Dear Friends,

It is my greatest honor to represent you in Congress. As always, my mission is to advocate for Upstate New York and the North Country’s priorities at the highest levels of government. Here is a look at my past week working for you in Congress.
I am proud to announce that, following my advocacy, NYC Mayor Eric Adams is delaying his decision to possibly ban chocolate milk in schools. Thanks to the bipartisan efforts I made with my colleagues, this temporary hold is a win for Upstate New York farmers. But make no mistake, any effort of Mayor Adams to ban chocolate milk and replace it with vegan juice is an absolute non-starter and will be opposed by parents, families, kids, and New Yorkers. 
 
It is important for Mayor Adams to understand that over two-thirds of milk served in school is flavored and is an essential way that kids get the necessary dairy nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. I will continue to lead the effort to protect real dairy products in schools for the sake of our kids and stand up for the hard work of New York’s farmers.
It is an honor to join the Belden family in Hague to remember the legacy of Sergeant Howard R. Belden, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country when he was killed in action in Korea. Sergeant Belden was designated as Missing in Action at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir on December 1, 1950 and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953.

Finally, after over 71 years, Sergeant Belden’s remains were identified. Thanks to the leadership of President Donald Trump during a June 2018 summit with Kim Jong-un, 55 boxes of remains of Korean War soldiers returned to our shores – resulting in the identification of Sergeant Belden. Now, he is rightfully being honored in his community for his service and tremendous sacrifice for his nation. It is humbling to present the Belden family with a message recorded in the official Congressional Record and a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol to honor Sergeant Belden. America does not rest until every American comes home!
For over two years, communities in Upstate New York and the North Country have been devastated by Northern Border travel restrictions, which hurt tourism, harmed the supply chain, and kept families apart. Instead of leading the way for our Canadian partners by dropping all restrictions on Northern Border travel, the Biden Administration is doubling down on harmful restrictions on Northern Border travel by announcing plans to extend vaccine mandates on Northern Border travelers into the United States. 
 
The Biden Administration’s hypocrisy is showing as they impose vaccine mandates on legal, essential Northern Border travelers, while failing to address their surge of illegal immigration across the Southern Border. Instead, the Biden Administration is proposing an end to Title 42, which will fuel illegal immigration across the Southern Border.
 
In the midst of this weak and failed leadership from the Biden Administration, I will continue to stand up for families in Upstate New York and the North Country who deserve an end to restrictions on Northern Border travel, so families can be reunited, small businesses can thrive, and our supply chain can be restored.
The government should not be allowed to take advantage of lawful gun owners who have declared bankruptcy. An individual’s right to self-defense should not be stripped due to financial hardship.  
 
I am proud to cosponsor the Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act (H.R. 7493) that modifies federal bankruptcy law to allow an individual debtor to exempt from their bankruptcy estate one or more firearms, so gun owners can maintain their Constitutional right to bear arms. 

Announcements and Events
I was proud to be back in Rome to congratulate the students participating in the Air Force Research Lab’s Challenge Competition last Friday. These students are the technology leaders of tomorrow!

Good News for Upstate New York and the North Country
During my time in Congress, I have worked tirelessly to bring tens of millions of dollars to the Air Force Research Lab in Rome to ensure that Upstate New York’s emerging technology environment is well-funded and supported. Following my advocacy, $25 million in taxpayer dollars will return to Upstate New York to support the photonic quantum computing research at the Air Force Research Lab in Rome. Quantum computing is critical to our economic and national security in the 21st Century, and Upstate New York is leading the way as the epicenter of our nation’s efforts in this field. I look forward to continuing this critical work and delivering additional funding for these efforts.
This week, I announced that $737,614 in taxpayer dollars are returning to our district to secure a water source in the Town of Westport through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program. After experiencing the loss of access to a secure water supply due to drought conditions, this grant will assist the community in securing a reliable water supply for the Wadhams Water District. 
This week, I announced that LifeWorks Community Action, Inc. in Ballston Spa in Saratoga County will receive $2,301,666 for Head Start Projects from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Head Start serves many families in Upstate New York and the North Country, and this investment will help it continue its mission of ensuring school readiness and positively impact the future of our communities.
In The News
This week's top news stories:











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I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as your representative in Congress.

As part of my commitment to transparency, I post all of my votes to my Facebook page every Friday on weeks that the House of Representatives has votes, which you can find here.

Please know I am here to serve you. Never hesitate to reach out to my offices.  

Sincerely,
Elise
Washington, D.C.
2211 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202)-225-4611
Fax: (202)-226-0621
Glens Falls
5 Warren Street, Suite 4
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Phone: (518)-743-0964
Fax: (518)-743-1391
Watertown
88 Public Square
Suite A
Watertown, NY 13601
Phone: (315)-782-3150
Fax: (315)-782-1291
Plattsburgh
137 Margaret Street
Suite 100
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone: (518)-561-2324
Fax: (518)-561-2408