My friend,

Here's a quick update on what I've been working on during a busy few weeks in Washington, DC, Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn...

It's estimated New York paid $11 billion in unemployment benefits to foreign fraudsters and criminal organizations who blew it on everything from mansions to chartered jets to luxury cars.

Ways and Means Republicans want these criminals prosecuted and the money recouped which is why we've brought forward the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act to extend the statute of limitations for prosecuting fraud, incentivize states to investigate and recover fraudulent unemployment insurance payments and utilize data-matching systems to create more integrity throughout our federal aid programs.

The United States cannot afford to continue down this path of unsustainable spending that's led to more than $31 trillion in debt.

House Republicans are advocating for an economic plan that reduces our debt, protects social security and medicare, balances our budget, and cuts wasteful and fraudulent spending from bloated federal agencies.

For more than 90 years, the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island has provided our entire borough with a place to gather with friends, expand their knowledge and participate in recreational activities. Unfortunately, there has been a disturbing increase in the number of antisemitic attacks in our city over the past two years and more must be done to protect those of the Jewish faith from hateful rhetoric and violence. I'm proud to have helped secure critical funding so the JCC can make security upgrades to its facilities and allow the center to continue providing these resources to the community without fear of being attacked.

I joined leadership from the Bay Ridge Center in breaking ground on a new 21,000-square-foot facility to meet the expanding needs of current clients and seniors in our community. In order to help complete this expansion, I've helped secure the remaining funding the center needs to complete the project. The new center is scheduled to open this fall.

I met with Col. Brian Jacobs to discuss significant investments the Department of the Army is making in U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hamilton. This funding will allow the base to completely rebuild its Informations Systems Facility which is currently non-habitable for our soldiers, and increase the number of children the base can provide services for by nearly 50%. This funding shows that the Department of Defense understands the important role Fort Hamilton plays as a strategic hub for New York City and our country as a whole.

Washington DC Office

351 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

(202) 225-3371

Staten Island Office

1698 Victory Blvd

Suite 2L

Staten Island, NY 10314

(718) 568-2870