Legislative Activity

The Troops Before Politicians Act mandates that if members of the U.S. Armed Forces experience a delay in pay due to a government shutdown or lapse in appropriations, the salaries of Members of Congress will be withheld and placed in an escrow account. These withheld funds will only be released to Members of Congress once military personnel have received their back pay. This legislation ensures that lawmakers face the same financial consequences as service members during periods of government funding instability.

The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act establishes a $25 million grant program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for veterans. This initiative provides grants to eligible organizations to hire veteran peer specialists, offer 24/7 nonclinical support, and ensure veteran privacy by prohibiting the collection of personally identifying information.

The Veterans Foreign Medical Coverage Equality and Modernization Act of 2025 mandates that the VA provide hospital care and medical services to veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities residing outside the United States. The bill also modernizes the reimbursement process by requiring direct deposit options and new mobile application features for document tracking and submission. Additionally, it requires the VA to report to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these expanded services.

The Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical federal funding for the restoration and stewardship of the Long Island Sound through fiscal year 2029. This legislation ensures the continuation of vital grant programs aimed at protecting and improving the health of the Sound’s ecosystem.

The Mobile Post Office Relief Act requires the U.S. Postal Service to deploy mobile retail units to communities when a local post office is temporarily closed for an extended period. These units ensure residents maintain access to essential postal services, including mail collection and packaging, until their local facility resumes operations.

This bill expresses opposition to New York City's Central Business District Tolling Program, which would charge drivers up to $23 daily to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. It cites concerns about the program's economic impact on commuters, small businesses, and low-income families. The bill urges New York State to release an economic impact report and recommends that federal agencies and New York State halt the program's implementation.

The "No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act" aims to withhold certain federal funds from state and local governments deemed "sanctuary jurisdictions" that obstruct the sharing of immigration status information or compliance with detainment requests from Homeland Security. These jurisdictions would be ineligible for federal funds intended to benefit individuals in the U.S. without legal immigration status. The Department of Homeland Security is required to report annually to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on non-compliant states and local governments.