House Passage of the SAVE America Act

The House has passed the SAVE America Act by a vote of 218–213, a critical step toward strengthening the integrity of our federal elections and restoring public confidence in the democratic process. This commonsense legislation requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, mandates that states remove non-citizens from voter rolls, establishes uniform photo identification requirements, and holds election officials accountable if they knowingly register non-citizens. As Chair of the Election Integrity Caucus, I have been clear that protecting the right to vote begins with safeguarding the integrity of our elections. Strong majorities of Americans, including 95% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats, support voter ID because they understand a simple truth: one citizen, one vote. Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our constitutional republic, and this bill ensures that every lawful vote is protected from dilution and counted with confidence.

Ways and Means Hearing on Foreign Influence in American Non-profits

During a recent House Ways and Means Committee hearing on foreign influence in American nonprofits, I raised serious concerns about the disturbing rise in coordinated, well-funded antisemitic activity on college campuses, often fueled by organizations operating under the cover of tax-exempt status with little transparency or accountability. Research shows that campuses receiving non-transparent funding experience higher levels of antisemitic incidents and suppression of speech, yet existing oversight mechanisms fail to adequately track who is financing and coordinating this activity. I also highlighted how certain fiscal sponsors in New York enable anonymous, tax-deductible donations to flow to activist groups without meaningful disclosure, raising serious questions about potential foreign influence. This is not about limiting free speech. It is about ensuring that our tax laws are not weaponized by adversaries seeking to interfere in our elections, intimidate students, or destabilize our communities. Transparency, accountability, and enforcement are essential to protect our campuses and our democratic process.

Supporting the Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act

This week, I spoke on the House floor in support of H.R. 2189, the Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act, commonsense legislation to ensure our law enforcement officers have access to the most advanced less-than-lethal technologies available. Current federal law, written decades ago to regulate firearms under the National Firearms Act, unintentionally subjects innovative devices like the TASER 10 to outdated taxes and regulations meant for lethal weapons. This bill modernizes the law by creating a “less than lethal” category, ensuring these lifesaving tools are not treated the same as firearms. Every major police organization in America supports this legislation, including the Fraternal Order of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Major County Sheriffs Association, and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. While Democrats chose to politicize this issue, House Republicans focused on results. This is a pro-police, pro-community, and pro-safety bill that will help officers de-escalate dangerous situations and protect lives. I urge the Senate to act quickly so we can continue giving law enforcement the tools they need to keep our communities safe.

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.R. 5480, the Make America’s Youth Healthy Again Act of 2025: This bill would establish the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition to promote physical activity, fitness, and healthy lifestyles among America’s youth. Specifically, it would reinstate the Presidential Physical Fitness Test and expand opportunities for youth sports participation nationwide. Physical activity and organized sports play a critical role in supporting students’ physical and mental health. This legislation helps encourage healthier habits, increased athletic participation, and recognition of student achievement in sports and fitness.

H.R. 943, the No User Fees for Gun Owners Act: This bill would prohibit state and local governments from imposing insurance requirements, taxes, user fees, or similar charges on firearms and ammunition. The Second Amendment should not be undermined through excessive or discriminatory fees. This bill helps ensure that firearm regulations are applied consistently and do not impose undue financial burdens on law-abiding Americans.

H.R. 6466, the Forced Abortion Prevention and Accountability Act: This bill would establish federal protections to prevent forced abortions and strengthen accountability for individuals who coerce or compel a woman to undergo an abortion against her will. Specifically, it would create criminal penalties for violations, while also requiring reporting and oversight to ensure allegations of coercion are investigated. This legislation helps safeguard individual rights and ensures accountability for forced abortion practices.

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.

Monday, February 9

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 1531, the PROTECT Taiwan Act. This bill establishes that if the President determines China poses an immediate threat to Taiwan’s security or to U.S. interests, it will be U.S. policy to seek China’s exclusion from key international financial institutions. These institutions include the G20, the Financial Stability Board, and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. These forums shape global financial standards and stability, and participation is a privilege, not a right. The legislation ensures that aggression from China will not come without consequences and it sends a unified, clear message that America stands firmly with Taiwan. The bill passed the House by a vote of 395-2.

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 6644, the Housing for the 21st Century Act. This bill takes meaningful steps to cut red tape for developers, modernize outdated HUD programs, and strengthen the role of community lenders in financing new homes. It includes reforms to streamline regulatory burdens on well-managed community banks so they can focus more on lending locally, as well as a pilot program to help families in federal housing build savings through interest-bearing escrow accounts as their incomes rise. Restoring affordability and expanding housing supply must be a national priority. By encouraging responsible lending, increasing supply, and creating pathways to long-term financial stability, this legislation helps more Americans achieve the dream of homeownership. The bill passed by a vote of 390–9.

Wednesday, February 10

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 3617, the Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act. This bill directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct ongoing assessments of the U.S. critical energy resource supply chain and associated vulnerabilities and develop an action plan to strengthen the supply chain. Additionally, the bill requires the Energy Secretary to submit a report to Congress on the status of those assessments and relevant actions taken. Reliance on critical energy resources from foreign powers puts U.S. national security at risk and weakens our economy. This bill ensures we are taking the necessary steps towards domestic sourcing of the critical energy resource minerals needed for technologies used in Americans’ everyday lives. This bill passed the House by a vote of 223 -206. 

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 261, the Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025. This bill prohibits any additional permits, including a Special Use Permit (SUP), from being required for the installation, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary as long as a license, lease, or permit has been issued by a State or Federal agency to authorize such activity. Under current policy, Special Use Permits (SUPs) are required for all subsea cables in national marine sanctuaries, duplicating State and Local permit requirements. This causes delays in connectivity and repair times. This reform reflects House Republicans' commitment to rebuilding our infrastructure by reducing red tape, streamlining permitting processes, and providing regulatory certainty, while protecting our water resources. This bill passed the House by a vote of 218-212.

I voted “Yes” on the House Amendment to S.1383, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act. The SAVE America Act modernizes federal election law by requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections, mandating that states remove non-citizens from voter rolls, and establishing uniform photo identification requirements for voting in federal contests. Additionally, this legislation enhances accountability by empowering citizens to bring civil actions when election officials fail to uphold citizenship verification requirements and by establishing penalties for election officials who knowingly register non-citizens to vote. As Co-Founder and Chair of the Election Integrity Caucus, I have been clear that protecting the right to vote begins with safeguarding the integrity of our elections. This bill reinforces a simple principle most Americans agree on: voting is a right that should be reserved for American citizens. The SAVE America Act strengthens transparency, restores confidence in our election system, and helps ensure that every lawful vote is counted and protected from dilution. This bill passed by a bipartisan vote of 218-213. 

I voted “No” on H.J. Res. 72, Relating to a national emergency by the President on February 1, 2025. This resolution would terminate Executive Order 14193, an executive order from President Trump declaring a national emergency with respect to illicit fentanyl and opioids coming across our Northern Border. Through this national emergency, President Trump has leveraged the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs on imports from Canada. While I appreciate Canada’s increased focus and investments on our Northern border, I do not believe we are ready to remove this national emergency yet. Prematurely ending this emergency prior to the Supreme Court ruling on Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump would inhibit further progress on securing our Northern border. Additionally, this resolution is not a productive way to resolve the issues between the U.S. and Canada, as President Trump has made it clear that he would veto it. As a member of the Northern Border Security Caucus, and a member of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, I will continue working with the Trump administration and our Canadian partners to secure our border and remedy the ongoing trade disputes. Beyond border security, Canada’s continued unfair treatment of our dairy farmers is unacceptable, and the various Canadian Provincial Liquor Boards’ unjustifiable bans on the import of American wine and spirits have only elevated tensions. I urge our Canadian counterparts to come to the negotiating table in good faith, and work cooperatively with the Trump administration to resolve these issues and lower their trade barriers. Although I did not support this resolution, I will continue working to end this national emergency by addressing the root causes of the problem, not through premature legislative mechanisms. This resolution passed by a vote of 219-211. 

Thursday, February 11

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 2189, the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act. This crucial legislation ensures that law enforcement officers have access to the best less than lethal technologies for de-escalation. Under current law, certain new less than lethal technologies are included under the National Firearms Act (NFA), a law designed to regulate firearms. This bill will modernize the NFA to include a “less than lethal” category to ensure that new devices, like the TASER 10, that are not designed to be lethal, are not included under the NFA’s taxes and regulations designed for firearms. I cosponsored this bill and supported its passage through the House Ways and Means Committee because it is a commonsense way to support our law enforcement officers by providing them with new tools to de-escalate situations. I am disappointed that so many of my Democratic colleagues voted against this bill and decided to use fearmongering and scare-tactics instead of reviewing the substance of the bill. This bill is supported by major police groups, such as the Fraternal Order of Police, and is a strong pro-police pro-community and lifesaving bill. This bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 233-185.

IRS Webinar

My office is hosting a Zoom webinar with the IRS on February 25 at 2:00 PM to help constituents prepare for the 2026 tax filing season and make sure they are taking full advantage of the tax programs available this year. This webinar will walk through best practices for filing and explain how the Trump Tax Cuts can benefit you, including new deductions for eligible workers who earn tips or overtime pay, enhanced relief for seniors, and provisions that support small businesses and working families. These common sense reforms are designed to reward hard work and let families keep more of what they earn, and it’s important that taxpayers understand how to claim the benefits available to them. If you would like to attend, RSVP at the link below to receive the Zoom webinar information. If you have questions or need assistance signing up, our Canandaigua District Office is happy to help at 585-869-2060.

TO RSVP AND RECEIVE THE ZOOM WEBINAR LINK, CLICK HERE

Caledonia Fire Dinner

Our team recently attended the Caledonia Fire Department Annual Awards Dinner. We joined State Senator Pam Helming and Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey to recognize several volunteers for their achievements, including David Neale for his 50 years of service in the department. It is a humbling experience to represent such exemplary volunteers in NY-24 who dedicate their lives to serving our communities. Our volunteer firefighters are the cornerstone of our communities, and we thank all our first responders in NY-24 and across the nation.

Hosting the Bob Lonsberry Show

On February 19th, at 3 PM, I will be hosting the Bob Lonsberry Show on 570 WSYR for a special live broadcast focused on issues that matter to families across NY-24. I am excited to welcome two outstanding guests: Tom Homan, who has been a leading voice on border security and immigration enforcement, and Riley Gaines, a national advocate for protecting fairness in women’s sports. We will have real conversations about securing our borders, enforcing the rule of law, safeguarding opportunities for female athletes, and restoring accountability in Washington. These are critical issues impacting our communities, our schools, and our country. I encourage you to tune in and listen live!

Successful Casework Story

A Wayne County constituent reached out to our office requesting assistance with her 2025 tax refund, which was delayed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). She was unable to obtain an update on when her family would receive it. Our casework team reached out to the IRS and was able to find answers for the constituent, and she received her refund within weeks. 

"Very thankful for your staff's diligence in assisting me with the IRS."

Need Help with a Federal Agency? Call us today.

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.