressional District. In 2022 alone;
- My office has helped secure more than $560 million in federal grants for our Capital Region businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities.
- I submitted nearly 50 letters of support advocating for many of these investments, helping to deliver critical funding to fire departments, small businesses, and other organizations throughout our region.
- Our team also assisted more than 200 local businesses in resolving issues with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and other federal agencies, ensuring our local establishments can keep their doors open and keep creating local jobs.
In the coming year, I’ll keep working to make certain that our municipalities and our businesses have the resources they need to succeed and to keep our communities vibrant.
We’ve also spent 2022 continuing to engage with and serve our constituents on an individual basis. This year, my staff and I have resolved more than 1,700 constituent cases, assisting with issues ranging from immigration services and veterans affairs to tax returns and social security. Our casework team has helped constituents receive more than $1 million in federal refunds, and secured passports and visas for individuals and families across our region, ensuring their ability to travel, work, and receive an education. You can click here to read testimonials from a few Capital Region residents whose issues we’ve helped resolve this year. If you live in New York’s 20th Congressional District and you need assistance with a federal agency, you can call my Albany office at 518-465-0700. My team and I stand ready to assist you in any way we can.
I’ve also held constituent-focused webinars on passport assistance, tax filing, and emergency preparedness. In fact, next week I’ll be hosting another informational webinar on consumer protection (find out how to tune in for ‘Did You Know’ section below)! And we’ve connected with you through tens of thousands of responses to constituents to address your concerns on climate change, women’s health, upholding democracy, and countless other issues.
I have always cherished the opportunity to advocate on behalf of our Capital Region and its residents. Whether by introducing legislation to address local priorities, securing critical funding for local businesses, or helping constituents cut through red tape, my team and I are working every day with a spirit of service to meet the needs of the people I represent. It remains my great honor to serve as your voice in Washington.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- With the holidays approaching and the travel and shopping season well underway, it’s a critical time to be aware of your rights as a consumer.
- To keep you updated, I’ll be hosting an informational webinar on federal consumer protection and safety this coming Tuesday, December 13th, at 5:30 PM.
- At the webinar, we’ll be joined by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric as well as representatives from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), who will each give presentations to share updates, resources, and tips.
- This event will be streamed live on my Facebook page.
- If you cannot access Facebook and would like a recording of the webinar, please reach out to my office at 518-465-0700 to request that video.
