This week marked the 24th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, a day when nearly 3,000 innocent lives were taken at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. For Long Island, the loss was especially deep, with hundreds of our neighbors among the fallen.

On September 11th, Andrew led a bipartisan delegation of the House Committee on Homeland Security to Ground Zero to mark the anniversary. The Members laid flowers at the memorial in remembrance of the lives lost and the sacrifice of first responders. The delegation also toured the 9/11 Memorial Museum. “Twenty-four years later, it’s critical to remember that the Department of Homeland Security and this Committee were created in the aftermath of the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history. As a lifelong New Yorker and a proud Long Islander, ‘Never Forget’ is about more than remembrance; it is a call to action that guides my work every day, and it will continue to guide the Committee’s,” Andrew said in a statement. “After more than two decades, our nation still faces heightened and evolving threats from foreign terrorist organizations and homegrown violent extremists, and New York remains a top terror target. Today’s visit is an essential opportunity to not only honor the thousands of innocent lives lost that day and to thank our first responders for their enduring dedication to keeping the homeland safe, but it’s also a chance to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring DHS can detect, prevent, and respond to threats when we need it most.”

Andrew, Chairman of the Committee, was joined by Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Vice Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Representatives Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Tim Kennedy (D-NY), Pablo José Hernández (D-PR), and Troy Carter (D-LA).

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Sept. 11, 2001, is more than a dark moment in history; it is a day that has forever marked New Yorkers and the nation, especially for the families and first responders who lost loved ones and those who are still impacted to this day. A total of 2,977 innocent lives were brutally taken at the World Trade Center, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon that Tuesday morning. First responders rushed into action, many knowing they would not return home. In the days, weeks, and years that followed, survivors faced debilitating health impacts caused by the toxic ash that filled the Manhattan air. Illnesses caused by these toxins have killed more first responders in the years since the attacks than on that fateful day. Today, more than 83,000 Americans across the country are facing ongoing battles with 9/11-related cancers and other serious health conditions. Every one of these losses is a direct casualty of a foreign terrorist attack on this nation. 'Never Forget' is more than a phrase of remembrance. It is a call to action that continues to guide my career in public service, and it must guide our nation as we work to prevent another 9/11 from ever happening again...Together, members of the [House Committee on Homeland Security] must continue to engage with our executive branch partners and ensure they have the tools, resources, and support necessary to execute this vital mission. Strengthening federal partnerships with state and local homeland security and law enforcement agencies is also vital. Our state and local partners continue to serve as our first line of defense against those who seek to cause terror and destruction. We must also assess the benefit of current DHS programs to find where further progress can be made, from the Urban Area Security Initiative to the Securing the Cities program. The homeland security mission is an American imperative; one we undertake in honor of those we lost 24 years ago and on behalf of the future generations of Americans who will benefit from what we accomplish moving forward. Today, One World Trade Center stands in the New York City skyline as an unequivocal message––not of the hate that destroyed the towers that preceded it, but of the unity it took to rebuild. We must strive together to build a homeland that is safer, stronger, and better prepared for the threats of tomorrow.

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Across Long Island this week, communities came together to honor the memory of those lost on September 11, 2001. Vigils, memorial services, and moments of silence brought together families, first responders, local leaders, and neighbors in a powerful display of unity and resilience. These gatherings reflect the spirit of the American people that shone so brightly in the days and weeks following the attacks, a spirit of compassion, patriotism, and strength in the face of tragedy. For Long Islanders, who bore such a heavy share of the loss, these moments of remembrance are also a reaffirmation of our promise to Never Forget. By coming together year after year, our communities not only honor those we lost but also embody the enduring values that carried our nation through its darkest day.

An Oakdale resident reached out to Andrew’s office after experiencing a delay in receiving a tax refund. Within one month of the case being opened, Andrew’s casework team worked with the IRS to resolve the issue. The refund was released and the matter was fully resolved.

Andrew knows how frustrating dealing with bureaucracy can be. That is why he has an entire team dedicated to helping constituents get what they need from the government. If you need help dealing with a federal agency, contact our office and our team will get to work on your case. 

Ahead of the 24th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Andrew reintroduced his House Resolution urging all 50 states to require teaching about the events of 9/11 in elementary and secondary school curriculums. The bipartisan resolution seeks to ensure future generations understand the history, heroism, and lessons of that day. “I remember the events of September 11, 2001, as if they were yesterday, and I know the same is true for most Americans who lived through that horrific day,” Andrew said in a statement. “For tens of millions of young Americans, and for future generations who were not there to see it, we have a responsibility to preserve the memories of the fallen, the heroism we witnessed, and the national security failures that left our country vulnerable to attack. We made a promise to ‘Never Forget’, but today, only a handful of states require 9/11 to be taught in their schools. My goal is to make that number fifty, so every child in America grows up understanding the lessons of that day and the sacrifices that followed.” Learn more here.

This week, Andrew met with John Feal and a group of Long Island advocates to discuss the urgent need to safeguard health care for the tens of thousands of 9/11 heroes and survivors battling 9/11-related illnesses. Andrew emphasized that the promise to Never Forget must be matched with action, and Congress must ensure the World Trade Center Health Program receives the funding necessary to provide the care these heroes and survivors deserve.

This week, Andrew voted for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act because it strengthens our military, secures our borders, and delivers a well-deserved pay raise for all servicemembers. The legislation invests in the training and equipment needed by America’s warfighters, expands support for border security and counter-drug operations, and reinforces alliances to deter growing threats from adversaries. By advancing these priorities, the bill provides peace through strength and ensures America remains safe, secure, and prepared.