March 19, 2022
Dear Friends,
Over the last year, the U.S. has made remarkable progress in our fight against COVID-19. Under the leadership of the Biden Administration, we advanced the historic American Rescue Plan to usher in vital funding to support American workers and families, keep our small businesses open, get our children safely back in schools, and make free, safe vaccines and boosters widely available to all who want them.
One year after this vital rescue was signed into law, our communities continue to receive critical support. Just this week, I was proud to announce tens of millions in funds that will directly benefit those living in our Capital Region, including:
- Nearly $150 million in funding to universities and other educational institutes serving Capital Region students. Our rescue plan funding worked to make institutions of higher education—especially community colleges—more affordable during the COVID-19 pandemic, while ensuring Capital Region students stay on track to graduate. Critically, at least half of this funding has been designated to bring direct financial relief to students.
- Nearly $9 million in funding to help students connect to the internet at home by providing broadband access, laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other equipment necessary to get their homework done. Since long before the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve fought to expand broadband services to our communities. This funding builds on that effort and ensures that every student—regardless of their zip code—has the basic tools they need to succeed in this digital era.
These are incredible investments that will help strengthen our communities for years to come. But, as we turn over a new page in this pandemic, our work in Congress to support our communities during this unprecedented time is far from over. We must build on our COVID response and minimize the pandemic’s impact to the Nation and our economy. And with cases once again rising abroad, funding efforts now equip us with the resources to deal with a future surge and will prevent far more severe consequences.
That’s why this week I joined a number of my colleagues to call on House leadership to provide additional funding for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. This relief kept countless restaurants afloat, with more than $70 million delivered to our Capital Region alone. Bolstering this vital program will ignite our economic recovery and ensure our restaurants have the resources they need to serve our communities.
I’m also pushing for the extension of the expanded Child Tax Credit. With this benefit, Democrats secured $182 million in tax cuts to working families in NY-20 to pay for child care, afford bills, and put food on the table. Critically, this lifeline helped lift half of children out of poverty. We must respond to the needs of our communities with compassion and reenact this transformative benefit at once.
As I continue fighting to meet the needs of Americans during these unprecedented times, thank you for doing your part to help lift up our Capital Region and carry this nation forward. Your stories and your strength fill my voice in Washington. I will continue do all I can in Congress to achieve our full potential as a region and nation.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I have worked to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- As the summer travel season rapidly approaches, my office will be hosting a virtual informational session on the U.S. passport application process on Wednesday, March 23rd at 7:00 PM via Zoom.
- A representative from the Buffalo Passport Agency will be on hand to share important updates and answer questions about U.S. passports, completing an application, and other related travel information.
- This event will provide a chance to receive important information about the requirements necessary for international travel as you begin to plan your summer vacations.
- The event will be streamed live on my Facebook page.
- If you do not have a Facebook account or would prefer to listen by phone, you can join the informational session by dialing 1-646-828-7666
- Then, enter the following codes:
- 1606962200#
- 808293#
- If you would like to submit a question to be addressed during the event, please call my Albany office at 518-465-0700.