Issues

It is an honor to represent the people of Queens and the Bronx in the House of Representatives, and I am pleased to tell you about my work on some of the many issues that come before me in Congress.

From my seats on the Ways and Means Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am committed to ensuring that our country is safe and secure from outside threats, to creating a sound American economy, and to making health care affordable and available for all Americans.

I encourage you to explore these pages and learn more about my work on the issues. Also, if you have any question about my positions on these or any other matters, please do not hesitate to contact me

Animal Rights

I believe all living creatures deserve our respect and to be treated humanely. That is why I am committed to improving animal rights both here in the United States, through the continued support of legislation like the Animal Welfare Act, and internationally, through the funding of diverse animal protection and conservation programs... read more

Civil Rights

I am proud to represent one of the most multi-ethnic and diverse congressional districts in the country, and I am committed to protecting the civil rights of all my constituents and all Americans. From my seat in Congress, I will continue fighting to end discrimination and to ensure fair and equal treatment for everyone... read more

Economy

My number one priority is to make life better for hard-working Americans.  That means lowering taxes for working people; making it easier for entrepreneurs to start their own businesses; encouraging corporations to hire Americans; and ensuring that people can still achieve the American Dream of homeownership, sending their children to college, and being able to enjoy their retirement... read more

Education

As the father of three young children, I know the importance of providing all of America’s children with best education possible. This means smaller classrooms, better teachers, more modern technology and greater funding for education programs. Education is the key to maintaining our global competitiveness, and I am working every day in Washington to improve our public education system... read more

Energy

America deserves a comprehensive energy plan for the 21st century. The goals of a responsible national energy policy should be to reduce our dependence on dangerous and finite sources of energy, protect and enhance our nation's security and economy, and harness domestic technologies that can create jobs while delivering clean, reliable energy to consumers... read more

Environment

I am committed to protecting the land we inhabit, the air we breathe and the water we drink. We have made amazing progress in protection and conservation, and we must continue to protect the natural resources of our great nation from the dangers of drilling, pollution, and overdevelopment... read more

Foreign Affairs

As the representative of one of the most diverse Congressional districts in the United States, I take pride in being an active internationalist.  We are living in an interconnected world, and I believe the strength of the United States of America lies in our diverse population.  Queens and the Bronx are a great representation of the cultures from all around the globe.  By having a greater understanding of the world around us, we can work to bring peace, prosperity, and stability to all nations... read more

Health Care

All Americans must have access to high-quality and affordable health care. I am proud of my efforts to expand health coverage to children, working families, small businesses, and the self-employed. I am also committed to improving patient protections, expanding coverage of specialized care such as mental health services, and maintaining federal support for medical research through initiatives at the National Institutes of Health and the exploration of stem cells... read more

Homeland Security

As a New Yorker, as a Member of Congress, and as an American, our nation’s security and freedom is my top priority. New York has always been a leader in counter-terrorism initiatives, and I will continue to advocate for policies that strengthen our national security, protect our homeland from attack, and keep the American people safe... read more

Housing

Homeownership is a basic part of the American Dream, and I am committed to ensuring that everyone has a roof over their head.  I am working to keep Americans in their homes even during problem periods in our housing market and our economy, because foreclosure is bad for residents, families and neighborhoods... read more

Immigration

To effectively reform our broken immigration system, we must tighten and protect our borders, penalize employers that hire non-visa labor, and provide a pathway towards citizenship for those already living here.  It is critical for us to establish a family-based immigration system in the United States that honors the sacrifices millions have made to come here, and that recognizes our nation’s heritage of welcoming those willing to give up everything to get a shot at the American Dream... read more

Iraq/Afghanistan

Brave Americans are engaged in wars on two fronts, and Congress must do what is in our power to support our military.  I believe that what is best for our military, and our country, is a responsible withdrawal of our forces from Iraq in order to bring the focus back to Afghanistan.  We must use all diplomatic and military means to defeat al Qaeda and other extremists whose goal is to destroy our great country... read more

Labor

Every worker should have the right to good wages, health benefits and a safe work environment. That is why I am a proud supporter of workers’ rights to organize, to form unions, and to demand fair pay and benefits for a hard day’s work... read more

Seniors

The federal government should enact policies to help our nation’s seniors grow older with dignity and independence. For this reason, I will continue working to increase seniors’ access to affordable prescription drugs and healthcare, expand their ability to save for retirement, and allow for them to live in fully accessible communities... read more

Transportation

Investments in our transportation infrastructure create good-paying jobs, encourage the development of alternative, energy-efficient modes of travel, and ensure the safety of our roadways, railways and skies for all travelers. The federal government needs to lead the charge in bringing our transportation network into the 21st century... read more

Veterans

Our nation’s servicemen and women, their families, and our veterans have made tremendous sacrifices for our country.  We must honor their service by providing them with access to reliable and adequate health coverage, good-paying employment opportunities, and access to a higher education... read more

Women

As the father of a young daughter, it is incredibly important to me that all women – both here and around the world – are provided with equal opportunities and protections. I am committed to expanding the rights of women and girls to ensure they are paid fairly, can make their own family planning choices, and are never discriminated against... read more