Issues
Agriculture
Agriculture forms the backbone of the New York State economy, and this is especially true in the 25th Congressional District. Stretching between the urban centers of Syracuse and Rochester, our district is filled with farms, from dairy to grain to fruit. Many of these farms have been owned and operated by the same families for multiple generations...Read More
Defense and National Security
The primary responsibility of the federal government is to provide for the common defense. America must be capable of proactively protecting the nation and its citizens. This can be achieved by giving the military the resources it needs to keep us safe and maintain freedom...Read More
Economy and Jobs
Americans have recently faced a prolonged recession and the unemployment rate continues to hover above 9%. There are few families throughout Central New York who have not felt the effects of this economic downturn, and for some, the results have been devastating...Read More
Education
Historically, universal access to education is a uniquely American achievement that continues to benefit our children in their pursuit of success. In its current form, however, the American education system is allowing more and more children to fall through the cracks. Once the best public education system in the world, our schools are falling further behind other industrialized nations...Read More
Energy
The United States must decrease its dependence on foreign sources of energy. In most years, the United States imports more than 50% of its oil from foreign nations, creating a dependency that affects our national security and foreign relations...Read More
Financial Services
Ever since the financial collapse of 2008, financial services and the banking sector have undergone intense scrutiny. There is no question that the banking industry contributed extensively to the precipitous and pervasive economic downturn...Read More
Foreign Affairs
In an increasingly global world, the work of foreign affairs has become more and more relevant for constituents of New York’s 25th District. From uprisings in the Middle East to the development of the new nation of South Sudan, current events around the globe are profoundly important both to the United States and specifically to the 25th District...Read More
Health
The United States has enjoyed one of the best health care systems in the world and is the center of health research and innovation. In the last few years, access and affordability have become issues for far too many Americans who seek healthcare. Reform is needed...Read More
Spending and Taxes
Our nation borrows forty cents on every dollar it spends. An increasing amount of our debt is being held by China and other foreign nations. Every man, woman, and child in the U.S. owes nearly $50,000 if the national debt were divided equally amongst our 300 million citizens. The health of our nation’s finances is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue: it’s an American issue that must be faced head-on...Read More
Tax Reform
The tax code needs reform. Successful small business owners and professionals—those who contribute positively to the communities in which we live and create jobs—are burdened with the highest tax rate, while extremely wealthy citizens escape paying their fair share through diversified income options that elude most Americans. Corporations all-too-often find loopholes to escape their tax liability...Read More
Veterans
I proudly serve on the Veterans Committee in the House of Representatives and Chair the subcommittee on Health. Nothing is more important that honoring our veterans who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms, and my office is dedicated to serving veterans in whatever capacity they most need...Read More