The Williams Weekly Wrap-Up |
This week, my team and I were firing on all cylinders to love and serve NY-22: Hosted the Camillus Town Hall Held Emergency Meetings on Migrant Crisis Paid Tribute to Military Spouses Honored Law Enforcement During Police Week Saluted Our Armed Forces Awarded the Congressional Art Competition Winner Celebrated Mother’s Day Toured the Syracuse Fire Department Fought for Faster Passport Services Presided Over the House Floor Announced Increased Funding for Veterans Services Passed the POLICE Act Introduced New Legislation … and more! |
A Message from Rep. Williams:
I encourage you to read this week's newsletter that covers the in-depth discussions I’ve had across the 22nd district with constituents, households, local leaders, and small businesses about significant policy decisions that are taking place right now — energy, immigration, debt ceiling, public safety, education, and workforce development, as well as our constituent service work.
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Notice of Town Hall Dates: 👉 (Click to RSVP)
Town halls provide me an opportunity to listen to your ideas and concerns, for me to give direct answers to your questions, and for you to learn more about the ways in which my in-district offices can provide assistance and support at the federal level for you and your family.
May 30, 2023 | 6:30 PM Fayetteville Town Hall Wellwood Middle School Auditorium 700 S. Manlius Street, Fayetteville, NY 13066
June 1, 2023 | 6:30 PM Clay Town Hall Town of Clay Town Hall 4401 State Route 31, Clay, NY 13041
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Camillus Town Hall:
On Friday, I held my 5th in-person, open forum Town Hall. An unprecedented number of Town Hall events for NY-22 — in fact, more than we have had in over a decade. Topics ranged from the debt ceiling, rising energy costs, immigration and the migrant crisis, crime and public safety, the cost-of-living for Central New York families, and much more. No topic was off the table.
We had our disagreements, but we also found common ground more often than not. The purpose of these Town Halls is for there to be a dialogue and for you to know that I hear you and am listening to your needs, and for you to get a better understanding of who it is that is representing you.
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Migrant Crisis:
Upstaters are unified in our message — NYC and Governor Hochul will not dictate terms to our local county governments. Hardworking, middle-class taxpaying families across NY-22 should not and will not foot the bill for NYC’s sanctuary city policies.
Onondaga, Oneido, Madison, and Oswego counties have ALL announced emergency orders preventing the housing of and transportation for migrants. NYC wants to send them Upstate because they are unable to provide the resources and services required, that is not CNY’s responsibility.
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Military Spouse Appreciation:
As men and women enlist in our military, we must remember that their families are also making a commitment to service.
As we celebrated Military Spouse Appreciation Day, it reminded me of the dedication of my wife Stephanie, and I thanked her for her unwavering patriotism for our great nation. We must always remember the sacrifices made by those who serve, including their families who serve our nation, too.
👉 Show your appreciation for military spouses, here.
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National Police Week:
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and that calendar week as National Police Week.
During National Police Week, I made a point to honor the brave men and women of law enforcement who keep our communities safe each and every day.
👉 Show your support for law enforcement, here.
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Armed Forces Day:
Yesterday was Armed Forces Day. Stephanie and I thanked our nation’s heroes — the men and women who bravely serve in our Armed Forces.
We implore our readers to take a moment and think of someone you wish to thank for their service to our nation. They all deserve our honor, gratitude, and appreciation for the sacrifices they make to keep us safe here at home.
👉 Thank a hero in the Armed Forces, here.
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And The Winner Is… |
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Congressional Art Competition:
Congratulations to Ethan Hanmer on his well deserved recognition as the #NY22 winner of this year's Congressional Art Competition!
Ethan Hanmer is a senior in the Hamilton Central School District. Ethan’s painting, entitled Regrowing New Orleans, was chosen by an independent panel of NY-22 artists. Ethan has now been recognized in the district and will be invited for the annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. His artwork will be displayed for one-year in the U.S. Capitol.
Second place was awarded to Sophia Juarez (Hamilton Central School District), third place was awarded to Elliot Roux (East Syracuse Minoa Central School District), and two honorable mentions were awarded to Daly Warner (East Syracuse Minoa Central School District) and Matthew Golden (Thomas R. Proctor High School - Utica).
👉 Want to congratulate Ethan? Share your kind words, here.
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Mother’s Day:
This past week we celebrated the amazing women in our lives and thanked them for all that they do. Happy Mother’s Day to all!
👉 Thank a mother in your life, here.
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Syracuse Fire Department:
A special thank you to Chief Michael Monds and the Syracuse Fire Department for graciously inviting me to tour Engine Co. 10 and their training facilities, letting me fulfill a childhood dream of sliding down the fire pole, and for hoisting me up on the ladder.
The work these men and women do to keep us safe is extraordinary. We were able to discuss how to partner together with the increased development across the city that is on the horizon and the need for robust fire service operations.
✅ Childhood Dream Unlocked |
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👉 Share a childhood dream you’d want to come true, here.
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Passport Services:
This week, I signed onto a bipartisan letter to the Department of State seeking answers for the dramatic delays we are seeing in passport processing. This not only causes unnecessary stress, but is also costly to our local taxpayers.
👉 See the letter I signed, here. |
House Floor:
In the event the Speaker of the House is unable to preside over the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, he is granted the authority to have a fellow Member of the House serve as Speaker pro tempore.
This week, I had the distinct privilege and honor to preside over the House Floor. |
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👉 Watch as I adjourn the House, here.
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INCREASED Veteran Services Funding:
As I have said from the beginning, the debt ceiling talks have stoked fear and division, and are entirely political in nature — leading to outright lies being pushed by partisan politicians. The Limit, Save, Grow Act that I voted to pass will reduce our federal deficit by $4.3 billion and RAISE the debt ceiling, all while protecting veterans and seniors.
Just this past week, the Republican-led House Appropriations Committee announced our funding numbers for Fiscal Year 2024. We are proposing an INCREASE of $18 billion for veteran care and services. No decrease at all.
👉 Share the good news that we are increasing funding for veterans, here.
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POLICE Act of 2023:
This week, I voted in favor of the POLICE Act. The bill PASSED the House with broad bipartisan support.
As we see record numbers of people entering the country illegally, assaults on law enforcement are on the rise. The POLICE Act ensures there is accountability and any non-citizen who commits an act of violence against police are subject to deportation.
👉 Do you support this legislation? Share your thoughts, here.
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Education Hearing with Sec. Cardona:
As part of my duties as a Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, this week I questioned the U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on the steep decline in childhood education and literacy rates across the country.
I made it clear that accountability measures within the Department must be in place.
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📺 Watch my questioning of the Education Secretary, here.
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New Legislation:
Yesterday, I was joined by the Home Builders and Remodelers of Central New York to announce the introduction of my bill, H.R.2545, the Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2023. More than 30 organizations signed letters of support for this bill.
My bill would make housing more affordable in #NY22, reducing costs by up to $10,000 per single-family home.
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📺 Watch the press conference to learn more about the bill, here.
👉 Do you support this legislation? Share your thoughts, here.
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Artemis II:
During the week, I had the opportunity to shake the hands of some of the coolest people, the crew of Artemis II. These astronauts will be embarking on a journey around the moon to prove we have the capabilities to go back!
Background Artemis II is the second scheduled mission of NASA's Artemis program and the first scheduled crewed mission of NASA's Orion spacecraft. Their launch date is scheduled for November 2024. The crew will perform a moon flyby and then return to Earth. This will be the first crewed spacecraft to travel to the moon since Apollo 17, dating back to 1972.
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👉 Share your thoughts on us going back to the moon, here!
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Final Wrap-Up’s:
My office is seeking college-age interns for my Syracuse and Utica offices this summer and fall. Click here if you are interested in applying or learning more.
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Need help?
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!
If you have any questions, please contact Taylor.Weyeneth@mail.house.gov.
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Brandon Williams
Member of Congress |
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