Hi Folks!
This week, the House of Representatives passed a number of important bills, many with broad, bipartisan support. A number of new bills were introduced as well, as the House and Senate consider how best to responsibly fund the government in the coming month.
Here are the items we'll cover in today's newsletter: - Reflection After the Anniversary of Sept. 11
- H.R. 9442 - Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act
- H.R. 7686 - Protecting American Innovation from CCP Theft
- H.E. 5646 - Stop Campus Hazing Act
- H.R. 9449 - Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act of 2024
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A Message from Rep. Brandon Williams:
Our 22nd Congressional District encompasses all of Oneida, Madison, and Onondaga counties, and a sliver of Oswego County. As always, I am working to support families in CNY and the Mohawk Valley, improve our local infrastructure, grow manufacturing, and rein-in energy costs through common sense engineering and business practices. As a Navy Veteran, I stand with and for our veterans. I am protecting Social Security and Medicare for our elderly, and I always speak up for our law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders.
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This past Wednesday marked twenty-three years since the tragic attacks against America on September 11th, 2001.
For many, September 11th marks an annual reminder of a deep pain which has still not subsided.
For all Americans, this anniversary presents an opportunity to reflect on the bravery and resilience that have seen our great nation through crisis.
It’s the bravery of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, who stood against the face of evil and gave their lives to save others.
It’s the bravery of the police, firefighters, EMTs, and bystanders who did everything they could in the face of unspeakable horror to protect their fellow Americans.
Every day, we must honor the memory of the 2,977 victims of the deadliest terror attack on United States soil. We must remember the bravery of all who gave their lives so we may be safe. We must never forget.
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Ownership of American farmland by our adversaries is a national security issue. This week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 9442, the bipartisan Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act.
This legislation adds another layer of scrutiny to foreign land purchases originating from China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea by including the Secretary of Agriculture on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.
This is an important step in the right direction, to keep American farmland out of the hands of hostile nations. As an original cosponsor of this legislation, I was encouraged to see it pass in the House.
Read more here.
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Another noteworthy piece of legislation that passed this week was H.R. 7686, which will protect American research from theft and exploitation by the Chinese Communist Party, to help America maintain its technological advantages.
In particular, the bill updates the definition of malign foreign talent recruitment programs in the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act to help federal research agencies and universities more clearly identify and address threats to scientific research.
The confusing language currently in the CHIPS Act leaves an opening for China and other adversarial nations to rob, replicate, and replace American innovations, and this bipartisan bill will close that loophole. I was proud to vote in favor of this bill this week.
Read more here.
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Additionally, I cosponsored H.R. 5646, the Stop Campus Hazing Act, which overwhelmingly passed through the House Education and Workforce Committee this week.
The bill, introduced by Congresswoman Lucy McBath, requires colleges and universities to report hazing incidents as a condition of their participation in federal student aid programs. Any hazing incidents reported to campus security authorities or local police would have to be disclosed.
Additionally, each institution must develop and distribute, as part of its annual security report, a statement of policy including a comprehensive program to prevent hazing and their current campus policies pertaining to hazing, as well as procedures that comply with the legislation's reporting requirements.
Read more here.
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Finally, I cosponsored H.R. 9449, the Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act of 2024, which increases the number of Community Care Network (CCN) providers who have completed the VA-administered suicide prevention training.
The bill then creates a Preferred Provider List (PPL) within the CCN for providers who opt-in to taking the VA's suicide prevention training, and it makes that list available to veterans eligible to receive care through the CCN.
H.R. 9449, introduced by Congressman Bill Huizenga, is a subtle way to greatly improve veterans care by incentivizing providers to participate in evidence-based training.
Read more here.
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If you are experiencing difficulty with a federal agency, my office can help.
Trained caseworkers can assist with agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. While we cannot guarantee a favorable outcome, we will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem.
NY-22 residents can contact our Syracuse (315-233-4333) or Utica (315-732-0713) offices for assistance. You can also submit a request on my website, here.
Thank you for reading this week's wrap-up!
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Brandon Williams Member of Congress
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