October 31, 2021

September and October Recap Newsletter

Read newsletter as a PDF here.
September and October Recap

Dear neighbor, 

I hope this message finds you in good spirits, safe and healthy. As we enter the final two months of 2021, I’d like to provide you with an update on all things NY-16. 

Last month, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, joined us in the district at the newly opened Northeast Bronx YMCA to discuss the Build Back Better Act. People across our district and the country have been fighting for many social improvements including universal child care, affordable housing and an expanded Child Tax Credit. I support the Build Back Better framework in addition to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework which would guarantee even more investments into the people. Regardless of how Congress votes in the House and Senate, I’m committed to bringing more resources to our district and look forward to sharing what those resources are.

District Update

Hurricane Ida ripped through our district wreaking havoc on our homes, businesses, and property. In response, I joined Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and other local elected officials in calling on President Biden to provide an Emergency Disaster Declaration, followed by a Major Disaster Declaration. This allowed FEMA to step in and begin providing aid to people and local governments affected by the Hurricane. Since then, my office has helped neighbors learn about how to apply for FEMA assistance, track the status of their applications, and appeal a denial if need be. I also joined Senators Schumer and Gillibrand in working to get more funding for the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Flood Risk Management Project, which you can read about more here. 

Check out what’s been going on below! 

Community members joined me for a conversation in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

New Rochelle opened the first Kosher pantry in Westchester County.

Families expressed why the expanded, fully refundable Child Tax Credit needs to be permanent.

Legislative Update 

In Congress, we are hard at work to secure a deal on infrastructure that addresses our traditional infrastructure needs, as well as the human or care-based infrastructure we know makes everything else possible: affordable, universal child care, the expanded Child Tax Credit, and more. We also need to invest in infrastructure that prepares and protects our communities from the effects of a climate crisis. As we heal and repair from the damage caused by Ida, we also recognize that severe storms are happening more and more frequently, so our infrastructure should aim to mitigate that harm and prevent future disasters. It’s important and urgent that we make the biggest, most meaningful investment on all these fronts and I am committed to delivering an infrastructure package that supports building back better for everyone in our district - including those who are incarcerated. 

 Here in New York, the inhumane conditions at Rikers Island reached a boiling point. I wrote to the U.S. Justice Department requesting an immediate improvement in conditions for the loved ones incarcerated at Rikers Island. The DOJ has committed to investigate the matter further and I will continue to make sure people are treated with dignity and care, both at home and abroad. 

I introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act for Congress to vote for the first time in years on our unauthorized military presence in Syria. I take the solemn responsibility Congress has to decide on when we go to war seriously. I think about the young people from our district who are deployed. My amendment  reaffirms the war powers granted to Congress by the U.S. Constitution.  My amendment was supported by a majority of Democrats and 21 Republicans in the House -  signaling an important change in defense policy. To read more about each vote that occurred and for a record on how I voted please visit bit.ly/NY16votes. 

In lighter news I introduced the Hip Hop Resolution along Senator Chuck Schumer to recognize the impact of hip hop on both American culture and the globe. 

Constituent Services

This year our office has handled 1,874 cases and closed 371 in September and October. Within the past month our office has also received 815 calls which our office is processing for additional casework and recording to measure what our neighbors' concerns are. If you need help with a federal agency please fill out a form at bit.ly/NY16helps or email Bowman.Casework@mail.house.gov. Please also find more information below for in-person services. 

Our office will also have Mobile Constituent Services in Riverdale at the Riverdale Library on Wednesdays from 12-5:30 p.m., in addition to regular constituent services which are available Tuesday through Friday at our Mount Vernon and Bronx offices. Feel free to stop by and have our team assist with any casework needs you have. 

Constituent Case Highlights 

  • A single mom of 2 and cancer survivor contacted our office after losing her SNAP benefits card and had a new one within 24 hours.  

  • A worried father reached out to our office to help expedite his daughters’ passport applications and was able to get them approved in 7 hours. 

  • A small business owner was waiting patiently for his SBA loan to process and funds were released immediately after contacting our office. 

Resources 

  • Reporting Fraud Cases

    • If constituents calls seeking assistance in reporting scam calls please provide them the below FTC contact information: https://www.donotcall.gov/ 

  • Grants

    • Check out grant opportunities at https://bowman.house.gov/grant-applicants

Do not hesitate to reach out to one of my offices for any questions and/or concerns.