April 30, 2022
Dear Friends,
Following my return to the Capital Region after another busy week in Washington, I’d like to share a few updates with you about the work I’ve been doing to deliver for our communities, address the worsening climate crisis, and support our allies overseas.
Supporting underserved communities
This week, I introduced two pieces of legislation to ensure that all communities in the Capital Region and beyond have the resources they need to access vital federal investments. Last year, I was proud to support both the American Rescue Plan and the transformative Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to finally deliver badly needed resources to our communities and to address their critical infrastructure needs. However, many small, rural, and disadvantaged communities across our nation lack the resources to navigate the complex and costly application processes to access these funds.
My Access for All Communities Act and Community Leaders in Economic Development (Community LED) Act will help fill capacity gaps that have left many communities with less access to federal funding and ensure that shovel-worthy, transformative infrastructure projects can ignite our nation’s and our region’s economic recovery. This package of legislation will:
- Consolidate federal grant information in a public database and require the Department of Commerce to regularly update the database to facilitate increased access to and awareness of its programs.
- Bolster our economic development workforce through AmeriCorps partnerships with local governments and organizations and ensure AmeriCorps servicemembers have access to important training in the federal grantmaking process.
Finding equitable solutions to our climate crisis
On Thursday, I joined the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for a hearing to examine the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report. As Chair of the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, I’ve long fought for measures to address our worsening climate crisis. The IPCC’s report makes it clearer than ever that we must use every tool at our disposal to meet this challenge.
During the hearing, I stressed the need to develop and implement achievable, equitable climate solutions as well as increase investment in research and development while meeting both short- and long-term sustainability goals.
The climate crisis is an urgent threat to our planet, but it also presents a historic opportunity to find solutions that both protect our environment and boost our local economies. By investing in innovation, industry, and jobs right here in the Capital Region, we can build the foundation for a more resilient, clean and just future for all Americans.
Strengthening our Ukrainian allies
This week, I joined my colleagues in the House to pass major bipartisan measures to support Ukraine and to isolate Russia for its brutal and unprovoked attack. The Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act allows the United States to more quickly and efficiently send critically needed weapons and other supplies to our Ukrainian allies. Additionally, the Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act authorizes President Biden to confiscate assets from sanctioned Russian oligarchs and use those seized funds to help Ukraine.
Since Putin launched his premeditated war, Congress and the Biden Administration have moved with unity, strength, and lightning speed to bring immediate and effective support to the people of Ukraine. Thanks to the critical aid I supported, the Ukrainians are already receiving $13.6 billion in humanitarian assistance, economic relief, and military aid. With this latest package of legislation, my colleagues and I are more committed than ever to standing with the people of Ukraine as they courageously defend themselves and their nation against Putin’s brutal war.
It is my tremendous honor to represent our Capital Region and its people in Congress, and serve as your voice in Washington. While we have continued to make significant progress, I know that there is still much more work to do, and I will not rest until that work is complete. I will continue my fight to deliver for our communities, preserve our environment, and support our allies fighting against tyranny.
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 and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- Last month, the EPA announced the release of a new web tool, called “ECHO Notify,” that empowers members of the public to stay informed about important environmental enforcement and compliance activities in their communities.
- Through the new tool, users can sign up to receive weekly emails when new information is available within their geographic area.
- ECHO Notify provides information on all EPA enforcement and compliance activities as well as activities of state and local governments under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
- By receiving updates on violations or enforcement actions at nearby facilities, communities can make informed decisions about their health and their environment.
- Increased transparency leads to stronger deterrence of environmental violations. As more people play an active role in protecting their neighborhoods from pollution, ECHO Notify makes finding updates on environmental enforcement as easy as checking your email.
- EPA has prepared a video overview and tutorial of ECHO Notify. You can access the video HERE.