Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, one of the darkest days in our Nation's history.

Nearly 3,000 Americans, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and neighbors, were taken from us in an act of unspeakable evil on the morning of September 11.

In the years since, we have lost thousands more to fatal health conditions caused by the toxic aftermath of that day, as first responders and survivors who simply went to work or lived near the towers were stricken by cancer and respiratory illnesses that were tied to Ground Zero.

Many Long Islanders who bravely rushed to the towers that day are still paying the price with their health and with their lives.

It is time for Congress to come together and pass a permanent funding fix to the World Trade Center Health Program that will ensure that it is fully staffed and able to meet the needs of our 9/11 community.

We will never forget the horror of that day, but we can choose to honor it by how we care for our brave first responders and survivors.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted No on Roll Call No. 222.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4275, the bipartisan Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, which includes my provision to improve navigation in the East Rockaway Inlet off the South Shore of Long Island and to strengthen maritime drug enforcement in our waters.

Madam Speaker, East Rockaway Inlet is a critical Federal navigation channel, which Long Islanders rely on for both commercial and recreational boating and fishing. While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for maintenance dredging of the inlet, the Coast Guard maintains the markers and the buoys to aid in navigation and to keep boaters safe.

Unfortunately, I have heard from many of my constituents that due to shoaling, the water is too shallow in many parts of the inlet, and the buoys there are missing or misplaced, making it difficult for boaters and fishermen to safely navigate the channel. Incorrectly placed buoys and markers could cause boats to run aground in the sand, threaten commercial towing through the channel, and undermine safe navigation for all.

My amendment, which is included in section 283 of this bill, would require the Commandant of the Coast Guard to examine this issue and report to Congress with concrete recommendations to address hazards in the East Rockaway Inlet and present a plan to update the aids to navigation there to keep boaters safe.

I am grateful to Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen for including this amendment, and I look forward to working together with the Coast Guard on this important issue.

Madam Speaker, this bill will also strengthen our national security and support the men and women I met at the Coast Guard Station in Jones Beach. This bipartisan bill will ensure

that the Coast Guard has the resources that it needs to keep our shores and our communities secure.

I am especially glad that this legislation includes a commonsense, bipartisan bill I cosponsored with my Republican colleague from North Carolina, Representative Addison McDowell, to help the Coast Guard respond to opioid overdoses.

Our brave Coast Guardsmen are the first line of defense against illegal drug trafficking on our waters, and this legislation will ensure that they have the tools that they need to combat opioid overdoses and close loopholes that drug traffickers seek to exploit.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to make in order the amendment at the desk that protects against any cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise, together with my colleagues from the New York delegation, to honor the memory of former Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy from New York's Fourth Congressional District.

She was a trailblazer in Congress and a visionary leader who turned an unimaginable tragedy into a lifelong mission to protect others.

Carolyn was a tireless advocate for the South Shore of Nassau County on Long Island and a fearless champion in the fight against gun violence. After the heartbreaking loss of her husband and the injuring of her son in a horrific shooting, Carolyn could have retreated into grief, but instead she chose action.

She ran for Congress as a mother, a nurse, and a voice for families devastated by the senseless scourge of gun violence. Her courage helped shape the national conversation and inspired a generation of advocates whose work is saving lives in communities across our country every day.

She also advocated for America's children as a member of the Education and Workforce Committee, working to fund school lunch programs. She was also key in drafting the watershed No Child Left Behind Act in 2001, which aimed to make our schools more accessible for students with disabilities.

My family, all of us on Long Island, the New York delegation, New York State, and our Nation mourn her passing. We are praying for her loved ones and for all the lives who were touched by her decades of service.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join us now in a moment of silence in memory of the Honorable Carolyn McCarthy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise the alarm on Senate Republicans' plan to rip Medicaid from 1.5 million New Yorkers, including children, seniors, and veterans on Long Island.

Mr. Speaker, Medicaid is not a luxury. It is a lifeline. In Nassau County, one in four children depend on Medicaid for their healthcare, and two in three seniors in nursing homes are covered by Medicaid.

Slashing Medicaid means ripping healthcare from the youngest, the oldest, and the special needs communities, the most vulnerable members of our community.

Nonpartisan health policy experts, economists, and medical groups, including Healthcare Association of New York State, have already warned that the impact of gutting this program will be felt by all, including those with private insurance.

Every American can expect higher costs and reduced access to care.

Once again, we have been clearly warned: The Medicaid cuts in the budget bill will have devastating impacts on our healthcare system and on millions of Americans who depend on it.

I am committed to fighting against these dangerous attempts to attack Long Islanders' healthcare.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the cruel rescission package that passed the House strictly on partisan lines.

Let me be clear: This legislation is a shameful, backwards attempt to cancel $9.8 billion in funding that had already been passed into law. It cuts critical investments in lifesaving programs that support reproductive health and education.

It also slashes funding for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, also known as PEPFAR. This bipartisan initiative has been supported by both parties for 20 years.

As a volunteer who stood on the front lines of the AIDS epidemic, I witnessed firsthand and remember when an HIV diagnosis was tantamount to a death sentence. However, because of programs like PEPFAR, this is no longer so.

In fact, since its launch in 2003, PEPFAR has saved 26 million lives and enabled 8 million babies to be born without HIV infection.

This package also threatens funding to public broadcasting like NPR and PBS which educate, inform, and enrich the lives of Americans.

The American people have been clear that they want Congress to lower costs and make life easier for working families. Instead, we are spending our time threatening health programs and trying to take ``Sesame Street'' off the air.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the life of Brian Lavin, a retired NYPD detective from Long Beach and a true American hero.

In the aftermath of 9/11, the worst terrorist attack on American soil, Brian was one of the courageous first responders who ran toward danger, working tirelessly amid toxic rubble at Ground Zero. His bravery and selfless service in those harrowing days embodied the very best of our Nation.

Unfortunately, Brian's life was cut short this year by an illness directly linked to the hazardous conditions he endured on 9/11 as a first responder. His passing is a heartbreaking reminder of the enduring pain of that day.

Thousands of law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency personnel, and New Yorkers who lived or worked near Ground Zero continue to get sick and die from cancers, respiratory illnesses, and other debilitating conditions caused by exposure to the aftermath of the Ground Zero attack.

This is a powerful reminder of the need to fully fund and staff programs that support 9/11 first responders.

Today, we honor another hero. I thank Brian for his sacrifice, and may he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nancy Rosen Stern on what would have been her 60th birthday.

Nancy was a proud Long Islander who lived on the south shore her entire life. She graduated from Lawrence High School and raised her family in Hewlett, just a few miles from where she grew up.

Above all, what Nancy revered most was her family. It began with her devoted parents, Joan and Marty, who passed down their moral compass to Nancy and her sisters, Ilene and Lynn.

Along with her beloved husband, Steven, she raised three children, Michael, Corey, and Samantha, who have all embraced her zest for life and her passion for giving back to her community.

Nancy was looking forward to the birth of her first grandchild, Sloane Naomi, and helped her daughter-in-law Gwen prepare for Sloane's arrival. Sadly, she never had the opportunity to meet Sloane, but her legacy lives on in her beautiful smile and cheerful personality.

Throughout her life, Nancy strove to give back to those in need. She was incredibly active in the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC of the Five Towns, helping children with special needs. The UJA meant very much to her.

A devoted daughter, best friend to her sisters, proud mother, supportive aunt, grandmother, reliable friend, and soulmate to her husband, Nancy Rosen Stern will always be remembered.

I am honored to share her story with all of my colleagues here today. May her memory be a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the despicable anti- Semitic terror attack targeted against Jews who were marching in Boulder, Colorado, in support of the hostages being held in Gaza.

This horrific attack comes on the heels of another targeted anti- Semitic terror attack at the Capital Jewish Museum here in Washington, D.C., where a hate-filled gunman murdered two young employees of the Israeli Embassy, Yaron and Sarah. May their memories be a blessing.

We must send the strongest message to those who seek refuge in our country, only to come here and commit crimes and harm innocent people. They should know that their actions will not be tolerated, and they will have no home here.

As a Member of Congress, I will continue to fight for policies that confront anti-Semitism, extremism, and hate wherever it is found.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 146 and YEA on Roll Call No. 147.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of National Police Week, and on behalf of New York's Fourth Congressional District, I am proud to stand here today to honor our brave men and women in law enforcement. Every day, our officers are on the front lines of the most urgent public safety challenges in service to our community.

When disaster strikes and people are in need, our law enforcement officers are the first to respond. Despite the risks, the long hours, and the constant stress, hundreds of thousands of officers wake up each day, put on their badge, and answer the call. They do it for us, for our loved ones, and for our communities.

This week serves as a solemn reminder of the dangers that our officers face daily. Without law enforcement, we would not enjoy the security we often take for granted. With courage and with bravery, our officers run toward danger every day to keep us and our loved ones safe.

Today, we honor Nassau County's own who gave their lives in the line of duty. Among them are Officers Erick Contreras, Christopher Cizmarik, Kevin Canavan, and Philip Schifini of the Nassau County Police Department who bravely served our community on 9/11, one of the darkest days in American history.

In the aftermath of the worst terrorist attack on American soil, they are among the brave first responders who ran toward danger, working tirelessly among the toxic rubble at Ground Zero. Years later, all four would tragically lose their lives caused by the toxins that they were exposed to in their heroic efforts. This is a painful reminder of the lasting cost of their selfless service.

Unfortunately, thousands of our heroic law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel who bravely answered the call on the darkest day in our Nation's history continue to suffer from life- threatening cancers, respiratory diseases, and other debilitating conditions from the toxins at Ground Zero.

That is why I was proud to help reintroduce the bipartisan 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act, which would permanently fix the current funding shortfalls in the World Trade Center Health Program.

We owe it to our 9/11 first responders to ensure that the programs they rely on will be fully funded and fully staffed.

In addition, last year, we also lost Officer Jonathan Diller who proudly served with the NYPD. Tragically, he was killed last year while conducting a routine traffic stop in Queens.

In just 3 years on the force, Detective Diller made over 70 arrests and was honored with three Excellent Police Duty medals. His colleagues remember him as a bright, positive presence, always eager to learn, deeply dedicated, and truly passionate about the job he loved.

The names I mentioned are not just names on a list. They were fathers, brothers, sons, and friends. They were pillars in their department and in their communities, whose courage will never be forgotten, and their sacrifice will never be in vain.

On behalf of all of Long Island, we will never forget those who laid down their lives in service to others. As we mark Police Week, may God bless the officers who gave up their lives to keep Americans safe and may He give their loved ones comfort.

Mr. Speaker, I thank, honor, and stand with all of our officers, past, present, and future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to demand that Congress restore the full State and local tax deduction which would cut taxes for Nassau County residents.

On Long Island, we pay some of the highest taxes in the country, and we send far more to Washington than we get back.

For the past 8 years, this cap has hiked tax bills for hardworking families in my district and those in other high-tax States, even as the cost of living continues to rise. These families deserve real relief. It is what the President promised when he came to my district and said he would get SALT back.

Well, it is time to deliver, Mr. President.

At this very moment, the majority is advancing a reconciliation bill that fails to meaningfully lower our taxes for Long Island when we are already facing a cost of living crisis. Mr. Speaker, that is totally unacceptable.

There is bipartisan agreement among my New York colleagues that the majority's offer is a slap in the face to

New Yorkers. We need to hold the line and push for a full repeal that will bring tax bills down and give Long Islanders much-needed tax relief.

I came to Congress to cut taxes and make life more affordable for my residents. I will continue to explore every possible avenue to do just that.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to address the unfair double taxation that my constituents are facing due to the State and local tax deduction cap.

Hardworking families across Long Island and across our State and many other States already face some of the highest tax burdens in the Nation. For 8 years, they have been unfairly penalized and subject to double taxation.

I have heard from countless hardworking families in my district over the past few years who have had to pay tens of thousands of dollars more in taxes, making their lives even more expensive and adding to the cost-of-living crisis on Long Island.

Last year, the President came to my district and vowed to get SALT back. My constituents deserve this real relief; so let's go.

I will continue to push for a full repeal of this cap, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same. Anything less than eliminating the SALT cap and restoring the full deduction fails Long Island and fails our State.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Nassau County Police Department on 100 years of brave and honorable service to the communities across New York's Fourth Congressional District.

As the proud Representative of this district, I am honored to represent the more than 2,000 dedicated officers who put their lives on the line every day for the 1.3 million residents of Nassau County.

In 1925, the NCPD was established with just 55 patrolmen. In the century since, the department has grown into one of the most respected and well-trained law enforcement agencies in America.

Today, Nassau County law enforcement officers stand as a symbol of strength, courage, and service to Long Island.

I also recognize the brave NCPD officers who have given all in the line of duty. They will not be forgotten.

As we look ahead to the next 100 years of the NCPD, I will continue to work with Commissioner Ryder and our local partners to ensure that officers have the resources they need and the training they need to keep Long Islanders safe.

I am proud to stand alongside Nassau County Police Department and congratulate them on 100 years of serving our community.