Register for my Upcoming Tele-Town Hall |
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Since taking office, I’ve held nine Town Hall events and nearly 20 roundtables across the 22nd Congressional District. Later this month, on Tuesday, December 14, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, I will be hosting another live Tele-Town Hall. During the live call, you’ll have a chance to ask questions, provide feedback through interactive polls, and receive updates on my work in Congress.
If you’d like to register for the live conversation, you can sign up on my website at tenney.house.gov/rsvp. You can also call my office at 202-225-3665. I'm very much looking forward to the opportunity to speak with you later this month!
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Bringing Christmas Cheer to our Nation's Capitol |
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My office is kicking off the Christmas season in style! This year we launched a new tradition and partnered with a local school district, whose students created handmade ornaments for our office's Washington, DC Christmas tree.
Thank you to the Grade Five Art Club at Clinton Elementary School for their wonderful, handcrafted Christmas tree ornaments. It’s so great to have a little piece of upstate New York in Washington. I am wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas as many of your own family traditions start to get underway this holiday season!
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Defending Our Second Amendment Rights |
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I recently sat down with Tim Schmidt, President and Founder of the United States Concealed Carry Association. We had a great conversation about New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, the Second Amendment case currently before the Supreme Court. We also talked about gun safety, concealed carry laws, and recent far-left attacks on our Second Amendment rights. You can watch our conversation at the video linked above or by clicking here.
Our Founders knew that the right to bear arms was critical to our Constitutional Republic. Sadly, New York’s gun laws have become some of the most overreaching in the country, unconstitutionally restricting our right to lawfully possess a firearm and making it harder for employers like Remington Arms to grow and thrive in our region. The case currently before the Supreme Court will ultimately decide the future of concealed carry laws in New York and around the country. Earlier this year, I was honored to lead 175 of my House colleagues in an amicus brief to the Supreme Court affirming our support for our constitutional rights and of the plaintiffs in this case. I am hopeful that the court will remain true to our founding principles and uphold the Second Amendment.
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Standing for Life and Countering Censorship |
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I stand for human life, which is why I will always fight to defend the rights of the unborn. Unfortunately, today the rights of the unborn are constantly under threat. This week the Supreme Court began reviewing a case that could set an historic precedent and extend vital protections to the unborn.
This week, I also joined my colleagues in sending another letter to Google over its censorship of pro-life content on its platform. In September, Google made the alarming decision to censor information from Live Action — a pro-life, non-profit organization — about life-saving medical treatments for unborn children. My colleagues and I were deeply concerned about this infringement on freedom of speech, so we wrote to the CEO of Google expressing our concern.
The response we received this week only raised more questions, prompting us to send another letter seeking important clarifications. As a member of the House Big Tech Task Force, I am going to keep pressure on Google and other tech giants to run their platforms fairly and transparently. These information gatekeepers should not be allowed to make partisan decisions that violate our constitutional rights. You can review the letter we sent by clicking here.
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Stories Continue Pouring in from Essential Caregivers Across the Country |
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As I've shared before, the pandemic cut families off from their loved ones in long-term care facilities. Seniors and those with intellectual disabilities were forced into isolation. Many very sadly experienced rapid physical and mental decline. I continue to receive heartbreaking stories from essential caregivers across the country, who are joining me in support of the bipartisan Essential Caregivers Act to ensure resident rights are protected in the future.
This week on the House floor, I shared more stories from a recently released book, "Protecting Them To Death: The Impact of Isolation in Long-Term Care." This book, which includes powerful accounts from caregivers across the country, shows how devastating isolation can be. I will continue to share stories from caregivers and residents until Congress takes action on the bipartisan Essential Caregivers Act. We must protect the rights and dignity of those living in long-term care facilities. We must help our most vulnerable fellow citizens.
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Congress Must Deliver a Long-Term Spending Bill |
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Congress voted this week on yet another misguided short-term funding bill, which extended funding for the federal government until February 18, 2022. I voted “No” because, while neither party wants a government shutdown, this legislation does not deal with any of the challenges facing our nation, including the border crisis, skyrocketing inflation, and unconstitutional vaccine mandates.
This continuing resolution provides appropriations for the disastrous policies of the Biden Administration, which are leaving Americans worse off economically and infringing on our liberties. I cannot support legislation that allows for the continuation of open borders policies, vaccine mandates, and other government failures. I will continue to advocate for a full-year spending agreement that delivers real relief to the American people and advances our core national security priorities, which have gone unaddressed under these short-term bills.
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I'm committed to restoring transparency to government, which is why I explain every vote I take on the House floor. While we may not always agree, you will always know where I stand on the issues and how I vote in Congress. To read more about my votes, please click here.
- I voted “Yes” on H.R. 4026, the Social Determinants of Health Data Analysis Act of 2021. This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on actions taken by the Department of Health and Human Services to address social determinants of health, especially how data collection about social determinants of health complies with privacy laws. This bill passed the House by a vote of 399-28.
- I voted “No” on H.R. 550, the Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2021. This bill undermines the health privacy of Americans, requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to increase the data sharing between federal, state, and local immunization information systems, without adequate and necessary additional safeguards and privacy measures. Health records should be private, and this legislation would allow the government greater ability to access sensitive information. This bill passed the House by a vote of 294-130.
- I voted “Yes” on H.R. 2685, the Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act. This bill would require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to submit to Congress a report on the state of cyber security of U.S.-based mobile communications networks, the vulnerabilities that could affect these networks, and available countermeasures or best practices. It is vital that threats and risks to our carriers, communities, and national security are identified and addressed. This bill passed the House by a vote of 404-19.
- I voted “Yes” on H.R. 4045, the FUTURE Networks Act. This bill would establish a 6G Task Force within the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), responsible for producing a report on the adoption of the next generation of wireless communications technology. For the United States to remain competitive we must ensure we are at the cutting edge of new technologies. This bill passed the House by a vote of 394-27.
- I voted “Yes” on H.R. 4055, the American Cybersecurity Literacy Act. This bill would require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to launch a cybersecurity literacy campaign to better educate Americans on cybersecurity best practices and tools. This bill passed the House by a vote of 408-17.
- I voted “Yes” on H.R. 5720, the Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act. This bill would require financial disclosure reports to be made publicly available online and require federal judges to submit periodic transaction reports of securities transactions in line with other federal officials under the STOCK Act. Americans deserve to know that their public servants are not profiting from confidential information they receive in their public service. This bill passed the House by a vote of 422-2.
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I voted “No” on H.R. 4352, a bill amending the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian Tribes. This bill would amend the Indian Reorganization Act to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court case Carcieri v. Salazar and make it easier for the Secretary of Interior to take private land into trust for a greater number of federally recognized Indian tribes. These powers would infringe on the rights of local governments and communities, depriving them of local control and needed tax revenue. This bill passed the House by a vote of 302-127.
- I voted “No” on H.R. 6119, the Further Extending Government Funding Act. This legislation, which funds the federal government until February 18, 2022, does not deal with any of the challenges facing our nation, including the border crisis, inflation, and vaccine mandates. This continuing resolution provides appropriations for the disastrous policies of the Biden Administration, which are leaving Americans worse off economically and infringing on our liberties. I cannot support legislation that allows for the continuation of open borders policies, vaccine mandates, and other government failures. This legislation passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 221- 212.
- I voted “No” on H.R. 2930, Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act. This bill seeks to prohibit the exportation of Native American cultural items and archaeological resources that were illegally obtained. It provides for the return of these items, including voluntary returns, and it establishes and increases related criminal penalties. While well intended, the bill establishes excessive penalties and does not take into consideration the unique circumstances of native tribes. This legislation passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 364-57.
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Congratulations to the Blue Devils! |
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Congratulations to the Chenango Forks Blue Devils, who are the Class C Football Champions once again - that’s seven championship wins!
The Blue Devils shutout Schuylerville 21-0. It was an impressive showing. These talented young men represented New York's 22nd Congressional District with tenacity and commitment, and won on the state’s biggest stage. Our community congratulates them on this incredible achievement!
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Welcoming the Air Force Under Secretary to Rome |
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Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I was honored to welcome the Under Secretary for the Air Force, Gina Ortiz Jones, to Rome for a tour of the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (AFRL/RI), also known as Rome Lab. Our visit included an in-depth look at the cutting-edge research being conducted at Rome Lab. Under Secretary Jones also visited the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS), which is headquartered in Rome. The brave men and women of EADS are responsible for protecting portions of our national airspace. I appreciate her visit and her firm commitment to Rome Lab and EADS's success. |
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Honoring a Living Hero of Pearl Harbor |
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Thomas Nelson of Ilion turned 100 in October. He is one of the last living survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack. As our Nation remembers the 80th anniversary of the attack at Pearl Harbor this month, it was my honor to present his family with the official Congressional Record honoring his heroic military service from a floor speech I delivered earlier this year. The Herkimer County Legislature also presented a commendation officially marking November 28 as Thomas Nelson Day - a great honor for a tremendous man!
Thank you to Assemblyman Brian Miller, County Legislator Bob Hollum, and so many other members of our community who made the ceremony possible.
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Meeting with the Bosnian American Association of Utica |
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I was honored to meet with members of the Bosnian American Association of Utica this week. It is my privilege to represent our area’s vibrant Bosnian American community in Congress as both a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia.
The countries of the former Yugoslavia will always hold a special place in my heart. I studied in this beautiful region when I was younger and later worked for the Yugoslav Consulate during the Sarajevo Olympics. I was honored to assist the Refugee Center in resettling Bosnian refugees to Utica and publish Mostovi, the first Bosnian-language newspaper in our area. I will continue to work with a range of stakeholders to bridge divides and advance peace, prosperity and stability in the Balkans.
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Upcoming Mobile Office Hours |
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Thank you to everyone in Herkimer County who attended my mobile office hours this week. Next week, I’ll be hosting another session for residents of Broome County on Wednesday December 8!
If you or someone you know is interested in attending, please call my Binghamton district office at 607-242-0200 to schedule a time slot. This will provide a more expedited casework experience for you and ensure that every constituent is able to receive the help they need.
Broome County
Wednesday, December 8, 2021 from 11AM - 1PM
Town of Windsor Offices
124 Main Street
Windsor, NY 13865
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Monthly Webinar: Firefighter Grants Program |
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On Tuesday, my office hosted a webinar with local fire departments and officials, as well as representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to discuss the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. Don't forget that AFG applications are due December 17! It’s so important that our first responders have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.
If you weren’t able to attend the discussion, you can visit my website at the link here for a full archive of my monthly seminars. If you have any questions about the AFG program, you can visit FEMA's website. Please also feel free to call my office at 315-732-0713 for any assistance or to seek a letter of support.
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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 22nd 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 #NY22 as we can each week.
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