My State of the Union Guest

This year, I am honored to announce that my guest for the State of the Union will be Wayne County Sheriff Robert Milby. Sheriff Milby is a lifelong resident of Palmyra who has devoted more than three decades to protecting the people of Wayne County. He began his career in 1995 and has since served in nearly every leadership role within the Sheriff’s Office, providing steady, experienced guidance in public safety for more than 30 years. A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Sheriff Milby has advanced training in law enforcement leadership and operations and has been at the forefront of combating the opioid crisis and protecting vulnerable children through his work with the Wayne County Opioid Task Force and the Child Advocacy Center Advisory Board. He also serves as 2nd Vice President of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association and chairs the newly formed New York State Border Security Committee. Sheriff Milby represents the very best of Upstate New York: integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to keeping families safe. At a time when law enforcement faces unprecedented challenges, it is important to highlight leaders who serve courageously every single day. His presence at the State of the Union reflects my strong support for the men and women who protect our communities and uphold the rule of law.

Urging Hochul to Opt in to Scholarship Tax-break

This week, I led a letter with my New York House Republican colleagues in urging Governor Kathy Hochul to opt New York into a new federal scholarship tax credit program created under H.R. 1. This commonsense program allows individuals to receive up to $1,700 in federal tax credits for donations to qualified scholarship-granting organizations that support low and middle-income families. These nonprofits must direct at least 90% of donated funds toward scholarships and serve a minimum number of students, ensuring accountability and real impact. Importantly, this program does not divert a single dollar away from public schools. Instead, it incentivizes private donations to expand educational opportunity, including support that can benefit public school students with the supplies and resources they need to succeed. Twenty-eight governors have already opted in or announced plans to participate. If Governor Hochul fails to act, New York families will be locked out of this opportunity. Every child deserves access to educational options regardless of their ZIP code or family income, and I will continue fighting to ensure New Yorkers can benefit from programs that expand opportunity and strengthen our communities.

Supporting the Susan Muffley Act

I led a letter to President Trump urging his support for the Susan Muffley Act to finally deliver justice to the Delphi Salaried Retirees who were wronged during the 2009 General Motors bankruptcy. Under the Obama Administration, more than 20,000 non-union Delphi salaried retirees saw their pensions slashed by 30 to 70 percent when their plans were transferred to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, while union employees received supplemental protections. Thousands of these retirees live in Western New York and across the country, and they have been waiting far too long for fairness. In 2020, President Trump took action by directing his administration to review the issue, but it has since been determined that only Congress can fully restore these lost pensions and benefits. The House previously passed the Susan Muffley Act with bipartisan support, and the legislation has been reintroduced this Congress. It would restore full pension and healthcare payments, provide backpay with interest, and, importantly, save taxpayers $1.272 billion over ten years through a responsible offset. These retirees worked hard their entire lives and played by the rules. I will continue fighting to ensure their pensions are restored and that this injustice is finally corrected once and for all.

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. 1542, the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2025: This bill would provide appropriations to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for the salaries and expenses of personnel who are required to continue working during a lapse in federal funding. Specifically, it would grant automatic authority to pay Coast Guardsmen during a government shutdown. The servicemen and women at the USCG put their lives on the line every day to protect the homeland, run search and rescue operations, and enforce maritime laws. It is imperative that USCG personnel and their families are cared for during their essential service protecting our communities.

H.R. 5260, the Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act: This bill would ensure that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel, including Border Patrol agents and customs officers, continue to receive pay during a lapse in appropriations. Specifically, it would provide automatic authority to pay these law enforcement officers during a government shutdown. Border security personnel are essential to national security and public safety, and their pay shouldn’t be politicized and withheld during funding disputes by Democrats in Congress. This bill helps provide stability for the families of our men and women who are responsible for securing the border and keeping our communities safe. 

H.R. 5517, the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act: This bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to conduct more frequent and regular threat analyses of activity occurring on the northern border. Regular DHS analysis would allow the US to strengthen relations with the Canadian government while protecting our country from illegal aliens and creating unified air, land, and maritime oversight strategies. Under former President Biden’s administration, failed open-border policies led to exacerbated challenges at our Northern Border, benefiting drug cartels, human traffickers, and known individuals on the terrorist watchlist. This legislation supports the Trump Administration’s efforts to secure our borders and ensure law enforcement has the resources it needs to keep our communities safe. 

H.R. 5023, the Fentanyl Kills Act: This bill would classify the production, manufacturing, distribution, transport, or sale of fentanyl as attempted murder and enable prosecutors to charge fentanyl distributors as such. Fentanyl is now responsible for 70% of all overdose deaths in the United States, and the DEA seized enough fentanyl in 2024 alone to kill every American multiple times over, making it a top threat to health and safety in the US. This legislation would help lessen the amount of illicit and dangerous drugs entering our country and ensure that those who attempt to distribute them in any way receive justice.

H.R. 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act: This bill would restrict the ability of members of Congress, their spouses, or their dependents from purchasing publicly traded stocks and require a public seven-day notice before any lawmakers, spouses, or dependents may sell any stocks. This bill would close loopholes that make it possible for lawmakers to use their Congressional privilege for personal monetary gain. This legislation would help ensure there are no conflicts of interest when making legislative decisions.

Guest-hosting the Bob Lonsberry Show

Last week, I had the opportunity to guest-host the Bob Lonsberry Show on 570 WSYR for a live broadcast focused on the issues impacting families across NY-24. I was joined by Riley Gaines, a leading national advocate for fairness in women’s sports; Ken Girardin of the Manhattan Institute, who exposed the hidden costs of Albany’s energy mandates and their impact on working families; Tom Homan, who discussed border security, interior enforcement, and the urgent need to locate children lost under the Biden administration, and Scott Walter, president of the Capital Research Center and author of Arabella, who detailed the vast network of left-wing dark money influencing American elections and policy.

914th Air Refueling Wing Groundbreaking for Operations Simulator Training Facility

It was a privilege to join the leadership and Airmen at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station for the groundbreaking of a new KC-135 flight simulator for the 914th Air Refueling Wing. The new simulator will ensure our Airmen can maintain peak proficiency regardless of weather conditions or operational constraints, enhancing readiness and overall mission capability. By modernizing training assets and housing this simulator within the existing support facility, we are strengthening operational effectiveness while securing the future of this critical installation in Western New York. The 914th plays a vital role in our national defense, and I will continue working to ensure Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station remains equipped, supported, and mission-ready for years to come.

Orleans County Department Heads Meeting

I recently met with department heads and local leaders in Orleans County to hear directly about the challenges they are facing and the priorities impacting their communities. We had a productive and open discussion covering a wide range of issues, and I appreciated the thoughtful questions and insights shared by county officials. Conversations like these are critical to ensuring that federal policies work for our local governments. Strong communication between federal and local leaders is essential, and I remain committed to working closely with Orleans County to deliver practical solutions that support our communities and taxpayers.

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

Congressional Art Competition is Now Open

This year’s Congressional Art Competition is now open to high school students across NY-24. This nationwide contest celebrates the incredible creativity of young artists, and the winning artwork from our district will be displayed for one year in the United States Capitol alongside pieces from across the country. Students may submit original paintings, drawings, photography, mixed media, computer-generated art, and more, provided the work follows the official guidelines. All entries must be original and meet size requirements. Submissions must be received by my district offices no later than Friday, April 17, 2026, and include the required release form. I encourage our talented students to participate and showcase the artistic excellence of our community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE

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.