Working Across the Aisle to Pass Legislation that Lifts our Capital Region

Dear Friends,

Since my very first days in public office, I have worked to deliver meaningful and lasting legislation that lifts up people and communities in our Capital Region and beyond.

Continuing that fight has become more challenging in this historically divided Congress, but my team and I have gotten the job done because we listen to you and work across the aisle to build practical solutions that make America a stronger, more capable, more compassionate nation.

Our House-passed Heroes Act delivered a comprehensive rescue plan for the American people, including a reform to Medicare reimbursement rates for Capital Region hospitals that would bring an estimated $100 million to our region every single year.

Working with input from constituents from across our region and my extraordinary team of public servants, I introduced 28 pieces of legislation.

Of the 28 bills I introduced this term, 25 had Republican cosponsors.

Several of my bills this term were signed into law by President Trump, including H.R. 538, the PIRATE Act, legislation that toughens the penalty for illegal ‘pirate’ radio broadcast signals that interfere with first responders, air traffic controllers and legitimate broadcasts while helping keep bigotry and hate speech off our airwaves.

In addition, 17 of my 28 bills this term have passed the House, including:

1. The COVID-19 Mental Health Research Act that would fund research to study the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of Americans, and more specifically, our frontline health care providers.
2. The Medicaid Reentry Act, legislation that allows states to activate Medicaid coverage for individuals transitioning out of incarceration 30 days prior to release, which will help to finance care for COVID-related early releases.
3. The Scientific Integrity Act, bipartisan legislation with more than 230 cosponsors that sets baseline standards for scientific integrity policies at federal agencies in order to keep political meddling and special interests our of science.
4. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, legislation I’ve fought to advance for years alongside by friend Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) that would establish uniform national medication standards including a ban on medicating horses the same day they are scheduled to race, bringing the U.S. in line with international standards.
5. Limo Safety Package, three bipartisan bills—the Safety, Accountability, and Federal Enforcement of Limos Act (SAFE Limos Act), the Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act, and the End the Limo Loophole Act—to establish life-saving national limousine safety standards.
6. The ACCESS BROADBAND Act, bipartisan legislation that expands broadband access in underserved areas and creates a simpler process for small businesses and local economic developers to access federal broadband resources at a time when internet access is more essential than ever for Americans to work, learn and access telehealth services.
7. Eight bills I wrote passed as part of the House clean energy package, H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act including improvements to weatherization, development of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, research into wind energy and much more.

Congress was able to come together to get it done with the $2 trillion CARES Act, but the job of directing America’s pandemic response is far from over. Before we left, my colleagues and I passed a compromise version of the Heroes Act that met our Republican counterparts halfway. I remain hopeful that they will do the same and pass this urgent legislation that will literally save lives, save businesses and put our nation on the path of rebuilding.

We have a duty to country that comes before politics or party. Now and always, I pledge to uphold the oath of service I have sworn. Anything less would be unworthy of you, and of the American people.

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:

•  The deadline to register for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) is November 21, 2020.
• IRS urges people who don't typically file a tax return – and haven't received an EIP – to register as quickly as possible using the Non-Filers: Enter Info Here tool on IRS.gov. The tool will not be available after November 21.
  
  • This additional time into November is solely for those who have not received their EIP and don't normally file a tax return.
  • The Non-Filers tool is designed for people with incomes typically below $24,400 for married couples, and $12,200 for singles who could not be claimed as a dependent by someone else. This includes couples and individuals who are experiencing homelessness.