Weekly Newsletter from the Office of Congressman Andrew Garbarino If you were forwarded this email, click here to subscribe ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ An update from the office of Congressman Andrew Garbarino SPOTLIGHT Andrew Announces Legislation To Safeguard Healthcare For 9/11 Survivors And First Responders This week, Andrew, alongside fellow Members of Congress, 9/11 health program advocates, and 9/11 responders and survivors announced the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023 to close the funding shortfall in the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). The bill, sponsored by Andrew in the House and Senator Gillibrand in the Senate, will address the long-term funding shortfall, allow excluded Pentagon and Shanksville responders to join the program, and make technical corrections to the program. In a statement Andrew said, "More than 20 years ago, we experienced the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil in history. Today, tens of thousands of 9/11 survivors and responders are living with the ramifications of that day. When Congress first established the World Trade Center Health Program, a promise was made to care for those Americans, but now a looming funding gap threatens their access to healthcare for 9/11 related illnesses and injuries. The bipartisan bicameral 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act is our chance to fulfill our promise - once and for all - to Never Forget by closing the funding gap and ensuring the WTCHP is equipped to care for those who need it for years to come." Learn more about this legislation here. ANDREW IN THE NEWS WTC Health Program would get $2 billion more under Congress plan " A bipartisan group of lawmakers on Tuesday launched a campaign to pass a bill to cover the rest of the funding needed by the World Trade Center Health Program that could face hurdles in the Republican-controlled House. The group led by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) said they will push for about $2 billion to fully fund the program after Congress in December approved only $1 billion of the $3.6 billion the program needs...The bill unveiled Tuesday also will extend coverage to responders at the Pentagon after terrorists crashed an airliner there and at Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where passengers forced down an al-Qaida hijacked airliner. An administrative ruling excluded them from the program. After the news conference, Garbarino began working on other lawmakers by introducing them to his high school friend Jamie Atkinson, 42, of Sayville, who as a 19-year-old worked as a volunteer with the Community Ambulance Company at Ground Zero. " Click Here To Read The Full Article. WHAT'S NEW IN NY-02 Andrew, Nick Lalota, And Anthony D'Esposito Speak To Long Island Business Leaders On Friday, Andrew, along with Reps. Nick Lalota and Anthony D'Esposito joined the Long Island Association for a discussion about how we can continue to strengthen our local economy, what the Members are working on, and the latest ongoings in Washington. Topics ranged from SALT to the Debt Ceiling to the war in Ukraine. Andrew always appreciates the opportunity to hear from Long Island's business community. CASEWORK HIGHLIGHT: Clearing Up Passport Document Discrepancy A constituent from Medford applied for a passport in October and yet, as of last week, had still not received it ahead of his scheduled travel to Mexico this upcoming week. The delay was due to an issue with his birth certificate, although he had previously obtained a passport with the same documents. Andrew's casework team was able to connect with the National Passport Center, clear up the issue and expedite the processing of his passport, which he received on Friday, in time for his trip. Andrew knows how frustrating dealing with bureaucracy can be. That is why he has an entire team dedicated to helping constituents get what they need for the federal government. If you need help dealing with a federal agency, contact our office and our team will get to work on your case. KEEPING UP WITH CONGRESS Andrew Urges VA Data Transparency To Help Address Crisis Of Veteran Suicide This week, Andrew sent a bipartisan letter to United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address discrepancies between state, local, and federal veteran suicide data and engage in data transparency with research-based organizations like the America’s Warrior Partnership (AWP) in order to better shed light on the crisis of veteran suicide in America. Read the letter here. Andrew Co-Sponsors Bill To Expand Law Enforcement Retirement Benefits Andrew joined with Rep. Bill Pascrell to reintroduce the Law Enforcement Officers’ Equity Act, bipartisan legislation that will guarantee that police officers across the federal government receive their full retirement benefits. Because of a loophole in the law, thousands of federal law enforcement officers cannot receive enhanced retirement benefits. This legislation would expand and secure full federal benefits to tens of thousands of officers. Learn more about the bill here. Thanks for reading! Do you know someone who might like to receive these updates? Forward this email to your friends and families and tell them to click below to subscribe! Click Here To Subscribe Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino Congressman representing New York's 2nd Congressional District ‌ ‌ ‌ Washington, D.C. 2344 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-7896 Patchogue 31 Oak Street Suite 20 Patchogue, NY 11772 Phone: (631) 541-4225 Rep. 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