August 2, 2025

Dear Friends,

Over these past six months, the Trump administration has blazed along with rollbacks and cuts that have left countless communities, agencies, and individuals reeling. I’ve spent every day this year pushing back on these callous, reckless actions — and that effort doesn’t stop when I leave Washington. On that note, I spent this first full week back in our Capital Region for the August District Work Period hosting roundtables, joining tours, meeting with community leaders, and connecting with constituents about the work I’m doing in D.C. and here at home to support and strengthen our region.

From day one of this administration, President Trump has taken action to erase our nation’s history. From slashing funding for our libraries, museums, parks, and heritage areas, to removing trans people from the Stonewall National Monument, to striking the names of black and LGBTQ+ leaders from our Navy ships, to renaming forts, including Fort Johnson, named after war heroes like Albany native and World War I Sgt. Henry Johnson, this administration has worked relentlessly to drag us backward. Our shared history is under threat like never before. But we can fight back to ensure these stories are not erased from the books. Earlier this week, I held an event dubbed “Hands Off Our History,” where I spoke with historians, advocates, and community leaders about our efforts to preserve our heritage, both in the Capital Region and beyond.

By sharing our stories and emphasizing the need to protect our nation’s parks, museums, lands, and cultural heritage, we can demonstrate a broad, visible resistance to the politicization of our shared past — and a renewed commitment to federal stewardship of our shared heritage.

Along with attempts to erase our diverse history, the Trump administration has also moved to deny the realities of climate change and its impact. Just this week, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a proposal that all but eliminates the EPA’s mission to tackle climate change and limit greenhouse gas pollutants.

By repealing the endangerment finding, the Trump administration is giving a green light to the fossil fuel industry and polluters to pump chemicals into our air with impunity. Meanwhile, they are giving the cold shoulder to the millions who are already feeling the impacts of climate change, and to the countless more who will be harmed if we keep ignoring this threat and failing to face this crisis. This outrageous step backward is sure to be challenged in the courts, and I’ll continue pushing to restore this finding and demand that this administration work on behalf of our communities and planet, not for polluters.

I’ve long striven for our nation to do more to act on climate because experience has shown us time and again that we ignore the realities of climate change at our own peril. We are already seeing the impact of worsening extreme weather events, from sweltering heatwaves that span whole countries to the heartbreaking devastation from recent flooding in Texas. As these deadly, billion-dollar natural disasters grow more and more frequent, it will be more vital than ever before to have robust, efficient, and effective weather monitoring systems that save lives and livelihoods. That’s why this week, I sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem demanding the Trump administration restore the funding to the University at Albany’s weather forecasting system, the Albany Mesonet.

Earlier this month, the DHS abruptly withdrew a $3 million grant to UAlbany that would improve the New York State Mesonet. Mesonet is a critical weather monitoring network that enables communities throughout the entire state to better and more rapidly respond to extreme weather events. Cutting off funding for a proven response program amid an escalating climate crisis is not just short-sighted, it is dangerous — and I’ll continue pushing for this administration to reinstate full funding for this initiative and ensure that we don’t abandon the tools and resources that will help save lives.

As the August District Work Period continues, I promise to keep you informed of my work to strengthen our Capital Region and improve the lives of all who call it home.

As always, thank you for reading.

Your friend,

DID YOU KNOW?

My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates, announcements, and recommendations from governments and agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:

• As many of you know, recent and ongoing federal policy changes have had a significant impact on nonprofit organizations here in our Capital Region and across the nation.
• With that in mind, I made a survey for nonprofits to fill out in order for me and my office to better understand the geographic reach, populations served, and funding challenges faced by nonprofits during this time.
  • The survey should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential.
• You can find additional details and complete that survey HERE.
• To all our nonprofits, thank you for the vital work you do and for taking the time to share your experiences with me!