• Special September 11th Message
• New York 19 Visits Washington
• Legislative Corner
• Reminder: Otsego County Veterans Fair

"I heard of the attacks while driving to my office in Albany, at the state Capitol where I was the Minority Leader of the state Assembly.

"First news was a radio bulletin; then a call from a worried staffer whose son worked in the Trade Center. Fortunately, he was late to work that day and wasn’t present during the attack.

"I, along with millions of others, watched helplessly and in a state of disbelief as we watched the towers fall in quick succession. Then, news of the attack on the Pentagon and the crash of an airliner in Pennsylvania allowed us to finally grasp the enormity of the attack.

"A few days later, I toured the still-smoldering site with other state and local officials. That’s an image I won’t soon forget. The shock and enormity of both the loss of human life and the destruction of property still astounds and angers me. More than that, it motivates me as I carry out my new role here in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"We should always remember the innocent lives lost on that fateful day and be united in our determination to stand together as Americans against acts of terror. Moreover, we must always remain vigilant to the threats which we still face internationally and here at home."

On Monday morning I had the honor of delivering remarks to pay tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks at the Patriots' Day Memorial Service in Poughkeepsie.

As we take this week to somberly remember those who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001, it is equally important that we remember the first responders who bravely ran towards the tragedies 16 years ago. Still today, these first responders heroically risk life and limb to run towards tragedies.  As Americans, we owe our first responders a great debt.

This is why I am proud that this week the House passed the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act which makes important first steps in life-saving cancer research and future medical advancements for firefighters who have disproportionately higher cancer risks.

View Congressman Faso's floor remarks on the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act here or by clicking the image above.

For the full text of the bill click here.

“Mata, roba, viola, controla” or “Kill, steal, rape, control” is the motto for the well-known gang, MS-13. If you are here illegally and choose to join a gang, such as MS-13, that poses an imminent threat to our families and communities, you will be prosecuted. For this reason, I supported the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act which ensures that illegal criminal gang members are ineligible for asylum, protected status, and includes provisions to detain and remove dangerous individuals.

I have a great sympathy for those who come to our country to make a better life for their family and contribute to our society, but when one choses to join a dangerous criminal gang, I have zero-tolerance. 

For the full text of the bill click here.

House Passes Key Appropriations Legislation

For the first time in eight years the House of Representatives passed all twelve appropriations bills before the October 1st deadline. The American people have grown tired of the culture of kicking the can down the road, and the lack of respect for their hard-earned tax dollars. I am optimistic that this is a positive step toward reform and fiscal responsibility, and hopeful that this will lead to much-needed progress on the critical issues facing our country. This bill funds the federal government for fiscal year 2018, and makes the critical investments to advance our nation’s infrastructure and military, and it supports programs essential to fighting the scourge of heroin addiction and beating back Lyme Disease.

For more information on the bill click here.