Growing Rural Healthcare Through the Working Families Tax Cuts

Rural hospitals are the lifelines of our communities, yet many are fighting to keep their doors open. Families in Upstate New York face long travel times to reach care, limited treatment options, and staff shortages that strain essential services. Half of all rural hospitals nationwide lost money in 2023, and 55% of independent rural hospitals are now operating in the red. In fact, only 7% of Medicaid hospital spending reaches rural hospitals, leaving them without the necessary resources to thrive.

That’s why I fought to include the single largest investment in rural healthcare in our nation’s history in the Working Families Tax Cuts. This bill dedicates $50 billion to the new Rural Health Transformation Program, providing $10 billion annually starting in 2026. This program is designed to deliver long-term solutions by strengthening hospitals’ sustainability, recruiting and retaining skilled doctors and nurses, supporting preventative care to address chronic disease, and fostering innovation through new technologies like telehealth and remote monitoring. It also empowers hospitals to coordinate with regional systems, improving efficiency while keeping critical access points open in rural communities.

For NY-24, this means protecting community hospitals, giving families peace of mind that care will be available close to home, and making sure the men and women who keep us healthy have the tools and resources to succeed. With President Trump’s leadership and House Republicans’ commitment to rural America, we are finally addressing the systemic challenges that have plagued our hospitals for decades and building a future where every family, no matter their zip code, has access to quality care.

Major Victory: Snapback Sanctions Return on Iran

After years of urging our European allies to act, the United Nations Security Council has officially reimposed snapback sanctions on Iran, effective September 27. This historic step restores the full range of sanctions that were lifted under the disastrous Obama-era Iran nuclear deal, including bans on arms sales, restrictions on ballistic missile development, asset freezes, and travel bans. For years, I have led the charge in Congress pressing the E3, Britain, France, and Germany, to take this critical action, and their vote to trigger snapback is a major victory for American security and for our allies in Israel.

The Iranian regime, under President Masoud Pezeshkian, was enriching uranium at levels more than 40 times the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) limit, bankrolls terrorism across the Middle East, and openly threatens Americans and our allies. Sanctions must not only be reimposed but also strictly enforced. As President Trump made very clear, Iran cannot be allowed any enrichment. I will continue fighting to hold this rogue regime accountable, protect our allies, and prevent Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Strengthening New York’s Dairy and Agriculture

I met with the National Dairy Organization to discuss how we can strengthen one of the most vital pillars of our economy, dairy. NY-24 is the largest agricultural district in the Northeast and the fifth-largest dairy district in the country. Our farmers provide nutritious, high-quality products that stock schools and grocery stores across America, create local jobs, and sustain the backbone of our rural communities. Yet, they face constant pressure from unfair trade practices, rising costs, and burdensome regulations that threaten their livelihoods. Advancing my comprehensive agriculture plan is critical to unlocking the potential of our farmers, securing our food supply, and keeping rural America competitive.

At the heart of this effort is supporting New York’s dairy industry. I introduced the National Dairy Month Resolution to recognize the essential role of our dairy farmers, and I authored the Protect Local Farms Act to reverse Albany’s harmful overtime mandate that jeopardizes family farms. I also cosponsored the Dairy Farm Resiliency Act to modernize the Dairy Margin Coverage program so farmers are better protected from volatile milk prices. Finally, I cosponsored the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to restore whole milk in school cafeterias, giving students a nutritious option while boosting demand for our Upstate producers. These commonsense, pro-farmer policies defend our way of life, strengthen our economy, and make sure New York’s dairy industry continues to thrive for generations to come.

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. 925 Dismantle DEI Act of 2025: This bill would permanently rescind Biden administration Executive Orders related to DEI and prohibit federal funding for programs, training, or positions that promote these initiatives. DEI is a form of discrimination based on hiring or promoting people due to their ethnicity or their sexual orientation instead of their merit for the job. President Trump rescinded these harmful Executive Orders, and this legislation would codify these actions and promote fair opportunities in the Federal Government based on a person's skill in the workforce. 

H.Res. 36 Finding Federal Savings Committee: This bill would establish the House Committee on the Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs to analyze underperforming or nonessential federal programs and recommend actions to modify or eliminate those programs. Additionally, this Committee would assist in creating legislative procedures to assist the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Trump Administration. A bipartisan committee to assist in trimming the federal bureaucracy would ensure taxpayer dollars are spent where they are most effective. 

H.R. 842 Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act: This bill would allow for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early detection screening tests that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that are used to screen many cancer types if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) determines such coverage is appropriate, starting in 2028. The National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates that over two million people will be given a cancer diagnosis. Increasing access to multi-cancer early detection screenings can significantly improve the quality of life for American cancer patients and their families while saving taxpayer dollars and also saving lives by detecting cancer before it spreads.

The Newest Eagle Scout

Congratulations to Gerrad Crofoot on earning the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in Scouting and a true testament to his dedication, service, and leadership. Our team was glad to attend Gerrad’s Court of Honor in Phelps, where we toured the trail he created behind the Finger Lakes Masonic Lodge as part of his project and presented a commendation for his accomplishment. Gerrad’s commitment and hard work exemplify the very best of our young leaders in NY-24, and we thank him for his positive impact on our community.

Royalton-Hartland Ribbon Cutting

This week, our team joined the Royalton-Hartland Central School District to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of their new outdoor agriculture lab. This innovative learning space will provide students with hands-on experience in agriculture, connecting classroom learning with practical skills and preparing the next generation to lead in New York’s largest agricultural district.

Genesee Community College Presidential Inauguration

Our team joined the faculty, students, and community at Genesee Community College to officially celebrate the inauguration of Dr. Craig Lamb as its 5th president. Congratulations to Dr. Lamb as he takes on this important role, shaping the future of higher education in our region. GCC plays a vital part in equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in a wide range of careers. We look forward to seeing the institution continue to provide the educational tools our community needs to enter the workforce. 

2025 Service Academy Night in Syracuse

The 2025 Service Academy Night in Syracuse highlights the extraordinary opportunities offered by our nation’s Military Service Academies and ROTC programs. These exceptional institutions not only provide an unparalleled education but also shape the next generation of leaders who will serve our country with honor and distinction. As the mother of a Naval Academy graduate, I know firsthand the commitment, discipline, and resilience that come with this path of service. I encourage all students and families considering this journey to take full advantage of the resources our office provides. For those in New York’s 24th District, the deadline to apply for a congressional nomination is October 1st. Please reach out to our Oswego office at 315-236-7088 or visit tenney.house.gov to begin the process.

Successful Casework Story

A Seneca County constituent had been fighting with the Social Security Administration (SSA) for many months over an overpayment, which resulted in the loss of his SSA benefits and Medicare, having a deep impact on his family. Multiple members of our team worked tirelessly with the local SSA office so that he could file a waiver and advocated for him to receive a proper review of his situation. 

"Thank you for what you have done for my family."

Internship Opportunities

My office is accepting applications for internships in both our Washington, D.C., and district offices. Interns play an important role in serving the people of NY-24, whether it’s assisting constituents, conducting legislative research, or supporting community outreach. This is a valuable opportunity to gain firsthand experience in public service, learn how Congress works, and make a real impact on our district. If you or someone you know is a motivated, hardworking individual with a passion for serving our communities, I encourage you to apply!

To apply for an internship, click here.

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.