From the Office of Rep. Joe Morelle

January 27, 2023

Dear JOHN,

This week, I continued to take action on some of the most pressing issues facing our community, including: strengthening affordable housing opportunities, safeguarding our national security, fighting to protect women’s reproductive healthcare, and more. Read more below.

Protecting Our National Security

Congressman George Santos has demonstrated a clear pattern of lies, fraud, and deceit—all of which constitute a severe threat to our national security. Following his election to Congress, it was revealed Santos had been fabricating falsehoods covering the entirety of his education and career. He is currently under investigation by the Nassau County district attorney, the New York State Attorney General’s office, the federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York, and by law enforcement authorities in Brazil.

That’s why this week, my colleague and fellow New Yorker Representative Gregory W. Meeks and I called on Speaker Kevin McCarthy to deny George Santos the opportunity to access classified information. The numerous concerning allegations about his behavior over decades put his character into question and suggest he cannot be trusted with confidential and classified information that could threaten the United States’ national security.

Our letter urges Speaker McCarthy to act swiftly to prevent Congressman Santos from abusing his position as a Member of Congress to further endanger our nation.

Read: Congressman Joe Morelle and Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Demand George Santos be Denied Access to Classified Information

Read: Top Dems push to deny Santos access to classified info

Fighting to Restore Women's Fundamental Right to Choose

Rep. Morelle stands with local leaders at a women's healthcare rights rally

This past Sunday marked 50 years since the historic Roe v. Wade decision and 212 days since the disastrous Dobbs decision, which overturned decades of precedent and rolled back critical protections for women’s healthcare. Since then, Republicans have only stepped up their attack on women’s healthcare rights: their first order of business in the new Congress was an attempt to further restrict a woman’s ability to make basic family planning decisions. They have made their radical agenda clear, and overturning Roe v. Wade was just the beginning.

I was proud to join partners in government and community leaders to rally for the fundamental rights all women deserve, and I’ll continue fighting until we enshrine the right to choose into federal law.

Watch: Rep. Morelle Pushes to Restore the Fundamental Right to Choose

Working Alongside Faith Leaders to Reduce Poverty

Rep. Morelle stands with Rochester Faith Leaders

I’m grateful to my friend and colleague Senator Gillibrand for bringing together faith leaders from across our state—including from here in Rochester—for a critical discussion on uplifting our communities.

There is nothing I spend more time thinking about than how to break the cycle of violence, poverty, and hopelessness that plagues our community and so many like it across the country. On Thursday, I was humbled by the opportunity to hear from faith leaders who are doing the grassroots work every day to help their neighbors in need, and to gain their insights on how we can work together to find solutions to the complex challenges we face. We know that a house divided cannot stand, which is why we must come together in our shared desire to strengthen our neighborhoods and leave behind a stronger community for everyone.

Supporting Our Educational Institutions

Rep. Morelle attends a ribbon cutting at Roberts Wesleyan University

On Monday, I had the pleasure of joining Roberts Wesleyan President Deana Portfield, students, faculty, and staff, and members of our community to cut the ribbon on the Golisano Community Engagement Center!

I’ve always believed that supporting education at all levels is critical to ensuring students, families, and young professionals have the resources and experience they need to thrive. This new Community Engagement Center underscores that commitment by helping to facilitate critical networking connections and hands-on opportunities to grow our workforce and strengthen our local economy.

Expanding Affordable Housing for Our Families

Every person deserves a safe, stable place to call home—it’s one of the key building blocks of a successful future for our families.

Sadly, our community has a long and unfortunate history of housing inequities and other discriminatory practices that have negatively impacted an entire generation. We’ve begun to right the wrongs of the past through partnerships like the Inner Loop transformation, and Mayor Evans’ Buy the Block program, and this week we continued that progress with Governor Hochul, who is prioritizing investment in affordable housing initiatives in her state budget. I’m grateful for her commitment to our community and look forward to our continued work together to create a stronger, more equitable future for everyone who calls Rochester home.

Please know my office is always here to help. Visit morelle.house.gov to learn more about how we can assist you and your family.

Warmest personal regards,

Joe Morelle

New York’s 25th Congressional District