September 25, 2021
We had a busy week on Capitol Hill advancing several pieces of key legislation that forcefully respond to the needs of the American people. I’ll be sharing some of these successes with you here, including:
Protecting the fundamental right to reproductive health
I am proud to say that, just yesterday, we voted to uphold reproductive rights with the Women's Health Protection Act. Across America, radical partisan lawmakers are waging a nationwide assault against women’s freedom. By July of this year, more than 90 abortion restriction laws were enacted—more than any year since the historic Roe v. Wade ruling.
Our vote on the Women's Health Protection Act states firmly that we will not stand by as women’s rights are stripped away. And we won’t stop fighting for women to have the power to make their own decisions about their health, wellbeing and future.
Meeting our government’s financial obligations
Our legislative work this week did not stop there. The House also voted to advance critical legislation that would keep the federal government open, secure emergency funding to help communities devastated by natural disasters, support the resettlement of Afghan refugees and prevent a devastating debt default.
Included in this major legislation was a provision I spearheaded to support America’s Heritage Areas, including the Erie Canalway and the Hudson River Valley in the Capital Region. The measure would provide continued federal support for 30 National Heritage Areas set to expire or hit their funding caps as early as next week. This vital extension ensures these national treasures have the resources to continue to serve our communities as cultural and economic drivers for years to come.
In addition to supporting our historic sites, the legislation:
- Secures government funding through December 2021 to maintain essential federal services and add valuable time for Congress to deliver appropriations priorities in bipartisan fashion;
- Delivers emergency relief funding for communities devastated by the summer’s record-breaking natural disasters;
- Provides desperately-needed aid to resettle Afghan refugees after the historic evacuation effort in August; and
- Suspends the debt ceiling through December 2022 to enable the federal government to meet the financial obligations it has already made, including Social Security and Medicare benefits, services for veterans and paychecks for members of the military.
Addressing the debt limit is a bipartisan responsibility. Over the last decade Congress has come together to address it on a bipartisan basis, including three separate times under President Trump. Now under President Biden, Republicans led by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell are attempting to force the first-ever default of the nation—a move that McConnell himself said would be disastrous. Playing political games with our nation’s credit is unacceptable. We in the House will work to ensure Senate Republicans act to meet our government’s financial obligations to the American people.
Defending our nation and supporting our brave troops
The House also bolstered our national security and did right by our troops with the bipartisan advance of the National Defense Authorization Act. The bill makes significant quality of life improvements for service members and their families with funding for pay increases while also making historic investments in innovation and emerging technologies.
Despite these many notable actions, our work in Congress remains unfinished. We have the once-in-a-generation opportunity to prove that our government works for the American people—not just those at the top. Next week, I will return to Washington to advance these urgent provisions that not only meet the needs of our communities but build them back stronger and better than ever. Together, I know we can get it done.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
Throughout this pandemic, my office and I have worked to make sure you remain informed with the latest local, state and federal updates and recommendations. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- Governor Kathy Hochul announced this week that 120 new pop-up vaccination sites will be established throughout the State to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates among younger New Yorkers.
- These pop-up sites support the States #VaxtoSchool campaign and will take place across New York over the next 12 weeks.
- The State Department of Health will be working with localities, community-based organizations and healthcare centers on-the-ground to establish these new sites in areas with low vaccination rates among 12-17-year-olds.
- A community-based medical professional will be available at each site to answer any questions parents and guardians of school-aged New Yorkers may have.
- To promote ease and acceptability, #VaxtoSchool buses will also be launched in convenient, youth and school-centric areas statewide, such as public recreational spaces like basketball courts and parks.
- Find #VaxtoSchool sites HERE.
- More information on the State’s COVID vaccination efforts can be found at ny.gov/vaxtoschool.
