[firstname],
When I took office, I promised Hudson Valley residents that I wouldn’t stop fighting for them and their priorities in Washington, D.C. The funds I’ve secured for 17th District constituents and communities are yet another example of me keeping that promise.
Earlier this year, I announced that we helped deliver $10 million in federal funding for Hudson Valley law enforcement agencies owed to them by the DOJ for their efforts working with federal authorities to combat drug trafficking in our communities. Now, with the passage of our appropriations package, I’m pleased to announce we’ve been able to secure $36 million in community project funding for Hudson Valley localities. For reference, that’s quadruple the amount of Community Project Funding that the former member representing NY-17 was able to secure in Fiscal Year 2022.
These record-breaking funds will help ensure clean drinking water for tens of thousands of Hudson Valley residents.They will repair aging infrastructure and dams, making our roads safer and mitigating neighborhood flooding like the devastation we saw across our communities during last summer’s storms. They will expand pedestrian safety and accessibility, protecting our children and saving lives. And, through more than $800,000 in project funding for our law enforcement agencies, they will help ensure the safety of our police officers as well as that of the families they serve. You can find a breakdown of specific projects and funding below: |
For far too long, New Yorkers have sent more of our money to Washington in taxes than we have gotten back for our community. I’m proud of my efforts to bring more of our hard-earned tax dollars back home for projects that will significantly improve quality of life for our residents, and I'll never stop fighting for you or your family. |
This week's government funding deal also included a seven-year extension of the Undetectable Firearms Act. I introduced legislation reauthorizing this common sense gun safety measure earlier this year and was pleased to see it pass. The UFA was first introduced after the emergence of firearms that could be undetectable by metal detectors or X-ray machines and was signed into law by President Reagan in 1988. The law initially had a ten-year sunset clause but was renewed for five years in 1998 as a part of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act - again passing the Senate unanimously and again passing the House by a broad bipartisan vote of 391 to 25. Each subsequent renewal- in 2003, 2013, and a short-term renewal in November's bipartisan CR, garnered broad, bipartisan support. You can read my statement on the reauthorization of the Undetectable Firearms Act here: |
We also just passed the HALOS Act, my legislation empowering angel investors, which was incorporated as an amendment into a broader financial services bill put forward by House Financial Services Committee Chairman McHenry (R-NC-10). I was pleased to see this legislation pass this week, becoming my latest bill to pass the House. You can watch my floor remarks from earlier this week on this measure below: |
Earlier this week, I joined Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Jared Golden (D-ME-02), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Ed Case (D-HI-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-05), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), and Don Davis (D-NC-01) in holding a press conference on our bill, the bipartisan Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act. This legislation will kill two birds with one stone - securing our porous southern border and providing the critical aid our allies need. You can listen to my remarks from this press conference here: |
We are in a race against the clock to provide the support our allies are counting on - especially our closest ally, Israel. Hamas terrorists are still holding over a hundred innocent Israelis hostage - and at least a half dozen Americans. Earlier this week, I joined several colleagues in both parties for a press conference with family members of many of these Americans. Among the family members gathered were the parents and brother of Omer Neutra, an American and New Yorker who was among those taken hostage by Hamas. All three attended President Biden's State of the Union address last night - Omer's father Ronen as a guest of Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03) and Omer's mother Orna and brother Daniel through additional tickets I was able to acquire from Speaker Johnson. You can listen to my remarks as well as those of Orna Neutra at Wednesday's press conference below: |
I was honored to help the Neutra family attend the State of the Union. I was also honored to take as my guest Ed Cooke, a constituent and Vice President of the Westchester and Putnam Counties Building and Construction Trades Council - an organization representing over 200,000 union construction workers in New York State. As prices climb, our workers are feeling the squeeze - that includes folks like Ed and all his union members. When President Biden addressed the nation, I was hoping he would recognize the challenges workers across our country are facing, and, more importantly, offer bipartisan solutions to deliver the relief they and their families are counting on. Unfortunately, that wasn't the speech we got yesterday. But as for me, I'm going to keep working across the aisle to deliver results for our district. |
Rep. Lawler attends the State of the Union with his colleagues and guests from NY. |
In addition to meeting with the family members of those still held in Gaza this week, I met with Mia Schem, one of the hostages who was freed. Mia spent 54 days in a Hamas hellhole, during which she underwent surgery for a gunshot wound inflicted during the October 7 terrorist attack against Israel. She received no painkillers and had to replace her own bandages. I cannot imagine the pain she endured, but I am so glad she is now safe and free from that nightmare. I won't rest until the family members of every hostage can experience the same joy and relief as Mia's family. |
Rep. Lawler and congressional colleagues meet with freed Israeli hostage Mia Schem and her mother on Capitol Hill. |
Yesterday on National Slam the Scam Day - a day established by the Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to raise public awareness about imposter scams - I joined Congressman Andy Kim (D-NJ-03) along with Senators Ron Wyden, (D-OR), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in introducing the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will upgrade the security of electronic benefit cards and protect families in need from thieves that have stolen millions worth of essential food benefits. This legislation will go a long way to ensuring that those who need SNAP assistance are the ones receiving it, not the fraudsters who prey on our most vulnerable. You can read my full statement on the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act below: |
It's so important that we do what we can to support the most vulnerable in our society - and that includes newborn children with CMV. That's why in addition to the above legislation I also joined my House colleague Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) in introducing the STOP CMV Act to raise awareness of congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that can cause birth defects, and to encourage increased screenings of infants for the illness to allow for early treatment and interventions. One in two hundred babies are born with congenital CMV, and 20% exhibit symptoms or long-term health problems. his legislation will improve access to screenings and invest in the critical research necessary to ensure children born with CMV grow up to live healthy lives. You can see my statement on the bill below: |
In addition to our continued efforts to support our allies, secure our border, and defend the most vulnerable, the House passed several other bipartisan bills this week. One of these bills, the Laken Riley Act, which will require ICE to issue detainers and take custody of illegal aliens who commit theft-related crimes, such as shoplifting, as defined by state and local law. It will also allow state Attorneys General to sue the Secretary of Homeland Security for injunctive relief if immigration actions such as parole, violation of detention requirements, or other policy failures harm that state or its citizens. This legislation is named in honor of Laken Riley whose tragic murder at the hand of an illegal immigrant with multiple prior arrests would have been prevented by this law. You can read an overview of this bill and others passed this week below: |
I'm going to continue working across the aisle to give families, small businesses, and our nation's heroes the relief they need - you can count on that. I look forward to keeping you updated on my efforts on behalf of the people of New York's 17th District! |
March is Women's History Month and my office is holding our second annual "Women of Distinction" awards ceremony, where we will be honoring female leaders who have given back to our community in extraordinary ways. If there is someone you would like to nominate to receive special recognition from our office, CLICK HERE or below! |
At last year's ceremony, we recognized over two dozen women from across the 17th District - including elected officials, first responders, teachers, business professionals, nonprofit leaders and so many others. I'm looking forward to recognizing many more leaders who have played pivotal roles in shaping the Hudson Valley! |
Rep. Lawler recognizes community leaders at his 2023 "Women of Distinction" ceremony. |
While I was in Washington for votes, my office joined the Mahopac community in honoring their fallen son, Navy Airman Alex David Wolfsie, who served our nation in the U.S. Navy and tragically passed as a result of a military training exercise. |
Rep. Lawler's office presents a proclamation to Navy Airman Wolfsie's family. |
We will never forget Airman Wolfsie. Last week, I was proud to recognize him on the House floor. You can listen to my floor speech honoring his life of heroic service here: |
It’s always an honor to recognize members of our community. Earlier this week, my office recognized Disability Advisory Council along with each of the participants at Rockland Thinks Differently's event at the Lafayette Theater in Suffern, during the theater's 100th birthday. This was truly a wonderful event recognizing members of our IDD community while also celebrating the Hudson Valley's rich history! |
Rep. Lawler's office presents a proclamation recognizing the Disability Advisory Council and Rockland Thinks Differently event participants. |
We also participated in Meet Next Gen Foundation’s Appreciation Brunch, where I accepted a certificate of appreciation from Meet Next Gen and the Town of Ramapo! I truly appreciate everything Meet Next Gen does in our community and have been proud do partner with them to serve so many residents across our community! |
Rep. Lawler's office accepts certificate of appreciation from Next Gen and the Town of Ramapo at Meet Next Gen Foundation's Appreciation Brunch. |
Finally, my office presented a proclamation to the Carmel Rotary Club for their Annual Basketball Challenge alongside the Carmel High School Interact Club and Mentor Club. Since 2008, the Community Basketball Challenge has raised over $610,000 for nearly a hundred different nonprofit organizations across our community. |
Rep. Lawler's office presents a proclamation to the Carmel Rotary Club for their Annual Basketball Challenge. |
We appreciate the opportunity each week to recognize residents and chat with so many constituents, partners, and stakeholders about the work we are doing in D.C. and the district! With so many events going on across the 17th District all the time, my team and I look forward to continuing to meet with constituents. It is a privilege to get around our district every week. I look forward to seeing you and your family soon! |
Next Friday, my district staff and I will be holding mobile office hours in Upper Nyack at the Old Stone Meeting House from 3:30pm until 5:30pm. We hope to see you there! My team and I look forward to hearing your feedback on important issues and helping you and your family with any constituent casework needs. |
I have enjoyed getting around communities across our district, hearing directly from constituents at town halls, mobile office hours, and events in the community. Many residents share the same concerns about affordability, public safety, and ensuring the Hudson Valley remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I look forward to continuing the dialogue - my door is always open! |
Rep. Lawler secures extension of ban on ghost guns News 12 | March 7, 2024 |
If you have any questions about any of the above information, or if there is anything we can do for you or your family, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 845-201-2060 or reach out through my website at lawler.house.gov. Additionally, you can keep up with the latest news on my efforts by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram - and by opting in to periodic updates from my office by CLICKING HERE.
Sincerely,
Michael V. Lawler Member of Congress 17th District, New York |
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