Last week, I was selected to serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) and the Education & the Workforce (E&D) committees. This week, these committees had their first organizational meetings, which was followed by the first T&I committee hearing. With challenges still plaguing our nation's infrastructure and supply chain management, we discussed a path forward with freight, sea, construction, rail, and trade union leaders. In future committee hearings, I will work to address our district's priorities.

Furthermore, subcommittees have been organized for those respective committees. I am proud to to serve on the following:

For the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure:

Subcommittee on Highways and Transit: Our I-81 Community Grid project in Syracuse is part of this subcommittee's focus. This project will bring much needed jobs to the region and is critical to continued revitalization of Syracuse. The priorities of Central New York and the Mohawk Valley will have a strong voice on this subcommittee.

Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials: American families deserve lower energy bills, my involvement in this subcommittee will play a role in reforming the permitting process for pipelines and reducing the costs for natural gas transportation.

Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment: Farmers and landowners will be impacted by the definition change of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS). I will be a voice of reason in future discussions as I work to protect farmers.

For the House Committee on Education and the Workforce:

Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education: Parents deserve the right to have say in their children's education. This subcommittee will ensure that parents have the necessary resources to choose what is best for their children's future. 

Subcommittee on Higher Education & Workforce Investment: Every child should be presented with the opportunity to further their academic career, regardless of educational background. My wife Stephanie and I made the decision to homeschool our children. As a parent that homeschooled, I look forward to having discussions on how to integrate homeschooling into our higher education system.

This week, I voted to denounce the horrors of socialism. H.Con. Res. 9, sponsored by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), condemns the violence and death that has followed socialism throughout history. Capitalism and democracy have lifted billions of people out of poverty. I am proud to have cosponsored a resolution that reaffirms your right to private property and freedom. Socialism and communism have led to the destruction of nations like Venezuela and the Soviet Union— impoverishing and even murdering tens of millions of their citizens. Our overwhelmingly bipartisan vote to condemn socialism, which included both Republican and Democratic leadership, shows that socialism continues to have no place in our society.

Additionally, I voted to end the public health emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pandemic is Over Act (H.R. 382), sponsored by Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), terminates the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, provides cost savings of over $2 billion, and returns the egregious federal powers to the people. 

I also voted in favor of the SHOW UP Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. James Comer (R-KY). For too long, federal agencies have enjoyed lenient telework policies, impacting the quality of service at agencies including the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Many of my constituents have expressed their frustration with long wait times both on the phone and in person. Americans do not deserve this type of behavior from their government. 

This week, I was honored to host Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra. Our discussion on Tuesday emphasized the importance of Micron's investment in Clay, and its role in shaping Central New York's future.

We shared our personal experiences working within the technology industry, and valued each other's insights to strengthening America's semiconductor industry right here at home.

More housing, workforce development, and updated infrastructure is needed to successfully provide the groundwork needed for this investment's success.

We agreed, and I am confident that Micron has taken these issues to heart.

I look forward to more productive meetings and positive updates on this investment from Micron!

On Wednesday, I was joined by students from Syracuse University's Student Government Association at my office to hear from our future leaders on the challenges they want to tackle. I thanked them for making the trip down to D.C. to learn more about how our Federal Government works, and for their questions on how the first month has been as a Member of Congress. These exceptionally bright leaders are on track for bright futures!

Commemorating Catholic Schools Week:

On Monday, a representative of Congressman Williams was honored to join a ceremony in celebration of Catholic Schools Week at Utica's Notre Dame High School. I applaud Notre Dame High School, and all Catholic Schools, on their service in providing an outstanding education and upbringing to our future leaders!

Over $12,000 In Owed Unpaid Benefits Returned to Constituent:

A constituent's benefits from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) had been stopped by the Agency due to an error back in October which resulted in their account being deactivated. Upon communicating with OPM, our office was able to reactivate the account, and OPM agreed to send back pay the constitutent missed those months totaling over $12,000!

In a Bipartisan Vote, House Votes to End Vaccine Mandate on Healthcare Workers

On Wednesday, my House colleagues and I voted to eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.

Click on the image below to watch my statement!

Auburn Citizen: Rep. Brandon Williams meets with Micron CEO about CNY plans

The Auburn Citizen

By Robert Harding

Feb. 2, 2023

“Williams, R-Sennett, met with Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra at his Washington, D.C., office. Sarah Selip, a spokesperson for Williams, told The Citizen that it was "a productive meeting discussing the historic investment in our region." During the meeting, Mehrotra and Williams discussed housing, infrastructure, and workforce development.

Micron announced in October that it would invest $100 billion over 20 years to build a memory chip manufacturing facility in the town of Clay, Onondaga County. The project would represent the largest private investment in New York state history and create 9,000 jobs,”

Micron selected central New York as the site for the project two months after President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act. The legislation includes $52 billion to support domestic semiconductor chip manufacturing…”

Thank you for reading this week's newsletter! I am here to love and serve the people of Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. If my office can be of any assistance to you, please reach out to my Syracuse office at (315)-233-4333, my Utica office at (315)-732-0713, or my Washington, D.C. office at (202)-225-3701.