HAPPY SMALL BUSINESS WEEK – Small business owners are working hard to invest in our communities and our economy. This week we visited some great Upstate New York small businesses and will continue meeting business owners and employees from across the district as part of #BrindisiAtYourBusiness.
STANDING UP FOR OUR DAIRY FARMERS – I was proud to welcome Mike McMahon, partner and owner of E-Z Acres in Homer, to testify at the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture’s hearing on “Reviewing the State of the Dairy Economy.” In his testimony, Mr. McMahon addressed challenges with labor and environmental sustainability.
“Immigrant labor is absolutely critical to my operation,” Mr. McMahon said. “Agriculture needs a way to secure an immigrant workforce that is steady, willing, able, and legal.”
That’s exactly why I partnered with Congressman John Joyce (R-PA) to introduce H.R. 1778, the Diary and Sheep H-2A Visa Enhancement Act to expand the H-2A visa program to include dairy workers.
Watch HERE.
VETERAN SUICIDE
PREVENTION – One veteran life lost to suicide is one too many. Alongside
Congressmen Jim Banks (R-IN) and Mike Bost (R-IL), I introduced H.R. 2333, the
Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act, to ensure the VA has the tools
and resources it needs to provide life-saving mental health care to every
veteran who walks in the door. Last week the House Veterans’ Affairs Health
subcommittee considered our bill, and now it’s headed to the full committee
this week. I am committed to working with members of both sides of the aisle to
finally bring an end to this public health crisis.
Any veteran, family member, or friend
concerned about a veteran’s mental health can contact the Veterans Crisis Line
at 800.273.8255 or text 838255.
Find out more about how you can be there for veterans in crisis at BeThereForVeterans.com.
STOP THE HIT –
We need to work together to lower the cost of health care. The Health Insurance
Tax contributes to the rising cost in insurance premiums, affecting both families
and businesses. That’s why I joined Congressman Kenny Marchant (R-TX) to
introduce the Jobs and Premium Protection Act, repealing the HIT. Upstate New
Yorkers are already worried enough about the skyrocketing costs of healthcare;
it’s time we eliminate this tax once and for all.
THE OPIOID CRISIS – Too many
families have suffered because of the opioid epidemic. The recent rise in
overdoses in Upstate New York has made it clear that we need to act now.
Congressmen Max Rose (D-NY), French Hill (R-AR), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and
I introduced the bipartisan Fentanyl Sanctions Act
the first-ever fentanyl sanctions effort in Congress. Our bill applies pressure
on the Chinese government to make all fentanyl illegal, and also provides the
U.S. with more tools to go after illicit traffickers and stop these deadly
drugs from entering our country.
MOBILE OFFICE HOURS – Our office
holds mobile office hours across the district to help folks who have questions
or problems with a federal agency or program, including Social Security and
Medicare, veterans benefits, federal student loans, grant applications and
more. Call us for help at 315.732.0713.
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