Urging DOJ Action on Criminal Referral of Former Governor Andrew Cuomo

This week, I led a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche urging the Department of Justice to provide an update and take action on the criminal referral of former Governor Andrew Cuomo for allegedly making false statements to Congress regarding his administration’s handling of New York’s nursing home policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. After reviewing hundreds of thousands of pages of documents and conducting extensive interviews, congressional investigators found substantial evidence that Cuomo knowingly and willfully misled Congress about his role in decisions and reports related to the nursing home crisis. More than 9,000 COVID-positive patients were admitted or readmitted into New York nursing homes under Cuomo’s March 25th, 2020 directive, and families across our state are still seeking answers about what happened. New Yorkers deserve transparency, accountability, and equal application of the law. No elected official, regardless of their position or political ambitions, should be above scrutiny when serious questions remain about decisions that impacted thousands of lives.

Watch the full video here.

Joining the Ways & Means Committee Hearing with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

I participated in a House Ways and Means Committee hearing with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss the implementation of the Big Beautiful Bill and the economic policies that are strengthening communities across Upstate New York and the nation. During the hearing, I thanked Secretary Bessent and the Treasury Department for their partnership in advancing this landmark legislation, including making the New Markets Tax Credit permanent after years of uncertainty. This provision has already helped drive more than $38 million in investment and support nearly 350 full-time jobs across New York’s 24th Congressional District. I also requested an update on the next round of New Markets allocations so rural and economically distressed communities can continue attracting private investment, creating jobs, and expanding economic opportunity. Permanently extending this successful program will help ensure communities across Central and Western New York have the tools they need to grow and prosper for years to come.

Watch my full remarks here.

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. 2854, the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act: This bill would establish a new federal tax credit to encourage the rehabilitation and construction of owner-occupied homes in distressed communities. Many communities face housing shortages, blight, and aging housing stock that is difficult to redevelop. This legislation would help attract investments for neighborhood revitalization efforts, expand homeownership opportunities, and support community development.

H.R. 284, the GLRI Act of 2025: This bill would reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative through fiscal year 2031 and increase the program’s funding for Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) would support projects that improve water quality, restore habitats, and combat invasive species in the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes are a critical source of drinking water, economic activity, recreation, and transportation for millions of Americans, including communities across Upstate New York. This legislation would ensure continued protection of this vital ecosystem for future generations.

H.R. 731, the Green Tape Elimination Act of 2025: This bill would streamline the implementation of projects designed to reduce wildfire risk, including the removal of hazardous vegetation and forest fuels. Catastrophic wildfires threaten communities, infrastructure, wildlife habitat, and natural resources across the United States. This legislation would accelerate forest management and wildfire mitigation efforts by reducing regulatory delays for hazardous fuel reduction projects.

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, June 3

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 7618, the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act. This bill authorizes appropriations for Department of the Interior grant programs related to the preservation of American battlefields through Fiscal Year (FY) 2036. The bill would also require the National Park Service to study significant sites in the United States related to the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War for preservation purposes. Preserving historical landmarks is of the utmost importance, and this bill ensures these pieces of history remain protected for years to come. This bill passed the House by a vote of 404-13. 

I voted “Yes” on S. 254, the ARTIST Act. This bill prohibits any state from banning the interstate commerce, importation, sale, or possession of marine mammal ivory or bone incorporated into an authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing by an Alaska Native. Alaska Natives have responsibly harvested whales, walruses, and other marine mammals for centuries. This bill affirms the right of Alaska Natives to continue their vital traditional practices. This bill passed the House by a vote of 404-14. 

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 2860, the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025. This bill reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Marine Advisory Commission, updates Congressional reporting requirements, authorizes the Commission to coordinate and collaborate with Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments, and authorizes the Commission to enter into cooperative agreements with other agencies. The commission was created by Congress in 1998 to carry out protection and restoration initiatives for marine resources in the Northwest Straits. This bill ensures that this commission continues to protect this vital ecosystem for future generations. This bill passed the House by a vote of 374-49. 

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 7726, the No Funds for Repeat Child Care Violations Act. This bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revoke Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funding from states that repeatedly abuse these funds. For too long, states like New York and Minnesota, have allowed CCDBG to be subjected to waste, fraud, and abuse without any real action to combat this. Taxpayer dollars should always be spent with the utmost care, along with rigorous oversight. In Minnesota alone, over a billion dollars of CCDBG fraud was uncovered, including the now infamous “Quality Learing Center”. This bill will require the Secretary of HHS to take action when such abuse is allowed, increase federal oversight over state disbursements, codify common sense fraud statutes, and increase penalties on both states and the actual providers that are abusing these funds. While Democrats continue to sit on their hands and turn a blind eye to the waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars, House Republicans are committed to taking real action to protect the sanctity of your hard-earned dollars. I strongly supported this bill’s passage, and please rest assured I will continue working to root out any abuse of taxpayer funding. This bill passed the House by a vote of 217-207.

I voted “No” on H.Con.Res. 86, Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran. This resolution would mandate President Trump to withdraw all U.S. Armed Forces from the conflict with Iran pursuant to the War Powers Resolution. Let me be clear, I wholeheartedly support President Trump in his commitment to never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. If Iran developed a nuclear weapon, this would pose a grave threat to our homeland and our interests around the world. Beyond being the leading global state sponsor of terror, Iran has made its aim to destroy the United States clear unequivocally. I continue to support President Trump’s relentless efforts to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran and am disappointed that so many of my colleagues fail to understand the grave threat a nuclear Iran poses. The President’s ongoing operations are critical to keeping our country safe, and I continue to keep all our service members and allies in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Unfortunately, this resolution passed by a vote of 215-208.

Thursday, June 4

I voted “No” on H.Con.Res. 84, Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from Lebanon. This resolution would mandate President Trump to withdraw all U.S. Armed Forces from Lebanon pursuant to the War Powers Resolution. First and foremost, the United States is not actively engaged in conflict in Iran. Currently, the only U.S. service members in Lebanon are protecting the U.S. Embassy and training the Lebanese Armed Forces, Lebanon’s domestic military tasked with dismantling and disarming Hezbollah. This nonsensical resolution is yet another attempt to inappropriately politicize President Trump’s peace efforts in the Middle East. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, Lebanon and Israel are holding direct peace negotiations, previously unthinkable. I strongly oppose this resolution and was glad to see an overwhelmingly bipartisan rebuke of this resolution. This resolution failed by a vote of 92-324, with 2 members voting present.

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 8646, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027. This bill would fund the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Fiscal Year 2027. NY-24 is the largest agricultural district in the northeast. Our district is a top producer of specialty crops and dairy, while also boasting a significant amount of row crops. As a result, many communities, farmers, and producers in our district rely on USDA programs, such as rural development grants, margin protection programs, conservation funding, and research funding. This year’s bill includes robust funding to combat New World Screwworm, which had the first confirmed U.S. case in decades this week. This bill included $3.6 million of my community project funding requests (CPFs) including for the USDA’s National Grape Improvement Center, the Town of Torrey’s water improvement project, the Town of Porter’s water improvement project, and Orleans County’s plans to rehabilitate offices for seniors and parole officers. This bill also strongly supports President Trump’s MAHA efforts and rural broadband efforts, while prohibiting funding for woke programs like the Climate Corps that President Biden attempted to create. I strongly supported this bill’s passage and look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to get this bill signed into law as soon as possible. This bill passed by a vote of 213-210. 

I voted “No” on H.R. 2913, the Ukraine Support Act. First and foremost, I strongly support Ukraine in its war of self-defense against Russia’s invasion. In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine with no provocation and has committed heinous atrocities against the Ukrainian people, including kidnapping Ukrainian children and mass murder of civilians. That is why I am a cosponsor of the Sanctioning Russia Act, to strengthen our efforts against Russian aggression and supporting the Ukrainian war effort. This bill had 154 cosponsors in the House and 84 cosponsors in the Senate, and President Trump has even truthed favorable things about this bill. However, instead, Democrats chose to pursue a partisan bill that has no chance of becoming law. President Trump’s administration has made it clear he would veto this bill and Democrats did not work with Congressional Republicans on the language of this bill. That failure to cooperate in a bipartisan manner led to multiple typos and redundant provisions, including a host of provisions that already became law as part of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act. Additionally, this bill removes flexibility for President Trump’s ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, preventing him from leveraging every tool at his disposal to end the war once and for all. This bill was a shortsighted partisan stunt, and I find it gravely disappointing that instead of working across the aisle on this important issue, they chose to politicize Ukraine’s war of self-defense. As such, I voted against this bill’s passage when it passed the House by a vote of 226-195.

Niagara County Community Health Fair

Recently, our team attended the Niagara County Community Health Fair hosted by the Niagara County Department of Health and Niagara County Legislator Tony Nemi in Lockport. The event brought together healthcare providers, public health professionals, community organizations, and service agencies to connect residents with valuable resources, wellness programs, preventative care information, and community assistance services available throughout Niagara County. Our office met with participating organizations to discuss ongoing public health needs and learn more about the resources available to local families. We were also pleased to present a congressional certificate to Niagara County Public Health Director Dr. Fauzia Khan in recognition of her service and dedication to improving public health in our community.

FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Webinar

Our office hosted a virtual FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program webinar for firefighters, fire departments, local officials, and grant writers across NY-24. The briefing provided an overview of the AFG program, discussed the current application cycle, and answered questions from prospective applicants. These grants help fire departments obtain critical equipment, training, and resources needed to protect our communities and keep first responders safe. Thank you to everyone who participated in this informative session and for your continued dedication to serving our communities.

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.