January 23, 2021
Dear Friends,
After a bruising months-long campaign at the hands of some of America’s most powerful politicians, this week our democracy had its day. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in peacefully, just two weeks after the deadly attacks on our Capitol and our republic by supporters of the outgoing president. The will of the American people prevailed.
Standing before the Capitol for the first time since those attacks, I was reminded of the scene that day. And during his inaugural address, Joe Biden confronted those memories with impressive generosity and resolve. He gave us a new vision for our nation, a more inclusive kind of politics, that carries the urgent promise of helping to reunite our divided nation, to help us heal and move forward to tackle the many crises we now face.
I had the pleasure to attend the Inauguration myself, and to see Joe Biden sworn in as our 46th President of the United States. And I was especially moved to witness as Kamala Harris took her oath and became the first female, Black and South Asian Vice-President in U.S. history.
What a beautiful expression of America’s progress and promise.
After their swearing-in, President Biden and Vice President Harris offered messages that were solemn but hopeful, and both bold and urgent. And, true to form, just hours after being sworn in they were getting to work advancing several key Executive Orders. They include:
- Leading America’s COVID Rescue
- Leading by example, mask-wearing will be required in all federal buildings, on federal land and for interstate travel including on planes and trains.
- Putting science and public health before politics, America returns to our rightful place in the World Health Organization to help lead the global coronavirus response.
- Sparking our Nation’s Economic Recovery
- Millions of Americans who are at risk will not face the danger of losing their homes thanks to an extension of the nationwide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures through at least March 31.
- Federal student loan payment requirements will remain paused until at least September 30.
- Retaking the Lead on Bold Climate Action
- America will once again honor our voluntary commitments under the Paris Agreement and restore our global leadership in tackling the climate crisis.
- Protections for the environment and public health will be restored and government action will once again be guided by science
- Restoring America’s Soulful Immigration Heritage
- The cruel and pointless Muslim ban restricting immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries has ended.
These actions mark a new, brighter chapter for America but our task ahead remains great. Governing this divided nation will not be easy. Let us take heart in knowing that our strength is in our diversity and our unity. We are one nation, governed by the people and for the people. We are not a perfect union, but we are ever-striving to become one.
In the words of America’s first youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman during the Inauguration ceremony,
“And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us but what stands before us”
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it
If only we’re brave enough to be it
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 updates and recommendations on any and all COVID-19 related topics. With that in mind here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- With vaccinations in NYS and across the nation underway, many Americans have questions about vaccination distribution, eligibility, and how to schedule an appointment.
- Vaccine Doses: Currently, NYS is receiving between 250,000-300,000 doses per week; this number is inclusive of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
- Eligibility: Vaccine distribution has been divided into phases, with early phases representing the highest priority populations for vaccination. New York is in Phase 1b, in which those 65+ as well as essential workers, including police, fire, education and transit workers, are now eligible.
- Where to get the Vaccine: New York State has enrolled thousands of sites to serve as vaccination sites, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and urgent care centers across the state.
- The am I eligible site shows available appointments at New York State-run vaccination sites. If eligible, you must schedule an appointment. If you visit a location without an appointment you will not receive a vaccine.
