Standing Up to Governor Hochul and Sanctuary Policies that Put New Yorkers at Risk

This week, I participated in an Oversight Committee hearing examining the dangerous consequences of sanctuary state policies implemented by far-left governors, including Governor Kathy Hochul. 

Sanctuary states are refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, shielding criminal illegal aliens from removal and putting NY-24 communities at risk. These reckless policies obstruct federal law and embolden criminal activity.

During the hearing, I directly questioned Governor Hochul about her administration's failure to comply with federal immigration law. She admitted that New York's correctional facilities are housing criminal illegal immigrants, including gang members, and she has no clue how many there are in our state's prisons. This is a direct threat to our corrections officers, other inmates, and every community across New York State.

Governor Hochul's failed leadership is putting lives at risk. I'm demanding answers: What is her plan to remove these criminal illegal aliens from our prisons and from our state? New Yorkers deserve transparency, accountability, and a firm commitment to the rule of law. I will continue fighting to end New York's sanctuary policies and to ensure our communities are safe and secure.

Reaffirming my Commitment to Protecting Social Security

This week, I introduced a House Resolution reaffirming my promise to safeguard the benefits that millions of hardworking Americans have earned.

As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I see firsthand how essential Social Security is to seniors and families, especially across New York’s 24th District. If you’ve worked hard and paid in, you deserve the peace of mind that your retirement will be secure. That’s why I’m fighting to ensure the program is preserved, protected, and strengthened, not just for today’s retirees, but for generations to come.

We owe it to every American taxpayer who has contributed to this system and is counting on it.

READ MORE: Claudia Tenney introduces defense of Social Security amid Democratic attacks

Cutting Billions of Dollars in Wasteful Government Spending

H.R. 4, the Rescission Act, is a critical measure that reins in $9.4 billion in reckless federal spending and restores fiscal sanity in Washington. This legislation eliminates billions in wasteful expenditures, including taxpayer funds directed to NPR and PBS, foreign climate initiatives like “Net Zero Cities” in Mexico, and even overseas programming such as Iraqi Sesame Street. With the national debt approaching $37 trillion, we must ensure every dollar is spent wisely and in the best interest of the American people, not foreign pet projects or left-wing activism. By passing the Rescission Act, House Republicans are delivering on President Trump’s America First agenda and taking meaningful steps towards a more accountable federal government.

Supporting Water Infrastructure Projects

Replacing hazardous lead pipes in our communities should not be delayed by burdensome federal red tape. This week, I introduced the FLOW Act, which takes a commonsense approach to eliminate excessive documentation requirements and streamlines access to affordable financing for critical water infrastructure projects. This legislation will help communities in NY-24 and across the country accelerate the replacement of dangerous lead pipes and ensure more families have access to safe, clean drinking water.

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. 3946, the FIGHT Act: This bill strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by cracking down on the cruel and illegal world of animal fighting. It bans online gambling on fights, stops the shipment of fighting roosters through the mail, empowers citizens to take legal action, and authorizes the seizure of property used for these crimes. This bill is a critical step in ending animal cruelty and holding perpetrators fully accountable.

H.R. 3891, the Northern Border Staffing and Security Enhancement Act: This bill would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to update and submit a Northern Border Threat Analysis to Congress every 5 years. Additionally, this legislation provides more resources to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Conducting a comprehensive analysis of the threats facing our Northern Border and providing the necessary resources for law enforcement will enhance transparency and support our mission to protect our communities from criminal gangs, illicit drugs, and illegal human trafficking along our borders.

H.R. 3861, the Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act: This bill would limit federal financial assistance for one year to any city or state that refuses to cooperate with ICE detainers or restricts communication with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Under Governor Hochul, New York State has become overrun by criminal gangs, and she has misused her authority by preventing state and local law enforcement from collaborating with federal agencies to detain and deport violent criminals. I will always support our law enforcement to ensure that our communities are safe from violent crime by illegal criminal aliens.

H.R. 3443, the Modernizing EMS Delivery and Sustainability (MEDS) Act: This bill will strengthen the nation’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system by addressing workforce shortages, ensuring access to life-saving medications and blood products, and improving emergency response times. Specifically, the bill directs MedPAC to study EMS workforce compensation, establishes a CMMI demonstration to secure payment for critical EMS drugs and blood, and requires HHS to reissue guidance on reducing “wall time” delays - the time EMS crews must wait at hospitals before patients are admitted. These reforms are vital to improving patient care, reducing emergency response delays, and stabilizing the EMS workforce, especially in rural communities in New York's 24th District where these challenges are most acute.

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 June 9

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 2035, American Cargo for American Ships Act. This bill would strengthen America's maritime security and revitalize our domestic shipping industry by requiring that 100 percent of cargo procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation be transported on U.S.-owned, privately-operated commercial vessels. Building on the foundation of the Cargo Preference Act of 1954—which mandates that at least 50 percent of government-financed cargo be carried on U.S.-flag ships when available—this legislation eliminates loopholes and half-measures by ensuring every dollar spent by DOT directly supports American vessels, American jobs, and American economic strength. This bill passed by the House by a vote of 373-14.

I voted “Yes” on H.Res. 481, Condemning the rise in ideologically motivated attacks on Jewish individuals in the United States, including the recent violent assault in Boulder, Colorado, and reaffirming the House of Representatives commitment to combatting antisemitism and politically motivated violence. Over the last few months, horrific incidents of anti-Semitism have become increasingly common and violent. In April, the Governor of Pennsylvania’s residence was firebombed. In May, two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were shot and killed. And most recently, eight individuals were injured in Boulder, Colorado by a man throwing Molotov cocktails screaming “Free Palestine.” Violence, hatred, and anti-Semitism must be condemned in all forms and Congress must continue its important work to end this heinous spike in anti-Semitism. I was a cosponsor of this resolution and will always stand with the Jewish community in the face of these attacks. This resolution passed the House by a vote of 400-0, with two members voting present.

I voted “Yes” on H.Res. 488, Denouncing the antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado. On June 1, Mohamed Sabry Soliman injured eight innocent individuals while yelling “Free Palestine.” He later told authorities that “he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead.” This disgusting display of anti-Semitism should never have been allowed to occur, as Mohamed Sabry Soliman is an illegal alien who remained in our country due to Biden’s refusal to enforce our immigration laws. This resolution condemned this horrible violence and calls for greater enforcement of our immigration laws to ensure an attack like this never happens again. I am shocked and disappointed that 113 of my Democratic colleagues refused to vote for this commonsense resolution. This resolution passed the House by a vote of 280-113, with six members voting present.

Tuesday June 10

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 2096, the Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act. Over the last few years, rampant crime has plagued Washington, DC, turning our nation’s capital into a dangerous display of urban decay. The Metropolitan Police Department lacks the officers to keep the city and its visitors safe and has reached historic lows in officer recruitment and retention. This is attributable to the radical legislation the DC City Council has instituted in stripping officers of due process rights and commonsense workplace protections. This bill would restore these rights, which would help increase the recruitment and retention rates of law enforcement officers in Washington, DC. It is incredibly important to keep this city safe for residents of New York’s 24th District that wish to visit our nation’s capital and the center of our federal government. This bill passed by a vote of 235-178, with one member voting present.

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 884, the Prohibiting Noncitizens from Voting in DC Elections Act. This bill prohibits non-citizens from voting in local District of Columbia (DC) elections and repeals the DC Local Residents Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, which allows non-citizens to vote in local elections, ballot initiatives, and referendums. Elections are the cornerstone of our constitutional republic, and the majority of citizens do not want non-citizens and illegal aliens to threaten our elections. It is a national security imperative to secure our elections in our nation’s capital and ensure that only American citizens have a say at the ballot box. As Chair of the Election Integrity Caucus, I was pleased to cosponsor and support this commonsense legislation. This bill passed by a vote of 266-148.

Thursday June 12

I voted “Yes” on S. 331, the HALT Fentanyl Act. Our families and communities have been ravaged by fentanyl, and it has contributed to making overdose the leading cause of death among American adults aged 18-45. In 2024 alone, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized enough fentanyl to kill every American multiple times. In response, the Trump administration has begun holding Canada, Mexico, and China accountable for failing to stop the influx of fentanyl into the United States. This legislation would permanently make fentanyl a Schedule I drug, giving law enforcement the tools they need to combat the spread of these deadly drugs in our communities and discourage the production of new and more potent fentanyl-related substances. In Congress, I will always fight to protect our communities and our most vulnerable from these destructive substances. This bill passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 321-104. 

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 2056, the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act of 2025. This bill prohibits the District of Columbia (DC) from creating sanctuary laws restricting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement officials. Additionally, it bans DC from adopting policies or practices that would not comply with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration detainer requests. Congress remains committed to ensuring that our communities are safe and that sanctuary cities are held accountable for their illegal practices. I was glad to support this commonsense bill to ensure that our law enforcement receive the support needed to uphold our immigration laws. This bill passed by a vote of 224-194.

I voted “Yes” on H.R. 4, the Recissions Act. This bill eliminates $9.4 billion in wasteful foreign aid spending and funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which finances NPR and PBS. This bill is a bold step toward restoring fiscal sanity in Washington. By slashing billions in wasteful and woke spending, including $1.1 billion for left-wing propaganda outlets like NPR and PBS, $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street, and $6 million for so-called ‘Net Zero Cities’ in Mexico, we are cutting waste, fraud, and abuse to build a more efficient federal government. With our national debt soaring to nearly $37 trillion, we must get our fiscal house in order and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent in the best interest of the American people, not foreign pet projects or left-wing activism. By passing this legislation, House Republicans are delivering on President Trump’s America First mandate and returning hard-earned taxpayer dollars back to the American people. This bill passed by a vote of 214-212. 

Happy 103rd Birthday, Gene! 

Happy birthday to U.S. Coast Guard Veteran Gene Gerrard. Gene served during WWII, and following his service in the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), he became a prominent business owner and father. In his retirement, Gene actively participated in community events and volunteered at his local VA as a Red Jacket Greeter. We are grateful to Gene for his service and wish him well as he celebrates his 103rd birthday!

Welcoming this Year's Congressional Art Winner to the Capitol

It was a pleasure to welcome this year’s Congressional Art Contest winner, Graciana Allen, to the United States Capitol to see her artwork displayed in the halls of Congress. Inevitable is a three-dimensional artwork crafted from intricately coiled paper, showcasing the young artist’s remarkable talent. Congratulations to Graciana, and thank you to the NY-24 High Schoolers who participated in this year’s competition, as well as the teachers who supported these young artists.

Celebrating Livingston County Drug Court’s 50th Graduation

Congratulations to the seven graduates of the Livingston County Treatment Program. As part of a multi-agency initiative involving law enforcement, defense counsel, the District Attorney’s office, and the County Court, this program serves as a vital resource for the community, helping to address mental health and substance abuse issues. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making our community a better place.

Kickoff of the New York Wine and Cheese Festival in Clayton

This weekend marks the exciting start of the New York State Wine and Cheese Festival in Jefferson County, where many of the wonderful agricultural products from NY-24 will be showcased! Our district holds the title of the top agricultural district in the Northeast, featuring wines from the Thousand Islands and Finger Lakes regions, as well as a variety of cheese products from our local dairy producers. Thank you to all the farmers and producers who make New York agriculture thrive.

Another Casework Success Story

A Wyoming County organization was holding a fundraiser for the community, and there was a delay with the Visas for the performers, which would have jeopardized the band’s ability to perform. Working with the USCIS, the organizers, and the band's management, my office was able to ensure all the requirements were met, and the band was able to perform at the fundraiser: 

"[Your staffer] is exceptional to deal with: professional, empathetic, quick to action. My band is so beyond grateful for his assistance in getting our visa approved so that we didn't have to cancel our involvement with an important community fundraiser within rural New York. Thanks to his help in obtaining our visa, we are proud to report that the publicity generated from our appearance allowed the festival organizer to obtain their fundraising goals!"

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.