Signing Vice President Vance's Pledge to Protect Americans from Fraud | | |
The rampant fraud in federal government programs is an abomination. Every dollar stolen by fraudsters comes out of the pockets of hardworking American taxpayers and takes resources away from Americans who genuinely need assistance.
I recently signed Vice President JD Vance's Pledge to Protect Americans from Fraud, joining the Trump Administration's effort to stop fraudulent payments, strengthen safeguards for taxpayer-funded programs, and hold criminals accountable. This commitment builds on my work in Congress to crack down on fraud, strengthen oversight, and protect critical benefits for those who need them most. I will continue working with the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud to put an end to this outrageous theft and protect American taxpayers.
Read more about my pledge here.
| | Joining Kudlow to Discuss Governor Hochul's Failed Green Energy Agenda | |
This week, I joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss how Governor Hochul's failed green energy agenda is driving up costs and undermining New York's economy. Despite our state's abundant natural gas resources, Albany continues to restrict domestic energy production and push unrealistic climate mandates that make it more expensive for families and businesses to keep the lights on.
New Yorkers are already struggling with soaring utility bills, yet Governor Hochul continues to prioritize her costly green agenda over affordable, reliable energy. These policies threaten our electric grid, discourage investment, and put Upstate New York's farms and manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage. We need a practical, all-of-the-above energy approach that expands domestic production, protects grid reliability, and puts New York ratepayers first.
Watch my interview here.
| Reminding Medicare Beneficiaries to Review Their Coverage Before December 7 | |
Medicare's annual Open Enrollment Period is underway, giving seniors and other eligible beneficiaries from October 15 through December 7 to review their current coverage, compare available plans, and make changes for 2027.
Medicare plans can change from year to year, including premiums, prescription drug coverage, out-of-pocket costs, and provider networks. Even if you are satisfied with your current coverage, I encourage you to review your options to ensure your plan continues to meet your health care needs and budget. Any changes made during Open Enrollment will take effect on January 1, 2027.
Beneficiaries can compare plans at Medicare.gov/plan-compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for assistance. New Yorkers can also receive free, unbiased counseling through the state's Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) at 1-800-701-0501. As always, my office remains available to help constituents navigate Medicare and other federal agencies.
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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. 1195, the Protect Medicaid Act: This bill would strengthen safeguards against improper Medicaid enrollment by preventing individuals from simultaneously receiving Medicaid benefits in multiple states. The bill would also require states to establish procedures to resolve duplicate enrollment before terminating coverage and to provide appropriate notice to affected beneficiaries. By improving coordination between state Medicaid programs, these reforms are intended to reduce improper payments while preserving coverage for eligible beneficiaries. This legislation helps protect taxpayer dollars, strengthen program integrity, and ensure Medicaid resources go to individuals eligible to receive them.
H.R. 3105, the Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2025: This bill would expand opportunities for workers to become owners of the businesses where they work by encouraging greater use of Employee Stock Ownership Plans, or ESOPs, in S corporations. Specifically, it would expand tax incentives for business owners who sell company stock to an S corporation ESOP, establish federal offices within the Department of Treasury and the Department of Labor to assist businesses and workers with employee ownership, and allow qualifying ESOP-owned businesses to retain access to certain Small Business Administration programs. Expanding employee ownership can give business owners an additional succession-planning option while giving workers a chance to build wealth through a stake in their employer. This legislation supports small businesses, encourages long-term employee ownership, and expands opportunities for American workers to share in the success of the companies they help build.
H.R. 7847, the Stop Unemployment Fraud Act: This bill would strengthen safeguards in state unemployment insurance programs to prevent fraud, improper payments, and abuse of taxpayer-funded benefits. Specifically, it would require states to verify the identity of unemployment claimants using government-issued identification and supporting documentation and use data-matching systems to identify individuals who have returned to work, who are incarcerated, or who are deceased. The bill would also prohibit self-attestation alone from establishing eligibility, require claimants to document their job-search activities each week, and require states to verify those work-search records. Unemployment insurance provides an important safety net for Americans who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, but fraudulent payments undermine the program and waste taxpayer dollars. This legislation helps protect the integrity of unemployment benefits, strengthen accountability, and ensure taxpayer-funded assistance is directed to eligible Americans who are actively seeking work.
| | Visiting Westbury Lumber in Red Creek | | This week, I toured Westbury Lumber, a family-owned hardwood sawmill in Red Creek that has operated since 1994. The Smith family produces hardwood lumber, including maple, oak, cherry, and walnut, and supports an industry that is vital to our rural economy. During my visit, we discussed the challenges facing American hardwood producers, particularly competition from Canadian mills that benefit from lower timber costs and other economic advantages. Supporting American manufacturing and ensuring our domestic producers can compete on a level playing field are essential to preserving local jobs and strengthening our rural economy. | | Touring Moll Machine Works in Williamson | | I also visited Moll Machine Works in Williamson, a family-owned precision manufacturing company founded by Chris Moll in 2019. In just a few years, the company has expanded into an 8,600-square-foot facility, invested in advanced manufacturing technology, and created jobs for skilled workers, including veterans. During the tour, we discussed the opportunities and challenges facing small manufacturers as they seek to grow their operations and compete for new business. With plans for continued expansion, Moll Machine Works has the potential to bring even more good-paying manufacturing jobs to Wayne County and strengthen our domestic industrial base. | | Visiting Northland Filter | | I joined Jim D'Agostino, CEO of TDO, our region's Manufacturing Extension Partnership, to tour Northland Filter International in Oswego and meet with Plant Manager Dennis Hollenbeck and his team. Northland manufactures large-scale air filtration systems for medical, commercial, and industrial facilities across the country. We discussed the company's workforce development initiatives and expansion plans, including efforts to triple production capacity with support from TDO. It was encouraging to see how local partnerships and investments in advanced manufacturing are helping Northland grow, create jobs, and supply essential products to customers nationwide. | | Touring Akoustis Technologies | | This week, I toured Akoustis Technologies in Canandaigua, an advanced semiconductor manufacturer producing critical communications components for satellite internet and defense applications. Now a subsidiary of SpaceX, Akoustis uses cutting-edge chip fabrication technology to manufacture radio-frequency filters that support reliable communications. The team showcased its advanced manufacturing operations and discussed plans to expand its presence in Ontario County. Companies like Akoustis demonstrate our region's potential to lead in technological innovation, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and create high-paying jobs in emerging industries. | | |
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.
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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.
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