url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-blasts-obama-kerry-appeasing-iran-expense-american-security,"Donovan Blasts Obama, Kerry for Appeasing Iran at Expense of American Security",2015-12-30,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Staten Island, NYDecember 30, 2015.Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today voiced strong opposition to the Obama administrations pledge to protect Iranian business interests by waiving Congressionally-mandated travel visa restrictions. Congressman Donovan said, Apparently, Irans business interests come before American security and citizens. Its yet another weak and wrongheaded step in the Obama administrations long road of placating our enemies. At issue is a Donovan-supported measure passed into law as part of the year-end funding package. It requires travelers to obtain a visa before visiting the United States if they have also visited Iran, Iraq, Syria, or Sudan in the past five years. This includes citizens of the 38 countries which participate in a visa-waiver program with the United States. The goal is to make it more difficult for would-be terrorists to enter America. Iran took issue with the security restrictions, arguing they came about as a result of the Zionist lobby and directly contradict the parameters of the nuclear deal agreed to earlier this year. In response, Secretary of State John Kerry penned a letter to his Iranian counterpart assuaging Irans concerns and promising to implement the law so as not to interfere with legitimate business interests of Iran. Donovan continued, Iran still holds American prisoners who were ignored as part of the nuclear negotiations, and Iran violated U.N. missile test restrictions just two months ago. Despite the regimes flagrant disregard for American citizens and international norms, the Obama administration immediately submitted to Irans complaints. Several Americans have been held captive in Iran for years. Even after the nuclear deal, Iran convicted an American reporter on bogus espionage charges and arrested an American businessman. Earlier this month, United Nations experts announced that Iran violated an international resolution when it conducted a missile test in October. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-zeldin-calls-investigations-nsa-spying-members-congress,Congressman Zeldin Calls for Investigations into NSA Spying on Members of Congress Conversations with Israeli Leadership,2015-12-30,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Patchogue, New York - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY 1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus today called on Congress and the Department of Justice to investigate the NSAs spying on members of Congress conversations with top Israeli leadership. The House Intelligence Committee just announced today that it is opening a probe. Additionally, Congressman Zeldin called on the Obama Administration to disclose information related to its role in this questionable activity. If the latest reports are true, laws were broken and there must be accountability for all responsible, said Congressman Zeldin. First off, Israel is a trusted ally of the United States of America and should be respected as such. The NSAs spying of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top level Israeli leadership harms our relationship with our greatest friend and ally in the Middle East. Furthermore, and especially concerning, the NSA should not have been recording the conversations between members of Congress and Israeli leadership. It appears that laws may have been broken. Congressman Zeldin met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other top leaders in the Israeli government, during the negotiation and deliberation of the P5+1 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iran Nuclear Agreement. Israel is a beacon of freedom and democracy in a region of the world that is filled with darkness, continued Congressman Zeldin. Americas foreign policy should be one that strengthens our relationships with our allies and treats our enemies as our enemies. These new details about the NSAs spying does nothing to strengthen our relationship with Israel and other allies around the world. If only the Obama administration would channel a fraction of its bias against Israel towards more responsible policy towards Iran, America would be made more secure today and in the future. Congressman Zeldin concluded, Putting the spying of Israeli leadership aside for a moment, in what interpretation of national security can the President of the United States justify using National Security Agency assets to spy on members of Congress? Is this really for national security or is it for political gain? The Obama administration must disclose the entirety of its role in this questionable activity. The United States Department of Justice should appoint a Special Prosecutor and the United States Congress should investigate the Obama Administration and National Security Agency to pursue full clarity and accountability regarding this deeply troubling activity.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/following-his-return-iraq-rep-zeldin-releases-statement-iraqi-military,"Following His Return from Iraq, Rep. Zeldin Releases Statement on Iraqi Military Recapturing Ramadi",2015-12-29,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY 1), Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who just returned from a Christmas time Congressional Delegation (CODEL) visit to Iraq and Kuwait, released the following statement after the Iraqi military recaptured Ramadi from ISIS: Recapturing Ramadi is a key strategic victory for Iraq and coalition forces. For Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, U.S. Army Lieutenant General Sean McFarland, the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service, and all others who played critical roles in this effort, this is a very positive development not just for Iraqi security, but for the security of the free world in the fight against ISIS. In Iraq, the United States and coalition partners clearly have a plan and that plan is moving in the right direction. Since the May 19th fall of Ramadi, there has been no loss of ground to ISIS for more than 48 hours. It is very tenuous though and with so much ground still to recapture, the reality remains that this could all pivot in the opposite direction in the blink of an eye. An intense battle for Mosul still awaits. For ISIS, which has linked its efforts to establishing a caliphate, holding ground and expanding further is critical. That is a key reason why their loss of Ramadi is important. There is a possibility that within two to five years, the Iraqis will recapture all land in their country currently held by ISIS. That is far from certain, but for the first time in a long time, many are at least feeling momentum in the right direction. Syria and Libya are a completely different story where there seems to be no plan to defeat ISIS, only to take out some of the bad guys and disrupt some of their command and control. That situation I fear is likely to get worse before it gets better and is a race against the clock. The best humanitarian victory that can be delivered for the Syrians is to wipe ISIS off the face of the earth and for the rest of the civil war to end. It is difficult to develop a plan for a post-Assad Syria if all of the people needed to run the country afterwards flee now with almost no possibility they will move back later. There is only so much patience before those capable of rebuilding Syria who still remain will also flee the country. This is an urgent crisis without a plan. The United States has an important role to play in the mission to defeat ISIS, whether we want to or not. It is clear that in Iraq at least the strategy has evolved recently into one that is using more boots on the ground while approaching operations responsibly in a way to greatly mitigate the potential loss of American service members. There are still ways to improve the mission from intelligence collection to information operations (IO). On the IO front, despite all of the sacrifice made by the United States in Iraq, there is little to no gratitude for our efforts. We should consider additional ways to improve the message that is being disseminated to civilians so that they better understand history and current reality rather than just the version the Iranians are providing with their media propaganda throughout Iraq. The Iran backing of Shia militia is a sustained issue. Right now, they are not targeting Americans, but in the past, they have killed and wounded U.S. service members and the threat of future violence is an impediment for mission accomplishment. There is a direct connection to the recently negotiated Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between the P5+1. The leverage that brought the Iranians to the table was the sanctions relief and now those sanctions have been negotiated away without resolving so many other lingering issues such as state sponsored terrorism, efforts to overthrow foreign governments, illegal ballistic missile tests, and pledges of Death to America. America must come to the realization that we got played at the negotiating table and consider options to reconsider our unilateral concessions that negotiated away our leverage. There are also major challenges still ahead for Prime Minister al-Abadi who appears to currently be leading better than his predecessor, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. It is still uncertain whether Iraq has a stable future with the Kurds, Sunnis and Shia accepting the new form of government. Prime Minister al-Abadi seems to be working very hard to move the complex pieces in a direction where the coalition government would have its best chance for success. On the military front, the recapturing of Ramadi was a key victory for the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (CTS). The larger issue is the massive gap in readiness between CTS and the rest of the Iraqi Army, which lacks the will to defend the country. The CTS ranks need to grow without compromising quality in pursuit of quantity and/or the Iraqi Army needs to start showing up for work and shaping up to keep the nation secure. Its a complex map in the Middle East with additional factors at play when you add in to the mix Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, etc. As for Iraq specifically, the path forward is uncertain, but with victory in Ramadi, a plan that could potentially work, and momentum in the right direction, there is enough reason to not only praise a hard fought battle won, but to be a little more optimistic about the future. The strategy is evolving and victory no longer seems impossible.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-king-says-us-airstrikes-haven-t-weakened-isis,Rep. King says US airstrikes havent weakened ISIS,2015-12-28,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Peter King,K000210,peteking.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Rep. Peter King said the leader of ISIS is likely correct to conclude the barrage of US-led airstrikes have failed to weaken the terror group. Unfortunately, overall, hes probably right, King (R-NY) told Fox News Sunday, referring to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed ISIS leader who said the months-long air campaign had failed and ISIS was expanding and getting stronger. After 15, 16 months of air attacks by the US, its had really minimal impact on ISIS, said King, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee. He added: ISIS, I believe, is stronger than it was 16 months ago. They certainly have a larger land mass under their control. Theres no doubt ISIS is planning increased attacks against the US. He also called for stepped up surveillance of the Muslim community and said federal authorities should be allowed to infiltrate mosques. They can cry all they want, the fact is thats where the threat is coming from, King said. We are kidding ourselves [with] blind political correctness. Muslim American leaders gathered in Washington last week to condemn the terrorist attacks and pledged to do more to root out radicalization, educate the public and condemn anti-Muslim rhetoric, exacerbated by Donald Trumps plan to ban-Muslims from entering the US. But King accused the Muslim community of more often than not failing to alert authorities of someone suspicious. On Long Island, here, where youve had people in mosques who have spoken radically, who spoke of their intentions to be involved in jihad, it was never told to the police, King said. There was one imam New York police confided in about a suspected bomb plot, King said, but he alerted the father of the subway bomber who was planning attacks in September 2009. He was the one guy they trusted and he tipped off the enemy, King said. A guy who was coming to New York to kills thousands of New Yorkers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-peter-king-says-air-strikes-against-isis-are-not-enough-recommends,"Rep. Peter King says air strikes against ISIS are not enough, recommends monitoring Muslim communities",2015-12-28,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Peter King,K000210,peteking.house.gov,,,legacy,"What doesnt kill ISIS makes it stronger. That was the message Sunday from Rep. Peter King, who said that the Islamic States leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was telling the truth when he said the U.S. and Russia had done little to halt his army of bloodthirsty militants. Unfortunately overall he is probably right that after 15 months of, 16 months of air attacks by the U.S., its had really minimal impact on ISIS, considering how long those attacks have been going on, King said on Fox News Sunday. The comments come a day after the 24-minute recording from Baghdadi surfaced. In the recording Baghdadi urged his soldiers to be patient because you are on the right path. The U.S.-led alliance does not scare us... nor do they scatter our resolve because we are the victors in any event, he said. Baghdadi declared that the caliphate in Syria and Iraq was doing well despite an international alliance against it that includes Saudi Arabia. America and its allies dream of destroying the caliphate through their proxies and henchmen, and whenever an alliance of theirs fails or a tail is cut, they hasten to establish another, Baghdadi said. The Republican Congressman from Long Island reiterated that the best way to prevent further ISIS attacks in the U.S. was more surveillance of Muslim communities. Critics say the controversial move would further dissuade law-abiding people from contacting the authorities for fear of being suspected of becoming radicalized. This is nothing against Muslims, but the fact is that is where the threat is coming from. And we are kidding ourselves. We have this blind political correctness, which makes no sense, King said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lee-zeldin-spends-christmas-us-troops-iraq-and-kuwait,Rep. Lee Zeldin Spends Christmas with U.S. Troops in Iraq and Kuwait,2015-12-27,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Patchogue, NY - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C - NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, returned Saturday, December 26, from a bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) visit that he led to the Middle East. Also participating in Congressman Zeldins CODEL were Congressmen David G. Valadao (R - CA-21) and David Cicilline (D RI-1). During the visit, Congressman Zeldin made stops in Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar. Congressman Zeldin said, ""I was honored to lead a bipartisan CODEL to the Middle East over Christmas. The briefings with top military and diplomatic leadership, who are front in center in the fight against ISIS, served to update me on the latest developments in the coalition's efforts. I also had an opportunity to personally thank many of our service members in Iraq and Kuwait who are currently deployed and missing Christmas away from their families this holiday season."" ""It is great to be back home from the Middle East,"" Congressman Zeldin continued. ""The briefings were so informative. The good news is that things are moving a little better in Iraq now and there is a plan being executed in a positive direction. It is very tenuous though and could turn in the opposite direction quickly. The bad news is that things are a lot worse in Syria and Libya and there really isn't much of a plan at all."" Congressman Zeldin concluded, ""I'll be looking forward to spending the next 24 hours digesting the detailed info from the various discussions, reflecting on the entire trip and reporting back on what I can. It is a complicated map in the Middle East, and unfortunately believing that none of it has anything to do with us is absolutely not an option. Naivety, weakness and a lack of leadership would prove very costly with the road ahead. The next step forward in American foreign policy must be the right move and it must be a move that plans from victory backwards and considers what moves six, seven and eight down the road should look like. There sure is quite a lot for me to think about the rest of this weekend and beyond. It's not as easy as the U.S. just 'mowing the grass' and killing everyone and it's also not as easy as doing nothing and letting them all kill each other."" Pictures from the CODEL are below. Congressman Zeldin speaking to 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers in Iraq just following their Christmas morning run: Congressmen Zeldin and Valadao in Amman, Jordan: Congressmen Zeldin and Valadao meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait with U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait Douglas Silliman: Congressman Zeldin speaking with Army Colonels about military operations in Iraq and Syria: Congressman Zeldin speaking with LTG Sean McFarland (Commanding General of Combined Joint Task Force- Operation Inherent Resolve), Deputy Chief of Mission Jonathan Cohen (Office of the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq), and MG Richard Clark (Commanding General, 82nd Airborne Division) about military operations in Iraq and Syria:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldins-christmas-day-greeting-middle-east,Rep. Zeldin's Christmas Day Greeting From the Middle East,2015-12-27,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Baghdad, Iraq - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C - NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following Christmas Day greeting while currently leading a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) visit to the Middle East: ""As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I'm currently leading a Congressional Delegation visit to the Middle East. For some of our service members I have met, this is their first deployment and first Christmas away from home. For others, this is their 6th deployment and sacrificing so much time away from family for so many holidays is certainly not easy. During my visit, which has included stops in Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan, I've had several meetings with top military and diplomatic leadership as well as many small group conversations over meals with our deployed service members from New York and around the country. It is such a privilege to personally let each and every one of them know just how much a very grateful nation thinks about them during these deployments and prays constantly for their safe return. This holiday season, Americans at home and abroad are seeking time for reflection and family. From the Middle East, I want to wish all Long Islanders back home who I am so honored to represent a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-issues-statement-following-death-ny-1-service-member,Rep. Zeldin Issues Statement Following Death of NY-1 Service Member in Afghanistan Suicide Bombing,2015-12-23,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Patchogue, NY - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C - NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Veterans Affairs Committee, released the following statement following the suicide bombing in Afghanistan that killed six U.S. service members, including a constituent from New York's First Congressional District: ""My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families following the tragic attack in Afghanistan that left six U.S. service members dead, including one of my constituents, Staff Sergeant Louis Bonacasa, from Coram, New York. Serving his final tour abroad, Staff Sergeant Bonacasa was a true American hero who leaves behind a loving wife, daughter, and extended family. On behalf of all the residents of the First Congressional District, I would like to thank Staff Sergeant Bonacasa for his dedication and sacrifice to our country, and I offer my deepest condolences to his entire family.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-house-pass-permanent-world-trade-center-health-program,"Donovan, House Pass Permanent World Trade Center Health Program",2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCDecember 18, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today joined a majority in the House of Representatives to vote for a permanent reauthorization of the World Trade Center Health Program. The measure, which also includes a five-year, $4.6 billion extension of the Victim Compensation Fund, was part of a larger year-end spending package. It overwhelmingly passed the House with more than 300 bipartisan votes. Congressman Donovan said, We achieved everything we set out to accomplish. Its a total and complete win for the heroes who risked their lives to save others after the worst terrorist attack in our history. Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19) said, I was proud to join with my New York colleagues to ensure we included the Zadroga Act in the year-end funding bill, and am grateful for our victory in that effort. We owe our first responders a debt we can never fully repay, but this legislation ensures that they have the health care they have earned. I will never tire in my fight to ensure we treat all of our heroes with the respect and honor they deserve, and I say thank you to them and their families for their efforts on 9/11 and every day, said Congressman Chris Gibson. When negotiations opened, the House Energy and Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over the WTC Health Program proposed only a five-year extension. Donovan, together with his northeastern colleagues, argued that 9/11 heroes deserve certainty and confidence that treatment for their diseases will be available for the rest of their lives. Earlier this month, discussions reached a breakthrough when the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee agreed to a permanent extension. Speaker Ryan and other House leaders committed to reauthorizing the Zadroga Act before years end. Congressman Donovan continued, Speaker Ryan, Chairman Upton, and Chairman Goodlatte gave their word that they would come through for 9/11 heroes, and they did. I thank them for their leadership and their commitment, as well as Congressman Peter King, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Congressman Jerry Nadler, Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Charles Schumer, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The legislation provides $3.5 billion to the WTC Health Program, the amount WTC Health Program Administrator Dr. John Howard said he needed to permanently fund screenings and treatments. It also provides $4.6 billion to the Victim Compensation Fund and allows another five years for victims and their families to file claims. The House Judiciary Committee originally proposed only $2.775 billion. Todays House vote comes after months of hard-fought and emotional negotiations. In New York, Donovan and his colleagues hosted countless events with 9/11 heroes, widows, and families to put a face to their argument. In Washington, Donovan, Congressman Peter King, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, and Congressman Jerry Nadler made their case to House Republican leadership over manyweeks. Congressman Donovan concluded, This victory is about the heroes who sacrificed their health and their lives in one of our countrys darkest hours. They didnt know it then, but by rushing toward the horror to save lives, many would risk their own years later. This is right, this is good, and Im incredibly proud to be a part of it. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-house-pass-year-end-funding-package,"Donovan, House Pass Year-End Funding Package",2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCDecember 18, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today joined the House of Representatives in passing the omnibus appropriations package by a margin of 316-113. It funds government operations through September 30, 2016 in line with the spending caps set in the October budget agreement. Provisions include a permanent extension of the Zadroga Act, funding to fight ISIS, and resources to combat prescription drug abuse and violence against women. Congressman Donovan said, The biggest win is a permanent World Trade Center Health Program, something I fought for since taking office in May. The rest of the bill isnt perfect, but it allocates the resources necessary to fight against ISIS and protect the homeland. Importantly, it keeps the government open and funded responsibly. The package allocates resources to a range of programs and agencies. In particular, it provides $53 billion $3.4 billion more than last fiscal year to fund overseas military operations, including the battle against ISIS and other terrorist networks. The bill also provides $2.5 billion in grants to first responders and emergency management personnel to, among other things, prepare for disasters and help undermine potential terrorist activities developing in the homeland. $22 million is specifically appropriated to the Securing the Cities Program, which funds equipment and training exercises to detect radiological weapons entering New York City and other major urban areas. Earlier this year, the House passed a bill authored by Donovan to make the program permanent. Further, the package allocates an additional $70 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat prescription drug abuse. Earlier this week, after advocacy from Donovans office, New York State agreed to join the Interconnect data-sharing network, which allows pharmacists in participating states to make sure prescriptions werent already filled in other states. The legislation also provides $480 million to a U.S. Department of Justice grant program to combat violence against women $50 million more than last fiscal year and $8 million more than the President requested. The program funds sexual assault forensic examination units and specialized prosecution teams to prevent and prosecute violent crimes against women. In addition, the grant program supports services for domestic violence and sexual assault victims. Earlier this year, Staten Islands Family Justice Center opened, a long-term project and priority for Donovan when he served as District Attorney. Donovan concluded, Im pleased that the funding included in this package for 9/11 first responders, to fight ISIS, to guard against terrorist attacks, to combat prescription drug abuse, to combat violence against women are right in line with this districts priorities. Its not perfect and I dont agree with everything in there, but it includes wins on key issues Ive focused on since taking office, and thats good news for the people of Staten Island and South Brooklyn. This bill shows that Republicans and Democrats can work together for the good of the country. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-john-katko-statement-passage-fy2016-funding-bill,U.S. Rep. John Katko Statement on Passage of FY2016 Funding Bill,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Representative John Katko (NY-24) today released the following statement on the bipartisan passage of the FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill, as well as a tax package, which passed the House this week with his support. With my support, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan agreement to fund the government through the 2016 Fiscal Year, as well as a package to make a number of critical tax credits permanent. While this agreement is far from perfect, I believe that it puts us on a sustainable path forward towards a predictable government funding process and takes us away from the course of governing from crisis to crisis. Like my constituents, I know that we must prioritize and invest in our national security. As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and Chairman of the Committees bipartisan Task Force on Combating Foreign Fighter Travel, I am pleased that this agreement contains key provisions from our Task Forces findings to strengthen the Visa Waiver Program and to help prevent terrorist travel. It also includes provisions that I authored which will help counter violent extremism in our local communities. This measure provides more funding for defense and gives our troops the resources that they need -- while bolstering cybersecurity and providing additional resources to the FBI, DHS, and local law enforcement to prioritize counterterrorism efforts. Significantly for Central New York, this agreement contains a number of bipartisan provisions that Ive supported this Congress, including the reauthorization of the 9/11 first-responder health care and victim compensation programs. It suspends the Medical Device Tax for two years a relief for the small business and manufacturing innovators in our community that produce life-saving devices used around the globe. It allocates funding to support child nutrition programming in our schools and supports medical research for Alzheimers and other diseases for which we desperately seek cures. And importantly, it increases support for our ongoing effort to combat opioid addiction. I was sent to Washington to represent Central New York, and to do so in a bipartisan manner. Ive spend the past twelve months doing that working to fight through partisan gridlock to deliver results for our community. While our work is far from complete, this bipartisan, bicameral legislation puts us on a path towards both a predictable budgeting process and comprehensive tax reform.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://stefanik.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/stefanik-applauds-north-country-wins-year-end-omnibus-tax-package,"Stefanik Applauds North Country Wins in Year End Omnibus, Tax Package",2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Elise Stefanik,S001196,stefanik.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) announced that the final government spending and tax package that passed the House with her support include several provisions she has fought hard for on behalf of the North Country. Among these provisions are a suspension of the medical device tax, an extension of the Land Water Conservation Fund, inclusion of the Zadroga 9/11 Health & Compensation Program, extensions of renewable energy tax credits, and funding for a Fort Drum military training academy, among other provisions. Suspends Obamacares Medical Device Tax This bipartisan agreement contains several priorities that I have fought for on behalf of North Country families and businesses, said Congresswoman Stefanik. This package includes a critical suspension of the Obamacare medical device tax. This is a big win for our district, especially in Warren County known as catheter valley because of the numerous medical device manufacturers located there. This is an issue I hear about frequently from businesses in my district, such as AngioDynamics, NuMed, C.R. Bard, Navilyst and Precision Extrusion. The medical device tax causes undue harm to an industry that not only creates jobs, but also improves our health and well-being, which is why I am an original cosponsor of the Protect Medical Innovation Act to repeal this burdensome tax. Important Provisions for NY-21 Military Installations and Military Families I am also pleased that two of my initiatives for Fort Drum have been secured in this package. Fort Drum is one of four sites being considered for an East Coast Missile Defense location, and this package includes important funds for the planning and design of this installation. And I am pleased that this package includes $19 million for the renovation and construction of a Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Fort Drum. Fort Drum is critical to our region, our state and our national security, and I am pleased these provisions have been included. This package also includes $1.3 billion for naval reactors, which will help support the Kesselring site in West Milton. As a military community, its important that this package includes $1.3 billion for Impact Aid which is a critical resource North Country schools that are home to many military families. Land Water Conservation Fund Extension and Tax Credits for Renewable Energy This package includes an important extension of the Land Water Conservation Fund. For 50 years this important program has supported wilderness, historical and community park projects across our district, and while this extension is good news I support making it a permanent resource so that we can end year-to-year uncertainty about its future. In addition, this includes important tax provisions to promote the use of biomass, wind, solar and hydropower. These renewable energy sources are critical to New Yorks 21st district and I am pleased that this package includes tax provisions to help these industries thrive. 9/11 Zadroga Health & Compensation Program This legislation includes an important measure that I cosponsored to ensure the first responders who spent months working at Ground Zero following the 9/11 terrorist attacks will receive lifetime medical care for their illnesses related to this work. We must take care of our brave first responders and I am proud of the work the New York deletion has done to ensure inclusion of this important program. Tax Reforms That Will Benefit North Country Families and Businesses This legislation also makes the research and development tax credit that has been repeatedly extended since 1981. By delivering permanent tax relief to Americas job creators, this legislation will make it easier for North Country employers to plan ahead, hire new workers, grow their businesses, and invest in their communities. In addition, this package lowers the excise tax imposed on hard cider so it is taxed at a lower rate than wine, which is a boon for our North Country apple orchards. This package also includes several provisions to help North Country families and students, including: Permanent expansions of the Child Tax Credit Permanent extension of the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit for low- to moderate-income working families with children Permanent extension of the American Opportunity Tax Credit for college expenses Permanent Deduction for teacher classroom expenses Health Funding When I travel throughout the district speaking with constituents, I hear regularly about the tragic heroin and opioid abuse epidemic that has emerged as a significant problem in the North Country. Heroin can have a devastating effect on all types of families from all walks of life and we must work together to raise awareness and combat this epidemic. I am pleased this package includes important funding to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic. Lifts the Oil Export Ban I support an all of the above approach to energy, and lifting the governments 40-year-old ban on oil exports which will encourage investment, spur innovation, create jobs here at home. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-announces-win-long-island-land-and-water-conservation,Rep. Zeldin Announces Win for Long Island Land and Water Conservation,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, CNY-1), today announced that the House of Representatives passed legislation (H.R. 2029) which includes language establishing a permanent tax deduction for East End conservation easements. Currently, landowners or farmers who donate a conservation easement to preserve their land from development can temporarily claim a federal income tax deduction. This important tax credit will now be permanent, giving certainty to Long Island conservationists and farmers. This legislation will now be sent to the President to be signed into law. Earlier this year, Congressman Zeldin also voted for the America Gives More Act (H.R. 644), which would make this tax credit permanent. H.R. 2029 also provides important funding for water quality, funding the National Estuary program, which includes the Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay, at $26.7 million for the 2016 fiscal year. The Long Island Sound Program is also funded at $4.8 million, a major victory over the Obama administrations proposal to cut this critical water quality program by 22%. The legislation also reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which provides local grants for hunting grounds, fishing areas and recreational facilities throughout Long Island, including 75 parks in Suffolk County alone. Congressman Zeldin said, One of my top priorities in Congress is protecting and preserving the abundance of natural resources we are blessed with on Long Island. Conservation easements are one of the most important ways that we can preserve the family farms and natural beauty of the East End of Long Island. In Congress, I have also been leading the fight to protect the quality of our water. I am proud to announce the passage of important legislation that funds the restoration of the Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-hails-permanent-extension-zadroga,Rep. Zeldin Hails Permanent Extension of Zadroga,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, CNY-1), today hailed a permanent extension of The James Zadroga Act, which passed the House of Representatives this morning. The Zadroga Act was originally passed in 2010, and established the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. While both programs have adequate funding to carry into next year, the healthcare fund authorization lapsed and had to be reauthorized immediately. As part of the omnibus spending package, a permanent extension was passed for the World Trade Center Health Program in addition to a five year, $4.6 billion Victim Compensation Fund. Congressman Zeldin said, Today the House voted to permanently extend the Zadroga Act, which will ensure that 9/11 first responders who continue to suffer from injuries or illnesses receive the care they earned and need for years to come. This is a huge victory for all of the 9/11 first responders who showed enormous amounts of courage and bravery in the aftermath of the terror attack on America. I am especially proud to have worked closely in a bipartisan manner with colleagues in the House and Senate, including Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, Congressman King, and Speaker Ryan, as well as local activists from Suffolk County who made countless trips to the Capitol and did everything they could to ensure that Congress permanently extended the Zadroga Act before the end of the year. The legislation will now be sent to the Senate (H.R. 2029), where it is expected to be passed and then approved by the President.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/katko-two-year-pause-medical-device-tax-good-central-new-york,KATKO: TWO YEAR PAUSE ON MEDICAL DEVICE TAX GOOD FOR CENTRAL NEW YORK,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. With the support of U.S. Representative John Katko (NY-24), the U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation which places a two-year moratorium on the 2.3% tax on medical device manufacturers that was put in place to fund Obamacare. Under the onerous Medical Device Tax, innovators, small businesses, and manufacturers right here in Central New York and across the country have slowed hiring, slowed investment in research and development, and slowedexpansion all in order to compensate for this misguided tax policy, said U.S. Rep. John Katko. Repealing this tax is critical to allowing our regional businesses to invest, to grow, and to prosper. Todays bipartisan legislation places a two year pause on this significant tax burden, which is a critical first step forward in eliminating this harmful tax altogether. The Medical Device Tax places a unique threat on Central New Yorks economy and on New York State as a whole. New Yorks vibrant med-tech industry is the 8th largest in the nation, employing over 8,000 employees in Upstate New York. The 24th Congressional District is home to small business innovators and large medical device manufacturers, including Welch Allyn and MedTech Association. Since taking office, Representative Katko has been a staunch advocate for the repeal of the Medical Device Tax, serving as an original co-sponsor on legislation to repeal the tax. Hill-Rom President & CEO John J. Greisch said, Hill-Rom and Welch Allyn are established industry leaders in medtech innovation we are constantly searching for new ways to help improve the quality of care for patients and their caregivers. Our work to develop new technologies depends on our ability to take calculated risks and make strategic investments, efforts challenged by this medical device excise tax, which stifles innovation and reduces our ability to invest in R&D. Hill-Rom and Welch Allyn are grateful that Congress passed a two year reprieve. On behalf of the patients we serve, thank you to Congressman Katko, Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for taking the lead and ensuring this tax is no longer an impediment to developing important new medical technologies. We look forward to continue working together to permanently repeal this onerous tax. On behalf of nearly 350 medical technology companies across New York State, their employees and the patients they serve, MedTech applauds members of the New York congressional delegation for their unwavering support to repeal this onerous tax, said Jessica Crawford, MedTech Association president. Suspension is an important step toward full repeal of the medical device tax and preserving more than 13,000 jobs and $4.6 billion in economic impact across New York. The efforts of our delegation will help boost innovation, job creation and patient care. In addition to the two-year moratorium on the Medical Device Tax, todays bipartisan tax measure includes provisions to: Provide Central New York families with the certainty that they need to plan by extending tax relief policies and making permanent the enhanced child tax credit, and important enhancements to the American Opportunity Tax credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. For the first time in thirty-four years, make the Research & Development tax credit permanent, offering incentives for innovation by small businesses. Prevent tax increases for small businesses, and extending tax credits to promote small business growth, innovation, and investment. Place a two year pause on the Cadillac tax, on expensive health insurance plans. Provides a two year extension for alternative fuel tax credits heavily utilized by Centro. Representative Katko concluded, For far too long, Congress has waited until the last minute arbitrarily making changes or adding temporary extensions. Central New York families and businesses, and farms need predictable, certain policies that they can depend on. This legislation does that, and lays the groundwork for comprehensive tax reform in Congress. Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and the western portion of Oswego County. For more information, please visithttps://katko.house.govorwww.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-s-common-core-amendment-now-law,Rep. Zeldins Common Core Amendment Now Law,2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY-1) today announced that the Zeldin Amendment regarding Common Core was signed into law. The Zeldin Amendment would allow states to opt out of Common Core without fear that there will be any loss of federal funding as a result. Congressman Zeldin said, The Zeldin Amendment, which has been identified as the single most effective way for the federal government to permit New York and other states to withdraw from Common Core without fear that there will be any loss of federal funding as a result, is a huge legislative victory for states seeking to withdraw from Common Core. One of the biggest arguments against the repeal of Common Core in New York State has been that New York would lose out on several hundred million, if not billions, of federal dollars. Under this new law, my amendment clarifies that any state, including New York State, would now be able to withdraw from Common Core without losing any federal funding. Congressman Zeldins amendment was included in the final conference report of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which passed both the U.S. House and Senate, and was signed into law by the President on December 10, 2015. You can read the Zeldin Amendment here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/house-reveals-bill-to-extend-zadroga-act-bringing-it-one-step-closer-to,"House reveals bill to extend Zadroga Act, bringing it one step closer to approval",2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Peter King,K000210,peteking.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON The long, hard fight to reauthorize funds for 9/11 survivors is finally coming to an end. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) made public must-pass legislation that includes funding for the Zadroga Act Tuesday night. The bill includes near-permanent extension of the health care program for first responders and others suffering from long-term health problems, according to lawmakers, and a five-year, $4.6 billion extension of the victims compensation fund that helps first responders and their families meet ends meet when they can't work or die from their health problems. This agreement is incredible news for our 9/11 heroes and their families, and it is a testament to the extraordinary power that Americans can have when they raise their voice and demand action, said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). Now those who rushed to the towers will know that if they get sick because of their bravery, the federal government will be there for them the way they were there for us,"" said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). ""It took too long but Congress finally rose to its responsibility to help our heroes. This agreement is the product of a lot of hard work but the end result is certainly worth it. Money for the program will be included in the omnibus legislation to keep the government funded that is expected to easily pass. The bipartisan group of lawmakers who have long fought for the legislation aren't ready to celebrate just yet. But they're finally feeling like the GOP-controlled Congress is ready to make good on its promise to care for America's heroes after months of delays in funding the Zadroga Act, which expired in the fall and would have run out of money early next year without Congressional action. ""This is a major bipartisan victory for the survivors and responders who were counting on us to get this done,"" Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) said. We will never fully repay the sacrifices our first responders made following September 11. All they ask of us is that we never forget and if Congress votes to pass the bill this week, they will be sending a clear message back: we havent. ""Advancing the Zadroga bill was a long hard fight for the brave cops, firefighters and construction workers who put their lives and health on the line at Ground Zero. They deserve the very best medical care and treatment and I was proud to be part of this successful effort, said Rep. Peter King (R-L.I.). The Zadroga Act was originally supposed to be attached to an earlier highway funding bill. but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) threw a wrench into those plans. With time running out before Congress breaks for the holidays, it appears 9/11 first responders and their survivors will finally be able to rest easier. This is a credit to the tenacity and dedication of 9/11 responders and survivors that have had to make repeated trips to Washington, walk the halls of the Capitol and or call, wrote or met with their representatives in their districts, said Ben Chevat, the executive director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/zadroga-act-lawmakers-include-81b-measure-to-renew-program,Zadroga Act: Lawmakers include $8.1B measure to renew program,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Peter King,K000210,peteking.house.gov,,,legacy,"In a major victory for ailing first responders, congressional negotiators included an $8.1 billion measure to renew the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending package that was finalized and released Tuesday night, lawmakers said. The measure would extend the World Trade Center Health Program for 75 years with $3.5 billion in funding to monitor and care for 73,000 responders and survivors. It also would provide $4.6 billion for the Victims Compensation Fund, which it renewed for another five years. Now its all over except for the voting, which the House and Senate are expected to do later this week before they leave Washington for the scheduled start of the holiday recess. Its in writing. The deal is done. Now Congress needs to vote, said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan), a Democratic sponsor of the Zadroga Act extension. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said, The finish line is in sight. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), the lead Senate sponsor, said, This agreement is incredible news for our 9/11 heroes and their families, and it is a testament to the extraordinary power that Americans can have when they raise their voice and demand action. Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), the lead Republican sponsor, said, Advancing the Zadroga bill was a long hard fight for the brave cops, firefighters and construction workers who put their lives and health on the line at Ground Zero. They deserve the very best medical care and treatment. Benjamin Chevat, executive director of the Citizens for Extension of the James Zadroga Act, also praised the responders for effectively making the case for the renewal in more than 20 trips to Washington to meet with lawmakers. This is a huge accomplishment, getting from this Congress, a health care program extended for 75 years and extending the . . . [victims fund] for another five years and giving it adequate funding to make people whole, he said. Once Congress approves the omnibus spending bill, the renewal of the Zadroga Acts two programs will provide certainty and stability for the firefighters, police, construction workers and others worried about losing medical care and compensation. The measure will renew until 2090 the health program, which technically expired Oct. 1 though it has the money to keep operating into next year, Chevat said. And it will keep the victims compensation fund, set to expire Oct. 1, 2016, open until 2021 with adequate funding. Chevat said Republicans required revisions in both programs, which he described as relatively minor. Eleventh-hour negotiations twisted and turned on the mammoth deal pairing the $1.1 trillion spending legislation with a giant tax bill catering to any number of special interests. The deal, Congress last major piece of unfinished business for the year, became the vehicle for countless long-sought priorities and odds and ends, including bankruptcy protection for Puerto Rico, reform of visa-free travel to the United States and renewable energy tax credits. Republican leaders predicted the legislation would come to a vote Thursday. First they would have to pass yet another short-term government funding extension, since the current one runs out Wednesday at midnight. At the end of the day, were going to get this done, new House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Tuesday. Last-stage negotiations focused on horse-trading around Democratic demands in exchange for lifting the 40-year-old ban on exporting crude oil, a Republican goal. Democrats were aiming to kill GOP attempts to roll back Obamas environmental regulations, and also sought five-year extensions of wind and solar tax credits. The final package was expected to ignore conservative demands for language clamping down on Syrian refugees entering the United States. Instead it would contain changes tightening up the visa waiver program that allows visa-free travel to the U.S. for citizens of 38 countries, including France and Belgium, where many of last months Paris attackers were from.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-announces-permanent-wtc-health-program-included-must-pass,Donovan Announces Permanent WTC Health Program Included in Must-Pass Spending Package,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCDecember 15, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today announced that the year-end spending bill, known as the omnibus, includes a permanent extension of the Zadroga Act. The bill language, which became public moments ago, provides $3.5 billion for the World Trade Center Health Program, the level which WTC Health Program Administrator Dr. John Howard said he needed to permanently fund treatments and screenings for first responders. The bill also provides $4.6 billion for the Victims Compensation Fund. Congressman Donovan said, This victory is about the heroes who sacrificed their health and their lives in one of our countrys darkest hours. They didnt know it then, but by rushing toward the horror to save lives, many would risk their own years later. This is right, this is good, and Im incredibly proud to be a part of it. Todays official inclusion comes after months of hard-fought and emotional negotiations. In New York, Donovan and his colleagues hosted countless events with 9/11 heroes, widows, and families to put a face to their argument. In Washington, Donovan, Congressman Peter King, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, and Congressman Jerry Nadler made their case to House Republican leadership over many weeks. Donovan continued, I always said that on the merits on the facts of this case we will win. I had full confidence that Speaker Ryan, Chairman Upton, and Chairman Goodlatte would come through for true American heroes, and they did. The omnibus will likely come before the House of Representatives for a final vote on December 17. With agreement from Republican and Democratic leadership in both the House and Senate,and the potential for a government shutdown if nothing passes, the bills prospects for success are extremely high. After the House and Senate pass the measure, it will go to the Presidents desk for his signature. Donovan concluded, Rob Serra; Diane DiGiacomo; Sal Turturici; John Muller; George Taylor: these are some of the people who woke up one September morning and found themselves surrounded by death and destruction. With the world falling apart around them, they risked their lives to save others. September 11 was Robs first day on the job, and he now suffers from numerous chronic conditions. Diane spent weeks saving abandoned animals from lower Manhattan apartment buildings, and succumbed to cancer just last month. Sal transported remains from Ground Zero for six months, and is now battling stage four cancer. John spent eight months sifting through rubble, and is now fighting lung cancer. George was there to pick up the pieces, and lost the function of his vocal cords due to cancer. They responded with courage and selflessness, and we can never fully repay their sacrifice. Im honored to have a part in answering their call. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-house-pass-combat-terrorist-use-social-media-act,"Donovan, House Pass the "Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act"",2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCDecember 16, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today joined his colleagues in passing the Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act. The measure utilizes the oversight role of Congress to require the President and security agencies to make recommendations for improving the federal governments efforts to disrupt and counter the use of social media by terrorists. Congressman Donovan said, ISIS has a relatively small and unsophisticated army by conventional standards they dont have fighter jets or cruise missiles. But with access to social media, ISIS and other terrorist groups can infect people thousands of miles away with their hateful, disgusting ideology. The measure further requires the Administration to report on how terror organizations utilize social media, and the role social media plays in radicalization in the United States and abroad. Donovan concluded, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook these are ISISs strongest weapons. To fully eradicate the threat, we must destroy their organization, cut off their financing, and take back their territory. In the meantime, we have to take every step to minimize the risk of radicalization here at home. -- Rep. Dan Donovan serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He is New York Citys only Republican representative. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-donovan-amendment-strengthen-cybersecurity-american-ports,House Passes Donovan Amendment to Strengthen Cybersecurity at American Ports,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCDecember 16, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today announced that the House of Representatives passed the Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act, which includes a Donovan amendment empowering the U.S. Coast Guard to implement cyber standards to safeguard American ports. Congressman Donovan said, Ports are the entry point for tens of millions of containers and billions of dollars of goods, and their operations rely heavily on automated systems. Its governments job to protect critical infrastructure from attack, and Im confident the U.S. Coast Guard will implement meaningful cyber defense systems for our ports. Current policy gives the U.S. Coast Guard jurisdiction over physical security at American ports. Cybersecurity, though, requires more robust coordination among the many private enterprises operating at domestic ports. Donovans amendment makes it crystal clear that the Coast Guard has full authority to implement cyber safeguards, avoiding the bureaucratic confusion that could allow vulnerabilities to persist. Several international ports have suffered cyber-attacks recently. In 2012, Australian authorities learned that drug smugglers exploited flaws in a federal container tracking system, enabling criminals to identify which shipping containers police considered suspicious. From 2011 to 2013, drug traffickers hacked into the Port of Antwerp and remotely controlled the terminal operating systems to release containers to truckers without the port or shipping line knowing about the missing cargo. Congressman Donovan continued, With a clear precedent of hackers exploiting ports around the world, we need to take action to beef up our own security. Thankfully, there has not been a major breach from a terrorist organization, but we need to always prepare for the worst-case scenario. The House Committee on Homeland Security adopted Donovans amendment when it considered the legislation earlier this year. After todays House vote, the bill goes to the Senate for consideration. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed the Securing the Cities Act, a bill sponsored by Donovan that would make permanent a program which funds radiological weapons detection equipment for New York and other major cities. -- Rep. Dan Donovan serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He is New York Citys only Republican representative. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-announces-permanent-extension-zadroga,Rep. Zeldin Announces Permanent Extension of Zadroga,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, CNY-1), today announced that a permanent extension for The James Zadroga Act was included in the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending package expected to be passed later this week. The Zadroga Act was originally passed in 2010, and established the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. While both programs have adequate funding to carry into next year, the healthcare fund authorization lapsed and had to be reauthorized immediately. In the omnibus spending package, which is expected to pass both the House and Senate this week, is a $3.5 billion, permanent extension of the World Trade Center Health Program and a five year, $4.6 billion Victim Compensation Fund. Congressman Zeldin said, The permanent extension of the Zadroga Act is a huge victory for 9/11 first responders who showed enormous amounts of courage and bravery in the aftermath of the terror attack on America. Since the beginning of the year, I have worked closely with colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure that before the end of the year Congress permanently extended the Zadroga Act, which provides necessary healthcare to our 9/11 first responders. This is a huge victory and I am proud to have helped lead the fight for this extension, working across the aisle, to ensure that 9/11 first responders receive the care they earned and need for years to come, and provide them and their families with peace of mind.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/overregulation-threatens-local-fishing-economies-congressmen-say,"Overregulation threatens local fishing economies, Congressmen say",2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"A U.S. House of Representatives committee held a rare field hearing in Riverhead yesterday, the first time in recent memory such a committee has formally met on the East End. A three-member panel of the House Committee on Natural Resources convened the hearing to discuss the federal policies that currently regulate the regions fishing grounds, probing the policies basis in science, fishery conditions and economic impacts on the local economy with testimony and questioning of several invited witnesses. The committee members who conducted the hearing, hosted by Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley), heard testimony for two hours yesterday at the Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts Institute on East Main Street. They also discussed alternatives to what some on the four-member panel characterized as oppressive regulation that could potentially damage the regions fishing industry. In my part of the world, theres a saying that if you have no farms, you have no food, said committee chairman Rob Bishop, a Republican congressman from Utah. The same can be said that if you have no boating access, you have no fish. Bishop claimed that federal agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have ignored state and local laws, input and science in their regulatory decisions. Some have accused the NOAAA of using political science to justify fishing closures, Bishop said at the hearing. These decisions have real impacts on local economies, cultures and traditions. With an economy that once heavily on its local fishing industry, the East End was an appropriate place to host such a discussion. Fishing isnt just a key sector of our coastal economy but a way of life that many Long Island families depend upon, Zeldin said at the hearing. Now more than ever our fisheries and the dedicated men and women who work in this important industry face real challenges that must be addressed. Representatives from area fishing organizations brought some local perspective to the hearing, including the Montauk-based Long Island Fishing Association. Bonnie Brady, the associations executive director, argued against regulating fish populations with a state-by-state quota, which she says is prejudicial against New York, and called for a federal coast-wide quota instead. Joe McBride, a legislative representative from the Montauk Boatmen and Captains Association, also asked the committee to allow striped bass fishing in the strip of federal waters between Montauk Point and Block Island, Rhode Island. State Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo, County Legislator Al Krupski, Southold Town Trustee Jim King and Riverhead Councilman-elect Tim Hubbard attended the hearing.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/zeldin-east-end-veterans-can-now-access-health-care-pbmc,Zeldin: East End veterans can now access health care at PBMC,2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Veterans who live on the East End will be able to access health care at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead, which has just been approved as a new member of the Veterans Choice Program under the Department of Veterans Affairs, Rep. Lee Zeldin announced yesterday. The Choice Program allows veterans to access health care from non-VA doctors and facilities. Veterans are eligible for the Choice Program if they live more than 40 miles from a VA facility, or face an excessive travel burden getting to the nearest VA facility, or they are or will be waiting more than 30 days for VA care. Veterans must be already enrolled in VA health care. See the Veterans Choice Program website for more information. Staff at the local VA medical facility will work with the veteran to determine if he or she is eligible for any of these reasons, according to the website. Veterans who live east of Edwards Avenue in Calverton meet the 40-mile distance criteria. One of my top priorities in Congress is ensuring our veterans have access to the highest quality of healthcare, said Zeldin, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. In May, Zeldin announced the availability of veterans access to health care at PBMCs medical group offices in Manorville. Peconic Bay Medical Centers participation in the VA Choice Program provides an important new healthcare option for veterans, Zeldin said. Creating medical access and assisting with travel time for the veterans on the East End is a benefit to our community, PBMC president and CEO Andrew Mitchell said. We are excited and proud to be able to offer convenient healthcare access to our deserving veterans. Accessing health care at a non-VA facility does not affect a veterans ability to access or continue care at a VA hospital, Zeldin said. Additional information is also available by phone at 1-866-606-8198 and at PBMC directly at 631-548-6827.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/zeldin-introduces-bill-prevent-suspected-terrorists-buying-guns-and,Zeldin Introduces Bill To Prevent Suspected Terrorists From Buying Guns And Explosives,2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, California, U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin has introduced legislation that aims to prevent suspected terrorists from buying legal firearms and explosives, although denials would require a court order. The bill, titled the Protect America Act of 2015, is similar to one that failed in the Senate last week. It would rely on the federal terrorist watch list and no-fly list for information about suspected terrorists, but would allow those denied weapons purchases because they are on one of the lists to appeal in court. The terrorist watch list and no-fly list have been the subject of much criticism since they were instituted by the Bush administration after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as critics say many people on the lists are not believed to be a danger to society. Mr. Zeldin did not support a bill recently introduced by his House colleague Peter King that called for an automatic denial of gun purchases to people on the no-fly list and terrorist watch lists, arguing that the law would violate the rights of people placed on those lists who pose no threat. His bill would require the attorney general to petition a court to deny firearms purchases to those identified on the lists as actual suspected terrorists. A subsection of Mr. Zeldins bill, HR 4237, also calls for a review of the existing terrorist watch and no-fly lists. It would require the attorney general to review both lists within 90 days of the laws passage and make the necessary adjustments by identifying suspected terrorists and removing the names of those who have been added to the list in error. Those people have included, according to the congressman, the late Senator Ted Kennedy, other members of Congress, U.S. marshals, and even U.S. service members. Some people are on that list just because you want to talk to them because they are a former college roommate of a witness. It doesnt mean that there is actually something wrong with that person, Mr. Zeldin said. Sometimes their name is placed in the system just to help law enforcement track someone down. There are approximately 47,000 names on the federal no-fly list, and about 1.1 million on the terrorist watch list, he said. If the law were to pass, those on a watch list considered suspicious would be contacted by the Department of Justice and told that they may be barred from purchasing firearms and explosives, Mr. Zeldin said. They would also be informed that they can hire an attorney to litigate the issue. The attorney general can delay the transfer of firearms for up to 72 hours, 90 days for explosives, while the investigation takes place to either clear or confirm the suspects possible terror ties. Anyone can legally purchase many types of long guns, such as shotguns and rifles. Permits are required only for concealed handguns in most states. Permits from the State Department of Labor and approvals from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are required for the purchase of explosives, which are frequently used legally by coal miners, farmers, at fireworks shows and on movie sets. They are also commonly used by workers at construction and demolition sites and by law enforcement. An instant federal background check is required of anyone purchasing any firearm. The process, which takes only a few minutes, is conducted by a dealer with a federal firearms license, usually at a gun shop. Yet these background checks may not prevent guns from getting into the hands of suspected terrorists. Federal instant background checks reveal only criminal records, such as felony convictions, adjudicated domestic violence incidents, any court-ordered committals and fugitives from justice. These people cannot legally purchase firearms. But some have argued that a new federal law is necessary because many suspected terrorists do not have criminal records, and the instant background check would not prevent them from walking out of a gun shop with a firearm. If the law were to be enacted, the attorney general would be required to submit to Congress a written report on the steps taken to review and correct the terrorist watch and no-fly lists. I would advocate to identify means to make that process as efficient as possible, Mr. Zeldin said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-calls-criminal-investigation-health-republic,Rep. Zeldin Calls for Criminal Investigation into Health Republic,2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY-1), announced today that he sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice Attorney General, Honorable Loretta Lynch, calling for a criminal investigation into the creation, operation and demise of Health Republic of New York. You can view a copy of the letter here:Rep. Zeldin letter to Attorney General.pdf",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/onondaga-county-district-attorney-bill-fitzpatrick-joins-rep-katko,Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick Joins Rep. Katko in Announcing Push to Crack Down on Synthetic Drugs,2015-12-14,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"ONONDAGA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY BILL FITZPATRICK JOINS REP. KATKO IN ANNOUNCING PUSH TO CRACK DOWN ON SYNTHETIC DRUGS Local Law Enforcement, Healthcare and Treatment Professionals, Advocates Join Katko and Fitzpatrick to Raise Awareness for Growing Synthetic Drug Epidemic in CNY SYRACUSE, NY U.S. Representative John Katko (NY-24) was today joined by Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick, as well as local law enforcement, healthcare and treatment service providers, and prevention advocates, in announcing that he has introduced bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4229, the Protecting Our Youth from Dangerous Synthetic Drugs Act, which would make it easier to prosecute the sale and distribution of synthetic drugs. Central New York has seen a stark increase in the distribution and use of synthetic drugs, especially in our youth. While Congress took action in 2012 to outlaw several synthetic drugs, manufacturers and distributors of these substances are able to slightly alter the chemical structure of drugs to circumvent this law and avoid law enforcement scrutiny and prosecution. Current laws are not keeping up with the producers of these poisonous substances, and consequently, substances designed to mimic the effects of LSD, Ecstasy, cocaine, marijuana, and other hard drugs are sold openly at convenience stores, gas stations, head shops and other outlets, and giving some users the assumption that they are not as dangerous as other, illegal substances. Representative Katko, who served as an organized crime and drug prosecutor for over twenty years, stated, As a federal prosecutor, I saw first-hand the dangerous impact of synthetic drug use on individuals and families in our community. Thats why, as Central New Yorks Representative in Congress, Ive committed to working with local law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community advocates to raise awareness of the dangerous effects of these drugs. This legislation will help this effort by giving law enforcement and prosecutors the flexibility that they need to crack down on the manufacturers and sellers of these substances. Katko and Fitzpatrick, both critically aware of this troubling epidemic, have committed to partnering on a state and federal level to address the problem in both in a legislative and prosecutorial manner. Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick said, ""The scourge of synthetic drugs has destroyed lives in communities across the country, including ours. Responding to the waves of this poison inundating central New York over the last several years has been particularly challenging for law enforcement and local governments. During that time, I have advocated for federal laws to adequately address those challenges. It took someone with John Katko's background and experience to understand the deadly nature of this problem. He listened and as he has already shown in his short time in Congress, he acted. This legislation is smart, timely, and badly needed. I applaud the efforts of Congressman Katko and I urge his colleagues in Congress act swiftly."" Specifically, theProtecting Our Youth from Dangerous Synthetic Drugs Actwould: Establish an inter-agency committee of experts, headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which would be responsible for establishing and maintaining an administrative list of synthetic drugs or controlled substance analogues. The committee would be structured so that it could respond quickly and robustly to the threat. Prevent the importation of synthetic drugs unless they have express approval to do so. Direct the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review, and if appropriate, amend the federal sentencing guidelines. Dr. Indu Gupta, MD,MPH,MA,FACP, Onondaga County Health Department Commissioner said, Increasing use of synthetic cannabinoids can result in serious health consequences from bizarre behavior, paranoia, seizures, kidney failure, heart injury including death. Frequent changes in the chemical structure of these products pose challenges to health care providers, public health, and law enforcement officials alike. This is a serious public health threat and requires a joint approach from all of us to combat it. "" Teresa Woolson, President of the VOW Foundation an organization named in honor of her son, Victor, who died from a fatal reaction to synthetic marijuana said, ""There is a new type of drug dealer, the entrepreneur. I applaud Congressman Katko for continuing to tackle this health crisis."" Onondaga County Sheriff Eugene Conway said, ""This drug is pervasive throughout all of Onondaga County and its makeup and resulting behavior by those who use it is deadly. The Sheriff's Office is committed to ending its being available."" ""Synthetics are taking lives in our community. As the region's leader in treatment services, Crouse Hospitalapplauds Congressman Katko's proposed federal legislation that aims to stop the manufacturing and sale of these substances,"" said Monika Taylor, Director of Behavioral Health for Crouse Hospital. Dr. Louise Prince, MD, FACEP, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University said, The creation and availability of synthetic drugs has rapidly increased causing widespread use, abuse, and addiction. This has put a tremendous stress on our health care delivery system affecting all of our patients due to the resources required to treat this epidemic. Measures to decrease the availability of these drugs are urgently needed to preserve the emergency medical system's ability to care for all patients. Melissa Carr, AEMT-CC, APIO, M.A., Market Development Manager for Rural/Metro said, ""Rural/Metro supports the collaborative efforts of the Central New York community in addressing the ongoing epidemic of synthetic drug use. Rep. Katko's proposed legislation is an important element in the overall response to eliminate this problem."" Prevention Network commends Congressman Katko for his imperative attention to the synthetic drug epidemic in Onondaga County. From a prevention perspective, legislation such as The Protecting Our Youth from Dangerous Synthetic Drugs Act is exactly the type of strategy that needs to be implemented, said Beth E. Hurny, LMSW, CASAC, Executive Director of the Prevention Network. Representative Katko was joined by Rep. David Cicilline (RI-1) in introducing the bill. Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY-25) has also joined as a co-sponsor on this legislation. This bill is the House companion to a bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Diane Feinstein (CA) and Rob Portman (OH). Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and the western portion of Oswego County. For more information, please visithttps://katko.house.govorwww.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-s-safe-bridges-act-now-law,Rep. Zeldins Safe Bridges Act Now Law,2015-12-14,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY-1), member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced today that the Safe Bridges Act (H.R. 3168), bipartisan legislation he introduced in Congress to strengthen New Yorks infrastructure, was signed into law by the President. Under MAP-21, a 2012 federal law, states, counties, towns and villages were cut off from the funding needed to repair and maintain bridges. According to the New York State Department of Transportation, New York received $271 million in federal funding for the Highway Bridge program in 2011. Due to the changes under MAP-21, New York State received $0 in Highway Bridge program funding in 2014. Congressman Zeldins Safe Bridges Act reforms federal highway law, ensuring our critical overpasses and bridges once again have access to this funding. Congressman Zeldin said, It is great news for Long Islanders that the Safe Bridges Act was signed into law by the President. This new law will drive funding to our region to ensure our overpasses and bridges on Long Island are once again eligible for much needed federal funding. Under the Safe Bridges Act, over 80 bridges and overpasses across the First Congressional District will now be eligible for federal funding, a major win for Long Island. Our roads, overpasses, and bridges are essential to the Long Island economy, way of life and safety, and as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am proud to be working on a bipartisan basis to ensure states and local governments have more flexibility and resources necessary to strengthen our infrastructure, Congressman Zeldin concluded. Congressman Zeldin introduced the Safe Bridges Act with Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY-18) on July 22, 2015. The Safe Bridges Act, which was included in the House highway bill, passed both the House and Senate, and was signed into law by the President on December 4, 2015.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://chriscollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-collins-disappointed-with-decision-temporarily-banning-daily,Congressman Collins Disappointed with Decision Temporarily Banning Daily Fantasy Sports Companies,2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Chris Collins,C001092,chriscollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today released the following statement expressing his disappointment in the New York Supreme Court granting injunctions banning FanDuel and DraftKings from operating in the state until a final decision is made. The decision to temporarily deny more than 600,000 New Yorkers access to daily fantasy sports is extremely disappointing, said Congressman Collins. The hypocrisy of New York State banning this game of skill, while promoting their state lottery as mak[ing] more New Yorkers rich than any other game, embodies the backwards and special interest driven priorities of our Attorney General.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-applauds-every-student-succeeds-act-being-signed-law,Donovan Applauds "Every Student Succeeds Act" Being Signed Into Law,2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCDecember 11, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today applauded final approval of the Every Student Succeeds Act after President Obama signed it into law. The measure ends the era of federally-mandated high-stakes testing and prohibits the Secretary of Education from forcing states into adopting Common Core. Congressman Donovan said, This new start in education policy takes power away from bureaucrats in Washington and places control where it belongs: with parents and local educators. Im proud that Republicans and Democrats could come together and pass such a sweeping overhaul of our countrys education system. Among other provisions, the legislation eliminates the federally-mandated one-size-fits-all accountability system known as Adequate Yearly Progress. Instead, the Every Student Succeeds Act restores to state and local officials the responsibility for holding schools accountable. The bill also stipulates that no agent of the federal government can interfere with the right of states to develop or change their own education standards. Further, the legislation maintains annual, statewide assessments in reading and math, but provides resources for states and local school districts to audit their assessment systems to eliminate assessments that do not contribute to student learning. In line with granting local educators the flexibility to determine what is best for their students, the Every Student Succeeds Act authorizes the new Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program. This program allows states and local school districts to target federal resources to local priorities and needs. Congressman Donovan concluded, Parents and local educators deserve more of a say in their childrens education than Washington administrators. The Every Student Succeeds Act rightfully replaces No Child Left Behinds flawed policies with a student-centric, localized approach. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/katko-launches-investigation-terror-watchlists,KATKO LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO TERROR WATCHLISTS,2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative John Katko (NY-24), Chair of the of House Homeland Security Committees Subcommittee on Transportation Security, today called on the nations top counterterrorism officials to provide details that many Americans seek surrounding the U.S. terrorist watchlists. Katko expressed his shock and concern echoed by many Americans in the wake of the San Bernardino shooting, to learn that neither of the identified shooters was on any of the U.S. governments terrorist watchlists, despite having been radicalized for well over a year, according to Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations James Comey. Additionally, Katko noted the failure of the TSA to identify 73 aviation workers who had potential links to terrorism earlier this year. Representative Katko stated, These examples raise serious questions about the methodologyused to identify potential terrorist threats and appropriately place individuals on terrorist watchlists. I am deeply concerned that we are failing to identify the real and current threats, while placing innocent Americans on lists that restrict their freedom of movement and travel. Terrorist watchlists, including the no-fly list, are often based on incomplete information and unreasonable suspicions, continued Katko. While I understand that the redress process has greatly improved over the last several years, there remains a lack of robust and complete due process for individuals who learn they are on the watchlist. Specifically, Katko asked Nicholas Rasmussen, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and Christopher Piehota, Director of the Terrorist Screening Center, to provide answers to the following questions, within the next 12 days: How many individuals are in the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment (TIDE) and of this number, how many are U.S. Citizens and how many are resident aliens? What criteria are used to determine if someone should be placed into the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment (TIDE) database? How many individuals are in the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) and of this number how many are U.S. Citizens and how many are resident aliens? How many individuals are listed in the FBIs Automated Case Support System (ACSS)? What agencies are permitted to submit data for inclusion into TIDE and TSDB? What are the specific criteria for being on the No Fly list? What is the process for putting an individual on the No Fly list? Who ultimately makes the decision to put an individual on or take an individual off the No Fly list? How often is the No Fly list reviewed and updated to ensure that individuals listed align with the current threat environment? Are there currently any individuals under the age of 18 on the No Fly list? Since 2005, how many individuals have been mistakenly placed on the No Fly list? I am greatly concerned that our nations current terrorist watchlists including the no fly list fail to fix our nations security vulnerabilities, Katko said after calling for the investigation. We cannot rely on inaccurate data, and we must make sure if someone is placed on a no fly list, that they actually pose a security risk. In addition to this investigation, I will continue to work with our intelligence communities to determine which individuals on the lists are actual terror threats and establish a framework to ensure Americans have due process protections. Additionally, the House Homeland Security Transportation Security Subcommittee will hold a classified subcommittee review of terror watchlists. Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and the western portion of Oswego County. For more information, please visithttps://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lee-zeldin-introduces-protect-america-act-2015-bill-helps-prevent,Rep. Lee Zeldin Introduces the Protect America Act of 2015"; Bill Helps Prevent Terrorists From Acquiring Firearms and Explosives,2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R - NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today introduced the Protect America Act of 2015 in the House of Representatives (H.R. 4237). The Protect America Act of 2015 would help prevent terrorists from buying firearms and explosives in the United States, while protecting the Second Amendment rights of law abiding Americans. The legislation would grant the Attorney General the authority to deny firearms and explosives to individuals who are engaged in terrorist activities, or where there is a reasonable belief that an individual may use a firearm or explosive in connection with terrorism. The legislation would also permit the Attorney General to revoke firearms and explosives licenses and permits held by individuals determined to be engaged in terrorism. The bill also takes necessary steps to implement due process of law requirements to protect law abiding Americans. Additionally, the proposal directs the Attorney General to review and verify the terrorist watch list and no fly list to remove the names of innocent Americans who are not connected to terrorism. Congressman Zeldin said, The federal government must act to protect America, but it must act Constitutionally. My legislation would help prevent terrorists from purchasing firearms or explosives, while putting in place safeguards to ensure that the rights of law abiding Americans are protected. In addition to dangerous terrorist suspects, the terrorist watch list and no fly list include and have included infants, Ted Kennedy and other Members of Congress, U.S. Marshals, harmless service members, individuals with similar names, former college roommates of suspects, and other innocent Americans with no connection to terrorism. This bill gives the Department of Justice 90 days to review and verify these lists to ensure the removal of individuals who should have never been added in the first place."" ""It is unfortunate that some in Congress are pushing hard for an alternative that makes Americans guilty until proven innocent, denies necessary due process protections, and improperly targets law abiding citizens. If this issue is about good policy, and not about good politics, than those members must take the right next step and fully endorse this legislation to close the terror gap in U.S. laws,"" continued Congressman Zeldin. Following the terror attack in San Bernardino, California, the largest ISIS inspired terrorist attack on American soil ever, we must also focus on improving the visa waiver program, stopping the influx of Syrian refugees due to current vulnerabilities in the vetting process, and defeating ISIS altogether. The greatest humanitarian and security victory for the homeland and abroad is to wipe ISIS off the face of the earth. There is no better way to protect the innocent as well as our own freedoms and liberties, Congressman Zeldin concluded. *The Protect America Act of 2015 is similar to language previously introduced in the Senate by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). A copy of the bill can be found here:Protect America Act.pdf",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-congressman-dan-donovan-zadroga-act,Statement from Congressman Dan Donovan on the Zadroga Act,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Speaker Ryan told me this morning that the Zadroga Act, which funds health screenings and treatments for 9/11 first responders, is in the large spending bill that will pass next week. We spent months fighting side-by-side with American heroes with men and women who shouldnt have to shoulder this burden because they are already fighting for their lives to make our case. Ive said all along that on the merits, we will win. Heroes like Rob Serra, Sal Turturici, John Muller, and George Taylor told their stories of heroism and personal sacrifice. They answered their countrys call and have suffered devastating consequences because of their selflessness. Today, we know that the House of Representatives will now answer their call. -- Congressman Donovan represents Staten Island and South Brooklyn in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is New York Citys only Republican representative. Note: Congressman Donovan cosponsored the Zadroga Act as his first official action minutes after being sworn into Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/following-community-rally-rep-john-katko-introduces-legislation-elevate,"FOLLOWING COMMUNITY RALLY, REP. JOHN KATKO INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO ELEVATE FORT ONTARIO, SAFE HAVEN TO NATIONAL PARK STATUS",2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative John Katko (NY-24) today introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives which will advance the designation of Fort Ontario and the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum in Oswego to National Park status. U.S. Representative Richard Hanna (NY-22), whose district also includes a portion of Oswego County, joined Rep. Katko as an original co-sponsor in the introduction of this legislation today. Fort Ontario is one of our states -- and our nations -- greatest and most unique historical assets. In fact, it is the only Fort that has been involved in every war since the French and Indian war, said U.S. Rep. John Katko. Preserving this historic location as a National Park has the potential to grow tourism and boost the regional economy of not only Oswego County, but all of Central New York. I am pleased to cosponsor this bill to promote our proud upstate New York history, U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna said. It is important to recognize our historical assets and to do so in a way that promotes and encourages tourism for our region. I look forward to the results of this comprehensive study to determine how to best preserve and protect Fort Ontario. Over the course of the past several months, individuals from across Oswego County have worked to organize local support for the designation of the 260 year old Fort Ontario and the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum as a National Park. As a part of these efforts, Rep. Katko has visited the Fort on several occasions, met individually with a cross-section of his constituents in the area surrounding the Fort, and took part in an information and rally event to raise community awareness for this project. Judy Rapaport, Advisory Board Member for Safe Haven and Past President said, ""Ever since its inception, Safe Haven Museum has been struggling to tell the story as the only refugee shelter for victims of the Holocaust during WWII. The initiative to begin the study for National Park status will help achieve that goal. I want to thank Congressman Katko for his critical role in this process."" Fort Ontario and the Fort Ontario Refugee Shelter have been the sites of significant national and international events, said New York State Assemblyman Will Barclay (120th District). I am pleased to support this effort that would give the Fort and Oswego the recognition it deserves for having been home to many important battles, treatment centers for military and civilian victims of the Spanish Influenza and, of course, the only refugee shelter in the U.S. for victims of the Holocaust. This site is of local, state, federal, and international significance and deserves to be recognized as such and I commend Congressman Katko for his efforts in this regard. Protecting and preserving our history is a central function of my job as Oswego County Clerk. I am thrilled that Congressman Katko has introduced legislation to make Fort Ontario a National Park. We know locally the treasure that is Fort Ontario and this designation will help boost our recreational tourism so that we can share Fort Ontario with the rest of the nation, said Oswego County Clerk Mike Backus. I want to thank Congressman Katko for all his efforts and commitment to the City of Oswego and spearheading the movement to make Fort Ontario a National Park, stated Oswego Mayor Thomas Gillen. His successful leadership will create a major economic engine for the growth of the entire Central New York Community. Oswego Mayor-elect Billy Barlow said, Fort Ontario is undoubtedly one of our greatest assets in the City of Oswego and I am ecstatic with Congressman Katkos ambitious effort to promote Fort Ontario as not only a regional attraction but a National Attraction, so that Fort Ontario and all of the City of Oswego can be recognized and marketed as a desirable destination. Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and the western portion of Oswego County. For more information, please visithttps://katko.house.govorwww.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://stefanik.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/every-student-succeeds-act-signed-law,Every Student Succeeds Act Signed Into Law,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Elise Stefanik,S001196,stefanik.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21), Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, issued the following statement after President Barack Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act bipartisan legislation to replace No Child Left Behind and improve K-12 education: I fought hard to secure a spot on the Education and the Workforce Committee and have spent the year working with my colleagues on the Committee gathering feedback from students, parents, teachers and administrators and heard about the importance of updating our early and secondary education law. This has been a consistent theme as Ive visited schools across the district and held many meetings with teachers and school officials. This legislation provides the first update to No Child Left Behind in the last decade and will strengthen our education system so students are better prepared for Higher Education and a 21st Century Workforce. Furthermore, it was important to me that this legislation addresses significant concerns that I share with my constituents regarding Common Core. I am pleased that this legislation would prohibit the Secretary of Education from forcing, incentivizing, or coercing states into adopting Common Core. And important to the Fort Drum community, this legislation strengthens Impact Aid an important resource for North Country schools that are home to many military families. This is bipartisan legislation that is needed to give power back to state and local governments and I am pleased that the President has signed it into law. The Every Student Succeeds Act passed the House last week by a vote of 359-64. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://chriscollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-expresses-serious-concern-over-proposed-wind-turbine-project,Collins Expresses Serious Concern Over Proposed Wind Turbine Project,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Chris Collins,C001092,chriscollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today released the following statement after writing a letter to Department of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration officials expressing concern over a proposed wind turbine project along the Lake Ontario shoreline. Protecting the military missions and jobs supported by the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS) is my main priority, said Congressman Collins. The proposed wind turbine project along the Lake Ontario shoreline has the potential to jeopardize the bases operations and viability. Any project that puts the bases future at risk is unacceptable. NFARS has survived a number of closure attempts, and I will continue to do everything in my power to guarantee its doors remain open. Full text of the letter is below. December 8, 2015 Mr. John Conger Ms. Elizabeth Ray Deputy Under Secretary Vice President Department of Defense Mission Support Services Installations and Environment Federal Aviation Administration 3400 Defense Pentagon 800 Independence Ave SW Washington, D.C. 20303 Washington, D.C. 20591 Dear Mr. Conger & Ms. Ray, I am writing you to share my concerns with a proposed project in my district. I recently received a letter from the Niagara Military Affairs Council (NIMAC) regarding a proposal by APEX Clean Energy to construct wind turbines along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. I have included the letter for your reference. This letter raises serious concerns with the potential project and its proximity to the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS) military operating area. NFARS was established in 1955 and is home to the Air Force Reserve Commands 914th Airlift wing, the 328th Airlift Squadron, and the New York Air National Guards 107th Airlift Wing. Currently, the Air Force Reserves flies the C-130 mission and the Air National Guard has taken on the Remotely Piloted Aircraft mission. NFARS employs nearly 3,000 service members and civilians and provides economic growth and stability to the Niagara County and its surrounding communities. If approved, the APEX Clean Energy proposal would put 70 wind turbines that stand 600 feet tall along the shores of Lake Ontario, in close proximity to the base. Encroachment is one of many key factors the military uses when determining the future of a base. Currently, NFARS is ranked favorably in that area and we cannot afford to allow any project to move forward that would jeopardize its future. We have serious concerns that these wind turbines will impede the current airspace, making the base less viable for future missions. In 1995, the base was reviewed for closure during a Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC). It was again reviewed for closure in a 2005 BRAC, and again in 2012 during the US Air Force Structure Adjustment. With an ever-present BRAC threat to the base and talks of another round in the next few years, we cannot risk these wind turbines jeopardizing the future of the Base and all those who are supported by it. We must ensure that the future of the base remains viable and that any proposed projects do not interfere with its radar and flight operations. I am asking that before any decision is made, both the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense complete a thorough study of any potential impacts these structures would have on current and future operations at NFARS. Sincerely, CHRIS COLLINS Member of Congress Cc: The Honorable Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York A signed copy of the letter can be readhere. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/top-10-tips-protect-your-financial-and-tax-information,Top 10 Tips to Protect Your Financial and Tax Information,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Be wary of aggressive IRS phone scams -- Scammers are able to alter caller I.D. numbers to make it look like the IRS is calling. They use fake names and bogus IRS badge numbers. They often leave ""urgent"" callback requests or threaten arrest. Remember that the IRS will never call to demand immediate payment, nor demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe. Another telltale sign is if you are asked to pay with a prepaid debit card. Protect yourself and do not give our personal information over the phone. Avoid phishing attempts Never reply to emails, texts or pop-up messages asking for your personal, tax or financial information. One common trick by criminals is to impersonate a business such as your financial institution, tax software provider or the IRS, asking you to update your account and providing a link. Never click on links even if they seem to be from organizations you trust. Go directly to the organizations website. And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you see an email that says You won a free cruise or The IRS has a refund waiting for you, odds are high that it is a phishing attempt looking to get your personal information. Protect your computer -- Scammers, hackers and identity thieves are looking to steal your personal information and your money. But there are simple steps you can take to help protect yourself, like keeping your computer software up-to-date, using security software and looking for the S for encrypted https websites when shopping or banking online. This helps ensure your computer is secure when it comes time to file your taxes. Use Strong Passwords New password standards to access tax software will require a minimum of eight characters with upper case, lower case, alpha, numerical and special characters, mixing letters, numbers and special characters. Dont use your name, birthdate or common words. Dont use the same password for several accounts. Keep your password list in a secure place or use a password manager. Dont share your password with anyone. Use secure wireless networks A wireless (Wi-Fi) network sends a signal through the air that allows you to connect to the internet. If your home or business wi-fi is unsecured it also allows any computer within range to access your wireless and steal information from your computer. Always encrypt your wireless. And if you are using public Wi-Fi, tax or financial Information you send though websites or mobile apps may be accessed by someone else. If a public Wi-Fi hotspot does not require a password, it probably is not secure. Review your statements & accounts -- Read your credit card, banking and health statements carefully and often. Look into even small changes that seem suspicious or claims that are unfamiliar to you. Review your annual Social Security income statement for excessive income reported. You can sign up for an electronic account at www.SSA.gov. Review your credit report annually -- Review each of your three credit reports at least once a year. Visit www.annualcreditreport.comto get your free reports. If you are an identity theft victim, you need contact only one of the three to request a fraud alert, which will protect your credit from unverified access for at least 90 days. If you want even stronger protections, a credit freeze lets you restrict access to your credit report, which in turn makes it difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. You must contact each of the three credit bureaus to establish a credit freeze. Dont overshare on social media Do a web search of your name and review the results. Mostly likely, the results while turn up your past addresses, the names of people living in the household, as well social media accounts and your photographs. All of these items are valuable to identity thieves. Even a social media post boasting of a new car can help thieves bypass security verification questions that depend on financial data that only you should know. Think before you post! Secure your tax returns and remember to shred. Your federal and state tax forms are important financial documents you may need for many reasons. Print out a copy and keep in a safe place like a locked cabinet. Make an electronic copy in a safe spot as well. If you store sensitive tax and financial records on your computer, use a file encryption program to add an additional layer of security should your computer be compromised. And before you dispose of any old documents or financial information, be sure to shred. Never toss documents with your personally identifiable information, especially your social security number, in the trash. Review and respond to all notices and correspondence from the IRS. Warning signs of tax-related identity theft can include IRS notices about tax returns you did not file, income you did not receive or employers youve never heard of. To learn additional steps you can take to protect your personal and financial data, visit www.irs.gov/identitytheft. You also can read Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-john-katko-speaks-floor-us-house-representatives-support-visa-waiver,REP. JOHN KATKO SPEAKS ON THE FLOOR OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN SUPPORT OF THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT ACT,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Representative John Katko (NY-24) this evening spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation which overwhelmingly passed the Houseby a 407-19 margin. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Improvement Actincludes significant recommendations from the Task Force on Combating Foreign Fighter Travel, which Rep. Katko chaired. This legislation makes security improvements to the Visa Waiver Programs Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form, supports the use of e-passports and other biometric data, and calls for a regular review of the program. By including these measures, H.R. 158 will dramatically improve the amount of accurate information used to vet individuals who come to the United States without a visa for 90 days. Video of Rep. Katkos remarks can be found here. Representative Katkos remarks, as prepared for delivery, can be found below: Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. This bill, which I cosponsored,will close a critical gap in our nations border security that is vulnerable to exploitation by terrorists and other nefarious actors seeking to do us harm. This bill does not seek to eliminate the VWP, but strengthens the security of the program by requiring participating nations to increase counterterrorism information sharing, screen travelers against INTERPOLs databases and enhance passport security features. As Chair of the Committee on Homeland Securitys Foreign Fighter Task Force, I spent countless hours examining weaknesses in our nations defenses against the threat posed by foreign fighters. The provisions in this bill address several of the key findings in our report, and I thank Mrs. Miller for her leadership on this important issue. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, and yield back the balance of my time. Upon the passage of the bill, Representative Katko stated, This bill, which passed the House in a bipartisan manner, includes several of the recommendations that were outlined in the Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel Report. Having led this task force, I am pleased to see these recommendations being considered by Congress. I congratulate Chairwoman Miller the passage of this legislation, and for the bipartisan efforts of the entire Committee to improve our national security. Congressman John Katko serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Transportation Security. He represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and a portion ofOswego County. For more information, please visithttps://katko.house.govorwww.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/congressman-donovan-responds-president-s-speech,Congressman Donovan Responds to Presidents Speech,2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Dec. 7, Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) issued a statement in response to President Obamas Oval Office speech Sunday evening. In his address, the President confronted the issue of ISIS and radical Islamic terrorism. We should not be drawn once more into a long and costly ground war in Iraq or Syria, the President stated. Thats what groups like ISIL want. They know they cant defeat us on the battlefield. ISIL fighters were part of the insurgency that we faced in Iraq, but they also know that if we occupy foreign lands, they can maintain insurgencies for years, killing thousands of our troops and draining our resources, and using our presence to draw new recruits. The threat from terrorism is real, the President acknowledged. But we will overcome it. We will destroy ISIL, and any other organization that tries to harm us. The President also reiterated his stance on gun control, calling for stricter legislation to keep firearms out of the hands of murderers. What we can do, he said, and must do, is make it harder for them to kill. President Obamas remarks raised the ire of many, among them Congressman Donovan. Like many across Staten Island, South Brooklyn, and the country, I tuned in to President Obamas speech this evening hoping for clear leadership and action, Donovan said.Instead, I heard the President recite his worn and failed approach to defeating ISIS, then lecture us on American values. Donovan added that Congress will grant President Obama the support that he needs, including several of the measures he mentioned this evening. Inspiring a nation concerned about an uncertain future, though, requires more than repackaged ideas and chiding lectures. Obamas speech was poorly received by other Conservatives as well. Without taking the fight to ISIS on the ground, ISIS wont be defeated, Ohio Governor John Kasich said. Our rights arent the problem, our unwillingness to act to defeat extremists is the problem. We need to decisively and aggressively protect our nation and our ideals. We cant delay. Obama refused to say that we are at WAR with RADICAL ISLAMIC TERRORISTS, Donald Trump tweeted. The President should be looking to stop those who would do us harm, Sen. Ted Cruz said, criticizing President Obamas gun control policies. Not attempting to take away the constitutional liberties of millions of innocent Americans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-gentile-first-responders-share-stories-91-heroes-relying-zadroga,"Donovan, Gentile, First Responders Share Stories of 9/11 Heroes Relying on Zadroga Act",2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Brooklyn, NYDecember 7, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11), Council Member Vincent Gentile, and dozens of first responders and union leaders today rallied in support of a permanent Zadroga Act extension. The event focused on the personal stories of 9/11 heroes who risked everything to help others at Ground Zero, and now rely on Zadroga Act benefits for treatment, monitoring, and compensation. FDNY EMS Local 2507 Vice President Joe Conzo introduced 9/11 emergency responders Shaya Gutleizer and Sal Turturici, who rely on Zadroga Act benefits for health treatment and monitoring. Mr. Gutleizer recounted his experience as a Ground Zero first responder, spending September 11 and the following week working nonstop to care for the injured. He now suffers from a lung condition and sinus problems, and relies on the Zadroga Act to fund all of his treatment, screenings, and medications. Mr. Turturici suffers from stage four cancer. He served in the FDNY for 15 years, and responded on September 11, 2001. He spent December, 2001 through May, 2002 operating a gator to bring body parts from Ground Zero to a makeshift morgue. Mr. Turturici and his wife, Wendy, have three children: Salvatore and Rocco, both three years old, and Liliana, five years old. This hero made unimaginable sacrifices to pick up the pieces in New York Citys darkest period. He made time today to advocate for the thousands of other heroes who rely on the WTC Health Program for critical monitoring and treatment. Congressman Dan Donovan said, We came together today to focus on the heroes who selflessly rushed toward death and destruction in the aftermath of the 2001 attacks. Many will pay for their heroism for the rest of their lives; some have already paid with their lives. Their stories speak louder than any of us standing behind a podium. It is cancer victims like Sal Turturici and his family who are the most forceful voices in support of a permanent Zadroga Act. I thank them for their time, their words, and most of all their sacrifice. Council Member Gentile added, I stood with first responders at Ground Zero shortly after 9/11. I witnessed them scour through rubble for survivors, remove dead bodies and debris risking their lives and health to clean-up a horrific site. Along with Congressman Donovan and Councilman Treyger, I urge congress to permanently extend the WTC Health Program and Victims Compensation Fund. We must take care of those who took care of us during the worst terror attack in our history. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-congressman-dan-donovan-president-obama-s-speech,Statement from Congressman Dan Donovan on President Obamas Speech,2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Like many across Staten Island, South Brooklyn, and the country, I tuned in to President Obamas speech this evening hoping for clear leadership and action. Instead, I heard the President recite his worn and failed approach to defeating ISIS, then lecture us on American values. ISIS may not have fighter jets or cruise missiles, but theyre organized, financed, and control territory. Using social media and the internet as weapons, theyve infected people thousands of miles away with their disgusting, hateful ideology. After the President dismissed ISIS as JV and contained, he must provide more than platitudes to convince a wary country that he can and will defeat our enemy. Congress will grant President Obama the support that he needs, including several of the measures he mentioned this evening. Inspiring a nation concerned about an uncertain future, though, requires more than repackaged ideas and chiding lectures. -- Congressman Donovan serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He is New York Citys only Republican representative. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://stefanik.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-microbead-free-waters-act,House Passes Microbead-Free Waters Act,2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Elise Stefanik,S001196,stefanik.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.Today, the House passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 by voice vote. Congresswoman Stefanik cosponsored this legislation that would prohibit the sale or distribution of cosmetics containing synthetic plastic microbeads. When I travel throughout the North Country, one of the frequent environmental concerns I hear about from residents around our district is about the concern of microbeads, said Congresswoman Stefanik. These plastic microbeads often end up polluting waters -- including the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario -- because many waste water treatment plants cannot screen them. This has been an issue that I have heard from in my meetings with Save the River and with the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages just this weekend. I am pleased to help the House pass this important measure today and urge the Senate to quickly follow suit and send this to the Presidents desk without delay. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lee-zeldin-and-chairman-rob-bishop-co-host-field-hearing-riverhead,Rep. Lee Zeldin and Chairman Rob Bishop Co-Host Field Hearing in Riverhead,2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Riverhead, NY Today, December 7, 2015, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R - NY-1) and Congressman Rob Bishop (R - UT-1), Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, hosted a Full Committee oversight field hearing in Riverhead, NY, titled, Restoring Atlantic Fisheries and Protecting the Regional Seafood Economy. Also participating in the hearing were Congressman Tom MacArthur (D NJ-3) and Congressman Jared Huffman (D CA-2), both members of the House Committee on Natural Resources. The hearing was held to discuss important local fishing issues, including access to critical Atlantic fisheries and the impact and implementation of federal decision-making on the commercial and recreational fishing industry and local economies. There was a panel of witnesses from Long Island. Speakers included fisheries experts from government agencies, local elected officials, local environmental and civic groups, local fishermen, and concerned members of the community. As a Representative of the East End of Long Island, a district that is surrounded by saltwater on three sides and has a robust fishing industry, protecting our marine environment and abundance of natural resources is one of my top priorities in Congress. Fishing and the maritime economy have been a key part of the economy, culture, and history of Long Island for centuries, and now more than ever, our fisheries and the dedicated men and women who work in this important industry face challenges that must be addressed, stated Congressman Lee Zeldin. In Congress, we must strike the right balance between a strong fishing economy and protecting our critical natural resources. Fairness, transparency, and giving a fishermen and boaters a seat at the table is why we are here today. One focal point of the hearing was the possible designation by the Obama Administration of National Marine Monuments along the Atlantic Coast using the Antiquities Act, which would deny public input and usurp established habitat and fisheries management plans. Commercial and recreational fisheries stakeholders before the panel supported Committee efforts to ensure public input in future potential designations. I know firsthand what happens when a President abuses the Antiquities Act against the wishes of local residents as a means of shutting off multiple uses of lands and waters. Theres a reason we have laws on the books to ensure federal management decisions are informed by experts at the regional level, in full consultation with states and local users not under the cover of darkness, Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop said. Click here to view the testimony.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lee-zeldin-iran-missile-tests,Rep. Lee Zeldin on Iran Missile Tests,2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R - NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement after confirmation today that Iran carried out a medium range ballistic missile test in violation of two United Nations Security Council resolutions: Todays reports by senior U.S. officials confirming that Iran has violated two UN resolutions is further evidence that there really is no deal between the United States and Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran is already violating the agreement. Iran will not abide by the JCPOA. It's not too late yet for the administration to come to terms with this reality and move forward in a better direction for American security and the security of the free world.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lee-zeldin-president-s-address,Rep. Lee Zeldin on Presidents Address,2015-12-06,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement following President Obamas address tonight: If ISIS is the JV team, President Obama is riding the bench at T-Ball today. Now is not the time for a lecture or deflection from the President. A muslim couple who were ISIS sympathizers just committed the largest ISIS inspired terrorist attack on American soil ever. They had 12 pipe bombs and an IED factory in their possession. It's important to point out that that's pretty darn illegal already. ISIS must be wiped off the face of the earth. The liberals in government and in the media just absolutely refuse to get to the heart of that reality and confront it head on. Their losing approach is the greatest victory that this terror group has achieved thus far in America. The President and his minions in Congress want to talk about anything else at all. So instead of trying to defeat people who want to kill them they instead want to try to defeat politically individuals who want to kill ISIS. If we do not defeat ISIS overseas, a group that cannot be contained, we will be facing the threat more and more at home. Radical Islamic extremism must be destroyed. Right now we do not have a plan to win. We are running in place at best. This isn't about trying to take out some of the bad guys and disrupting some of their command and control. This is about annihilating the threat. If we want to pursue related domestic priorities, it should start by fixing our visa waiver program and stopping the influx of Syrian refugees. That may not sound PC, but this is about securing our country, not winning the hearts and minds of the most out of touch bleeding heart liberal in our country. As far as our strategy overseas, another disappointing game being played is telling the American people that there will be no boots on the ground while placing boots on the ground at the same exact time. This shouldn't be about what rhetoric best serves domestic politics. This should be about which actions best serve our national security. Set up our troops to win or do not send them at all. Give their commanders the flexibility and resources to accomplish the mission. Don't limit the rules of engagement to tie their hands behind their back. We can and must win this effort. It's time to turn this around.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-john-katko-elected-officials-across-ny-24-and-cny-business-labor,"REP. JOHN KATKO, ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM ACROSS NY-24, AND CNY BUSINESS, LABOR & TRANSPORTATION LEADERS HIGHLIGHT HIGHWAY BILL SUCCESSES FOR CENTRAL NEW YORK IN SYRACUSE TODAY",2015-12-04,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"SYRACUSE, NY Standing before the aging I-81 viaduct in Syracuse this morning, U.S. Rep. John Katko was joined by a bipartisan group of elected officials from Onondaga, Cayuga, Wayne, and Oswego counties, as well as local business, transportation, and labor organizations, for a press conference to the discuss yesterdays passage of the bipartisan conference report for H.R. 22, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. This long-term, multi-year highway bill passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate yesterday and is now headed to the Presidents desk for signature. Representative Katko shared significant wins for all of Central New York in the bill stating, I am proud to have been able to take a leadership role on this bipartisan, long-term bill. I saw legislation through Committee, to the House floor, through Conference and we ended up with a quality product that is good for Central New York. This fully offset, five year bill provides the stability and funding that Central New York needs to plan for the long-term. Im grateful for the support of the local business, transportation, and labor organizations that are here with me today, and for their recognition of the important role that this long-term bill will play in improving our communitys infrastructure. Katko, who served as a negotiator of the bill as a member of the House and Senate Conference committee on the legislation, emphasized the importance of breaking through gridlock in Washington, noting I recognize that there is gridlock in Washington, and that the institution as a whole may not be working as it should, but I will continue to work as I did to produce this bill every day in Washington to produce bipartisan results for Central New York. Katko was joined today by New York State Assemblyman Bob Oaks (130th District), Chairman of the Onondaga County Legislature Ryan McMahon, Oswego Mayor-elect Billy Barlow, Oswego County Clerk Mike Backus, Cayuga County Legislator Tim Lattimore, Auburn City Clerk Chuck Mason, Auburn City Councilor-elect James Giannettino, representatives for New York State Senators John A. DeFrancisco (50th District) and David J. Valesky (53rd District), as well as representatives from the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council, Centro, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY), the Cayuga County Economic Development Agency, United Association of Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 267, Laborers Local 633, the International Union of Operating Engineers, the Central New York Building and Construction Trades Council, and IBEW Local 43. These individual and organizations, as well as a number of others who were unable to attend today, praised the bipartisan passage of the highway bill and applauded Representative Katkos efforts in Congress to ensure that, among other things, I-81 was designated as a high priority corridor, and his work to ensure that funding remained secure for Centro. We are very, very pleased the House Senate Conference Committee has agreed to preserve the high density state funding formula, said Rick Lee, Deputy Executive Director of Centro. Had this formula not been preserved, Centro would lose $2 million per year for six years for a total of $12 million. On behalf of all of our customers and our communities, I would like to thank Congressman Katko for his tireless effort to ensure these drastic funding cuts would not be included in the final transportation bill. His leadership on the House Senate Conference Committee was critical to his success in preserving this funding for all Central New York communities. Congressman Katko has been a longstanding leader in support of public transportation in our community, and our community is a better place for his effort. Mr. Katko knows how devastating these cuts would have been to the people who rely on Centro to go to work, to provide for their families, visit retail stores and businesses, and gain access to healthcare. He also understands Centro is the sole source of transportation for many persons with disabilities who live in Central New York. Strong local economies are built on strong public transportation systems and thanks to Mr. Katkos leadership we are moving in the right direction. Greg Lancette, Business Manager of United Association of Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 267 and President of Central and Northern New York Building and Construction Trades Council stated, The passage of the FAST Act ensures a level of stability for the hard working men and women that build and maintain our interstate system. Interstate 81 in New York receiving High Priority Corridor status is a direct result of Congressman Katko's determination to fight for Central and Northern New York. MACNY Vice President of Communications & Government Relations Karyn Burns stated this morning, I am pleased to be here today with many of my Central New York colleagues and Congressman Katko talking about this very important piece of legislation impacting our States infrastructure. MACNY has long maintained that in order for the manufacturing sector to thrive, government needs to support infrastructure investments that will enable us to remain successful in serving global markets. Infrastructure investments will assist in the transportation of U.S. goods and products, allowing the manufacturers to be truly competitive. On behalf of MACNY and the statewide manufacturing community, I thank Congressman Katko for his leadership on this critical issue and for working with his colleagues to ensure this highway bill was successfully addressed and passed into law. ""This bill offers a measure of certainty and predictability needed as Central New York plans for its future, said Robert Simpson, president of CenterState CEO. ""Making I-81 a high priority corridor stands to streamline the approval and funding process for this important community project. Additionally, this bill increases funding for mass transit including critical support needed for CENTRO, and restores funding to the Ex-Im Bank, which will enable more businesses, especially smaller firms, to export their products and services. I am grateful to Representative Katko and Senator Schumer for their leadership and support of transit and infrastructure investments for Central New York. We are grateful for Congressman Katko and the work he has done with his colleagues to get the Highway Bill passed, expressed Cayuga Count Economic Development Agency Executive Director Andrew Fish. There are so many important provisions in this bill that will help economic development thrive in Central New York. From expanding the funding options for critical public transit like Centro, to ensuring that we can continue to invest in infrastructure to create efficiencies in freight handling and safety. Congressman Katko has once again represented the interests of Central New York well and I am grateful for his leadership. James DAgostino, Director of the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC), stated, The passage of a multiyear transportation bill allows the agencies responsible for the maintenance, planning, and construction of our transportation infrastructure the ability to reasonably plan for their projects and needs with a knowledge of the available federal funding. The dire condition of much of our transportation infrastructure warrants immediate attention and bills such as this one allow us to provide that. The SMTC recently completed our Long Range Transportation Plan (2050) in conjunction with all our member agencies in the area and the needs and priorities identified within can now be moved forward towards meeting our goals and objectives as a community. We appreciate Congressman John Katkos leadership in getting a long term highway bill through the House of Representatives, said Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney. His bipartisan collaboration with Senator Chuck Schumer and the rest of the conference committee resulted in restoring critical funding to Centro and once again demonstrated Congressman Katkos commitment to work with everyone in order to help his constituents. On behalf of the residents of the City of Oswego, I am both thankful and grateful for Congressman Katkos hard work to ensure the passage of the FAST Act, said City of Oswego Mayor-elect Billy Barlow. Addressing and investing in our infrastructure is essential to our long term economic health and vitality as a region and I look forward to the benefits it will reap for the City of Oswego. New York State Assemblyman Bob Oaks (130th District), who represents Wayne County and portions of both Oswego and Cayuga Counties, said This important legislation gives us the flexibility to help invest in Central New Yorks aging infrastructure including the many rural road and bridges that desperately need repair in Wayne, Oswego, and Cayuga counties. Congressman John Katko serves as a member of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and was selected to serve as a conferee on the House and Senate Conference Committee on the bill. Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and a portion of Oswego County. For more information, please visithttps://katko.house.govorwww.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-lee-zeldin-announces-permanent-removal-cross-sound-ferry,Congressman Lee Zeldin Announces Permanent Removal of Cross Sound Ferry Trucking Plan By USDOT,2015-12-04,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY-1), member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced today that he has secured the permanent removal of the Cross Sound Ferry trucking plan from the Americas Marine Highway Program. The Congressman worked directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to amend the Cross Sound program to permanently remove all references to the misguided trucking provision, which would have rerouted thousands of trucks from I-95 in Connecticut to the North Fork through the Cross Sound Ferry. Congressman Zeldin said, I am proud to announce that the misguided proposal to reroute thousands of trucks from I-95 in Connecticut to the North Fork via the Cross Sound Ferry was officially removed from both regional and federal transportation plans. While passenger ferries are an important part of the Long Island transportation and tourism economy, this particular plan was ill advised, as it obviously failed to properly assess the North Fork's road system, which is not equipped for the additional truck traffic, and was contrary to the goals of Americas Marine Highways. Congressman Zeldin worked with local elected officials to have the Cross Sound Ferry trucking proposal removed from the Regional Freight Plan of NYMTC, the New York metro regions transportation planning body. As a result of their direct advocacy, earlier this year, on April 23, 2015, the proposal to reroute trucks was officially removed from the NYMTC Regional Freight Plan. While this was removed from the regional plan, it was still included in the federal plan, which is why the Congressman also fought for the permanent removal of the proposal from the Americas Marine Highway Program. On Tuesday, May 12, 2015, Congressman Zeldin sent a letter to Anthony Foxx, Secretary of Transportation at the U.S. Department of Transportation, urging the permanent removal of the Cross Sound Ferry trucking plan from the Americas Marine Highway Program. After meeting with staff, and conducting a thorough review of the project, Secretary Foxx and federal Maritime Administrator Paul Jaenichen announced that the proposal has been officially removed from the federal plan; an important victory for north fork residents on Long Island. You can view a copy of the confirmation letter here:Response_11.30.2015_MARAD Administrator Paul Chip Jaenichen_Cross Sound Enhancement.pdf",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-zeldin-reinforces-need-defeat-isis-following-terrorist,Congressman Zeldin Reinforces Need to Defeat ISIS Following Terrorist Attack in San Bernardino,2015-12-04,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, and Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, released the following statement today regarding the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California: This is the largest ISIS inspired terrorist attack on American soil ever. ISIS must be destroyed overseas or we will be facing the threat more and more at home. America needs a strategy to win rather than trying to run in place at best. Throw away the obsession with prioritizing political correctness over the strongest and most effective possible pursuit of our national defense. It's time for America to toughen up, come to reality with the threat we are up against, and eliminate it. The best way to achieve peace is to wipe ISIS off the face of the earth. It is not to live on our heels sacrificing time and security while ISIS grows in strength, numbers and resources.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://chriscollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-highway-legislation-aimed-at-improving-nation-s,House Passes Highway Legislation Aimed at Improving Nations Infrastructure,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Chris Collins,C001092,chriscollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today released the following statement after passage of H.R. 22, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act. Investing in Americas infrastructure will help grow our economy and improve the day-to-day lives of Western New Yorkers, said Congressman Collins. This bipartisan legislation makes tremendous strides in modernizing Americas transportation policy, supports good-paying jobs, and implements vital reforms to jumpstart infrastructure projects in our region. Several key provisions of the legislation will benefit Western New York. The bill: Provides certainty to states and local governments by funding highway projects for five years; Exempts dairy trucks from certain federal trucking weight limits, allowing them to efficiently transport their products; Streamlines existing regulatory requirements for transportation projects, increasing efficiency and expediting the process; Funds the 5340 High Density States program, which guarantees New Yorks mass transit agencies access to the funding they need; Reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank, protecting over 3,700 jobs in Western New York and 25 exporting small businesses in New Yorks 27thDistrict; and Converts the current Surface Transportation Program (STP) to a block grant program, which will provide states and local governments more flexibility in their transportation spending. Fifty percent of the programs funding is specifically targeted towards local governments and that grows by 5 percent over the five year span of the bill. Full text of the legislation can be readhere. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/brooklyn-business-owners-balk-obamacare,Brooklyn business owners balk at Obamacare,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"From Dyker Heights to Park Slope, owners of small businesses all over Brooklyn are saying that theyre shelling out so much money for health insurance these days, its making them sick. And theyre blaming the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare. In Dyker Heights, the owners of Frank J. Silvestri Insurance, Inc., a firm that has been on 13th Avenue for 50 years, told U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan that reforms enacted by the Affordable Care Act(ACA) have caused their familys insurance premiums to skyrocket to $25,000 per year, consuming resources that would otherwise go to growing their business and paying their employees. In Park Slope, the owners of Frannys, a popular pizzeria, have added a three percent surcharge to food orders to help cover the cost of providing health insurance to their employees. Donovan (R-C-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island) met with the Silvestri owners on Nov. 30 at their office at 7408 13th Ave. and got an earful about how health insurance costs are hurting the business. Nicole Silvestri, who runs the business with her husband, Robert Silvestri, told Donovan that her familys premiums have doubled over the last six years. Its tough enough to run a small business in New York City without having to pay $25,000 per year in health premiums. They said Obamacare would make coverage better and more affordable, but my family has been dropped by two carriers and our premiums have doubled in six years, she said. The ACA went into effect in 2010, although major portions of sweeping legislation did not go into effect until last year. Obamacare is squeezing the middle class, Donovan said. The very wealthy have been able to afford higher insurance premiums and the poor receive generous subsidies, but those in the middle, like the Silvestris, are paying higher premiums for worse coverage they can barely afford. The Un-Affordable Care Act would be more a more apt title. A $25,000 annual health insurance premium adds a financial burden that many families cannot sustain, Donovan said. To sustain itself, Obamacare requires young, healthy Americans to pay higher insurance premiums to cover the sick and poor, Donovan said. But young, healthy Americans are already burdened with student loans, rising rents, cell phone bills and living expenses. Even if they purchase the cheapest coverage possible, the sky-high deductibles keep them out of the doctors office anyway, undermining the concept of preventive care that is supposed to drive costs down, Meanwhile, the owners of Frannys at 348 Flatbush Ave. have found themselves in the media spotlight over their controversial decision to offset the $200,000 a year it costs them to provide health insurance for their employees by tacking a three percent surcharge to all checks. Under the ACA, business owners who employ fewer than 50 full-time workers are not obligated to cover their health insurance costs. Businesses that have 50 or more employees are mandated to cover them or face potential fines of approximately $2,000 per worker. The proprietors of Frannys own other restaurants, and taken together, their eateries employ more than 50 workers. This is a cost that we cannot absorb without going out of business, owner Francine Stephens told theNew York Daily News. Were quite sensitive to raising prices too much, so we wanted to offer transparency. Supporters of the ACA argued that the law has made it possible for tens of millions of Americans who previously did not have health insurance to acquire it. Americans who qualify can receive subsidies to help pay for the insurance. Other provisions of the law are an insurance company cannot drop a policy holder if the person becomes sick, insurance companies cannot charge women more than men and small businesses with fewer than 25 full time employees can receive tax credits of up to 50 percent of the costs of insurance for the workers, according to the websitewww.obamacarefacts.com. The current enrollment period for the ACA began on Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2016.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/new-york-city-sees-many-wins-federal-transportation-bill,New York City sees many wins in federal transportation bill,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Tuesday, with Congress poised to approve the most comprehensive transportation bill in years, Mayor Bill de Blasios senior legislative adviser in Washington, D.C., sent out an internal memo declaring the pending legislation a victory for New York City. NYCs top priorities are included in the conferenced transportation authorization, Georgia Gann, de Blasio's senior legislative adviser specializing in infrastructure issues, stated in a memo circulated to Hill staffers working for New York Citys congressional delegation. Since then, the House of Representatives has approved the $305 billion, five-year bill. The Senate is expected to approve it shortly. Not only does the five-year legislation provide relatively long-term transportation fundingfor the first time since 2005, it increases funding for New York City by about $500 million, or $100 million a year, Gann's memo stated. Even better, it noted, the legislation rolls back threats to cut transit funding for New York subway and bus riders, instead increasing funding for core transit programs that benefit NYC. De Blasio has lobbied steadily for more federal transportation funding, in Washington and here at home, bothwith the U.S. Conference of Mayorsand without. As recently aslast Tuesday, de Blasio showed up at Penn Station to demand more federal transportation funding. Republican officials like Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino appeared alongside him,prompting Gov. Andrew Cuomo to snipe at him, and Astorino to imply there was something wrong with the governor's mental fitness. Staten Islands Dan Donovan, New York Citys lone Republican in Congress, was also at that press conference. Dan being the only member of the majority, he has access to the majority conferees that other representatives dont have, said Patrick Ryan, Donovans spokesman. On Thursday, Ryan said the transportation bill includes about $3 million a year for the Staten Island Ferry, which was Donovans main focus, as well as a priority for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. New York also had the benefit of being able to count two Democrats Rep. Jerry Nadler and Sen. Chuck Schumer among the conferees who hammered out the differences between the House and Senate legislation. In his memo, Gann listed plenty of other wins for non-Staten Islanders. The bill does away with the $80 million a year in threatened cuts to New York City transit. It increases funding for a program called Small Starts, which could benefit New York Citys plans for an ambitious bus rapid transit line on Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens. The bill also, unusually, includes money for Amtrak, whose Northeast Corridor line runs through New York City and is in dire need of repair. ""We are hopeful that Congress will quickly pass this bill, which would reverse the transit cut and secure the increased funding for our roads, bridges, transit, and ferries for which Mayor de Blasio and a broad coalition of leaders have long fought, de Blasio spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick, said in an email. Read the memo here:https://politi.co/1NsK2DR",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-long-term-fully-funded-highway-bill-katko-support,"HOUSE PASSES LONG-TERM, FULLY FUNDED HIGHWAY BILL WITH KATKO SUPPORT",2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. After thirty seven short-term extensions, the U.S. House of Representatives, with the support of Rep. John Katko (NY-24), today passed the bipartisan conference report for H.R. 22, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. This bill represents the first long-term highway bill in over a decade, and will assist in the improvement of surface transportation infrastructure including roads, bridges, transit systems and rail transportation networks in Central New York and across the country. U.S. Rep. John Katko, who helped to negotiate the final bill as a member of the House and Senate Conference Committee said, Todays legislation includes significant wins for Central New York, including the designation of Interstate 81 as a high priority corridor, continued funding for Centro, and the overall stability that our community needs to plan for long term investment in our infrastructure. At Representative Katkos request, the bill designates I-81 through Central New York as a High Priority Corridor. This signifies recognition of the importance of I-81 to Central New York as well as its importance to the national economy. Additionally, Representative Katko worked in a bipartisan manner, together with Senator Schumer and other members of the New York delegation, to ensure that Centro continues to receive sufficient funding. Significantly, Representative Katko advocated for the following items to be included in the bill for the benefit of Central New York: Creation of a National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau which will aid state and local governments in securing financing for projects, navigating the regulatory process, and the creation of public-private partnerships to aid in financing. This will make project delivery easier and more navigable for state and local governments, which has been a priority for Rep. Katko. Protects current funding formulas to ensure that states like New York dont lose out on funding due to new means of allocating money. Provides states new flexibility in the use of funds for bridges that arent a part of the National Highway System, which is the case for the vast majority of bridges in NY-24. This will make it easier for states to fix bridges in need of repair that may not have received funding before. Continues and increases grant programs for bus programs and facilities, of benefit to agencies like Centro. Establishes a National Highway Freight Program, and a National Multimodal Freight Program to provide ways of breaking up freight bottlenecks around the country, and focus resources improving the nations freight infrastructure. All interstates, including I-81, are part of the National Highway Freight Program under the bill. Rep. Katko asked the Committee to consider the importance of multimodal programs to improve connectivity and the movement of goods and traffic. Representative Katko will join tomorrow in Syracuse with local elected officials from Onondaga, Cayuga, Wayne, and Oswego Counties as well as local business, transportation, and labor organizations, for a press conference to the discuss passage of this long-term, multi-year highway bill. Details will be forthcoming to local media. Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District of New York, which includes Onondaga, Cayuga, Wayne, and a portion of Oswego County. For more information, visit Katko.house.gov or Facebook.com/RepJohnKatko.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://stefanik.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/stefanik-votes-pass-long-term-highway-bill-0,Stefanik Votes to Pass Long-Term Highway Bill,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Elise Stefanik,S001196,stefanik.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) voted in support of the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act the bicameral conference report to reauthorize federal surface transportation programs through FY2020. Strengthening our infrastructure is critical to improving our North Country economy, and I was pleased to help the House pass this six year highway bill today, said Congresswoman Stefanik. Our economy needs predictability and certainty, and this highway bill would allow us to stop passing short term, stop-gap measures so that businesses can plan and grow. This legislation would also reauthorize important highway safety programs to help keep North Country families safe. I am also pleased that this legislation reverses cuts to the High Density States Program that our communities in Glens Falls and Watertown rely on. This was a top priority of mine for this legislation, which is why I worked aggressively to ensure the Conference Committee knew how vital this funding is to our region and this is reflected in the final package. Additionally this legislation helps North Country farmers by reversing changes to the crop insurance program that would have inflated their costs. Lastly, I am very pleased that this legislation includes a reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. The Export-Import bank is a critical program for businesses in our district, including the Plattco Corporation and New York Air Brake. I have been a strong proponent of reauthorizing this program since coming to Congress and I am proud to help pass this critical legislation. What Theyre Saying: ""The enactment of a multi-year transportation bill was our number one priority in Washington this year,"" states Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. ""Not only for roads and bridges but because our region is in the business of producing transportation equipment, with 33 companies now employing more than 8,100 people in the North Country as we provide the buses, trains and subway cars that keep America moving."" Adds Douglas, ""The last decade of short term bills has limited new investment in transit equipment, thereby limiting contract opportunities and employment in the North Country. This six-year bill is expected to prompt many new investments over the next few years, and our North Country companies and workers are ready to respond. We thank Congresswoman Stefanik for her active role in the House on our behalf, including direct assistance with several important details, and for her partnership with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. Mike Elmendorf, President & CEO of the Associated General Contractors of New York State said, The recent agreement by Congress on a comprehensive five-year highway bill is welcomed news for the construction industry in New York State. For every one billion dollars invested in our states infrastructure, nearly 28,000 good paying jobs are created and supported. With nearly 6,000 bridges and 60% of our roads in need of repair, this highway bill will allow our leaders in state government to finally make the investment that roads and bridges require. I commend and thank Congresswoman Stefanik for her leadership and hard work on this issue. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-s-safe-bridges-act-included-final-highway-bill-huge-win-long,Rep. Zeldins Safe Bridges Act Included in Final Highway Bill. Huge Win for Long Islanders.,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY-1), member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced today that the United States House and Senate have agreed to a $305 billion, fully funded, five-year highway bill, following ten years of short term extensions. Congressman Zeldin also announced that the Safe Bridges Act (H.R. 3168), bipartisan legislation he introduced in Congress to strengthen New Yorks infrastructure, has been included in the final highway bill. Congressman Zeldin said, After ten years of short term extensions, the House and Senate will be passing a long-term highway bill that will provide critical funding for our transportation and infrastructure. The uncertainty which had come with ten years of short term patches, highlighted the need for a long term policy to provide the ability to pursue the vision of long term planning. This bipartisan package is a fully paid for, five-year bill that provides much needed transportation funding; and corrects the ongoing issue of sending a disproportionately greater amount of our tax dollars to Washington, DC, than is received in return on Long Island. This package also increases flexibility for states and municipal governments, and greatly expands local control over highway and transit programs. For New York, that means nearly $9 billion in federal highway dollars over the life of the billa ten percent increase from current levels. Congressman Zeldin continued, Within the legislation, I am proud to have secured my bipartisan proposal to reform federal highway law to drive funding to our region for local bridges on Long Island. The Safe Bridges Act will provide counties and municipalities on Long Island with access to critical federal funds to repair and maintain local bridges and infrastructure. Under the Safe Bridges Act, over 80 bridges or overpasses across the First Congressional District will once again be eligible for much needed funding. Under MAP-21, a 2012 federal law, states, counties, towns and villages were cut off from the funding needed to repair and maintain bridges. According to the New York State Department of Transportation, New York received $271 million in federal funding for the Highway Bridge program in 2011. Due to the changes under MAP-21, New York State received $0 in Highway Bridge program funding in 2014. Congressman Zeldins Safe Bridges Act would reform federal highway law, ensuring our critical overpasses and bridges once again have access to this funding. From improving transportation safety, to creating local jobs, and boosting our overall economy and quality of life, this highway bill is a huge legislative win for Long Island and I look forward to voting for its final passage, Congressman Zeldin concluded. Congressman Zeldin introduced the Safe Bridges Act with Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY-18) on July 22, 2015. The Safe Bridges Act, which was included in the House highway bill, passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan majority vote of 363-64. The final package of the highway bill will be voted on by both chambers as early as tomorrow. Following the expected passage by both the House and Senate, the highway bill will be sent to the President to be signed into law.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://chriscollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/local-fire-departments-encouraged-to-apply-for-grant-funding,Local Fire Departments Encouraged to Apply for Grant Funding,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Chris Collins,C001092,chriscollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) is encouraging local fire departments and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers to apply for federal Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). AFG funds assist fire departments and other first responders in procuring the critical equipment and protective gear necessary to best serve their local communities. The funding can also be utilized to acquire training and additional resources that are necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel. FEMA will begin accepting applications from eligible departments beginning onMonday, December 7that 8 AM EST.Applications must be submitted byJanuary 15, 2016 at 5 PM EST. It is important that our local fire companies have the tools and resources they need to keep their members safe and effectively protect our community, said Congressman Collins. FEMAs grant program helps them do just that, and I encourage departments throughout NY-27 to apply. More information on this years AFG program can be found at:https://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program. Applicants with further questions or those seeking letters of support from Congressman Collins should call the Geneseo District Office at (585) 519-4002. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/staten-island-ferry-set-receive-more-funding-through-federal-bill,Staten Island Ferry set to receive more funding through federal bill,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The city is set to receive more ferry money through a federal transit bill that would restructure how funding is allotted to the nation's public ferry systems. The bill, known as Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, or the FAST Act, aims to improve the nation's surface transit infrastructure and outlines federal transit funding over the course of the next five years. A provision in the act would restructure the current ferry funding formula to more favorably weigh car-less systems like the Staten Island Ferry. Rep. Dan Donovan's office estimates the new formula would bring an additional $3.2 million in funding, annually, to the Staten Island Ferry for the next five years. After House and Senate negotiators agreed on the bill Wednesday, Donovan and his peers are confident that the bill will pass both houses when it comes to vote, which could be as early as the end of this week. ""Voters sent me to Washington to deliver results,"" said Donovan (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) in a statement. He had worked alongside Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) to secure the funding. ""This was a long shot, but by working collaboratively with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we successfully increased funding for the Staten Island Ferry,"" Donovan continued. ""I'm proud of this work, and I will continue to partner with whomever necessary to advance the interests of our community and our city."" Schumer, who wason the conference committee, said the bill helpsStaten Island get its ""fair share."" ""I fought hard for the FAST Act because it helps Staten Island get its fair share of much-needed federal transportation funds. More federal funding for the Staten Island Ferrythe nation's largest ferry operation--- will help make sure our fleet is updated, reliable and efficient for commuters,"" said Schumer in a statement. Federal funding for ferry transit relies on three factors: passengers, vehicle ridership and distance traveled. The current formula weighs vehicle ridership heaviest, making it harder for the city to acquire federal funding for the car-free Staten Island Ferry or the mayor's envisioned fast ferry network. The revised formula weighs passenger and car ridership equally. Here's a look at the formulas: Current, perlaw: 20 percent to eligible entities based on the ferry system's proportion of ferry passengers 45 percent to eligible entities based on the ferry system's proportion of vehicles 35 percent to eligible entities based on the ferry system's proportion of ferry route mileage Revised, perfinal conference report, page 79: 35 percent to eligible entities based on the ferry system's proportion of ferry passengers 35 percent to eligible entities based on the ferry system's proportion of vehicles 30 percent to eligible entities based on the ferry system's proportion of ferry route mileage Originally, only the Senate version of the bill included the revised formula when the legislation was introduced in October. A conference committee between the House and the Senate was created to workout differences, including ferry funding distribution. In a statement issued Wednesday, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster said reaching the agreement was ""challenging,"" but congratulated the committee members. ""This legislation is a vital investment in our country,"" Shuster (R-Pennsylvania) said in the statement. ""A safe, efficient surface transportation network is fundamentally necessary to our quality of life and our economy, and this conference report provides long-term certainty for states and local governments, and good reforms and improvements to the programs that sustain our roads, bridges, transit, and passenger rail system. We knew that reaching an agreement on this measure would be challenging, but every member of the conference committee was certainly up to the task. We appreciate their hard work in this effort, and we look forward to moving this measure forward and getting it signed into law.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-announces-increased-federal-funding-staten-island-ferry,Donovan Announces Increased Federal Funding for Staten Island Ferry,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC December 2, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today announced a major victory for Staten Island Ferry riders. The long-term transportation reauthorization agreed to by House and Senate negotiators changed the formula used to determine allocations to the countrys ferry systems. The change will result in an additional $3.2 million per year in federal funding for the Staten Island Ferry. Congressman Donovan proclaimed, You sent me to Washington to deliver results. This was a longshot, but by working collaboratively with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we successfully increased funding for the Staten Island Ferry. I'm proud of this work, and I will continue to partner with whomever necessary to advance the interests of our community and our city. Donovan, New York Citys only majority representative, urged his colleagues in the House to adopt the change. He sent a formal letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman and Ranking Member (attached), and spoke informally to House conference committee negotiators. Sen. Gillibrand led the effort in the Senate by including the formula change in that chambers version of the transportation bill. This funding, allocated through the Federal Highway Administration, can be used for construction and maintenance of terminals and ferries. Originally, federal law distributed 20 percent, 45 percent, and 35 percent of the ferry program funding based on passenger ridership, vehicle ridership, and ferry route mileage, respectively. The formula change that Donovan fought for adjusted the distribution to 35 percent, 35 percent, and 30 percent for passenger ridership, vehicle ridership, and ferry route mileage, respectively. The legislation also increases total funding for the federal ferry program from $67 million to $80 million. Congressman Donovan concluded, This long-term transportation package is a big win for Staten Island, South Brooklyn, and New York City. It grants regional planners the certainty they need to develop future transportation projects and ensures our community gets its fair share. Transportation has been a main priority of mine in Washington, and Ill continue fighting to improve our mass transit network. Congressman Dan Donovan represents Staten Island and South Brooklyn in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is New York Citys only Republican representative in Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/katko-education-reform-bill-rolls-back-top-down-common-core-approach-and,"KATKO: EDUCATION REFORM BILL ROLLS BACK TOP-DOWN, COMMON CORE APPROACH AND EMPOWERS LOCAL EDUCATORS",2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. With the support of Rep. John Katko (NY-24), the U.S. House of Representatives this evening passed H.R. 5, The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation represents the first education reform bill in over fourteen years. The bill, which is a product of the House and Senate conference committee empowers local educators and replaces the fundamentally flawed No Child Left Behind law. Central New York parents, educators, and administrators know best when it comes to educating our children and improving education in our schools. We must credit our teachers with the ability to make decisions on the local level and give them the flexibility they need to teach students using unique, inventive, and creative methods reflective of local conditions, said U.S. Rep. John Katko. We cant teach students in the City of Syracuse the same way that we teach students in Fulton, in Auburn, in Palmyra, or Fayetteville-Manlius. Each school district -- and each child -- is different. Our education standards must reflect that. This bill eliminates the one-size-fits-all policy of education and shifts authority from the federal government to the states in order to give local school administrators and teachers the power to define what it means for a school to be successful. Importantly, the federal government may not mandate or incentivize states to adopt or maintain any particular set of standards, including Common Core. Katko explained, The Every Student Succeeds Act significantly scales back the federal governments role in education, providing greater flexibility so that decisions on education can be made at the state and local level. The bill reduces testing requirements, giving state and local school districts the flexibility to design their own systems for judging school performance and the ability to measure academic progress through test scores, graduation rates and English language acquisitions. Katko, who has focused intensively on the rate of local poverty in Syracuse and the correlation between poverty and education added, Theres no question that education is key to addressing the devastating rate of poverty in the City of Syracuse and in communities nationwide. This legislation supports at-risk, impoverished and homeless student populations and gives schools the tools that they need to address to help these students succeed in school."" ""The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 is an important step towards bringing sanity back to testing and accountability,"" said NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta. ""In addition to preserving investments in early childhood education and equity for poor students, it gives states like New York much greater flexibility to decide what their teacher evaluation and accountability systems look like, and how they work. Most importantly, the re-authorization of ESEA takes the government out of the business of teacher evaluations, and de-links studenttest scores from teacher evaluations. That can lead to a welcome path here in New York State."" Specifically, the Every Student Succeeds Act: Prevents the federal government from mandating states to adopt Common Core, allowing each state to set its own challenging academic standards in reading and math. Repeals the one-size-fits-all Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) system and replaces it with a comprehensive, state-designed accountability system that will evaluate school performance using multiple measures beyond test scores to help identify and support low-performing schools. Supports Teachers, Principals, and Other Educators by ending mandates on teacher evaluations, and instead provides high quality training, ongoing evidence-based professional development, and recruitment opportunities for new educators. Prioritizes learning outcomes for students of all abilities, setting high standards for students with disabilities and focusing on the unique needs of students who are studying English as a second language. Provides states flexibility to monitor student performance, empowering states and local districts to develop and implement their own innovative assessments. Enhances support for schools, through a grant program which gives school districts the ability to target specific needs and better serve students, for example, through the effective use of technology. Promotes high quality choices for parents by both expanding current high-quality charter school models and investing in models while incentivizing charter school accountability, transparency, and community engagement practices. Maintains, strengthens, and streamlines existing critical programs by supporting those that emphasize innovation, teacher quality, afterschool programing, STEM education, arts education, and accelerated learning, safe and healthy students, literacy, and community involvement inschools, among others. Allows states to limit the amount of time students spend taking annual tests and gives parents the right to the right to opt their children out of statewide academic assessments where state and local policies allow them to do so. The legilsation embodies the expectation that all students will learn at high levels and that schools will receive vitally needed resources. Significantly, it clearly and repeatedly places prohibitions on the U.S. Secretary of Education, limiting the authority of the Department of Education to guarantee an end to the prescriptiveness and required federal approval that made No Child Left Behind increasingly problematic. Katko concluded, The current approach to education is failing our children and their teachers. With more and more children falling through the cracks, it is evident that more federal control of education is not the answer. This bipartisan agreement gives opportunity to students across our country and is the first step in fixing our broken education system. Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District of New York, which includes Onondaga, Cayuga, Wayne, and a portion of Oswego County. For more information, visit Katko.house.gov orFacebook.com/RepJohnKatko.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/katko-honors-longtime-wayne-county-board-supervisors-chairman-jim,KATKO HONORS LONGTIME WAYNE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIRMAN JIM HOFFMAN ON FLOOR OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. In a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this afternoon, U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) paid tribute to longtime Wayne County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Hoffman upon his retirement from a lifetime of public service. Video of Representative Katkos floor speech can be found here. His remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Wayne Countys most dedicated public servants, Jim Hoffman, and to send him off on a well-deserved retirement. Jims esteemed career in public service began when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a young man. It continued with 30 years with the New York State Police, five terms serving his community as Town Supervisor in Williamson, and ten years as Chairman of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors. Jim has faithfully served his constituents both in the Town of Williamson and across Wayne County. Under Jims leadership, Wayne County is a better place to live. Hes lowered taxes in Williamson, kept taxes stable across the County, supported our regions vast community of growers and farmers, emerged as a leader in the fight against Plan 2014, and made the Town of Williamson the first in all of New York State tofunction with 100 percent solar power. There is no question that Jims lifetime of service deserves recognition. He has been a great friend, mentor, and confidant throughout my campaign for election and whilerepresenting the people of the 24th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. I congratulate Jim on his long and distinguished career, and wish him a happy retirement with his children and his grandchildren. Chairman Jim Hoffman will retire at the end of December. He has served as Chairman of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors for ten years and as Supervisor for the Town of Williamson for twelve years. Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and a portion of Oswego County. For more information, pleasevisit https://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://stefanik.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/stefanik-speaks-house-floor-support-medical-device-tax-repeal,Stefanik Speaks on House Floor in Support of Medical Device Tax Repeal,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Elise Stefanik,S001196,stefanik.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) spoke on the House floor in support of repealing Obamacares medical device tax. Below is a transcript of her remarks, or for video, click here. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue to lead the fight to repeal the Medical Device Tax. This is a tax on revenue rather than profit. It leads to some of the highest corporate tax rates in the world and creates undue harm to an industry that not only creates jobs, but also improves our health and well-being. A company located in my district, NuMed, employs over 80 people and produces stents and other vascular equipment. The medical device tax prevents NuMed from increasing their budget on research and development by 15 percent. AngioDynamics -- another company in my district -- employs 950 people and creates more than a hundred different medical devices, including the AngioVac System used to treat blood clots. Recently one of their executives said, the one million that AngioDynamics pays in federal excise taxes on medical device company revenues could instead be used to employ another 10 to 15 people. We must repeal this burdensome tax to help create jobs and improve patient outcomes. Thank you and I yield back. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-meets-1980-usa-hockey-goalie-jim-craig-encourage-support,Rep. Zeldin Meets with 1980 USA Hockey Goalie Jim Craig to Encourage Support for Legislation to Protect Those With Disabilities,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC On Monday, December 1, 2015, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, CNY-1) met with Jim Craig, goalie of the 1980 USA Olympic hockey team. Jim Craig was in Washington, DC, to raise awareness of bipartisan legislation Congressman Zeldin introduced in the House of Representatives to protect people with disabilities (H.R. 3229). Pictured above in the U.S. Capitol, from left to right, are House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R UT-3), Jim Craig, Congressman Zeldin and Mike Swinford, CEO of Numotion.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-s-efforts-stop-common-core-become-law,Rep. Zeldins Efforts to Stop Common Core to Become Law,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY-1) today announced that an amendment he introduced to the Student Success Act (H.R. 5), which passed the House of Representatives on July 8, 2015, was included in the final conference agreement between the Senate and House. The final legislation passed the House today, and will be sent to the Presidents desk to be signed into law. The Zeldin Amendment would allow states to opt out of Common Core Standards, if they so choose, without fear that there will be any loss of federal funding as a result, bringing the control of education decisions back to the state and local level. Im proud to announce that The Zeldin Amendment has been passed by Congress and will now be sent to the President to become law; a huge legislative victory for states seeking to withdraw from Common Core, said Congressman Zeldin. One of the biggest arguments against the repeal of Common Core in New York State has been that New York would lose out on several hundred million, if not billions, of federal dollars. The Zeldin Amendment is the single most effective way for the federal government to permit New York and other states to withdraw from Common Core without fear that there will be any loss of federal funding as a result. Congressman Zeldin continued, Since Common Core standards were first implemented in New York, Ive had countless conversations with a number of educators, parents and students, all of whom share my deep concerns with the lack of age appropriate material and the limited communication and coordination in the development of the standards, testing and curriculum. While I support higher standards in our schools, Common Core is not the answer. Also contained in the conference agreement is a preventative measure, which Congressman Zeldin supports, to stop the federal government from penalizing states and school districts from opt outs. Another important aspect in the fight to improve our education system is restoring local control and flexibility to our parents and local educators, concluded Congressman Zeldin. We must shift the focus in our classrooms from testing to teaching, to ensure our children never lose their love of learning. As a father, and a Representative for Long Island, one of my top priorities in Congress will always be to seek solutions to strengthen our nations education system.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/nypd-ready-to-settle-case-over-spying-on-muslims,NYPD ready to settle case over spying on Muslims,2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Peter King,K000210,peteking.house.gov,,,legacy,"The city could be days away from settling a federal lawsuit accusing the NYPD of religious profiling and unwarranted spying on Muslims even as the Paris massacres have heightened terrorism fears. Lawyers for the city and Muslim leaders have told a judge they have reached a settlement in principle and will meet once more to iron out a few details before Wednesdays deadline. I hope that whatever settlement is agreed upon, it does not tie the hands of the police, Rep. Peter King (R-LI) told The Post, saying he supports the NYPDs controversial surveillance program. Take a look at Paris. You can see why these programs are necessary. The 2013 suit filed in Brooklyn federal court charged that after 9/11 the NYPD put informants, undercover cops and hidden cameras in mosques to monitor congregants and religious leaders without any suspicion of wrongdoing, and gathered information on law-abiding Muslims. The city says it had good reasons to spy on the three Muslim leaders, two mosques and one charity who are plaintiffs in the suit. For instance, Siraj Wahhaj, the imam of the Masjid At Taqwa mosque in Brooklyn, was an unindicted co-conspirator in a plot to bomb NYC landmarks in the mid-1990s, prosecutors said. Mosque members ran paintball exercises for jihad warriors and survival training for violent extremists in multiple terrorism cases in the United States and abroad, including an aborted plot to kill soldiers at Fort Dix, NJ, the city contends. Members engaged in illegal weapons trafficking, ran a gun club and sent some of $200,000 it raised to several US-identified terrorist organizations, court papers say. An NYPD source familiar with anti-terrorism efforts was defiant over the still-secret settlement. Were not going to be intimidated or worried about any settlement in a lawsuit or what the court says we can or cant do as intelligence officers, he said. We will do our job. If that means adjusting our methods a bit, then well do that. The NYPD already works within legal guidelines, the source said. We cant just go and infiltrate a political group or religious group, he added. Sources have told The Post that the plaintiffs, as part of any settlement, want the NYPD to remove a 92-page report Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat from its site. The 2007 report seems remarkably prescient. It warned of al-Qaeda-inspired jihadists in the US and abroad, hell-bent on attacking their host countries. The suit also demands that the NYPD halt any ongoing surveillance in the Muslim community and expunge records from prior monitoring.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/donovan-writes-house-members-about-wtc-health-program,Donovan writes to House members about WTC Health Program,2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"In a letter that paid tribute to the sacrifice of a woman who spent weeks after the Sept. 11 attack rescuing pets from lower Manhattan apartments and who died of cancer earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan has written to each of his 434 House colleagues to urge them to approve a permanent extension of the World Trade Center Health Program. In his Nov. 24 letter, Donovan mentioned Diane DiGiacomo, a Brooklyn woman who recently died of cancer. Over the past several months, I have focused on sharing the stories of the men and women who struggle with 9/11-related illnesses. Diane DiGiacomo, for example, spent weeks after 9/11 rescuing pets left behind in lower Manhattan apartments. Last year, doctors diagnosed her with cancer. This past Sunday, I attended her wake. For Diane and the thousands of others like her, I implore you to permanently reauthorize the WTC Health Program, Donovan (R-C-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island) wrote in the letter to all of his fellow House members. DiGiacomo, 52, was a former special investigator ASPCA. She was a graduate of Edward R. Murrow High School. The WTC Health Program was created out of the James Zadroga 9/11 Heath and Compensation Act. The law, which was passed by Congress in 2010, provided health care for thousands of Sept. 11 first responders, lower Manhattan residents and volunteers who worked at the World Trade Center site in the weeks and months following the attacks. In the years since the attack, many of them have been diagnosed with cancer, respiratory diseases and other ailments that experts have traced back to the fact that they breathed in toxic dust at the site. The Zadroga Act allocated $4.2 billion to create the World Trade Center Health Program to provide testing and treatment for people who worked in response and recovery operations as well as for other survivors. James Zadroga was a police detective who died of a respiratory illness in 2006. The Zadroga Act, which was set for five years, expired on Sept. 30. Despite pleas from Sept. 11 first responders and families, Congress has yet to re-authorize the law. I represent 6,749 heroes who rely on the WTC Health Program for medical screening and treatment. If Congress reauthorizes the program, lives will be saved and families protected from bankrupting medical costs; expenses they would not face but for their selfless work picking up the pieces in our generations darkest hour. These 6,749 heroes are why reauthorizing the WTC Health Program is so personal to me, Donovan wrote in his letter. On Nov. 12, Donovan and U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-C-Long Island) held a press conference in he Bay Ridge to call on Congress to pass an extension of a law so that the medical expenses of Sept. 11 heroes could be covered. Many will pay for their heroism for the rest of their lives, Donovan said at the press conference. The chairman of the House Judiciary committee, U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Virginia), recently introduced his own version of the Zadroga Act, but his legislation would extend the law by another five years instead of making it permanent. In addition, Zadroga advocates said Goodlattes bill would cut compensation payments for victims by 60 percent. George Taylor, a retired homicide detective, talked at the press conference about being diagnosed with cancer of the vocal cords in 2012 and about his devastation at discovering that the cancer had spread. By 2013, I had my entire voice box removed. I am facing a lifetime of doctor visits and a lifetime of expensive medical bills, he said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-small-business-owners-assail-obamacare-squeezing-middle-class,"Donovan, Small Business Owners Assail Obamacare for Squeezing the Middle Class",2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Brooklyn, NY November 30, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today toured Frank J. Silvestri Insurance, Inc., a small, family-owned business that has served Dyker Heights and South Brooklyn for more than 50 years. Health insurance reforms enacted by President Obamas Affordable Care Act have caused the family of fours insurance premiums to increase to $25,000 per year, consuming resources that would otherwise go to growing their business and paying their employees. Congressman Donovan said, Obamacare is squeezing the middle class. The very wealthy have been able to afford higher insurance premiums and the poor receive generous subsidies, but those in the middle, like the Silvestris, are paying higher premiums for worse coverage they can barely afford. The Un-Affordable Care Act would be more a more apt title. Nicole Silvestri, who runs the business with her husband, Robert Silvestri, said, Its tough enough to run a small business in New York City without having to pay $25,000 per year in health premiums. They said Obamacare would make coverage better and more affordable, but my family has been dropped by two carriers and our premiums have doubled in six years. The Silvestris, like families and small business owners around the country, find it ever more challenging to make ends meet as part of todays middle class. New York State ranks 49th in the country in business tax climate. After the federal, state, and city governments get their cut, families must put money away for their childrens college tuition, make car payments, heat their homes, and buy groceries. A $25,000 annual health insurance premium adds a financial burden that many just cannot sustain. The Affordable Care Act is not just making life difficult for private individuals and family-owned businesses. Today, Health Republic the largest Consumer Oriented and Operated Plan (CO-OP) in the country will terminate all of its policies, forcing 215,000 New Yorkers to find alternate coverage, including the Silvestris. Further, UnitedHealth the largest insurance provider in the country threatened to pull out of the Obamacare marketplace by 2017. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company has stopped advertising and no longer pays commissions to its brokers It literally doesnt want consumers to buy its products. Adding insult to injury, a McKinsey report predicts premiums for silver-rated plans in New York State the middle-of-the-road option will increase by up to 49 percent in 2016. Congressman Donovan concluded, Health Republic is a victim of the foolish logic that is crumbling in front of our eyes. To sustain itself, Obamacare requires young, healthy Americans to pay higher insurance premiums to cover the sick and poor. But young, healthy Americans are already burdened with student loans, rising rents, cell phone bills, and living expenses. Even if they purchase the cheapest coverage possible, the sky-high deductibles keep them out of the doctors office anyway, undermining the concept of preventive care that is supposed to drive costs down. Congressman Dan Donovan represents Staten Island and South Brooklyn in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is New York Citys only Republican representative in Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/katko-provides-update-highway-bill-conference-centro-funding,"KATKO PROVIDES UPDATE ON HIGHWAY BILL CONFERENCE, CENTRO FUNDING",2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"Syracuse, NY U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24), member of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and Surface Transportation Conference Committee member, today released the following update regarding the conference report on the surface transportation reauthorization legislation: From Syracuse, to Auburn, to Oswego, families and individuals across the 24th Congressional District depend on the critical transportation services that Centro provides for access to jobs, to school, and to ensure care for their families. While funding for these transit services was threatened by an amendment to the highway bill, my colleagues and I on the House and Senate Conference Committee have made progress on an agreement that will ensure Centro continues to receive sufficient funding. As a member of the House selected to join with our colleagues in the Senate to conference on this bill, it has been my top priority to restore funding for transit programs. Senator Schumer, Rep. Nadler, and other members of the New York delegation have played critical roles in our bipartisan effort to communicate Centro's needs. While talks are still ongoing, an agreement on this long-term, bipartisan bill will not only allow Centro to continue to provide vital services across CNY, but the bill as a whole will provide Central New York with the stability and flexibility that our community needs to invest in our infrastructure."" Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and a portion of Oswego County. For more information, please visit https://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/obama-administration-misled-americans-false-promise-about-iran-nuclear,Obama Administration Misled Americans with False Promise about Iran Nuclear Deal,2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressmen Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), joined with Congressmen Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), and today sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry regarding recent reports that contradict the Obama administrations promise that the Iran nuclear agreement would not be implemented, nor would Iran receive sanctions relief, until the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had resolved its issues with the Possible Military Dimensions (PMD) of Irans nuclear program. In the letter, the three Republican lawmakers call on Kerry to explain these contradictory statements clarifying whether the administration has backtracked on its promise and provide a written explanation of the administrations position on the necessity of resolving the PMD issue before implementing the agreement and relieving sanctions on Iran. The full text of the letter can be found here:30NOV15 Letter to Kerry Re JCPOA.pdf.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lee-zeldin-and-chairman-rob-bishop-host-field-hearing-riverhead,Rep. Lee Zeldin and Chairman Rob Bishop to Host Field Hearing in Riverhead,2015-11-30,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"What: Congressman Lee Zeldin (R - NY-1) and Congressman Rob Bishop (R - UT-1), Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, will be hosting a Full Committee oversight field hearing in Riverhead, NY, titled, Restoring Atlantic Fisheries and Protecting the Regional Seafood Economy. There will be a panel of witnesses from the local Long Island community to discuss important local fishing issues. When: Monday, December 7, 2015 at 10:00 AM Where: The Multipurpose Room at the Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts Center, 20 E. Main Street, Riverhead, NY. Who: Congressman Lee Zeldin; Chairman Rob Bishop; fisheries experts from government agencies; local elected officials; local environmental and civic groups; local fishermen; and concerned members of the community. All members of the public and press are invited to attend.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://stefanik.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-stefanik-makes-thanksgiving-week-visit-fort-drum-soldiers,Congresswoman Stefanik Makes Thanksgiving Week Visit to Fort Drum Soldiers in Afghanistan,2015-11-25,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Elise Stefanik,S001196,stefanik.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) returned from an official Congressional Delegation visit to Afghanistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia with colleagues on the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee. She released the following statement upon her return: This trip was an important opportunity to visit with our brave men and women of the 10th Mountain Division and thank them for their brave servicethis holiday season, said Congresswoman Stefanik. These soldiers put their lives on the line for us each day, and as the Vice-Chair for the Subcommittee on Readiness, this was a chance to hear firsthand from our troops. We live in an increasingly dangerous world and I am proud that we have these brave men and women defending our national security."" In addition to visiting troops in Afghanistan, Congresswoman Stefanik and the Congressional Delegation met with key officials in Egypt and Saudi Arabia to receive updates on issues including the conflict in Syria, Irans Nuclear Program, ISIL and Libya. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/heightened-security-may-clog-holiday-getaway-for-record-469m,Heightened security may clog holiday getaway for record 46.9M,2015-11-24,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Peter King,K000210,peteking.house.gov,,,legacy,"Heightened security after the Paris terror attacks, including checkpoints and patrols on New York City bridges, bomb-sniffing dogs at Penn Station and increased airport bag checks, could complicate this week's busy holiday getaway, officials said Monday. Concerns over terror groups such as the Islamic State led the State Department to issue a travel alert Monday urging Americans to ""exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation."" ""Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid large crowds or crowded places. Exercise particular caution during the holiday season and at holiday festivals or events,"" the State Department said. ""Be prepared for additional security screening and unexpected disruptions."" The AAA predicts that a record 46.9 million people -- 300,000 more than last year -- will travel 50 miles outside their home this week. And Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said TSA officials ""expect this to be the busiest Thanksgiving travel season in terms of passengers through the checkpoint that we've ever seen."" One law enforcement official said police departments in the New York City region are taking a ""layered approach"" to transportation security, with everything from checkpoints to patrols he said were marked by ""high visibility and unpredictability."" At area bridges and tunnels, that means fixed and roving police patrols, close monitoring of cameras and license plate readers, and surveillance by aviation units using thermal imaging. In subways, police will check bags randomly and swipe them for nitrates or other explosives. And NYPD harbor units will stop unfamiliar boats or those loitering near bridges. ""Obviously transportation is the most difficult to protect and secure. But whatever NYPD can do and is doing is certainly helping to deter that threat,"" said Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and chairman of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. ""I can't imagine something happening like Paris without NYPD being there within seconds . . . That goes for bridges and tunnels."" And while the forecast for weather and gas prices will be on the side of travelers this year, the increased security by transportation providers could slow things down for some. Since the Nov. 13 terrorist killings of 130 people in Paris, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which controls major area airports including John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia, has been on heightened alert with increased patrols and bag checks. The agency said Monday that travelers should allow extra time for checking in. Rail service providers are also stepping up security heading into their busiest season of the year. Amtrak spokesman Craig Schulz said the agency expects to carry roughly as many as the 772,000 customers it carried over Thanksgiving week in 2014, but will do so this year with a ""robust security presence."" ""They always step up their presence during major holidays. But, of course, given world events recently, those efforts are that much more important,"" said Schulz, adding that the increased security won't necessarily translate into extra travel time for passengers. ""But . . . if we need to delay a train to do an inspection, we, of course, are going to make the safer choice."" Riders on the Long Island Rail Road, which will run 11 extra eastbound trains out of Penn Station on Wednesday, will also notice extra police at Penn Station, including in the form of extra MTA Police patrols and canine units. But, spokesman Aaron Donovan said he didn't ""think there should be any additional delays because of security."" ""You'll see a lot more of us out there,"" MTA Police Benevolent Association president Michael O'Meara said. ""But the normal, everyday traveler should not be inconvenienced, except for the crowds."" To enhance security on commuter railroads, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Monday announced the hiring of 46 additional MTA Police officers for about $3 million, calling them ""essential pieces in our fight against terrorism."" However, the new officers aren't expected to be in place for several months, O'Meara said. As part of the state's ""See Something, Say Something"" transportation security campaign, Cuomo also announced the launch of a new mobile application that will let travelers report suspicious activity to authorities using photos and noted from their phones. ""This app works just like a traditional telephone crime tip line or hotline, except it is available with the touch of a finger on a handheld device,"" State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico said. ""If you see something that may be linked to terrorism, send something. Your tip could provide valuable information that could prevent a tragedy."" The app will not replace 911 for emergency situations. Meanwhile, travelers looking to avoid delays by driving may not have it any better, according to Robert Sinclair Jr., spokesman for AAA, which Monday released a study showing that the Lincoln Tunnel and the roadways just east of the George Washington Bridge are, respectively, the nation's eighth- and ninth-most clogged roads. ""Getting in the car might be an alternative, but it will be a slow one,"" said Sinclair, who did not expect that increased security measures should add to motorists' delays. ""I think the delays motorists will see will definitely be because of congestion.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/text-letter-congressman-dan-donovan-all-members-house-representatives,Text of Letter from Congressman Dan Donovan to All Members of the House of Representatives,2015-11-24,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today sent a letter to each of his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives urging passage of a permanent extension of the World Trade Center Health Program. In the letter, Donovan highlights the heroic life and tragic death of Diane DiGiacomo: Dear Colleague, Over the past several months, I have focused on sharing the stories of the men and women who struggle with 9/11-related illnesses. Diane DiGiacomo, for example, spent weeks after 9/11 rescuing pets left behind in lower Manhattan apartments (see her story here). Last year, doctors diagnosed her with cancer. This past Sunday, I attended her wake. For Diane and the thousands of others like her, I implore you to permanently reauthorize the WTC Health Program. On September 8, 2015, fourteen years after the 2001 attacks on America, the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) added to its 9/11 memorial wall 21 new names of fallen heroes. All of these first responders survived that terrible day, only to contract illnesses later from exposure to the deadly toxins and chemicals infecting the air after the 110-story towers fell. Five of them were my constituents, men who relied on the WTC Health Program for medical treatment and screening. Sadly, the programs authorization lapsed on September 30 of this year, 22 days after the ceremony at FDNY headquarters. I represent 6,749 heroes who rely on the WTC health program for medical screening and treatment. If Congress reauthorizes the program, lives will be saved and families protected from bankrupting medical costs expenses they would not face but for their selfless work picking up the pieces in our generations darkest hour. These 6,749 heroes are why reauthorizing the WTC Health Program is so personal to me. They answered their call 14 years ago. All of them, and their families, need us to answer their call now by reauthorizing this program for the long-term. -- Congressman Donovan represents Staten Island and South Brooklyn in Congress. He is New York Citys only Republican representative. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://stefanik.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/stefanik-statement-alcoa-west-announcement,Stefanik Statement on Alcoa West Announcement,2015-11-24,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Elise Stefanik,S001196,stefanik.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) released the following statement on the news that Alcoa had reached an agreement to allow Massena West to continue operations: This is welcome news for our North Country community and will keep about 600 good paying jobs in our area,"" said Congresswoman Stefanik. I have been in contact with Alcoa officials throughout the year and visited the plant this past May. I saw firsthand how important this company has been as an employer to generations of North Country families. Todays news is the culmination of advocacy from the Alcoa workforce as well as local, state and federal officials. While this is a welcome announcement, I remain committed to working in Congress to help grow the North Country economy so that we can create good paying jobs for North Country families. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/schumer-donovan-launch-bipartisan-push-restore-federal-transportation,"Schumer, Donovan Launch Bipartisan Push to Restore Federal Transportation Funding Cuts",2015-11-23,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Dan Donovan today launched a bipartisan effort to restore mass transit funding cuts passed by the House of Representatives. As a part of the transportation bill passed by the House, an amendment was agreed to that completely defunds a critical mass transit program called the 5340 Program or the High Density States program. This program provides New York and six other high-density states as well as the District of Columbia with millions in additional mass transit funding annually. Specifically, New York and New Jersey combined receive roughly $140 million each year. Schumer and Donovan said that while the transportation bill that passed the Senate protects these funds, the elimination of these funds that was included in the House bill would be devastating for New York, including Staten Island. Schumer and Donovan are urging their colleagues to reverse the cuts and quickly restore this much-needed funding for New York as the House and Senate negotiate the differences between their two bills in conference over the next few weeks, before a final bill is passed into law. Schumer is on the Conference Committee for this bill in the Senate. New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley received a combined $71,725,257 in federal funding, through the MTA, under the High Density States program in 2014 (this total includes some limited service to other areas within the UAZ including CT, and NJ). Specifically on Staten Island, these cuts could affect the MTA bus, and Staten Island Railroad. In addition, NYC DOT received $4,852,420 under the High Density States Program in 2014. On Staten Island, these cuts could affect the Staten Island Ferry. The 5340 program provides critical transportation funding to New York State each year and is vital to ensuring our transit agencies, like the MTA and NYCDOT, have the resources they need to operate and keep passengers safe, said Schumer. This proposed cut in funding would deal a devastating blow to transit agencies, particularly at a time when New Yorks infrastructure is crumbling and in need of additional funding. That is why I am going to do everything in my power to reverse these cuts and restore the program, which has been a lifeline for New York, including those on Staten Island, in years past and should continue to be for years to come. Congressman Donovan said,""The transportation crisis in Staten Island and South Brooklyn requires creative solutions and the resources necessary to implement them. Staten Islanders face some of the longest commute times in the country, and the situation isn't much better in South Brooklyn. The proposed mass transit cuts are unacceptable, and the House negotiators know my position. Our city is an economic engine for the region and the country, andI will continue fighting for what we deserve."" In 2005, the Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA) was signed into law, which established the Growing States and High Density States Formula Program (49 U.S.C. 5340), or 5340 funding. According to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), it was created to apportion additional funds to the some of the most congested and transit-dependent Urbanized Areas (UZAs) in the country, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, as well as the District of Columbia. The House of Representatives adopted into its six-year transportation bill the Surface Transportation Reauthorization & Reform (STRRA) Act an amendment that would eliminate the 5340 program and instead further increase funding for a competitive bus grant program that would be disadvantageous to New York. Schumer and Donovan said that while increasing the funding for discretionary programs like the bus program is widely supported, doing so by stripping funding away from Northeast states, whose transit systems move millions of people and contribute significantly to the national economy, is the wrong approach to take. The House bill is funded at the existing baseline, meaning it provides only a slight increase for inflation. The Senate transportation bill includes a 10 percent increase. Schumer and Donovan explained that the House versions tepid increase in overall appropriations, coupled with the fact that funding has been slashed from the High Density States program and diverted into a separate fund, will result in less real dollars for New York State next year should the House Bill become law. This would have a major impact on transit agencies in New York, like the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) that services Staten Island. The loss of this funding could have an indirect impact on other forms of transportation including highway and bridge funding. For example, Schumer said, if a smaller mass transit agency in Upstate New York runs into financial trouble because of the loss of this funding and needs to be made whole by the state, New York State might have to reduce the amount of money they spend in other transportation programs to make up for the loss. Schumer and Donovan are pledging to fight in Congress to immediately restore this funding for the 5340 High Density States program. Schumer and Donovan said these seven states and the District of Columbia could see funding cut by roughly $1.6 billion over the next six years if this funding is not restored in the final bill that is passed by both the House and Senate. Some transit agencies would see their overall apportionments cut by nearly one-third. Schumer and Donovan explained that because this funding is calculated based on Urbanized Areas rather than states, New York and New Jersey which are coupled together in this funding apportionment could lose an estimated $140 million each year. After receiving this funding, the two states then issue a memorandum of understanding (MOU) stating how this funding will be split up. Specifically, New York State stands to lose the roughly $100 million of this $140 million it was set to receive in additional federal transit dollars if this program is not restored at full funding. Schumer and Donovan said these urbanized areas, small and large, across New York State face unparalleled congestion that cannot be addressed by building new highway infrastructure alone, meaning areas Upstate and Downstate will be negatively impacted if this funding is not restored. In 2014, New York State received $94,405,053 from the FTAs Section 5340 High Density States program. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-lee-zeldin-hosts-community-drug-summit,Congressman Lee Zeldin Hosts Community Drug Summit,2015-11-23,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Patchogue, NY On Friday, November 20, 2015, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, CNY-1), member of the House of Representatives' Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, hosted a community summit to discuss the rise of drug abuse on Long Island, as well as education, treatment and prevention efforts. The event was held at Patchogue-Medford High School and featured a panel, pictured above, of parents, educators, healthcare professionals, law enforcement officials, local elected officials and recovering substance abusers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-lee-zeldin-meets-boy-scouts-america-cub-scout-pack-340,Congressman Lee Zeldin Meets with Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout Pack 340 of Smithtown Elementary,2015-11-23,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Smithtown, NY On Friday, November 20, 2015, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, CNY-1), met with Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout Pack 340 of Smithtown Elementary, where he discussed his role in the community and answered any questions the group had about important issues facing our community. The Congressman is pictured above with Cub Scout Pack 340.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-lee-zeldin-speaks-stony-brook-university,Congressman Lee Zeldin Speaks at Stony Brook University,2015-11-23,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Stony Brook, NY On Friday, November 20, 2015, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, CNY-1) addressed students as a guest lecturer at a Stony Brook University American Government class. Congressman Zeldin is pictured above during the address.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-peter-king-sees-progress-on-zadroga,Rep. Peter King sees progress on Zadroga,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Peter King,K000210,peteking.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON -- In a breakthrough for advocates of renewing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have agreed to support a permanent extension of the act's expired health program, according to Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford). The development, though unofficial, is a step toward the goal of lawmakers and advocates working to extend the Zadroga ACT's two programs: the World Trade Center Health Program, which expired Oct. 1, and the Victim Compensation Fund, which will expire Oct. 1, 2016, King said Wednesday. More Republicans have agreed to support the permanent extension. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.,), a presidential candidate, signed on Tuesday. And Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has been reaching out to the ideologically conservative House Freedom Caucus to talk about his support for the bill, King said. King said Tuesday that he was involved in delicate negotiations with the two House committees that must approve any Zadroga reauthorization legislation before House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) will bring it to the floor for a full House vote. Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees the health program, met with his Republican members Wednesday to discuss whether to extend the Zadroga health program for another five or 10 years, King said. ""They agreed it should be permanent,"" King said. ""It's a step in the right direction."" An official full committee vote has not yet taken place, however. A spokesman for the committee did not immediately respond to a query about the status of the bill. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee that oversees the victim compensation fund, has filed his own bill that would reauthorize the fund for just five years and expand it to include victims of other acts of terrorism against Americans, such as the 1998 bombing of two American embassies in Africa. King and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said they have no problem with expanding the compensation program to other terrorism victims, as long as there is sufficient funding to cover everyone. King said Reps. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) and Dan Donovan (R-Staten Island) will join him in meeting with Goodlatte Thursday to discuss the two different bills.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-votes-halt-refugee-admittance-until-administration-adopts,Donovan Votes to Halt Refugee Admittance Until Administration Adopts Increased Security Measures,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCNovember 19, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today voted in support of the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act. The legislation freezes refugee admissions until the Obama Administration meets stringent security protocol conditions. In Congressional testimony in October, FBI Director Comey warned of vulnerabilities in the refugee screening process. Congressman Donovan said, This vote is about keeping our city and country safe from radical Islamic terror, a threat New Yorkers know all too well. ISIS proved itself capable of exporting violence to the West, then released a video directly threatening New York City. Halting our refugee program to review the efficacy of our security protocols should be a no-brainer. That the President threatened to veto this common-sense, responsible legislation shows he is putting politics ahead of national security. The legislation places a moratorium on the admission of Iraqi and Syrian refugees until the FBI Director certifies the background investigation of each refugee. It also requires the Homeland Security Secretary, FBI Director, and Director of National Intelligence to certify to Congress that each refugee is not a security threat to the United States. As an added layer of protection, the legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General to independently assess all refugee approvals, ensuring that high-risk individuals do not slip through the cracks. Congressman Donovan concluded, America has always been a compassionate nation, but our countrys security comes first. We can and must find a way to keep at-risk families safe from harm in their region. Ultimately, the solution to the refugee crisis lies in ridding the world of ISIS and its followers. We must eradicate this scourge period. Congressman Dan Donovan serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He is New York Citys only Republican representative in Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://stefanik.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/stefanik-leads-freshmen-letter-medical-device-tax-repeal-speaker-ryan,Stefanik Leads Freshmen Letter on Medical Device Tax Repeal to Speaker Ryan,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Elise Stefanik,S001196,stefanik.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) led a bipartisan group of 44 freshmen Members of Congress in sending a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI-01) urging him to include medical device tax repeal language within a larger legislative package before the end of the 2015 calendar year. Congresswoman Stefanik and the lawmakers wrote: Members from both sides of the aisle understand the negative impact that this tax has on our constituents. This tax inhibits access to the medical devices which patients need to maintain their health and also has an adverse effect on hundreds of thousands of American jobs supported by the medical technology industry. Under the 2.3 percent excise tax, medical device manufacturers are required to pay the Internal Revenue Service an estimated average of $194 million per month in medical device tax payments. In a competitive global economy, this tax threatens an innovative industry that directly employs 400,000 Americans, generates approximately $25 billion in payroll, and invests nearly $10 billion in research and development annually. The medical device tax is a tax on revenue, rather than profit, which means that the U.S. device industry is subject to one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. As you know, American companies represent 38 percent of the global market and this tax threatens our nations ability to innovate and stay competitive. Additionally, American companies must pay the tax even in non-profitable years. As companies look to make cuts to offset the tax, research and development is often one of the first items to go. This trade-off undermines the future of the industry and puts the discovery of new breakthrough medical technologies at risk. Congress is now in a position to mitigate the harmful effects of the medical device tax. As freshmen Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, we owe it to our constituents to follow through on the promises we made to address this issue before the end of the year. We respectfully ask that you address the medical device tax language in legislation that has the potential to become law, in order to give our nations economy and millions of our nations citizens the certainty and care they deserve. For a digital copy of the letter, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://stefanik.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/stefanik-votes-legislation-secure-refugee-program,Stefanik Votes for Legislation to Secure Refugee Program,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Elise Stefanik,S001196,stefanik.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) voted in support of the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015. This bipartisan legislation requires comprehensive background checks of every refugee from Iraq or Syria before they can be admitted into the United States and certification that each does not pose a threat. We have a proud tradition in our country of helping those around the world who suffer from terrorism and civil war, said Congresswoman Stefanik. But as lawmakers, our foremost job is to protect the people we represent. This legislation would halt our refugee program until we are certain that no refugee from Iraq and Syria who is a threat will be allowed in the country. Our government must work together at every level to keep our communities safe. What is the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act? To ensure that comprehensive background checks are conducted on every refugee from Syria and Iraq seeking admittance into the United States, this bill will require two actions: The FBI director must certify the background investigation of each refugee. The Secretary of Homeland Security, the FBI director, and the Director of National Intelligence must unanimously concur that each refugee is not a security threat to the United States and make a certification to Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/prospect-of-syrian-refugees-on-long-island-prompts-bipartisan-concerns,Prospect of Syrian refugees on Long Island prompts bipartisan concerns,2015-11-18,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Peter King,K000210,peteking.house.gov,,,legacy,"Republicans and some Democrats stepped up calls for President Barack Obama to stop, or at least pause, his plans to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees in the United States next year, with Rep. Peter King and other officials from Long Island raising concerns that some of them might be resettled there. Despite repeated assurances by Obama and others in his administration that the refugee vetting process is tough and thorough, many Republican governors and members of Congress including Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) have expressed doubts. ""A pause may be necessary. We're going to look at it,"" Schumer, the third-ranking Senate Democrat, said Tuesday. He said he would take a position after a classified briefing Wednesday on the Paris attacks and refugee process. King (R-Seaford) alluded to a September report that Catholic Charities of Amityville might accept up to 10 to 15 Syrian refugee families. The report in Long Island Business News cited two officials from Catholic Charities, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. Rich Schaffer, supervisor of the Town of Babylon and chairman of the Suffolk County Democratic Committee, echoed King's concerns. ""There needs to be confidence in the vetting process. It just wouldn't make sense to continue with this with everything going on,"" Schaffer said in a telephone interview. King sent letters to Obama and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), saying the admission of Syrian refugees should be halted until vetting to screen out potential terrorists gets ""a top-to-bottom review"" and is improved. Ryan spoke of moving legislatively for a ""pause."" ""Our nation has always been welcoming,"" Ryan said after a closed-door meeting with House Republicans. ""This is a moment where it is better to be safe than to be sorry."" The concern about Syrian refugees was stoked by reports that one of the terrorists who attacked Paris last Friday posed as a Syrian refugee to get into France, King said. The authenticity of the Syrian passport he carried is uncertain. King has been an outspoken opponent of admitting more Syrian refugees since Obama announced his plans in September because he said he has heard from FBI officials and others involved in the screening that there's no database or other information sources to check for many of them. As more than half of U.S. governors said they want to keep the refugees out of their states, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said they have no legal authority to block them, and morally they shouldn't. ""It's up to the federal government,"" he said. He spoke of balancing the need for effective screening with compassion. ""We have to protect Americans and not lose our soul as America in the process,"" he said. Admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees to the United States next year would increase the number resettled in the past year by a factor of five, according to State Department statistics. Since November 2014, 1,960 Syrian refugees have resettled in the United States, but just 48 of them in New York State. The top five states with Syrian resettlements in the past year were California, with 219; Texas, 209; Michigan, 1,999; Illinois, 148; and Florida, 104. King said those already in the United States should be monitored by the authorities. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) sought to balance caution with charity. While calling for an immediate assessment of the refugee program and taking steps to protect Americans, he said, ""We must do due diligence, but there is a way to protect our safety and our humanitarian views."" Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) took a harder line. In a House floor speech Monday, Zeldin said the government's constitutional duty to protect its citizens trumps as a ""moral imperative any day of the week the charity of opening our doors to a Syrian who blows himself or herself up on streets in the name of Allah.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://chriscollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-collins-rep-katko-and-county-legislators-meet-with-state-department,"Rep. Collins, Rep. Katko, and County Legislators Meet with State Department to Express Concerns Over IJC Plan 2014",2015-11-18,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Chris Collins,C001092,chriscollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27), Congressman John Katko (NY-24), andcounty legislators, Dave Godfrey and Lynne Johnson, today released the following statements after meeting with State Department officials about the International Joint Commissions (IJC) plans to implement new guidelines regulating the water levels of Lake Ontario. The IJCs Plan 2014 hurts homeowners and businesses along Lake Ontarios shoreline, saidCongressman Collins. I am vehemently opposed to this plan which would quicken erosion along shrinking shorelines, lower property values for specific homeowners, and have a negative impact on the regions economy by limiting recreational and commercial boating. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in federal, state, and local government against the plans implementation and am glad Congressman Katko and county legislators Dave Godfrey and Lynne Johnson could join me in this fight. Todays meeting was yet another opportunity to discuss the potentially devastating impact that Plan 2014 could have on Wayne Countys shoreline, economy, and vast agriculture community, saidCongressman Katko, who hosted a similar meeting earlier this year with Wayne County lawmakers and representatives from the U.S. Department of State and the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Im appreciative of Representative Collins efforts in facilitating this meeting. I recognize the value of preserving our natural resources and supporting conservation measures, but Plan 2014 could cause a great loss of shoreline, erosion damage to property, and flooding in Wayne County. It is critical that we make these points known to stakeholders on a federal level, and that we continue to have an open dialogue moving forward. Plan 2014s intent is to re-establish Lake Ontarios natural water level fluctuations to restore the regions natural wetlands and environmental diversity. The proposal has met significant resistance due to the disproportionate damages that will fall onto Lake Ontarios southern shore communities. Speaking to IJCs own predictions,Niagara County Legislator David Godfreyadded, This plan is going to be economically devastating for our entire area. There appears to be no interest from the IJC to assist with what will be the equivalent of a manmade disaster to our communities. The approval by the IJC of Plan 2014 is government at its worst. The IJC did not listen to the voice of people, said Orleans County Legislator Lynne Johnson. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-calls-aggressive-action-red-world-isis-threat,Donovan Calls for Aggressive Action to Rid World of ISIS Threat,2015-11-18,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCNovember 18, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today called for the United States to aggressively combat ISIS to counter the grave threat to innocent civilians across the free world. Congressman Donovan said, In the past month, ISIS has brought down a Russian airliner, attacked innocents in Beirut, and slaughtered civilians in Paris. ISIS is not contained. ISIS is not the JV squad. They are cold-blooded killers with no regard for human life, including their own. They must be eradicated period. The solution to this grave threat lies in Syria: the world cannot defeat ISIS without taking and holding the ground that ISIS occupies. Donovan continued, Its time we start listening to our generals and allies about what they need to defeat ISIS instead of focusing on what is politically expedient. We need a clear strategy that involves our Arab and Western allies with the express objective of destroying ISIS. Containment is not a strategy. Local allies, including Kurdish militias and Iraqi forces, must capture and hold ISIS territory. The United States and Europe should provide the requisite support including intelligence, special operations forces, and air power to get the job done. Donovan pointed to Syrias President Bashar al-Assad, who has slaughtered his own people, including women and children, as a contributing factor in ISISs rise. In the past year, Assad has let ISIS leaders out of Syrian prisons, conducted business with ISIS, and created a general atmosphere within which ISIS could rise and thrive. Donovan concluded, Assad isnt the solution to the threat hes the cause of it. While our immediate priority should be stopping ISIS, the ultimate answer must also involve a new Syrian government that does not include Bashar al-Assad. Congressman Dan Donovan serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/katko-highway-conference-committee-restore-funding-cuts-centro,KATKO TO HIGHWAY CONFERENCE COMMITTEE: RESTORE FUNDING CUTS TO CENTRO,2015-11-18,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24), member of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and Surface Transportation Conference Committee member, today spoke at a public meeting on the surface transportation reauthorization legislation to express concerns over an amendment that was added to the House bill which would eliminate funding for the 5340 High Density States bus program and result in funding cuts for Centro. Video of Rep. Katkos remarks can be found, here. His remarks, as prepared for delivery are below: Id like to thank Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio for their hard work in crafting this bill. Its been a pleasure serving on Transportation and Infrastructure. I want to express my concern over an amendment that was added to the House bill on the floor, which eliminates funding for the 5340 High Density States bus program. The seven states that receive funding through this program provide half of all the public transit use in the country. This important program simply ensures that states with the most need receive the funding they need to maintain robust transit programs. This misguided amendment redirects this money to a discretionary program controlled by the Department of Transportation, and in doing so would wreak havoc on the most heavily used transit agencies in the country without providing ANY increased funding certainty to agencies in other states. Centro, the transit agency that serves my district would see a cut of more than 20%, and this agency already faces dire financial difficulties. The same devastating cuts would be inflicted on agencies throughout the northeast, where this funding is needed the most, unless we act. We should act and restore this program, because this is how our federal system is supposed to work. States with more transit needs should get more transit funding just as states with more agriculture will benefit disproportionately from the farm bill. We should act, because if we dont half the nations transit users will instantly be worse off. We should act, because if we dont, the economies of these states, which are among the foremost drivers of our nations economy and are highly dependent on transit, will suffer greatly, and the nations economy will suffer as a result. We should act because its the prudent thing to do, and the right thing to do. I urge the Committee to recede to the Senates position on this issue, and get us back to the spirit of cooperation and compromise that ensured that the Committee-passed bill received unanimous support. Thank you for your consideration. Im eager to serve on this conference committee with you. In addition to his delivered remarks, Rep. Katko submitted a statement for the record calling for Interstate-81s High Priority Corridor status to be maintained. An amendment submitted by Rep. Katko in the House-passed language conferred this designation on I-81. Finally, Rep. Katko called for the maintenance of provisions he inserted at the Committee level protecting the safety of highway workers and bus operators, as well as Safe Streets language that ensures that new infrastructure is designed in a manner that protects pedestrians. Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and a portion of Oswego County. For more information, please visit https://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldin-signs-seven-legislative-initiatives-halt-influx-syrian,Rep. Zeldin Signs onto Seven Legislative Initiatives to Halt Influx of Syrian Refugees,2015-11-18,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, and Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, announced today that he has cosponsored seven important pieces of legislation that would stop the influx of Syrian refugees into the United States, especially as a result of the fact that the federal government is not prepared to sufficiently vet these individuals. Congressman Zeldin has cosponsored: -The Refugee Resettlement Oversight and Security Act of 2015 (H.R.3573), which would allow Congress to block any inadequate refugee resettlement plan put forward by the President and ensure the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and FBI, provide new security assurances before admitting refugees into the country. Additionally, this legislation calls for the Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a sweeping review of security gaps in the current refugee screening process. -The Resettlement Accountability National Security Act of 2015 (H.R.3314), which would immediately stop the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States until the GAO is able to complete a thorough examination on the costs to the federal, state and local government. -The American SAFE Act of 2015 (H.R.3999) would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to certify that any refugee being admitted to the United States from Iraq or Syria are not security threats to the United States. -The States Right of Refugee Refusal Act (H.R.4032), which would provide Governors with the option to opt out of participating in the Refugee Resettlement Program if they so choose. -The American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015 (H.R. 4038) would stop the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States until the nations top security officials, including the FBI Director, Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General, can certify the integrity of background checks, and are able to declare each refugee, individually, does not pose a threat to the United States. -The Defund the Syrian Refugee Resettlement Program Act of 2015 (H.R. 4031), which would completely eliminate funding for the Syrian Refugee Resettlement program. -Legislation that would prohibit federal tax dollars from being used to admit refugees from Syria to the United States (HR 4025). Congressman Lee Zeldin said, The Presidents current plan to accept Syrian refugees must be halted, especially, and so importantly, because we cannot identify the bad ones. I will continue to pursue any and all legislative options to prevent the President from accepting these refugees, until Congress and the American people know with confidence that they do not pose a threat. The best humanitarian victory for the innocent is to wipe out ISIS altogether. Monday evening, Congressman Zeldin spoke about this topic on the House floor. You can view his speech here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://chriscollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-chris-collins-announces-satellite-office-hours-for-the,Congressman Chris Collins Announces Satellite Office Hours for the Remainder of November,2015-11-17,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Chris Collins,C001092,chriscollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today announced his offices satellite office hours for the remainder of November. These satellite office hours are held in addition to the normal office hours at Congressman Collins Geneseo and Lancaster district offices. Residents of NY-27 are encouraged to attend these satellite office hours to obtain assistance with casework relating to any and all federal matters including Social Security benefits, Medicare, and interactions with federal agencies including the Veterans Administration and Small Business Administration. Staff members will be available at the following times and locations: York Monday, November 23, 2015 10:00-11:30 AM York Town Hall 2668 Main Street York, NY 14592 Java Tuesday, November 24, 2015 10:00-11:30 AM Java Town Hall 1429 Main Street Java Center, NY 14082 Middlebury Tuesday, November 24, 2015 12:30-2:00 PM Middlebury Town Hall 51 Sherman Avenue Wyoming, NY 14591 Alexander Wednesday, November 25, 2015 10:00-11:30 AM Alexander Town Hall 3350 Church Street Alexander, NY 14005 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-dan-donovan-will-vote-pause-obamas-syrian-refugee-plan,Rep. Dan Donovan will vote to pause Obama's Syrian refugee plan,2015-11-17,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In light of last week's terrorist attacks in France, Rep. Daniel Donovan is joining his party in Congress in trying to press pause on President Obama's plan to let 10,000 Syrian refugees into the United States while security protocols are vetted. With 129 people killed in a string of ISIS deadly attacks in Paris on Friday, Republicans in the House of Representatives are hoping to prevent refugees from entering the country until they feel assured that doing so poses no security threat. A Syrian passport was found near one of the terrorists in Paris, starting a movement to stop refugees from entering the United States, for fear that members of ISIS may be among them. Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) announced on Tuesday that the House is expected to vote on a bill sometime this week that would pause the president's plan until they are assured terrorists won't infiltrate the masses. In an statement Tuesday, Donovan backed the Republican proposal, calling American security ""our top priority."" ""The world changed on Nov. 13"" when Paris was attacked, the congressman said. ""We must not be nave about the risk of radical Islamic terror in the United States. American security must be our top priority. I ask that the speaker bring this legislation to the floor as expeditiously as possible. In light of the Paris attacks, there can be no further delay."" The bill, The Refugee Resettlement Oversight and Security Act, would have the Government Accountability Office review potential security gaps in the current refugee screening process. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, authored the bill in September, well before the ISIS attacks in Paris. The bill would require congressional approval before any refugees are admitted to the United States and would allow Congress to block the president's refugee plan if they find it inadequate. It would also require the Obama administration to prioritize resettling oppressed religious minorities among the Syrian refugees. ""America has always been a compassionate nation, but our country's security comes first,"" Donovan said. ""The solution to the refugee crisis lies in ridding the world of ISIS and its followers no refugee program will solve that."" Currently, the Homeland Security Department, State Department and Health and Human Services Department work together to resettle refugees. The United Nations and U.S. embassies refer refugee cases for resettlement consideration, and the Homeland Security Department conducts individual interviews and determines admission. The State Department's Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration works with nine national voluntary agencies to place refugees, prioritizing low-cost living areas. Refugees are met by local affiliates and helped with housing, and given other resources, like short-term cash and medical assistance, English as a second language classes and employment training. While Congress considers the moratorium bill,28 state governors are trying to block refugees from enteringtheir states should the president's plan proceed and allow 10,000 refugees in the country. It's unclear whether the governors have the power to do so, as the refugees are allowed to move freely about the country, just like any other resident. According to the New York Times, the State Department has not reached a conclusion about whether states could legally refuse admission. However, governors could withhold aide, refuse to coordinate with local nonprofits and federal agencies and make their state an uncomfortable and unwelcome place for refugees to settle in. Speaking after an event at Harvard University Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said a balance is needed when addressing the refugee crisis. He called governors pledging to shut their state borders ""a pure political statement."" He added, ""It's up to the federal government. If the federal government lets refugees in and places them in your state, the governor has no authority to turn them down."" Cuomo continued, "" At the same time, this federal government has to make sure it's doing the screening and the people who are coming in are safe.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-backs-bill-halt-refugee-admittance-scrutinize-security-protocols,"Donovan Backs Bill to Halt Refugee Admittance, Scrutinize Security Protocols",2015-11-17,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCNovember 17, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan today backed legislation to halt entry of Syrian refugees into the United States while the federal government audits security and background check protocols. Congressman Donovan said, The world changed on November 13. We must not be nave about the risk of radical Islamic terror in the United States. American security must be our top priority. I ask that the Speaker bring this legislation to the floor as expeditiously as possible. In light of the Paris attacks, there can be no further delay. The Refugee Resettlement Oversight and Security Act would require affirmative approval by the House and Senate before any refugees are admitted to the United States. It would also permit Congress to block any inadequate refugee resettlement plan put forward by President Obama. Further, the bill would require the Administration, when considering the admission of refugees from Iraq and Syria, to prioritize the resettlement of oppressed religious minorities. Lastly, it instructs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a sweeping review of security gaps in the current refugee screening process. Donovan concluded, America has always been a compassionate nation, but our country's security comes first. The solution to the refugee crisis lies in ridding the world of ISIS and its followers no refugee program will solve that. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-zeldins-house-floor-speech-paris-attacks-isis-and-syrian-refugees,"Rep. Zeldin's House Floor Speech on Paris Attacks, ISIS and Syrian Refugees",2015-11-17,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, and Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, spoke on the House floor last night about last Friday's terror attacks in Paris, the need to defeat ISIS, and how we must not move forward with President's strategy to bring in several tens of thousands of Syrian refugees. You can watch it here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://chriscollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-chris-collins-calls-on-governor-cuomo-to-stop-accepting,Congressman Chris Collins Calls on Governor Cuomo to Stop Plans to Accept Syrian Refugees,2015-11-16,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Chris Collins,C001092,chriscollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today released the following statement demanding Governor Andrew Cuomo stop his plans to accept Syrian refugees into New York. Ensuring the safety and security of our country and Western New Yorkers is my central focus, said Congressman Collins. At this point, we cannot guarantee with 100 percent certainty that the refugees we are accepting from Syria dont pose a threat to our community. Until we have a process in place that achieves that goal, I am calling on Governor Cuomo to stop plans to accept Syrian refugees. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/ps-5-celebrates-excellence-blue-ribbon-school,PS 5 celebrates excellence as a Blue Ribbon school,2015-11-16,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Students, parents, faculty and community members gathered outside PS 5, in Huguenot, Monday morning to celebrate the school'sstatus as anational Blue Ribbon school of excellence. ""Today is an awesome day,"" said Principal Lisa Arcuri. ""I am so proud of our PS 5 family."" The school was named a national Blue Ribbon school of excellence by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in September. The tiny school was cited for its overall academic excellence. PS 5 is one of 7,000 American schools to receive the award over the past 32 years. Other Staten Island schools that have been honored with Blue Ribbon status over the years include: PS 48, Concord; PS 53, Bay Terrace; Staten Island Technical High School, New Dorp; Tottenville High School, and Port Richmond High School. Congressman Dan Donovan, who was at the school Monday morning, said that receiving the award was ""really cool,"" adding with a chuckle, ""This doesn't mean you can slack off now. When you're the best, people expect you to stay the best. You've all worked so hard, I know you will continue to be the best."" Donovan was joined by Assemblyman Joe Borelli (R-South Shore), who was recently elected to City Council. He congratulated the students on a job well-done by granting them an evening of no homework under one condition -- they must go home and think about what a great job they've done and how they will continue to be excellent in the future. School Superintendent Anthony Lodico, Rose Kerr of the Borough President's Office and others also spoke at the ceremony, all noting the exemplary leadership of Arcuri. The school's Parent Teacher Association donated a banner that notes the school's Blue Ribbon status. ""Students, this is your award for being so hard-working and successful. This happened because we all work together,"" Arcuri said, holding up the award she received from Duncan. The school enrolls about260 students from kindergarten through fifth grade. More than 70 percent of its students from third, fourth and fifth grades met or exceeded state standards in Common Core reading and math exams administered in April.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://donovan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/donovan-congratulates-ps-5-achieving-national-blue-ribbon-recognition,Donovan Congratulates PS 5 for Achieving National Blue Ribbon Recognition,2015-11-16,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Daniel Donovan,D000625,donovan.house.gov,,,legacy,"Staten Island, NYNovember 16, 2015....Congressman Dan Donovan (NY-11) today joined faculty and students to celebrate PS 5s outstanding achievement as a National Blue Ribbon school. PS 5 is one of only 7,000 American schools to receive the award over the past 32 years. Congressman Donovan said, We should all be proud of PS 5s accomplishment. The schools principal, faculty, and students are a credit to our borough and our City. The U.S. Department of Education has honored outstanding schools with the National Blue Ribbon Award for 32 years. Award recipients distinguish themselves with a well-rounded teaching and training regime, propelling students and faculty to academic and professional excellence. Winners earn the National Blue Ribbon award by achieving high graduation rates and top-performing scores on state assessments. Donovan concluded, Once these students move on to high school and college, we must ensure theyre not burdened with unsustainable student loan debt. Their job for the coming years is to focus on their studies and position themselves for future success. Ours is to reform the current system to allow them to pursue their dreams unburdened by decades of debt. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-lee-zeldin-attends-veterans-day-ceremony-bretton-woods,Congressman Lee Zeldin Attends Veterans Day Ceremony at Bretton Woods Elementary School,2015-11-16,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Hauppauge, NY On Tuesday, November 10, 2015, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, CNY-1) attended a Veterans Day Assembly at Hauppauge School Districts Bretton Woods Elementary School. Congressman Zeldin is pictured above with the Hauppauge Superintendent of Schools Patricia Sullivan-Kriss.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/paris-attacks-spur-calls-for-heightened-security-as-new-yorkers-mourn,Paris attacks spur calls for heightened security as New Yorkers mourn victims,2015-11-15,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Peter King,K000210,peteking.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Paris attacks underscore the need for intense surveillance of potential terrorists, NYPD Commissioner William Bratton and Rep. Peter King said Sunday, as New Yorkers mourned those killed in the strikes at vigils and makeshift memorials. At church services and evening candlelight vigils, New Yorkers paid tribute to the 129 people who died during the Friday night massacres in coordinated bomb and shooting attacks. At St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, Msgr. Robert Ritchie mourned the ""apocalyptic"" attacks. He asked churchgoers to pray for ""our brothers and sisters who are suffering in the City of Lights."" At the Consulate General of France on the Upper East Side, mourners left hundreds of bouquets, candles and an Eiffel Tower formed by Metrocards to memorialize the slain. ""We need peace for everybody, no matter who they are or their religion,"" said a tearful Maha Sarayreh, 52, of Richmond Hill, Queens. At the same time, the NYPD and Long Island police pledged to step up their presence when necessary at public events. But they stressed that they had not received specific threats. Bratton and King, in separate television interviews, said the attacks are a reminder of the importance of tracking potential terror suspects and not underestimating the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, believed to be the perpetrator of the strikes. Bratton, on WABC/7, called the attacks ""a game changer,"" showing the ability of the Islamic State group to attack far beyond its base of operations, primarily in Syria. ""They have moved into competition with al-Qaida, and have surpassed al-Qaida,"" Bratton said. In an interview with ""Fox News Sunday,"" King (R-Seaford), chairman of the Homeland Security Committee's subcommittee on counterterrorism and intelligence, said the United States should suspend accepting Syrian refugees immediately ""unless they can show that a refugee is not part of ISIS."" President Barack Obama has said the United States will take in up to 10,000 Syrian refugees, as millions of them continue to make their way to Europe, fleeing a devastating civil war involving the Islamic State group. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters Sunday that the threat to New York is real but far less likely than in European countries, and noted any refugees admitted by the United States must go through ""a year or two"" of vetting. The attacks led to an increased police presence outside Madison Square Garden for the Knicks game, and at MetLife Stadium for the Giants game. Isma Chaudhry, president of the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, said there is a need for vigilance, but officials should not unfairly target the Muslim community. ""We in this day of age have to be very careful: surveillance for what and for who?"" she said. ""All around the world, Muslims in the majority condemn these acts of violence; one has to be really careful, and understand the fine line between targeting people and being extra vigilant.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/paris-attacks-shows-us-no-one-is-safe-in-this-dangerous-world,Paris attacks shows us no one is safe in this dangerous world,2015-11-14,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Peter King,K000210,peteking.house.gov,,,legacy,"They came at Paris again on Friday night, came at innocents in a concert hall and in restaurants and outside the Stade de France, a soccer stadium filled with a crowd that included the president of the country watching France play Germany, came at Paris like mean, crazy shooters coming through the front door of one of our schools. Or suicide bombers at the controls of commercial airplanes coming at us from the sky. Their death toll in Paris was not ours on Sept. 11, of course. The pictures we saw through the night from Paris were not the pictures we saw here after the worst attack we have ever had on American soil. But across the terrible long night in Paris, and into Saturday morning, the world was brought back to that New York City morning 14 years ago. And everyone here thought the exact same thing about Paris, one of the capitals of Western civilization: That it was Paris this time because of an attack claimed by ISIS an organization that President Obama somehow said on television Friday morning had been contained but could just as easily have been us. It could have been New York on the Fourth of July, Rep. Pete King, who twice chaired the House Committee on Homeland Security, said Saturday morning. King was referring to June arrests in New York and New Jersey of men with ties to ISIS, a Hudson County (N.J.) man named Alaa Saadeh among them, and a resident of Queens named Munther Omar Saleh, arrested a couple of weeks before Saadeh for allegedly conspiring to create a pressure-cooker bomb to be detonated at a New York City landmark. Theres a reason why the FBI and the (NYPD) Joint Terrorism Task Force were working overtime in late June, King said. And then referencing what President Obama had said about ISIS to George Stephanopolous on Good Morning America Pete King added, I dont want to make this partisan, but there is a delusional element in thinking that somehow weve contained these people. ISIS keeps coming, we know that, as if everything they have done so far, with televised executions and Russian planes blown out of the sky, is somehow just preamble. A week when there is great celebration in this country because we take out one of theirs, a masked executioner from the gates of hell known as Jihadi John, now ends with these innocent people slaughtered in Paris. And who knows how many more die on Friday night if the suicide bombers outside Stade de France somehow had gotten inside? Once again, as people live their lives on a Friday night in Paris, we hear restaurants and concert halls and sports events referred to the way we now refer to schools in America, every time a different kind of terrorism is leveled at them: We hear them referred to as soft targets. But that is what the world is now. A world that is all soft targets. It could have been New York on the Fourth of July, Rep. Pete King, who twice chaired the House Committee on Homeland Security, said. They dont want to hit Army barracks, King said. They want to hit people who think theyre safe. Only they were no more safe in Paris on Friday night than children and teachers were at Sandy Hook Elementary, no more safe than the dead of Aurora, Colo., were in a movie theater. No more safe than nearly 3,000 innocents were in the north and south towers. Where do you even fight this war? Raymond Kelly asked on Saturday morning. The problem has metastasized. They did this in Paris with eight people. What was it in Mumbai (when Islamic militants once murdered 164 people in coordinated attacks), 10? The simplicity of these attacks is whats so frightening. They go into that concert hall with AK-47s. Thats not sophisticated modern weaponry. Its a rifle. Pull the trigger. You want to make a bomb? Go on the Internet. Then Kelly, who kept New York City safe as police commissioner for 12 years in a Sept. 11 world, who wrote his own book on counterterrorism because the old one was written for a world that stopped existing when the first plane hit one of our buildings, said the same thing to me that King had said an hour before: Of course what happened in Paris could happen here. Im frankly surprised that there hasnt been more of this around the world. Kelly paused and said, There is no end to this. And by the way? Kelly probably found it amusing to hear Mayor de Blasio praising Kellys counterterrorism efforts after de Blasio was praised last year for closing down Kellys demographic unit, at this time, in a city as diverse and potentially dangerous as this one. We were just reminded again on Friday night how right Kelly is. There is no end of this. The enemy comes from everywhere. We arent safe in restaurants and concert halls and even a soccer stadium, because no one is safe. This is the dangerous world we present to our children, and their children. A world of soft targets.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/katko-statement-attacks-paris,KATKO STATEMENT ON ATTACKS IN PARIS,2015-11-14,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"SYRACUSE, NY U.S. Representative John Katko (NY-24) today released the following statement regarding the terrorist attacks in Paris: ""My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Paris, as we mourn the innocent victims of these horrific and coordinated terrorist attacks. We must continue to pray for their loved ones and for all of the first responders who put their own lives on the line in the aftermath of these attacks. The news today that ISIS has claimed responsibility is yet another reminder that America and her allies must stand together with France to fight ISIS, their hateful ideology, and the violence it incites. As Chairman of both the Foreign Fighter Task Force and the House Homeland Security Committees Subcommittee on Transportation Security, I am all too aware of the lengths to which ISIS will go to try and inflict terror. We must remain vigilant to combat global terrorism, and recognize that ISIS is intent on inflicting harm on anyone who opposes their radical beliefs. Congressman John Katko serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security, where he chairs the Transportation Security Subcommittee. He chaired the Committees bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorist & Foreign Fighter Travel. Congressman Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and a portion of Oswego County. For more information, please visit https://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko. ####",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-peter-king-paris-attacks-are-nightmare-scenario-come-true,Rep. Peter King: Paris attacks are 'nightmare scenario' come true,2015-11-13,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Peter King,K000210,peteking.house.gov,,,legacy,"The deadly shootings, explosions and hostage taking on a busy Friday night in Paris represent the ""nightmare scenario"" for a well-planned and carried-out terrorist attack, Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) said. ""It's a nightmare scenario of having a series of coordinated attacks in a mass population center. And it's all different kinds of attacks: the restaurants, the theater, the soccer stadium. It's an attack on almost every dimension of society with mass casualties,"" said King, the chairman of the House subcommittee on terrorism. ""This is the nightmare scenario."" King said he has not been in an official briefing, but he said he suspected the attackers are ""Islamic jihadists. And it's very likely ISIS."" That's because thousands of French citizens have gone to Syria to fight side by side with ISIS and then returned to France, King said. And, ISIS was behind the attacks in January against the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo that killed 12 people. Another indicator that the events in Paris are part of a terrorist attack, King said, is that ""this so well-coordinated: the heavy duty weapons, the shootings, the bombs in the soccer stadium, the taking of the hostages."" But King said he is uncertain that the attack is a response to the Obama administration's claim that a U.S. drone strike killed ""Jihadi John,"" or Mohammed Emwazi, the English-speaking ISIS member who appeared in videos in which American and other hostages were decapitated. ""This is so well-coordinated I don't see how they could put this together really in less than 24 hours, unless this was a plan that was on the shelf,"" King said. Now intelligence services around the world are on alert in case attacks are planned in other countries, including the United States, King said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://katko.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/katko-presents-us-naval-flag-palmyra-historic-preservation-commission,KATKO PRESENTS U.S. NAVAL FLAG TO PALMYRA HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION,2015-11-13,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,John Katko,K000386,katko.house.gov,,,legacy,"PALMYRA, NY At a ceremony this afternoon at Palmyra Village Hall, U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) presented the Village of Palmyra Historic Preservation Commission with a two-star rear admirals flag on behalf of the Department of the Navy and the Naval Historical Foundation. Earlier this year, Representative Katko was contacted by the Palmyra Historic Preservation Commission for assistance in obtaining a replacement two-star rear admirals flag from the U.S. Navy. Over a century ago, a flag was presented to the Village of Palmyra by the Department of Navy upon the 1902 death of Palmyra native and Civil War and Spanish American War hero, Rear Admiral William T. Sampson. Representative Katko was able to contact the Department of the Navy and the Naval Historical Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and commemorating the Navys history, to receive a replacement flag. With this flag, the Village of Palmyra will be able to revive a tradition dating back to over a century ago, when the village flew a similar flag in the years following the death of Rear Admiral Sampson, said U.S. Rep. John Katko at todays ceremony. This flag highlights the special naval heritage of the Town and Village of Palmyra, and it is my distinct pleasure to provide it to the Rear Admiral Sampsons great-great niece, Merilee Sampson Fisk. This replacement Admiral Sampson Flag will revive Village tradition, said Eleanor Drake, Chair of the Palmyra Historic Preservation Commission. We are so very grateful to Congressman Katko for his assistance in helping us obtain a replacement flag, and to the Naval Historical Foundation for donating the flag. Assemblyman Bob Oaks joined Katko in todays presentation, stating, Wayne County is rich in history, and I thank Congressman Katko for his efforts in assisting our community and helping to preserve and showcase the accomplishments of our past. This flag will nicely complement all of the ongoing efforts by the Palmyra Historic Preservation Commission to enhance and protect the landmarks and history of the Village of Palmyra. The great-great niece of Admiral Sampson, Merilee Sampson Fisk, was present to receive the flag. In addition members of the Palmyra Preservation Commission, Representative Katko was joined today by Assemblyman Bob Oaks (130th District), Town of Palmyra Supervisor Kenneth Miller, Deputy Mayor of the Village of Palmyra David Husk, Members of the Village Board, as well as the combined Color/Honor Guard from the Palmyra American Legion and VFW. Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and a portion of Oswego County. For more information, please visit https://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-congressman-lee-zeldin-following-paris-terror-attacks,Statement From Congressman Lee Zeldin Following Paris Terror Attacks,2015-11-13,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Lee Zeldin,Z000017,zeldin.house.gov,,,legacy,"Long Island, NYCongressman Lee Zeldin (R, CNY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement in response to the terror attacks tonight in Paris: Tonight, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the people of France in the aftermath of the horrific terror attacks that shocked the world this evening in Paris. This tragic attack is not just an attack on France; but an attack on all free nations across the world. Together, as a united nation, we join with our allies across the world to condemn the brutal and savage tactics of extremist groups that oppose the basic freedoms and liberties of the free world. This devastating attack is just one of many examples of why we need a stronger, more consistent foreign policy and terror-fighting policy; and serves as a reminder that as a global community we must always remain ever vigilant.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://peteking.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/late-nypd-cop-s-father-continues-to-push-911-first-responders-health-and,Late NYPD cops father continues to push 9/11 first responders health and compensation bill after Congress let it lapse,2015-11-12,2015,2015-11,Republican,House,NY,Peter King,K000210,peteking.house.gov,,,legacy,"The father of the dead NYPD cop whose name graces the Zadroga Act vowed Thursday to keep fighting to reauthorize the bill to help other Ground Zero heroes. Upon his grave, I made a promise that we would tell his story of what happened, Joseph Zadroga said. I dont want to see other first responders going through what my son and his family went through. James Zadrogas medical bills from fighting the respiratory disease he contracted at Ground Zero were so high his family ate butter, sauce, and spaghetti for two weeks, so that their baby could have formula, his father said. Until he finally told me they were running out of money. Zadrogas heartfelt push to get the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act reauthorized came after the GOP-controlled Congress allowed it to lapse. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican, is pushing a new bill that waters down the original Zadroga legislation by offering less money for the Victim Compensation Fund. That weak bill also funds the 9/11 health care programs for only five years instead of permanently. Rep. Pete King, a Long Island Republican who joined Zadroga at a volunteer ambulance company in Brooklyn, said his fellow party members just dont get it. They don't realize the human impact, they don't see it as a national issue, said King. That's why it's important to put a human face on it. When they go to a 7-11 or a Little League game, they dont see a guy with an oxygen tube."" Jacqueline Lopez, whose husband NYPD Lt. Luis Lopez died this year, said Zadroga bill opponents need to hear her story. They need to hear how her husbands lungs were so scarred he cried with every breath because it was so painful, she said. I took my husband off of life support and in front of my son, myself, and our families, we watched him take his last breaths, she said. He died at the age of 50 ... the months and months in the hospital left us with tens of thousands of dollars in bills. PBA President Pat Lynch said the department has lost more New York City police officers since 9/11 than on 9/11. We have a moral obligation to the men and women who responded without question that day, he said. We have a moral obligation to take care of them.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z