CONGRESS

Suozzi nominated by Democrats to run for old Congressional seat

BY Spectrum News Staff and Bobby Cuza New York City

Last year, Tom Suozzi gave up his seat in the House of Representatives to pursue an unsuccessful run for governor. Now, less than a year after he left office, he has officially reentered the political arena.

Following a meeting with Gov. Kathy Hochul earlier this week, in which the one-time political opponents “cleared the air” and discussed campaign strategy, New York Democrats have officially nominated Suozzi for the special election for his old seat, recently vacated by the scandal-ridden George Santos.

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House votes to censure Rep. Jamaal Bowman for pulling fire alarm

BY Spectrum News Staff , Kevin Frey and Associated Press Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 11:06 AM ET Dec. 07, 2023

The House on Thursday voted largely along party lines to censure Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman for triggering a fire alarm in one of the U.S. Capitol office buildings in September when the chamber was in session.

Three Democrats joined all present Republicans on the 214-191 vote to censure the prominent progressive. Five lawmakers -- four Democrats, one Republican -- voted "present."

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Tom Suozzi meets with Hochul amid bid for Santos' old House seat

BY Luke Parsnow and Bernadette Hogan New York State
UPDATED 8:20 PM ET Dec. 06, 2023

For the Democratic Party, the February 2024 special election to fill former Rep. George Santos’ seat on Long Island began with repairing old political wounds from the 2022 elections.

Former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who held the House seat for six years, wants his old job back. And he needs the backing of local Democrats and symbolic backing of higher ranking Democrats to do it.

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Special House election for Santos' old seat to take place Feb. 13

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City
UPDATED 8:30 PM ET Dec. 05, 2023

A special election to fill George Santos' seat in Congress will take place on Feb. 13, 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday.

The Democratic and Republican nominees for the special election will be chosen by local party leaders.

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The race to replace George Santos will be a sprint

BY Bobby Cuza New York City

Friday’s expulsion vote in the House of Representatives marked the end of George Santos’ time in Congress — and the start of a sprint to replace him.

“The clock has started ticking,” Gov. Kathy Hochul told NY1 in an interview Friday.

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Advocates call for housing access on World AIDS Day

BY Tim Williams and Casey Bortnick New York State

On this World AIDS Day, lawmakers and advocates joined together in Rochester to call for passage of legislation that would expand access to housing for people living with HIV/AIDS.

State Assembly Member Harry Bronson, a Rochester Democrat who sponsors the legislation, joined Capital Tonight to discuss the legislation and the need for affordable housing for this community.

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Blog: Lawmakers react to George Santos' expulsion from Congress

BY Spectrum News Staff Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 3:00 PM ET Dec. 01, 2023

New York Rep. George Santos was expelled Friday from the House of Representatives by a 311-114 vote. He is only the sixth House member to be removed in U.S. history.

Follow along as Spectrum News chronicles reaction from local and national lawmakers.

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Gov. Kathy Hochul weighs in on upcoming special election following Santos' ouster

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke with Spectrum News NY1 Friday about the House of Representatives' decision to expel George Santos, who was the U.S. representative for New York's third congressional district.

Hochul she is in communication with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York state Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs and Rep. Gregory Meeks, the Queens County Democratic Party chair who also represents New York’s fifth congressional district in the House.

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New York Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in bipartisan vote

BY Kevin Frey and Joseph Konig Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 12:27 PM ET Dec. 01, 2023

George Santos is no longer a U.S. congressman.

The scandal-plagued, federally indicted freshman representative from New York was expelled Friday from the House of Representatives by a 311-114 vote, including 105 Republicans, to become only the sixth House member to be removed in U.S. history.

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Santos attacks lawmakers, threatens revenge on eve of expulsion vote

BY Kevin Frey , Ryan Chatelain and Joseph Konig Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 6:32 PM ET Nov. 30, 2023

Friday is officially the day Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., will face another expulsion vote that he and many others in Congress believe will mark the end of his time in Congress prematurely.

Defiant to the end, Santos on Thursday attacked his fellow lawmakers at a press conference, to reporters in his office and on the House floor. While a handful of Republicans leapt to his defense, members of both parties widely responded with condemnations of their own and dozens of GOP members are expected to vote to oust their colleague.

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'Jewish Americans ... feel alone': Schumer urges Americans to reject antisemitism

BY Ryan Chatelain Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 1:12 PM ET Nov. 29, 2023

In a major address on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called on every person, community and institution to stand with Jewish Americans and denounce all forms on antisemitism.

Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history, said in a 40-minute speech on the Senate floor that antisemitic incidents in the United States were already on the rise before the start of the war between Israel and Hamas on Oct. 7 but have only worsened since.

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Michigan governor's sister ends bid for New York congressional seat, endorses former Rep. Mondaire Jones

BY Luke Parsnow Hudson Valley

Liz Whitmer Gereghty, the sister of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, is suspending her campaign for New York's 17th Congressional District seat and will endorse former Rep. Mondaire Jones for the Democratic nomination for that seat, her campaign announed Wednesday.

"When we started this journey, we had one goal: to ensure the Hudson Valley was no longer represented by an anti-choice, shape-shifting extremist out of step with our values," she said in a statement. "That remains the most important goal. However, as of today, I will suspend my campaign for this seat."

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Speaker Mike Johnson to fundraise for N.Y. Republicans key to maintaining majority

BY Joseph Konig New York State

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is headed to New York this weekend to fundraise alongside the CEO of the world’s largest private equity firm for battleground congressional Republicans whose reelection will be key to preserving his majority.

Johnson, an unexpected unity candidate chosen by House Republicans after three weeks of leaderless chaos last month, is working quickly to show he can be an effective fundraiser. His immediate predecessor, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, was prolific at filling his members’ coffers with donors’ cash — freshman Long Island Rep. Nick LaLota, whose district is closely divided, called McCarthy a “hall of famer” earlier this month.

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Rep. Brian Higgins to become new Shea's Performing Arts Center president, CEO

BY Ryan Whalen and Brian Campbell City of Buffalo
UPDATED 8:00 PM ET Nov. 27, 2023

After announcing plans to resign his congressional seat earlier this month, Democratic U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins announced that he will be the new president and CEO at Shea's Performing Arts Center in downtown Buffalo. Higgins will assume the new role beginning Feb. 5, 2024.

The Buffalo native has been in Congress since 2005. Higgins, who serves on the House Ways and Means and Budget committees, began his 10th term in January.

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House ethics chair files expulsion measure against Santos after damning report

BY Justin Tasolides Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 5:15 PM ET Nov. 17, 2023

Mississippi Rep. Michael Guest, the Chairman of the House Ethics Committee, filed a motion Friday to expel Rep. George Santos from Congress one day after his panel released a scathing report which found “substantial evidence” of wrongdoing by the embattled New York Republican.

"The evidence uncovered in the Ethics Committee’s Investigative Subcommittee investigation is more than sufficient to warrant punishment and the most appropriate punishment, is expulsion,” Guest said in a statement Friday. “So, separate from the Committee process and my role as Chairman, I have filed an expulsion resolution.”

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Malliotakis calls for Santos' expulsion after damning House Ethics report

BY Spectrum News NY1 New York City

Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis on Friday called for the expulsion of fellow Republican Rep. George Santos, a day after the House Ethics Committee released a report that found “substantial evidence” of misconduct by the embattled congressman.

Appearing on "Mornings On 1," Malliotakis expressed concern over the findings, saying the report showed “really egregious uses of campaign donors’ money.”

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New group seeks to turn New York congressional seats blue in 2024

BY Tim Williams and Casey Bortnick New York State

The four House of Representatives seats that Republicans picked up in New York in 2022 helped them create their slim majority of five to control the chamber.

In an effort to swing the House back into the Democratic column, a new group, Battleground NY, has formed to turn swing districts held by Republicans blue.

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Santos says he won't seek reelection after House Ethics report finds 'substantial evidence' of misconduct

BY Justin Tasolides Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 1:37 PM ET Nov. 16, 2023

The House Ethics Committee released its long-awaited report on its investigation into New York Republican Rep. George Santos on Thursday.

The panel found that there is "substantial evidence" of wrongdoing from the freshman congressman, which will almost certainly result in another attempt to expel him from the House of Representatives.

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New York Court of Appeals hears arguments on redrawing House map

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The seven-judge panel that makes up the New York state Court of Appeals heard arguments Wednesday about whether to allow the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) another chance to draw new congressional lines.

An independent special master drew the lines with judicial oversight prior to the 2022 elections after the state's highest court concluded the IRC had failed to fulfill its constitutional duty. It also ruled there was evidence the map the state Legislature ultimately drew was gerrymandered.

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Malliotakis calls her vote to avert government shutdown 'responsible'

BY Spectrum News NY1 New York City

Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican, said joining a bipartisan vote to avert a government shutdown was "the responsible thing to do."

“We need to keep the government open particularly at this critical time, where we are seeing our major ally at war. We are seeing threats grow here at home,” she said Wednesday in an interview on "Mornings On 1." “It's also right before the holidays. I mean, to tell our federal employees and military personnel they won't receive paychecks – I don't think there's a big appetite for that.”

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Inside state Sen. Tim Kennedy's campaign for NY-26 and other potential candidates

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- New York state Sen. Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, said his focus for the coming year is entirely on a run for Congress.

Kennedy officially launched his campaign and filed with the Federal Elections Commission Tuesday for New York's 26th Congressional District. As incumbent Rep. Brian Higgins plans to step down in February, Kennedy said he's already asked party leadership not only for their endorsement in a primary but the Democratic designation for an expected special election.

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Ex-fundraiser for George Santos pleads guilty to posing as congressional aide to raise campaign cash

BY Associated Press New York City
UPDATED 4:27 PM ET Nov. 14, 2023

A former fundraiser for U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal wire fraud charge, admitting he impersonated a high-ranking congressional aide while raising campaign cash for the embattled New York Republican.

Sam Miele was caught soliciting donations in late 2021 under the alias Dan Meyer, who was then chief of staff for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, when the former House speaker was the Republican minority leader, according to Santos. Federal authorities still have not confirmed that Meyer was the aide who Miele impersonated.

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State Sen. Tim Kennedy announces run for NY-26 House seat

BY Brian Campbell New York State

New York state Sen. Tim Kennedy has officially declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for New York's 26th Congressional District. He would replace Rep. Brian Higgins, who recently announced plans to retire in February 2024.

"When I grew up, much of my generation, including my own family, were forced to leave Buffalo and Western New York because opportunity didn't exist here. Brian Higgins' leadership changed that - he boldly put our community back on the map and opened doors that had been closed for decades," Sen. Kennedy said in a statement. "We've come a long way, but we're far from done. I'm running for Congress because I want my children, and all of our children, to have the opportunity to stay here and build a future for themselves and their families. I'll fight every day in Washington for our shared values and against the extremist Republican agenda that seeks to take away our rights. I will always fight to protect a woman's right to choose and work to strengthen our nation's gun laws to combat senseless gun violence like we've seen right here in our community."

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Who will fill the soon-to-be vacant NY-26 House seat?

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Candidates are starting to consider an often rare opportunity to become the next member of the U.S. House of Representatives in New York's 26th Congressional District.

Democratic incumbent Rep. Brian Higgins announced over the weekend he plans to resign the post in early February.

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U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins announces he will resign his congressional seat

BY Tim Williams , Halena Sepulveda and Spectrum News Staff Buffalo
UPDATED 4:14 PM ET Nov. 12, 2023

During a news conference Sunday morning, Democratic U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins announced that he is resigning his congressional seat. The Buffalo native has been in Congress since 2005.

Multiple sources tell Capital Tonight that Higgins has signed a contract to take a new position with Buffalo's Shea's Performing Arts Center.

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Former lieutenant governor candidate Alison Esposito looks to take on Rep. Pat Ryan in Hudson Valley congressional contest

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

It’s the only congressional swing district in New York where Democrats are on the defensive heading into 2024: the 18th District, which straddles the central Hudson Valley.

Democrat Pat Ryan is looking to turn back a challenge from Alison Esposito, who is seeking the GOP nomination here after unsuccessfully running for New York lieutenant governor last year.

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House rejects measure to expel George Santos from Congress

BY Justin Tasolides and Joseph Konig Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 7:48 AM ET Nov. 02, 2023

The House of Representatives on Wednesday evening overwhelmingly rejected a measure to expel embattled Republican Rep. George Santos from Congress, whose months of controversies have culminated in 23 felony charges and antipathy from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, particularly in his home state.

The measure needed the support of two-thirds of the chamber. It fell far short, 179-213 with 19 absentions.

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Rep. George Santos pleads not guilty to new charges

BY Justin Tasolides New York State
UPDATED 12:01 PM ET Oct. 27, 2023

New York Republican Rep. George Santos appeared in a Long Island courtroom on Friday to enter a not guilty plea to a slew of new felony charges, including conspiracy, false statements, aggravated identity theft and credit card fraud.

Prosecutors accused Santos of charging tens of thousands of dollars to his donors' credit cards without their knowledge, stealing his family members’ identities and inflating his campaign finance reports to federal election authorities by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Rep. Bowman pleads guilty to misdemeanor for pulling fire alarm in House office building

BY Kevin Frey New York City
UPDATED 8:10 PM ET Oct. 26, 2023

Rep. Jamaal Bowman pleaded guilty Thursday to one misdemeanor count tied to pulling a fire alarm in a congressional office building, despite there not being an emergency.

The New York Democrat appeared in a D.C. courtroom Thursday morning. Under his agreement with prosecutors, the charge could be dismissed if Bowman stays out of trouble for the next three months, writes a letter of apology to the U.S. Capitol Police, and pays a $1,000 fine.

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N.Y. Republicans formally introduce measure to oust Santos

BY Justin Tasolides Washington, D.C.

A group of freshman New York Republican congressmen have introduced their long-awaited measure to expel embattled GOP Rep. George Santos from the House of Representatives.

New York Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who represents a district encompassing central and southern Nassau County that borders Santos’ jurisdiction, took to the House floor on Thursday to offer the expulsion measure — a rare occurrence of lawmakers attempting to boot a member of their own party from Congress.

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Rep. Bowman to plead guilty in Capitol fire alarm pulling

BY Spectrum News Staff and Associated Press Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 6:15 PM ET Oct. 25, 2023

Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman was charged Wednesday with a misdemeanor for triggering a fire alarm as lawmakers scrambled to pass a funding bill before a government shutdown deadline in September.

He is expected to plead guilty, formally apologize and pay a $1,000 fine; the charges will be withdrawn after a three month probation period if he abides by the conditions.

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All New York House Republicans unite to support Mike Johnson for House speaker

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

For the first time since Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s ousting, all New York Republicans united in supporting Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives, who finally garnered enough support to win the gavel Wednesday, ending 22 days of legislative paralysis in the lower chamber.

U.S. Reps. Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino, Anthony D’Esposito and Mike Lawler, who all voted against Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan during his three bids for the gavel, got behind Johnson in what was the fourth floor vote to replace McCarthy. Rep. Marc Molinaro, who had supported Jordan in his first two votes but dropped it in his third, also backed Johnson.

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Molinaro joins 4 other New York Republicans in voting against Jim Jordan for House speaker

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

Republican U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro joined four other Republicans in New York’s congressional delegation in voting against Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives during his third ballot for the gavel on Friday.

Molinaro, who represents New York's 19th Congressional District, had voted for Jordan on the first two ballots, but told reporters prior to the Friday vote it was not his intention to vote for Jordan again. He cast a ballot for former Rep. Lee Zeldin on the most recent ballot. Zeldin served in a Long Island congressional seat for eight years before running unsuccessfully for governor in 2022.

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GOP lawmakers who voted against Jordan say they’ve received threats

BY Justin Tasolides Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 1:32 PM ET Oct. 19, 2023

As the House of Representatives enters its 16th day without a speaker, it’s unclear if Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan will make a third go of it on Thursday after two unsuccessful attempts at the gavel this week.

But some GOP lawmakers say that they’ve received threats and menacing calls and messages to their offices for not supporting the Ohio Republican.

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Rep. Pat Ryan discusses future of the House

BY Spectrum News Staff New York City

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan lost, for the second time, another vote for speaker of the House Wednesday.

Eyes are now on some New York Republicans, who represent more moderate districts and have refused to back Jordan, such as Reps. Nick LaLota, Anthony D’Esposito and Mike Lawler.

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Gaetz apologizes for fundraising email attacking House Republicans over Jordan vote

BY Ryan Chatelain Washington, D.C.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has apologized about a fundraising email his campaign sent attacking House Republicans who oppose Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid for speaker.

The apology came after Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., posted a screen capture of the email on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. The email read: “We are inches from electing Speaker Jim Jordan. But RINO’s [Republicans in name only] are working with RADICAL DEMOCRATS like AOC, ILHAN OMAR and RASHIDA TLAIB to BLOCK JIM JORDAN from becoming SPEAKER!!”

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4 New York Republicans vote against Jim Jordan in second ballot for House speaker

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

Four Republicans in New York’s congressional delegation were once again among the 20-plus GOP members to vote against Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives during a second ballot Wednesday.

Jordan’s second attempt to win the gavel ended with 199 votes, well short of the 217 needed. Twenty-two Republicans voted for someone other than the Ohio congressman.

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Meeks on Israel-Hamas war: 'Both sides want peace'

BY Spectrum News NY1 New York City

Queens Congressman Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Relations, during an interview Wednesday on the Israel-Hamas war, said "both sides want peace."

"I visited Israel and visited Palestine. People on both sides want peace," he said, but stressed that Hamas is a terrorist organization that is harming both Israeli and Palestinian people. "When one says Israel does not have the right to exist, we know what that means - that means that they don't want peace. They want to wipe it out. And that can happen."

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Rep. George Santos' former campaign treasurer pleads guilty to a conspiracy charge

BY Associated Press and Joseph Konig Long Island
UPDATED 4:43 PM ET Oct. 05, 2023

The ex-campaign treasurer for Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government and implicated the indicted New York Republican in court with submitting bogus campaign finance reports.

Nancy Marks, who was a close aide to Santos during his two congressional bids, entered the plea at a federal courthouse on Long Island, where she was a longtime political operative and bookkeeper for multiple candidates.

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Democrats to meet next week to nominate Hakeem Jeffries for speaker

BY Justin Tasolides and Cassie Semyon Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 1:58 PM ET Oct. 05, 2023

House Democrats will meet next week to tap House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as their pick to replace Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House, a Democratic aide confirmed to Spectrum News.

The conference is set to meet on Tuesday to cement the New York Democratic leader as their pick to lead the House after this week's vote to oust McCarthy.

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The Farm Bill expired: What that means for New York farmers

BY Emily Kenny, Report for America corps member CNY

Even after Congress passed a short-term funding bill to keep the government open, agriculture experts are warning that politicians need to work quickly on passing a new Farm Bill before adverse effects hit farmers and consumers.

Some key programs included in the 2018 Farm Bill technically expired on Saturday, but remain funded through the end of the year, said Christopher Wolf, an agricultural economics professor at Cornell University.

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Nadler backs McCarthy ouster: He's 'proven himself untrustworthy'

BY Maya Rajamani Manhattan

New York Rep. Jerry Nadler on Tuesday said he and his fellow Democrats would vote to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy from his speakership, calling the California congressman “untrustworthy” and “a liar.”

Speaking with NY1’s Anthony Pascale Tuesday afternoon, Nadler, whose district includes Manhattan’s Upper West Side and Upper East Side, said he was “not going to vote for someone who’s proven himself untrustworthy and a liar many times over.”

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Rep. Marc Molinaro discusses temporary budget deal, McCarthy and Trump

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

Many Republicans worked with Democrats in the House of Representatives over the weekend to pass a temporary spending bill, averting a government shutdown.

U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro was one of those members, although he told Capital Tonight that he would characterize the deal as Democrats joining with Republicans to pass a bill, not the other way around.

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Shutdown looming, federal workers brace for missed paychecks, uncertainty

BY Vince Briga Washington, D.C.

For the first time since 2018, the federal government is heading toward a possible shutdown, leading to uncertainties and worry for its workforce. An estimated 2.1 million federal workers could see delayed paychecks, while roughly four million may not get paid at all.

There's still time to avoid any disruptions, but with a deadline of 12:01 a.m. Sunday, pessimism is growing.

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FEMA denies Individual Assistance for Orange County flooding victims

BY Luke Parsnow Orange County

The Federal Emergency Management Administration has denied providing Individual Assistance for flooding victims in Orange County.

“During the period of July 20 to August 2, 2023, joint federal, state, local, Preliminary Damage Assessments were conducted in the counties of Ontario and Orange. Based on our review of all of the information available, it has been determined that the impact to the individuals and households from this event was not of such severity and magnitude to warrant the designation of Individual Assistance,” a FEMA official explained to Gov. Kathy Hochul in a letter dated from Tuesday.

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Dan Goldman prepares for another impeachment fight, this time as a congressman

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

When the first hearing of the House impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden kicks off Thursday, a familiar face will be front and center. But this time, he will be a congressman in his own right.

Just four years ago, Rep. Dan Goldman was the lead impeachment lawyer for House Democrats, as they pursued President Donald Trump for the first time over allegations he leaned on Ukraine to dig up dirt on Biden, who was a presidential candidate at the time.

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Hochul implores Congress to avoid government shutdown

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called on congressional Republicans to avoid a government shutdown, which looms after Sept. 30 if Congress fails to pass legislation that continues to fund the government past that deadline.

While addressing the state’s migrant influx on Monday, the governor also mentioned the impacts a government shutdown would have on New York.

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Senate confirms three top military leaders, flouting Tuberville’s blockade

BY Justin Tasolides Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 2:44 PM ET Sep. 21, 2023

The Senate voted to confirm three top military leaders in the last two days, its first significant action to bypass Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s monthslong blockade on military promotions.

On Wednesday, the Senate voted 83-11 to confirm Gen. Charles “C.Q." Brown Jr. as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff hours after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., moved to advance military nominees who have been impacted by Tuberville's hold.

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Rep. Higgins helps introduce violent misdemeanor hate crime gun bill

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins and several other Democratic members of Congress are introducing a bill aimed to prevent individuals convicted of violent misdemeanor hate crimes from purchasing or possessing firearms.

Higgins' office said Monday that the Disarm Hate Act addresses a gap in current federal law. Those who have been convicted of a misdemeanor-level hate crime or received an enhanced sentence for a misdemeanor crime after a judicial finding that they acted with hate or bias motivation would be prohibited from buying or having guns.

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Republicans in New York congressional battleground districts back impeachment inquiry

BY Kevin Frey New York State
UPDATED 11:05 AM ET Sep. 14, 2023

As House Republican leaders on Capitol Hill forge ahead on an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, New York’s frontline Republicans — who represent congressional districts Biden won in 2020 — are largely lining up in support of the investigatory step.

“I want to see facts. I don't want to come to any conclusions,” Rep. Nick LaLota told reporters Tuesday.

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Rep. Velázquez: Time to chart a 'new path forward' in U.S.-Latin America relations

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

Fresh off a visit to three Latin American capitals, New York Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez says it is time for the U.S. to chart a “new path forward” with its neighbors to the south.

“It is in our own interest to try to engage Latin America in a way that is respectful, in a way that recognizes that we have mutual interests,” she said.

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Gillibrand discusses ideas to address migrants and immigration reform

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said hundreds of thousands of migrants showing up at the U.S. border is both dangerous and unmanageable.

"We need to have commonsense bipartisan solutions to fix the problem because there is a place for legal immigration and there is a place for us to take care of people seeking asylum and refuge," she said.

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Rep. Pat Ryan invites Speaker McCarthy to tour Hudson Valley flood damage

BY Luke Parsnow Hudson Valley

U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan invited House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to tour damage caused by last month's flood in parts of the Hudson Valley and repeated demands that McCarthy include individual assistance for impacted families in the upcoming FEMA supplemental funding bill, the congressman announced Tuesday.

McCarthy, a Republican, will be in Sullivan County on Wednesday and Ryan, a Democrat, said he has offered to personally drive the speaker to Highland Falls, one of the most impacted areas from July's storm.

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New challenger enters primary against Rep. George Santos

BY Kevin Frey New York City

Embattled Rep. George Santos of New York will have one more Republican challenger trying to block his bid for reelection.

With a sizable primary field already lined up to run in the Queens and Nassau County district, lawyer Greg Hach became the latest to throw his hat into the ring.

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Democrats line up in Syracuse-area primary for Congress, aiming to unseat Rep. Brandon Williams

BY Kevin Frey Central NY

New York’s Syracuse region is home to a congressional district that has long tantalized Democrats, but their efforts to win it have — in recent cycles — ended in failure.

President Joe Biden carried what is now New York’s 22nd Congressional District by nearly 8 points in 2020. Two years later, Republican Brandon Williams, a Navy veteran and political newbie, won the seat by a few thousand votes.

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Ex-Trump lawyer Cohen says he's considering run for Congress

BY Ryan Chatelain New York City

Michael Cohen, the onetime attorney to Donald Trump who is now one of the former president’s most vocal critics, says he’s mulling a congressional bid.

Cohen, who served time in prison for concealing hush-money payments made to two women who allegedly had affairs with Trump, confirmed Friday to Spectrum News NY1 that he’s considering running for a House seat in New York. The news website Semafor was the first to report on Cohen’s thinking.

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Hochul resumes calls for freight rail safety changes after Capital Region derailment

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday continued to urge Congress and federal regulatores to take additional steps to prevent freight rail disasters following last week's derailment in Montgomery County.

Hochul first outlined the measures in February following the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that impacted the health and safety of nearby residents there.

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Rep. Pat Ryan, senators want FEMA to include Individual Assistance for Orange County flood victims

BY Luke Parsnow Orange County

U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan, as well as U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, are calling on the Federal Emergency Management Administration to support New York's request for Individual Assistance for Orange County residents impacted by flooding that devastated parts of the Hudson Valley last month.

The lawmakers said Individual Assistance would provide direct financial relief to Orange County residents, including funds to support the repair or replacement of destroyed homes and businesses.

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Higgins, Meng reintroduce body armor ban bill in Congress

BY Ryan Whalen New York State

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Police say retired officer Aaron Salter likely saved lives on May 14, 2022 when he engaged with the mass shooter at a Buffalo Tops supermarket.

"It is often said that the best way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun and Aaron Salter Jr. was a good guy with a gun," U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins, D-NY-26. said.

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Rep. Langworthy pushes for strong border protections

BY Spectrum News Staff New York State

Congressman Nick Langworthy is continuing his push for stronger protections at the Canadian border.

After a meeting at the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol sector headquarters in Buffalo, Langworthy highlighted some of the issues he’s seen.

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In a win for Democrats, appellate court orders redrawing of New York district lines

BY Nick Reisman New York State
UPDATED 11:48 AM ET Jul. 13, 2023

A state appellate court Thursday ruled New York's redistricting commission should draw new congressional lines, a victory for Democrats and one Republicans in the state signaled they will work to appeal to the highest court in the state.

The split decision by a five-judge panel at the Appellate Division was 3-2 in favor of redrawing the new lines.

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Stefanik: Improve pension benefits access for veterans

BY Nick Reisman Albany/Capital Region

Access to pension benefits administered by the Veterans Administration could be improved under legislation proposed Wednesday by Rep. Elise Stefanik.

The measure is meant to strengthen the issuing process for benefits when they are impacted by the death of a beneficiary and ensure veterans receive their accrued pension benefit in the event of a month of death-claim or if payment has been issued during the month of a death.

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Rep. Molinaro calls for help for farm families with disabilities

BY Nick Reisman Albany/Capital Region

Republican U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro this week introduced a measure meant to provide support for farm families with members living with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.

The proposal, which has Democratic support, is aimed at expanding an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture program that provides federal funding for technology that provides assistance to farm families with disaibilities.

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GOP poised to make migrant surge issue in competitive N.Y. congressional races

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

The migrant surge in New York is poised to become an issue in next year’s election, especially in the competitive congressional districts surrounding New York City that could decide control of the U.S. House.

In recent weeks, Republicans representing those regions have taken aim legislatively and rhetorically at the migrant situation.

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Gillibrand tackles age discrimination in the workplace

BY Susan Arbetter Albany/Capital Region

If you think you’ve been fired for being too old, depending on where you work, you may not be able to take your employer to court.

Many companies require employees to submit disputes to binding arbitration as a condition of their employment. That means you may have already waived your right to sue.

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Trump indictment: Lawmakers in New York's competitive congressional districts react

BY Kevin Frey Hudson Valley
UPDATED 9:54 PM ET Jun. 13, 2023

The federal indictment of former President Donald Trump is poised to be a defining issue up and down the ballot ahead of the 2024 election, especially if Trump is again the GOP nominee.

In light of the indictment, Republicans in competitive districts on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley – districts that could determine which party controls the U.S. House in the next election – are raising concerns about what they label a two-tiered justice system.

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Expert discusses arguments in new New York redistricting case

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

Thanks, in part, to a Democratic failure on redistricting, New York state helped to flip the U.S. House of Representatives to a Republican majority. But Democrats in New York (and nationally) are looking to the courts to give them another shot at drawing district lines in the hopes of flipping the House back to blue in 2024.

A case heard on Thursday by the state Court Appellate Division in Albany could give Democrats that chance.

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Stefanik: FBI agrees to brief family members of limo crash victims

BY Nick Reisman Albany/Capital Region

The Federal Bureau of Investigation agreed to brief family members of those killed in a 2018 stretch limousine crash on the links the agency had to a man who had previously run a limo rental business, Rep. Elise Stefanik on Tuesday announced

The briefing for the family members comes after questions arose over the agency's ties to Shahed Hussain, who had run a limo rental business and was later revealed to be an undercover informant for the bureau.

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Republican Rep. Mike Lawler talks debt ceiling fight

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

Congressional Republicans and President Biden are in a high-stakes showdown over raising the debt ceiling.

In a letter to Congress, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said “it is highly likely” the government will be unable to pay all the nation’s bills after June 1, one week away.

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Rep. Molinaro: Make Medicare coverage for telehealth permanent

BY Nick Reisman Albany/Capital Region

Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro on Friday called for a permanent extension of Medicaid coverage for telehealth services, backing a bipartisan measure in Congress.

Telehealth had become a popular option during the COVID-19 pandemic for people who still have medical appointments, but were unable to do so in person.

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More candidates enter crowded field to take down Rep. George Santos

BY Kevin Frey New York City

The field of candidates looking to take down scandal-plagued Rep. George Santos in New York’s 3rd Congressional District continues to grow.

On Monday morning, Zak Malamed became the latest to throw his hat into the ring. The 29-year-old Democrat is a native of the district, which includes parts of Queens and Nassau Counties.

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Analysis: Biden’s missed opportunity visiting Hudson Valley suburbs

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

President Joe Biden missed an opportunity to begin messaging about the migrant crisis.

He spent part of the day Wednesday in the suburbs of the Hudson Valley, arguably the most important congressional battleground of 2024. He spoke in Valhalla, at Westchester County Community College, about the possible ramifications of the U.S. defaulting on its debt. No doubt a critical issue, but nowhere as immediate, as visible, or as dramatic as the sight of hundreds of migrants being bussed to two suburban towns that don’t want them.

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Hudson Valley lawmaker assails Adams' plan to relocate migrants

BY Erica Brosnan New York City

Rockland County Rep. Mike Lawler on Monday said New York City Mayor Eric Adams cannot "dump" migrants in the Hudson Valley region and called the mayor's actions hypocritical.

"New York City chose to be a sanctuary city and so you've had a lot of governors and mayors and small town elected officials shipping migrants up to New York City. And now the city - who has taken in about 60,000 migrants - is at capacity and so, they're deciding to do the very thing that they were decrying just a few months ago," Lawler, a Republican, said during an interview with anchor Pat Kiernan on "Mornings on 1."

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Common Cause New York calls redrawing congressional maps before 2024 'politically inappropriate'

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

The New York state Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday is expected to take up the nomination of Rowan Wilson for chief judge of the Court of the Appeals. That is the court where New York’s attempts at redistricting last year came to a memorable halt when it mandated new boundaries be drawn with the help of a “special master."

Many people believe that ruling led to Republicans in New York state flipping three Democratic seats in Congress in 2022 and winning a fourth open seat.

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Rep. Langworthy assesses needs of Erie County Sheriff's Office

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy said he's made an effort since taking office to show solidarity with law enforcement and is prioritizing securing resources.

On Thursday, he toured facilities and spoke with the Erie County Sheriff's Office about its needs.

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Stefanik taking public input on federal farm bill

BY Nick Reisman Albany/Capital Region

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik's office is taking public input from farmers and those in the agriculture industry as Congress once again writes a Farm Bill to boost the sector of the economy.

Stefani's office announced Thursday it is opening an online portal and survey for farmers to register their opinions on the issue.

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Stefanik raises $3M to start year, plans re-election bid

BY Nick Reisman Albany

Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik announced Tuesday she would seek re-election to her sprawling North Country congressional district after raising $3 million during the first fundraising quarter of the year.

Stefanik is the No. 3 Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as the conference chair.

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After court rulings, Rep. Ryan introduces bill aimed at protecting abortion drug access

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

Just days after a court ruling left the future of a widely-used abortion pill uncertain, a New York lawmaker is looking to protect access to it.

On Monday, Rep. Pat Ryan formally re-introduced legislation to both reaffirm the FDA’s authority to regulate abortion medication like mifepristone and ensure patients across the country have the ability to get a prescription for it through telehealth.

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New York AG, Hochul challenge congressional district maps

BY Kate Lisa New York State

New York Attorney General Letitia James and Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday filed an amicus brief alleging the current congressional map drawn by a court-appointed special master last year must not remain in effect until 2030, or the remainder of the next decade until the next federal census.

Special Master Jonathan Cervas was appointed to redraw the lines ahead of the 2022 election after the Legislature rejected the lines crafted by the state Independent Redistricting Commission and after the state Court of Appeals rejected the lines drawn by the Legislature.

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Stefanik receives briefing on Schoharie limo crash and FBI

BY Nick Reisman Albany

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik on Wednesday said she was briefed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's relationship with a man linked to the 2018 stretch limousine crash that killed 20 people in Schoharie.

The briefing came weeks after FBI Director Chris Wray told Stefanik the bureau had completed its internal review of interactions with Shahed Hussain, who had run a limo rental business and was later revealed to be an undercover informant for the bureau.

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Rep. Langworthy says potential Trump indictment would be 'absurd'

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- House Republicans are prioritizing the passage of their energy plan this week — the first bill introduced this Congress.

U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy said it's an all-of-the above proposal that, while focusing on increasing domestic fossil fuel production and rolling back Biden administration policies, also has room for renewable sources.

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Rep. Pat Ryan on the fight for rail safety, reproductive rights

BY David Lazar Hudson Valley

It has been under 100 days since the new session of Congress began. But already, both sides of the aisle in New York are looking ahead to 2024.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has released a list of 37 districts across the country they believe can be flipped red.

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FBI completes internal review of Schoharie limo crash; Rep. Stefanik wants briefing

BY Luke Parsnow and Kevin Frey Albany/Capital Region

The FBI has completed an internal review of the agency’s involvement with the man linked to the 2018 Schoharie limo crash that killed 20 people, bureau chief Christopher Wray told members of Congress on Thursday.

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik has pressed for answers on this topic, especially since the 2022 redistricting process put Schoharie County into her district, and even threatened a subpoena of the FBI.

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