A lifelong Long Islander, Andrew has dedicated his life to family and community.
The proud son of a lawyer and small business owner, Andrew went to Sayville High School where he participated in student government and worked at the local hardware store. As a man of faith, Andrew received his communion and confirmation at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, where he still attends Mass every Sunday. After high school graduation, Andrew went on to receive his BA in history and classical humanities from The George Washington University. Andrew then returned to Long Island where he received his Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University.
The Biden Border Crisis continues to fuel drug and gang activity in American communities across the country. As illicit drugs pour across the border, violent cartel and gang activity is re-emerging in neighborhoods and schools.
During President Biden’s tenure, over 2.4 million migrants have been apprehended illegally crossing the southwest border – the highest number in history. As the Administration continues to downplay this crisis, cartels are growing bolder. Human smugglers are making millions and drug traffickers are pumping heroin and fentanyl into our country. This crisis resulted from President Biden’s policy decisions, and it is time he takes action to address it.
I support the continuation of Title 42, a CDC public health directive and vital tool for border officials that allows U.S. border officials to quickly turn back migrants due to the danger posed by communicable diseases, like COVID-19. I have fought to end the administration’s secret middle of the night flights of unaccompanied migrants into New York and communities across the country. I have serious concerns about who these migrants are, what their security and COVID-19 screening status is, and how local resources may be used for their education and other needs. The administration owes Members of Congress, and the residents of affected states, additional information about who is entering their communities
I have visited the border twice since entering Congress, spoken to border patrol, and witnessed firsthand the impacts of the ongoing crisis – the abuse of unaccompanied children, trafficking of drugs, and prevalence of criminal gang members amidst a resource-constrained CBP. In order to secure our border, we must build the wall, invest in Customs and Border Protection technology and manpower, and require transparency from the administration regarding plans and actions to address this crisis.
Here’s how I am working to secure our border:
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – China is not our friend. Congress must do more to counteract their increasingly aggressive economic and diplomatic posture.
For too long, China’s state-owned technology and telecommunications companies, like Huawei, have been infiltrating America’s data, infrastructure, and telecommunications networks. This is a major national security risk that we cannot take lightly, and as the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation, I vow to hold the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accountable.
For the last century, the CCP has repeatedly violated basic human rights and brutalized its own citizens. As a nation that opposes and condemns hatred in any form, the U.S. must find ways to hold China accountable for its heinous actions. The U.S. must also act to counter Chinese aggression within the Indo-Pacific region, including by partnering with our allies to combat its illegitimate claims on the world’s most important shipping lanes in the South China Sea and predatory actions toward developing countries.
From failing the world with their handling of COVID-19, to committing atrocities against their own people, to posing a national security risk to the United States – Congress must continue to be tough on China until they change their policies and behaviors.
Here’s how I am working to hold China accountable:
The great people of New York’s 2nd Congressional District sent me to Washington because of my willingness to put self-interests aside and be a citizen legislator.
I firmly believe that what unites us as Americans is more than anything that may divide us. I joined the Problems Solvers Caucus in Congress to break through the gridlock of today’s politics and find commonsense solutions on behalf of Long Islanders.
I have been a staunch supporter and advocate for Congressional Reform and the implementation of Term Limits for both Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. With that goal in mind, I became an original co-sponsor of House Joint Resolution (H.J.Res.) 12, which proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve.
Here's how I’m fighting for Congress to work in a way that benefits NY-02:
In today's hyper-connected world, cybersecurity is national security. Our cyber defenses help guard our democracy, livelihoods, and the American way of life.
Cyberattacks are the preeminent threat of our time, as we have seen recently in the countless intrusions across every sector of our economy – from the energy sector to financial services sector, and even at home in our local school districts. This threat has been even more magnified following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The time for action is now.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, housed within the Department of Homeland Security, is the nation’s lead civilian cybersecurity agency. CISA is available to help the public and private sector prepare for and respond to cyberattacks and offers many free resources. CISA in partnership with the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) also offers several no cost services across the nation that should be leveraged by state and locals and the private sector. As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, & Innovation, I am committed to promoting cybersecurity guidance and best practices that can be leveraged by SLTTs and small businesses in my district to raise cyber awareness. I encourage all individuals and organizations to visit www.cisa.gov/shields-up for more information about how you can protect yourself from cyber risk.
Here’s how I’m fighting to mitigate cyber threats and improve U.S. cyber preparedness:
As a third-generation business owner, I know firsthand that small businesses are the backbone of our nation’s economy and the livelihood of so many hardworking Long Islanders. That's why I'm especially proud to serve on the House Small Business Committee.
The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been especially difficult for Long Island small businesses. Now, record inflation, labor shortages, supply chain shortages, and a historical energy crisis are serving as major roadblocks to revitalization. The state of small business in America is in crisis and we need pro-growth policies and less red tape to reinvigorate our economy.
I am also a member of the GOP Jobs and Economy Task Force dedicated to reducing over regulation, lessening small business tax burdens, and getting government out of the way of recovery. America’s small businesses must be allowed to reopen, and I am dedicated to delivering real results for small businesses back home on Main Street.
Here’s how I am working to fight for small businesses:
As a third-generation Long Islander, I have long enjoyed boating, fishing, and relaxing with family and friends at the beach. The Great South Bay is one of Southeast Long Island’s greatest resources, and protecting the bay is in the best interest of both our environment and economy.
I am a member of the Conservative Climate Caucus (CCC), as well as co-Chair of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus because I believe we can address our changing climate while also protecting the economic prosperity of the United States.
Preserving the Great South Bay is an all-hands-on-deck effort, from cleaning up creeks and streams to eliminating waste pollution. Local, state, and federal governments also need to contribute their fair share in protecting this national treasure. During my time in Albany, I supported measures that cracked down on illegal dumping of solid waste, protected the drinking water of Long Islanders, increased waste diversion through recycling and composting, protected endangered and threatened species in the Empire State, and implemented sustainable energy loan programs.
Another environmental area of concern on Long Island is the Bethpage Plume. For decades, runoff from the former Grumman Aerospace site has been contaminating our region’s drinking water. While it took far too long, I am happy that an agreement has finally been reached with Northop Grumman and the U.S. Navy to reverse and eliminate the groundwater pollution. I look forward to working with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure the plan is fully implemented.
Here’s how I am working to protect NY-02’s environment:
For too long, years of partisan gridlock have prevented Congress from reinvesting and improving our nation’s infrastructure, leaving our region’s highways, roads and bridges, transit and railways, ports and airports, and water and sewer systems in disrepair. As a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus Infrastructure Working Group, I helped work toward bipartisan consensus on repairing our nation’s infrastructure.
Intensive negotiations between Republicans and Democrats in the House and the Senate resulted in H.R.3684 - The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF), which passed both Chambers with bipartisan support and was signed into law in November 2021. I was proud to support this bill which will bring over $170 billion to New York State for crucial repairs to our roads, bridges, sewer systems, and railways. This bill contains no new taxes, is responsibly paid for, and consists of 100% real infrastructure, including:
New York State highways are rated among the worst in the country and 10% of New York’s bridges are structurally deficient. Both of these things cost Long Islanders time and money and threaten public safety. Investment to fix New York’s roads and transit systems will add an additional $6.72 billion to the State’s Gross Domestic Project (GDP) each year, and increased economic activity will benefit New York residents. Disposable Income is projected to increase by $2.76 billion each year, an average of $357 per household. As a pro-jobs and pro-growth elected official, investing in our region’s infrastructure is the best way to stimulate Long Island’s economy, create jobs, and improve the safety and livelihoods of all Long Islanders.
Here’s how I’m working towards fixing our nation’s infrastructure:
Securing the Homeland from cyber, physical, natural, and terrorist threats is the most critical American imperative. As a proud Member of the House Homeland Security Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation, I am committed to defending our nation against cyber threats, combatting terrorism, and securing our border. Terrorism remains one of New York’s greatest threats and I promise to work every day to thwart all attacks from enemies against our homeland.
Nearly 500 Long Islanders were killed in the horrific events of September 11, 2001, and many more Long Island families were impacted in the days and weeks following that fateful day. I am committed to continuing the fight against radical Islamic terrorism as well as the increasing threat of additional foreign and domestic terrorism. As we continue to face the threat of terrorism, Americans must rely on DHS officials at the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), among others, to keep us safe. I am proud to be a strong supporter of these front-line law enforcement officers and transportation security officers (TSOs), especially those from my district.
In addition to the long-lasting impacts of 9/11, Long Islanders also continue to struggle with the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. I am determined to ensure the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is appropriately supporting my constituents’ recovery from the 2012 storm as well as promoting their preparedness for future natural disasters.
As our nation continues to grapple with physical terror threats and natural hazards, the homeland also faces the increasing threat of cyberattacks. Cyberattacks are the preeminent threat of our time, as we have seen recently in the countless intrusions across every sector of our economy – from the energy sector to financial services sector, and even at home in our local school districts.
Here’s how I’m fighting to secure the homeland:
The opioid epidemic has touched the lives of nearly every American, and unfortunately far too many Long Island families have felt the effects of this crisis firsthand. Throughout my career I have championed efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, such as improving access for addiction recovery and treatment programs, requiring doctors and pharmacists to increase transparency when prescribing opioids, educating on the benefits and administration of NARCAN, and increasing awareness on disposing of unused prescriptions.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2379, the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act with my strong support. This bill would authorize $1.75 billion annually for State Opioid Response (SOR) Grants through Fiscal Year 2027. I also voted in favor of funding State Opioid Response Grants (SOR) grants to provide states and tribal organizations with much-needed resources to combat the opioid epidemic. The money distributed through SOR grants helps provide additional treatment beds, hire the workforce necessary to expand treatment and recovery options, bridge gaps identified in systems of care, and support robust prevention campaigns.
I adamantly oppose Mayor Bill de Blasio’s injection sites which will only worsen the opioid crisis in New York City and set a dangerous precedent for the rest of New York. There were five overdoses at an allegedly "safe" East Harlem injection site, which saw 85 users inject drugs laced with fentanyl, including heroin. That’s why I helped introduce the Defund de Blasio’s Injection Sites Act to ensure that no federal dollars are used to subsidize government supervised drug use. I am committed to working with local police to enforce the law while ensuring those suffering from opioid addiction receive the compassionate treatment they need.
I look forward to building upon these efforts throughout the 117th Congress to beat this crisis once and for all. Here’s how I am working to combat the opioid epidemic:
I strongly support the Second Amendment. Law abiding Americans should be unencumbered by excessive regulations that would undermine the Second Amendment rights beyond reasonable measure.
Most gun crimes are committed by criminals with no respect for the law. It is necessary to address violent crime and we can all agree that it is common sense to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and unlawful individuals.
During my time in Albany as a New York State Assemblyman, I voted against the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act because it infringed on those rights through excessive regulation. In Congress, I voted against H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, which would expand the scope of background checks and make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to purchase firearms. I have condemned efforts by New York State legislators to apply an excise tax on ammunition and signed onto an Amicus Brief urging the Supreme Court to rule in “New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. (NYSRFA) v. Corlett” that New York’s law concerning concealed-carry licenses for self-defense violates the Second Amendment.
One of the promises I made to the people of Long Island when I came to Congress was to work to keep our communities safe and protect our heroes in law enforcement. Now more than ever, it is important that we support our brave men and women in law enforcement by ensuring they have the resources needed to keep our communities safe. As such, I vehemently oppose all efforts to defund the police.
I believe there is a direct correlation between major cities defunding the police and spikes in violent crime across the country. As violence runs rampant in American communities, homeland security is being degraded because defunded police departments do not have sufficient resources for counterterrorism operations. New York City has 500 fewer detectives this year because of budget constraints. This results in higher crime and slower response times. Budget cuts and bail reform are wreaking havoc in New York. Because of bail reform, 50% of criminals who were arrested for shooting someone are put back on the streets and 9 of 10 people who are arrested with firearms are released the next day, according to officials. In August, I held a roundtable with members of the Nassau, Suffolk, and NYC law enforcement community to hear directly from officers on the front lines.
Here’s how I’m fighting to keep our communities safe:
Our region has one of the highest costs of living in the entire country, which is why I am committed to lowering taxes for hardworking Long Islanders and small businesses. Now more than ever, our families and businesses need economic relief, not more taxes.
One of my most important priorities in Congress is to restore the full State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. In addition to being a proud funding member and Co-Chair of the SALT Caucus, I introduced the SALT Deductibility Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill restore the full SALT deduction. The SALT cap unfairly penalizes Long Islanders and has left a devastating effect on New York. Not being able to deduct state and local income taxes is a case of double taxation, which is the last thing my constituents need during a global pandemic. Long Islanders deserve to be treated fairly and similarly to the rest of the country.
Here's how I’m fighting for a fairer tax code for NY-02
There are over 838,000 veterans living in the Empire State who have put their lives on the line to protect our freedom. After bravely and dutifully serving our nation, we owe it to our veterans to adhere to the commitments we have made to them. That's why I formed my Veterans Advisory Council to help me better advocate for Long Island veterans in Congress.
We are forever indebted to the brave men and women who have courageously served our great country, and I am fully committed to fighting on their behalf in Congress. I will continue to work to ensure the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is adequately funded and managed, and to improve access to job training, mental health treatment, and healthcare services.
If you are a veteran or know of a veteran who needs assistance with services related to the VA, my office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need. Please feel free to call my Massapequa Park District Office at (516) 541-4225 or email me here.
Here’s how I’m fighting for Long Island veterans in Congress: