Condeming New York's Latest Utility Rate Hikes

Families across Upstate New York are already struggling with rising costs, and now Albany is forcing them to pay even more for basic utilities. I strongly condemn the New York Public Service Commission’s approval of new temporary utility rate hikes impacting NYSEG and RG&E customers while even larger increases remain under consideration. The PSC is controlled by Governor Hochul’s appointees, and these rising costs are the direct result of years of failed energy policies, unrealistic mandates, and one party rule in Albany. New Yorkers deserve affordable, reliable energy that keeps the lights on and costs manageable for working families, farmers, seniors, and small businesses. Instead, Albany Democrats continue pushing policies that drive up bills, strain our electric grid, and make New York increasingly unaffordable.

Protecting Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights

This week, House Republicans passed the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, legislation I supported to protect the constitutional rights of the men and women who served our country. For years, veterans have been unfairly reported to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System simply because they needed assistance managing their VA benefits, without any judicial finding that they posed a danger to themselves or others. More than 250,000 veterans have reportedly been affected by this policy since 1993. Our veterans fought to defend the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, and they should never lose their Second Amendment rights because of a bureaucratic decision made without due process. This legislation ensures veterans are treated under the same constitutional standards as every other American while preserving safeguards for individuals who are truly a danger to themselves or others.

Introducing Rental Housing Investment Act 

Many New Yorkers are struggling with rising housing costs and a shortage of available rental housing, especially for working families, young professionals, and seniors. That is why I introduced the bipartisan Rental Housing Investment Act to help expand the supply of long-term rental housing and lower costs by encouraging new construction through commonsense tax reforms. This legislation would reduce upfront development costs for builders constructing new rental housing and affordable housing projects, helping spur private sector investment and increase housing availability in communities across the country. America’s housing shortage is driving up costs for hardworking families, and outdated tax policies should not make the problem worse. This bill takes a practical, market driven approach to increase housing supply and improve affordability.

Reviewing 9/11 Commission Reforms Ahead of 25th Anniversary

This week, I participated in a House Intelligence Committee hearing reviewing the intelligence reforms and recommendations made following the September 11th terrorist attacks as part of Congress’ bipartisan 25th anniversary review of the 9/11 Commission Report. During the hearing, I emphasized the importance of cooperation and information sharing between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to prevent terrorism and protect American communities. I also raised serious concerns about efforts by Albany Democrats to weaken that cooperation through policies targeting programs like 287(g) agreements and New York’s Green Light Law, which limit coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Twenty five years after the attacks that changed our country forever, we must remain focused on protecting our national security, strengthening intelligence coordination, and ensuring the lessons learned from 9/11 are never forgotten.

As your representative in Congress, my top priority is championing legislative initiatives that benefit you and your families. Each week, I review numerous bills and letters, engaging in thorough discussions with members of our community to determine which actions to support and address your needs. Below are a few bills I recently cosponsored.

H.Res. 373, Expressing support for the month of May as "Fallen Heroes Memorial Month": This resolution would express support for designating the month of May as “Fallen Heroes Memorial Month.” The resolution honors members of the United States Armed Forces, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty while serving their communities and our country. It is essential that we continue to remember those who have given their lives in service to this great nation. This resolution reaffirms our nation’s gratitude and respect for America’s fallen heroes and their families.

H.Res. 459, Supporting the goals and ideals of "National Poppy Day": This resolution would express support for the goals and ideals of “National Poppy Day.” The resolution recognizes the symbolic significance of the red poppy in honoring members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in service to the United States and acknowledges the contributions of veterans organizations that distribute poppies to support veterans and their families. National Poppy Day serves as an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by America’s servicemembers and raise awareness of the challenges faced by veterans. This resolution reaffirms our solidarity with the families and loved ones of those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice.

H.R 882, No Foreign Persons Administering Our Elections Act: This bill would prevent the hiring of individuals who are not citizens of the United States to administer an election for a federal office in a State or local jurisdiction. Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our self-governing constitutional republic, and entrusting election administration to noncitizens undermines the very essence of our nation's sovereignty and could easily lead to voter fraud. This bill would protect election integrity and would prevent potential foreign interference in U.S elections.

My Votes Explained

Transparency in Congress and a well-informed electorate are vital to preserving our self-governing Constitutional Republic. My constituents deserve to know how their members of Congress vote, which is why I have explained every vote I have cast in Congress since I was first elected. 

To read more about my votes and see the full list with explanations of all the legislation considered this week by the House, please click here.

Wednesday, May 20

I voted “Yes” on S. 2393, the Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act. This bill authorizes appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to construct a new hospital facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Our veterans have put their lives on the line to defend our freedom and should always receive the benefits they earned in a transparent, effective, and affordable manner. This bill ensures that this VA facility strengthens services by providing quality healthcare to the St. Louis community. This bill passed the House by a vote of 405-5. 

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 1993, the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act. This bill, which I cosponsored, directs the Treasury Secretary to mint 50,000 gold coins and 400,000 silver coins in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Twenty-five years after the horrific attacks of September 11th, we have a responsibility to honor the memories of those we lost, pray for those still suffering from health impacts from 9/11, and honor the first responders whose bravery and courage were unmatched. All proceeds from the commemorative coins will be given to the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. This bill passed the House unanimously by a vote of 415-0. 

I voted "Yes" on H.R. 3234, the Keeping Deposits Local Act. This bill gives community banks greater flexibility to accept larger reciprocal deposits, freeing up more capital for local lending and investment. Community banks in Upstate New York don't have the sprawling branch networks of the big Wall Street institutions, and unnecessarily restrictive deposit regulations put them at a competitive disadvantage that hurts the small businesses and families that rely on them. This bill builds on bipartisan legislation enacted in 2018 and takes the next logical step in giving community banks the flexibility they need to grow, compete, and invest in the communities they serve. This bill passed the House by a vote of 405–0.

I voted "Yes" on H.R. 4544, the American Access to Banking Act. This bill directs federal financial regulators to streamline the application process for forming new banks and credit unions. This bill also improves communication with applicants and coordination between state regulators and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The number of new bank charters has collapsed in recent decades, only 3 were approved between 2012 and 2016, creating real barriers to competition and financial access, particularly in rural and underserved communities. New York's 24th District is home to many families and small businesses that depend on community banks, and the consolidation of the banking sector into large institutions threatens the local relationships that make community banking work. This legislation takes a commonsense step toward rebuilding a pipeline of new community banks and credit unions for consumers that lack access to traditional financing. This bill passed the House by a vote of 405–4.

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 5317, the Community Bank Deposit Access Act of 2025. This bill changes the treatment of certain types of deposits, so they are no longer classified as brokered deposits for Community Banks. Outdated regulations place community banks at a disadvantage, stifling their ability to serve our rural communities and businesses. This bill updates regulations to allow for more competition and ensure that financial institutions can best serve their communities while maintaining strong fiduciary standards. This bill passed by a vote of 393-16. 

I voted "Yes" on H. Res. 1299, 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act. This sweeping bipartisan legislation addresses the root of the housing affordability crisis by expanding supply, cutting unnecessary regulatory barriers to new construction, modernizing HUD programs, and reforming outdated banking rules that have prevented community banks from financing the new homes that families in Upstate New York desperately need. New York is currently short of at least 400,000 housing units to meet demand, and rising construction costs, zoning constraints, and regulatory delays have made a bad situation worse. This bill streamlines the permitting process through pre-approved home designs, modernizes the HOME Program, updates manufactured housing rules, expands community and rural banks' access to stable deposits for local lending. Most importantly, this bill delivers on President Trump's commitment to limit institutional investors from crowding out everyday Americans in the housing market. New York families have experienced the strain of housing affordability firsthand, and this legislation gives builders, banks, and local communities the tools they need to finally move the needle and make housing more affordable. This bill passed the House by a vote of 396–13.

I voted “Yes” on S. 1003, Lulu’s Law. This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue an order explicitly permitting the transmission of wireless emergency alerts to mobile phones in the event of a shark attack. The Integrated Public Alert & Warning System is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) national system that provides authenticated emergency and life-saving information to the public, including national alerts, public safety alerts, and AMBER Alerts. This bill is named after Lulu Gribbin, an Alabama teenager who nearly lost her life in a tragic 2024 shark attack on the Florida Gulf Coast. This bill ensures that vital safety alerts include warnings of these types of incidents to prevent future incidents like the one that nearly killed Lulu. This bill passed the House by a vote of 401-6. 

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 2616, the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act. This bill prohibits federal funds to teach radical gender ideologies in schools and requires parental consent before schools can change students’ pronouns or change any sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms. There have been far too many stories of teachers and schools conspiring to conceal information from parents to promote these radical gender ideologies. This is not only abusing taxpayer funds, but violates the central principle that parents know how best to care for their child. This bill builds upon President Trump’s Executive Order 14168, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” and Executive Order 14190, “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling”. Together with these executive orders, the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act will help protect parental rights and will stop radical gender ideologies from infiltrating our schools. This bill passed the House by a vote of 217-198. 

Thursday, May 21

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act. This bill prohibits the VA from reporting a veteran as incapable of owning a firearm for using a fiduciary to manage their benefits. As a Constitutional Conservative, one of my top priorities throughout my time in public service has been to preserve and uphold the sacred right to bear arms, and I will always fight against efforts to infringe on our Second Amendment. No veteran should have their rights infringed for using a fiduciary to manage their benefits through the complicated VA system. This bill will protect our veterans’ rights and ensure our veterans do not have to fear using a fiduciary if they need one. This bill passed the House by a vote of 216-201. 

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 1329, the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act. This bill would authorize the transfer of federal land on the National Mall from an agency to the Smithsonian Institution for the purposes of the construction of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. Great women, such as Susan B. Anthony, who led the suffrage movement, and others who have contributed so much to our nation, should be honored and remembered. Additionally, this bill ensures that only biological women may be highlighted in the museum. I am disappointed that all of my Democrat colleagues voted against this commonsense bill, despite 127 Democrats cosponsoring this bill. The Democrats’ Trump Derangement Syndrome is out of control and the fact that they refuse to support a bill to create the American Women’s History Museum because President Trump is in office is disgraceful. Unfortunately, this bill failed to pass the House by a vote of 204-216. 

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 6047, the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act. This bill enacts several veterans’ benefits reforms through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, this bill increases the additional monthly supplemental payment for certain severely disabled veterans receiving the highest levels of aid and attendance compensation, expands VA home loan eligibility to certain members of the National Guard and Reserve, and provides surviving spouses with greater benefit stability. Congress, the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have a duty to serve our military community, and this bill takes care of our Gold Star families, severely wounded veterans, and ensures that our National Guard and Reserve veterans have access to VA benefits. This bill passed the House by a vote of 235-179.

2026 Service Academy and Cyber Academy Night

Students and families from across Central New York gathered for the 2026 Service Academy and Cyber Academy Night to learn more about opportunities to serve our country through our nation’s Service Academies, ROTC programs, and cybersecurity fields. Representatives from the United States service academies, Syracuse Army and Air Force ROTC, the Griffiss Institute, Congressional offices, and Senator Gillibrand’s office joined the event to provide information on admissions, nominations, and career pathways in military service and national security. America needs strong leaders who are willing to serve with discipline, integrity, and courage, especially as cybersecurity and emerging technologies become increasingly important to our national defense. As the mother of a Naval Academy graduate, I know firsthand the dedication required to pursue this path, and I appreciated the opportunity to encourage students across NY-24 as they explore ways to serve our nation and build the future of American leadership.

Law Enforcement Day

Our team attended Ontario County Law Enforcement Day to recognize and thank the courageous men and women who work every day to keep our communities safe. My team presented 70 certificates honoring officers for their service and had the opportunity to meet with members of the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, and local law enforcement leaders. As Albany Democrats try to defund and demoralize our law enforcement, my top priority is ensuring that Congress supports those who have sworn to protect and serve our communities. I am grateful to everyone involved in organizing this important event and to the officers across NY-24 who continue to serve with professionalism and dedication.

Eagle Scout Farmington

Recently, our office attended the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Daniel Kirsch at Willowbrook Christian Church in Victor to celebrate his outstanding achievement of earning the rank of Eagle Scout. During the ceremony, our team had the opportunity to meet with scouts, troop leadership, families, and community members before presenting Daniel with a Congressional certificate recognizing his accomplishment. Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout reflects years of hard work, leadership, service, and dedication to the community. Congratulations to Daniel on this well-earned milestone and best wishes for continued success in the future.

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If you or someone you know ever needs assistance with a federal agency, we are just a phone call away and are ready to help you! Please contact my Canandaigua Office at 585-869-2060, my Oswego Office at 315-236-7088, or my Lockport Office at 716-514-5130. I am honored to have the opportunity to represent you.

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 24th 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 #NY24 as we can each week.