Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, third from right, smiles for a photo while in El Salvador for a tour of CECOT prison this week with fellow Republican representatives. The cutline was written in Spanish and translated is: Yesterday, #AmbassadorDuncan welcomed the delegation led by Congressman Jason Smith to El Salvador, who is visiting the country to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss initiatives that promote economic development and mutual cooperation. Photo from U.S. Embassy
While nearly 300 people — constituents of Congresswoman Claudia Tenney — attended a town hall this week that featured the New York District 24 representative's cardboard cutout, she was apparently out of the country.
Tenney took part in a Congressional delegation of Republicans to visit the CECOT prison in El Salvador, she said in an online social media post. Congressman Jason Smith led the group to the prison, known as “hell on Earth” for its brutal conditions, according to Axios.
In the article, none of those visiting representatives asked or posted about the condition of any of the men sent from the United States. They did pose for photos, including Tenney, at the prison and posted others of clusters of half-naked inmates standing stone-faced for the camera.
About one day after this group of politicians visited the prison, Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen — on a mission to check on the condition of Abrego Garcia, admittedly sent to El Salvador by White House administrative error — was denied entry.
On Thursday, Van Hollen reported that he was able to meet with Garcia. He promised a full report once he returned to the states.
The Batavian has sent Tenney questions regarding her trip, including what she accomplished by going; if she checked on the condition of Garcia and any others sent from the United States; how much the trip cost and who paid for it; if she had any message for the constituents she missed at this week’s town hall; and her response to the many negative reactions to her online post about going to El Salvador.
On her social media post she said, “I visited the CECOT prison in El Salvador, where the worst of these violent gang members are being held,” though it has been reported that some 90% (analysis by Bloomberg News, Los Angeles Times and human rights organizations) of those sent from the U.S. had no criminal records beyond minor traffic or immigration violations, including Garcia. A CBS News 60 Minutes investigation found that 75% of them had no apparent criminal record at all.
During the town hall at Arc Community Center in Batavia this Tuesday, an attendee spoke up for Garcia and received a round of applause from the audience. The Supreme Court has unanimously ordered the Trump Administration to "facilitate the return" of Garcia back to the United States after it admitted to sending him to El Salvador in error. No action has been taken to do so.
Organizer Diana Kastenbaum facilitates the Concerned Citizens NY-24 Town Hall Tuesday evening at Arc Community Center in Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens
Stafford resident Beth Carr appreciated skimming the faces and hearing from fellow attendees at a town hall Tuesday evening, she said, though she wasn't so certain about organizer Diana Kastenbaum's remarks that people still have free speech.
As an example, the White House administration and President Donald Trump have restricted certain rights by not allowing the Associated Press into portions of White House press meetings and onto Air Force One, she said, and “they can only come on if they agree with him.”
“I don't know if everybody here is obsessed with the news as much as I am, but we also have lost Voice of America. I was married to a veteran; I lived overseas. I listened when I lived overseas to Voice of America. It was unbiased reporting and essential in this world, across barriers and across lines on maps so that people could listen to news that maybe did not have free speech. And so I am afraid that free speech is eroding and is a threat," Carr said during the Concerned Citizens NY-24 Town Hall. "Which leads me to Dr. Glover, because in light of this erosion of free speech, isn't that what's happening on university campuses? Students getting up and protesting are being threatened for their exercise of free speech, and I'd like you to address that and the impact of this on campuses like Columbia and Harvard."
Carr directed her question to Michael Glover, a retired longtime educator and administrator perhaps best known here as the district superintendent of Genesee Valley BOCES for 10 years.
"What you hit upon is that we've moved from a question of free speech to the Thought Police. So just tonight, before coming over here, I saw where the president had threatened Harvard with the removal of its nonprofit status because they did not bend the knee, at least thus far, to the demands of the administration to drop their DEI programs and to monitor student speech," Glover said. "So you know, universities have always been bastions of free speech.
"They need to remain so. But I'm even concerned about my colleagues who are superintendents of schools in your local school districts," he said. "They are being targeted in a highly politicized environment. It's a very tough time in education. But I think to your point, it's more important than ever to speak up and to not give in to this kind of authoritarian threat."
Glover was a panel member for the town hall, which drew about 280 people from various counties within the NY-24 district. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz also attended the event and was singled out by Carr and others as the only elected official there. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney was invited but did not attend. Her cardboard cutout, used for other no-show events, was placed at the end of the panel row.
Issues ranged from cutting the federal Education Department, reducing Medicaid and Medicare, and the deportation of migrant farm workers and other immigrants to cuts in aid to food banks, healthcare, and how to best respond to and support what matters to folks.
Maria Bucci of Canandaigua County wanted to know, “What can we as citizens do to support farmers and build a strong workforce?”
Chris Noble, a seventh-generation farmer from Noblehurst Farms in Pavilion, said immigration is not a local or state issue but is in federal hands.
“The only way I think we can really impact the discussion is through our representatives, and so reaching out to representatives through email, phone calls, mass letters, whatever you can do to express your opinion on the matter is the most direct way,” Noble said. “Other than that, it's really trying to build a coalition that can help really affect the conversation. Us here in Western New York, we have a lot of diversity of farms, dairy, fruits, wine, processing vegetables. We relied upon foreign born workers for many years.”
Rev. James Renfrew of Clarendon painted the picture of local deportations happening and said, “I don’t know how agriculture will really continue in these areas.” Kastenbaum added that “we had heard that when ICE was coming in, the local sheriffs would have to comply with ICE directives. Are you concerned, if somebody came on your property, what would you do?”
Noble has not thought about such a “doomsday scenario,” he said.
“The number one thing, as the law states today, is that ICE, which is Integrations and Customs Enforcement, cannot enter private property by the warrants. So warrant means there's some activity or something that's gone on in the past or currently on your property that they are there to address, and beyond that, they cannot enter your property,” he said. “So I guess you can feel safe in the fact that there's that protection of the law that we can then rest upon, so we can affect our own property, of course, but beyond that, it depends on the federal authorities. So in terms of the impacts, it would be devastating, I would say, especially for the skilled nature of the labor. But I guess I don't know what that could look like.”
Jim Neider, a Vietnam-era veteran and 30-plus-year retired educator, said the same chainsaw that’s been used in other departments has also been let loose on Veterans Affairs, with “a little over 17% of the workforce” cut. The first cuts were to the veteran's suicide hotline, he said to a gasping audience.
“How does anybody in their right mind think that’s ok?” he said, prompting an enthusiastic round of applause.
Panel member Abe Zino said that the VA is lobbying for things to protect veterans, such as medication.
“I don't know if anybody realizes it. When you go to the VA home here in Batavia, the VA doesn't pay for your medication anymore. So now we’ve got to struggle to get the veterans the meds that they need. So we're trying to pass federal legislation to take care of those little things,” he said. “And we're also trying to help veterans who are in nursing homes that rely on Medicaid and Medicare because when you go in a nursing home, the fees could be anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000, and if you need specialized care, that's even more expensive. So just some things to think about.”
Dr. Laurel Dallmeyer, a panelist representing healthcare, didn’t mince words about how she felt about the direction of her field lately. She has seen patients stockpile meds in case of coverage reductions or bans, fear, and concerns by segments of the population and has even signed up to help out Strong’s trans care in the face of DEI targeting.
“This is one of the times when I say cruelty is the point,” she said in response to a speaker wanting to know what to do if her meds are taken away or not covered because of White House changes. “As a physician, I had to, like representative Tenney, swear an oath. And my oath was not to the Constitution, but it was to serve my patients and protect them. As many of you probably know, the Hippocratic Oath starts with first do no harm. And I would just like to point out that these cuts that are being proposed, and indeed some have been enacted into law already are going to do nothing but harm people of this district and this country, and that's why I've come out of the exam room to help fight for my patients and the people that I believe are being harmed in this district."
She later said that she "was horrified" when there wasn’t more of an outcry against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being named as Health and Human Services secretary.
A number of people had concerns about what would happen to their local schools if and when the U.S. Education Department is eliminated. What does that actually mean? As programs are reduced at the federal or state levels, localities are left to fill those gaps, Glover said.
More than a dozen years ago he was speaking similar words, reminding the public of financial shortfalls that would affect rural — “low wealth” — districts the most. Free and reduced lunches, extracurriculars, programs for special needs students are just some of the potential items up for cuts. Revenue was not keeping up with increased costs, he said then, and is still repeating the same warning, though with perhaps more of a federal accent.
“Public schools should provide an equal opportunity for success,” he said. “The local schools will have to tighten up and do more with less. As time goes on, they will have to do less with less, and children will suffer.”
He emphasized that there’s a crisis in education because there’s not enough educators to do the jobs needed, teacher education programs are shrinking and an increasing demand is being met with a lower supply.
“And at the cabinet level, there will no longer be a voice in the cabinet,” he said.
Joy Hammond of Bergen asked about food banks and pantries and how FDA cuts will affect those programs. Poloncarz said a $3.5 million cut, effective in May, will especially impact fresh foods from farmers for Meals on Wheels programs—something that Noble himself is worried about for his grandmother.
Since food pantries don’t deal so much with these types of fresh foods, they may not be quite as affected, Poloncarz said. But if your local food bank has lost funding and these direct resources, obviously it’s going to matter.
“A decision in Washington is affecting the local community,” he said. “You don’t want anyone going to bed hungry in your community.”
"It would have been wonderful if some local officials had come," Chris Bennem said. "It was kind of stunning to me." Photo by Joanne Beck
Chris Bennem and his wife came from South Bristol to attend their second town hall, the first being in Geneva. It was worth the trip, he said.
"I thought it was really important for us to hear from, if not public officials that are elected, then public citizens who want to represent those of us who are residents of this area to talk and have an open discourse on the issues that affect all of us based on recent legislation that's been proposed and what DoGE has been doing," he said. "I did attend one in Geneva by a similar group that was wholly focused on healthcare, and that was really helpful. But I wanted to hear more. There are so many things being affected. This has been really effective and eye-opening. Certainly, the statements on education and free speech absolutely hit home for me.
"One topic that didn't come up, I thought about getting in line, but it was a little late, is the issue of book banning that's happening throughout the country, and the fact that things are being removed from federal libraries, whether they're military libraries and other libraries," he said. "So I am a big free speech person. I was in publishing for years, so this is not a good development in our country."
A cardboard cutout standing in abstentia for Rep. Claudia Tenney. Photo by Howard Owens
Photo by Howard Owens
Several speakers line up to ask questions and express concerns during the town hall Tuesday evening at Arc Community Center in Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens
Vietnam-era veteran Jim Neider. Photo by Howard Owens
Photo by Howard Owens
Dr. Laurel Dallmeyer Photo by Howard Owens
Photo by Howard Owens
Photo by Howard Owens
Chris Noble of Noblehurst Farms in Pavilion. Photo by Howard Owens
Dr. Mike Glover Photo by Howard Owens
Abe Zino Photo by Howard Owens
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz Photo by Howard Owens
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) reintroduced legislation aimed at addressing reductions in Medicare Advantage (MA) access and benefits. The bill addresses reimbursement shortfalls to local MA plans from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Specifically, the bill allows CMS to adjust benchmark amounts based on local wage indices that have increased by 20 percent or more to ensure enrollees continue to receive comprehensive benefits and quality care.
Rep Tenney was joined in introducing this legislation by Representatives Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), and Mike Lawler (NY-17).
In 2023, CMS made a needed adjustment to the wage index for Upstate New York hospitals, treating geographically rural and rural reclassified hospitals equally. This change led to wage index increases of 20-40% across Upstate New York. While this provided significant relief for hospitals that had been severely underpaid by the fee-for-service program, it inadvertently placed substantial financial pressure on regional MA plans, which are predominantly non-profit organizations.
Because CMS did not account for these new costs in their benchmark rates for 2024, MA plans have experienced significant financial challenges that jeopardize plans’ ability to provide affordable, quality coverage to their beneficiaries. Without relief, health plans will be forced to cut benefits and increase premiums for seniors who can least afford it.
Last week, Rep. Tenney sent a letter to CMS urging the agency to reassess the ongoing misalignment between hospital wage index increases and MA benchmark adjustments in Upstate New York.
“Our community's seniors deserve continued access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. Unfortunately, the payment disparity has already affected local plans’ offerings and limited seniors’ coverage choices. By adjusting the benchmark rates to reflect the increased costs faced by our regional plans, we can restore MA options for our seniors and protect them from higher premiums in the future. This bill will ensure that Medicare Advantage plans continue to provide the robust benefits that so many members of our community rely on,” said Congresswoman Tenney.
A group of folks, led by Diana Kastenbaum and Millie Tomidy-Pepper, have gotten together to begin doing something instead of just fretting and wondering individually about the actions being taken by the White House administration and how those things might affect citizens.
They formed Concerned Citizens of NY-24, and town halls have broken out already in various parts of the state, including Canandaigua and Geneva. One has been scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. on April 15 at the Arc GLOW Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, Batavia.
“The one we did in Geneva was on healthcare and Medicaid … there was a panel of four, and we thought maybe we would have 10 people," Kastenbaum said to The Batavian. "Over 400 showed up in Geneva, at the opera house. We call ourselves Concerned Citizens of NY-24 just because we don’t want it to be partisan. We really want to bring in everybody because it’s going to affect everybody.”
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney has been invited to discuss recent federal actions and policies with a panel of community members in various fields of social security, Medicare, healthcare, Medicaid, agriculture, small business, veterans, and education.
Kastenbaum, of Batavia, is no stranger to politics and civic engagement, having run against former Congressman Chris Collins and for a seat on City Council in the past. This event is not meant to have a Democrat or Republican slant, however, as she and her co-organizer encourage people of any affiliation to attend, ask questions, and hopefully leave with more information than they had at the beginning.
“We really just want some answers,” she said. “And the reason I got involved in it is because people kept saying 'well, we should have a town hall,’ and I said I wanted to work on a town hall, so then people started to reach out and said, ‘well, what are you doing on it?’ So I just sort of took the lead.”
This is a public forum, so come and engage in the discussion, she said. Sample questions include:
How will our K-12 public schools, BOCES and local colleges be affected if the Department of Education is eliminated?
What will happen to our local hospitals and counties if Medicaid is cut?
What will happen to your social security and Medicare if the makeshift department of government efficiency (DOGE) privatizes it?
Topics are anything that the federal administration has been doing that has or might affect citizens, including ongoing deportations, tariffs (re-enacted internationally on Wednesday), the stagnant or rising cost of goods, thousands of federal employee layoffs, agency reductions or closures, and freedom of speech issues.
“We’re encouraging people to come and ask questions and share their stories,” Kastenbaum said.
The community center has an occupancy limit, so attendees are also urged to get there before the event begins.
Organizers had not yet heard back from Tenney but “would love to have her attend,” Kastenbaum said.
Tenney’s office did not return The Batavian’s request for comment about the event as of Wednesday night.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) reintroduced the People and Animals Well-being (PAW) Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code Section 213(d) to include veterinary care expenses under tax-advantaged health care spending accounts, specifically Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
The PAW Act would allow pet owners to use their HSA or FSA accounts to pay for up to $1,000 for veterinary care or a pet health insurance plan while enabling an unlimited amount of these funds for service animals. In addition, this legislation will support individuals, including veterans, with disabilities by ensuring the IRS relies on an up-to-date definition of “service animal,” which includes animals trained to assist with both physical and mental disabilities. This bill maintains current HSA and FSA contribution limits, ensuring that there will be little to no impact on federal expenditures.
“Pets and service animals are valued members of our families and lives, with many benefits, including increasing our lifespan, reducing stress, and promoting physical activity. It is important we ensure pet owners can afford quality care. The PAWS Act allows pet owners to use HSAs and FSAs for veterinary care, ensuring all pet owners can keep their beloved pets and service animals healthy,” said Congresswoman Tenney.
“Pets are more than just animals – in many households, they’re family members,” said Congresswoman Ross. “While household costs continue to rise, paying for pet insurance can become a financial burden that people can’t afford. As a dog owner, I’m proud to introduce our bipartisan PAW Act, which will ensure animal lovers can afford care for their pets by including veterinary care and pet insurance as eligible expenses under HSAs and FSAs. I’m grateful for Congresswoman Tenney’s continued partnership to make sure all families can afford insurance for their furry friends.”
“The AVMA-endorsed People and Animals Well-being (PAW) Act supports both animal and human health by highlighting the benefits of pet ownership and expanding access to pet care,” said Dr. Sandra Faeh, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “By making veterinary care and pet health insurance eligible expenses under Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, this legislation helps make pet care more affordable, improves access for service animals, and strengthens efforts to detect and prevent zoonotic diseases. We appreciate the leadership of Reps. Tenney and Ross on this important issue and urge Congress to pass the PAW Act without delay.”
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), alongside Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-9) and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), reintroduced legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to remove private or commercial golf courses and country clubs from section 144(c)(6)(B) of the U.S. tax code.
This legislation allows golf courses to take advantage of various forms of disaster relief and community development programs available to other businesses, such as restaurants, hotels, and other leisure activities.
The golf industry comprises over 15,000 small businesses, 80% of which provide public recreational experiences for nearly 30 million Americans every year. It also supports 2 million jobs, and $4 billion is raised for charity each year through America’s golf courses.
"Golf courses create jobs, promote economic development, and provide a fun and healthy activity for friends and families across New York’s 24th Congressional District to enjoy. This legislation would allow golf courses, which provide a family-friendly activity, to use tax-exempt private activity bonds to help recover from natural disasters. This legislation will significantly benefit our community’s golf courses and work to continue to promote economic growth and prosperity throughout our region," said Congresswoman Tenney.
“America’s golf courses contribute significantly to our local economies through jobs, tourism, and community development in places like my home county. Unfortunately, the outdated tax code has unfairly penalized these businesses for too long, making it harder for them to grow or recover after a disaster. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Golf Caucus, I’m proud to champion this legislation to support our golf industry,” said Congressman Hudson.
"For decades, golf courses have been excluded from disaster relief and economic stimulus programs under the tax code. Our bipartisan legislation would rectify this by removing the restrictions that prevent golf facilities from accessing the same support available to similar entities. By passing this legislation, we can ensure that golf courses are treated under the same standards as other businesses, helping them contribute to the recovery and growth of our local economies," said Congressman Panetta.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) has introduced the No Tax on LOSAP Act, to raise the threshold of nontaxable LOSAP awards at the federal level from $600 a year to $12,000 a year.
Additional cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Andrew Garbarino (NY-2), Tom Suozzi (NY-3), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and Laura Gillen (NY-4).
LOSAP, or Length of Service Award Payments, are provided to New York State volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. LOSAP awards are tax-exempt at the state level in New York, with each volunteer awarded $20 per month times the number of years of service. The No Tax on LOSAP award would raise the federal tax-exempt threshold to $12,000/year, up from the current $600/year threshold, which would boost retention and compensation for volunteer firefighters.
Rep. Tenney has been a strong supporter of volunteer firefighters across NY-24. In 2024, she held five roundtable events in five counties to hear directly from volunteer firefighters. In addition, she cosponsored the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act to expand access for volunteer emergency responders to participate in certain federal housing assistance programs.
“Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers are essential for the safety and well-being of our rural communities. Across NY-24, we have over 250 fire departments, many of which rely on volunteer firefighters. Yet, in recent years, the number of volunteer firefighters has declined, making it more important than ever to fairly compensate and reward their dedication. The No Tax on LOSAP Act will raise the tax-exemption threshold to recognize their service and encourage more volunteers to join,” said Congresswoman Tenney.
“More than eighty-five percent of the fire and emergency response in New York State is done by volunteers. Unfortunately, over the last decade, the number of volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel had dropped dramatically across New York. Exempting LOSAP payments from Federal income tax would be a strong incentive in recruiting and retaining volunteer first responders. Once again, Congresswoman Tenney and members of the New York Congressional delegation have shown their understanding and support of the dedicated volunteers who protect their communities,” said John D’Alessandro, Association Secretary, Firefighters Association of the State of New York.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) introduced the State-Level Departments of Government Efficiency Establishment Act or the State-Level DOGE Establishment Act to crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse in state governments.
Specifically, this legislation conditions the disbursement of federal financial assistance, except for security-related funding, on states establishing an independent DOGE commission.
"DOGE is working diligently at the federal level to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. It’s time for state governments to follow suit. States like New York receive billions in federal aid annually, yet waste it on DEI initiatives and woke programs that are out of touch with the vast majority of Americans. It is imperative that these tax dollars are used properly and efficiently. The State-Level DOGE Establishment Act ensures that states create a DOGE commission to oversee the use of taxpayer funding and cut back on wasteful programs. If they refuse, they should not receive a dime of taxpayer money from the federal government,” said Congresswoman Tenney.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) reintroduced the Producing Incentives for Long-term Production of Lifesaving Supply of Medicines (PILLS) Act to promote the domestic production of generic medicines.
The generic drug industry is experiencing a movement toward centralizing production in India and China due to their significantly lower costs and looser manufacturing standards. This shift raises serious concerns about potential supply chain disturbances and inadequate drug safety measures. The PILLS Act offers pharmaceutical companies various tax incentives to enable them to shift all aspects of the manufacturing process for generic medicines, including materials and testing, to the United States.
"Drug manufacturing has moved overseas, putting American jobs and the security of our essential medical supply chains at risk. To address this, I reintroduced the PILLS Act, which incentivizes businesses to produce critical generic medications and antibiotics here in the U.S. By strengthening tax incentives for domestic drug production, this legislation will help prevent dangerous supply chain disruptions, reinforce our pharmaceutical security, and will create American jobs," said Congresswoman Tenney.
“Congresswoman Tenney's PILLS Act is a critical step toward reshoring America’s generic drug production and reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign suppliers,” said Zach Mottl, Chairman of the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA). “America is facing an escalating health crisis due to chronic shortages of essential, lifesaving generic drugs, which make up more than 90% of all prescriptions dispensed in the U.S.—a crisis directly tied to our reliance on China and India. Since 2002, imports from India have increased 35 times, while imports from China have surged 165 times over that same period. Passing the PILLS Act is a necessary first step to reverse this trend, restore American pharmaceutical production, create high-quality jobs, and protect national security by ensuring a safe, reliable domestic supply of high-quality generic medicines, antibiotics, and other essential drugs.”
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) introduced the Trump’s Birthday and Flag Day Holiday Establishment Act to officially designate June 14 as a federal holiday to commemorate President Donald J. Trump’s Birthday and Flag Day.
Born on June 14, 1946, President Donald J. Trump’s birthday coincided with Flag Day, which is observed annually and recognizes the anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official US flag in 1777. This legislation would permanently codify a new federal holiday called “Trump’s Birthday and Flag Day” on June 14 to honor this historic day.
“No modern president has been more pivotal for our country than Donald J. Trump. As both our 45th and 47th President, he is the most consequential President in modern American history, leading our country at a time of great international and domestic turmoil. From brokering the historic Abraham Accords to championing the largest tax relief package in American history, his impact on the nation is undeniable. Just as George Washington’s Birthday is codified as a federal holiday, this bill will add Trump’s Birthday to this list, recognizing him as the founder of America’s Golden Age. Additionally, as our nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, we should create a new federal holiday honoring the American Flag and all that it represents. By designating Trump’s Birthday and Flag Day as a federal holiday, we can ensure President Trump’s contributions to American greatness and the importance of the American Flag are forever enshrined into law,” said Congresswoman Tenney.
Rep. Claudia Tenney announced late Wednesday that members of staff were the targets of violent threats.
The Batavian asked a spokeswoman for Tenney for copies of police reports or other documents substantiating the claims. She said Tenney's office would make no further statement about the matter.
The public information officer for Capitol Police also declined to confirm the alleged threats.
Here is Tenney's statement;
“Unfortunately, our team had to contact law enforcement today on three separate occasions due to threats of violence and intimidation against our staff members. I am appalled by these threats and am calling on everyone to express their First Amendment Rights in a peaceful and compassionate way. Our team of expert caseworkers are dedicated to serving all of the constituents in NY-24 with compassion and professionalism. I can confidently say that our team is among the very best in Congress. I am grateful to the Capitol Police and local law enforcement for their swift response and commitment to the safety and security of everyone who is seeking help in our offices as well the safety and security of our staff. If you have a comment our concern you would like to share with our office, please visit tenney.house.gov to speak to a member of our team.”
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) introduced the Protecting School Milk Choices Act to ensure schools participating in the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture offer students at least one flavored milk option.
Additional cosponsors include Representatives Glenn Thompson (PA-15), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-5), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and Derrick Van Orden (WI-3).
"Throughout the United States, local governments are attempting to replace nutritious dairy products with less healthy artificial alternatives. The Protecting School Milk Choices Act ensures schools continue to offer students at least one flavored milk option, such as chocolate milk. Flavored milk is a delicious and nutritious choice that kids enjoy, helping them get the essential nutrients they need. At a time when many students are struggling to meet their nutritional needs, we should focus on expanding healthy natural drink options in schools instead of promoting artificial, highly processed alternatives. As the Representative of the leading dairy-producing district in the Northeast, I am committed to championing legislation that supports our dairy farmers and ensures children across the country have access to wholesome, nutritious dairy options," said Congresswoman Tenney.
“Between 68% and 94% of school-age children are failing to consume the recommended levels of dairy. The Protecting School Milk Choices Act (H.R. 592) ensures schools will offer the nutritious milk options kids prefer, including low-fat flavored milk like chocolate milk. With 13 essential nutrients for growth, development, and immune health, flavored milk helps reduce waste and boost consumption, ensuring children benefit from dairy’s nutrition. Thanks to IDFA's Healthy School Milk Commitment, 37 processors—representing over 90% of school milk—have cut added sugar to an average of just 7.4 grams per serving. IDFA thanks Rep. Caludia Tenney, and Reps. G.T. Thompson, Scott Fitzgerald, Michael Lawler, and Derek Van Orden for their leadership in supporting nutritious and delicious milk options for students nationwide,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO, International Dairy Foods Association.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) reintroduced the Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act to protect pro-life pregnancy centers from attacks by radical activists and ensure attackers are held accountable for their violent actions.
Following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson 's decision in 2022, pro-life pregnancy centers across the nation have faced an increase in violent attacks from radical pro-abortion extremist groups. In Upstate New York, CompassCare Pregnancy Services, a pro-life center in Amherst, New York, was firebombed in 2022 and was criminally vandalized again in 2023.
The Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act aims to strengthen protections for abortion-alternative providers and places of worship by:
Elevating first-time offenses from misdemeanors to felonies and increasing fines from $10,000 to $25,000;
Ensuring that successful lawsuits by pregnancy resource centers and religious facilities result in compensation of no less than $20,000, up from the current $10,000 minimum; and
Raising the mandatory minimum sentence for arson-related attacks from 5 years to 7 years.
"Radical pro-abortion extremists have targeted pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide by attacking workers and volunteers, vandalizing facilities, and even firebombing buildings like CompassCare in Amherst, New York. The Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act is a critical measure to protect women and families who depend on pro-life health centers like CompassCare for compassionate care. This legislation also strengthens penalties to ensure violent perpetrators are held accountable for their attacks on pregnancy resource centers. I remain steadfast in my commitment to defending the sanctity of life and supporting these essential pro-life care centers,” said Congresswoman Tenney.
“A recent study revealed that nearly 70% of women who had an abortion were coerced. Pro-life Pregnancy Resource Centers like CompassCare provide a third of a billion dollars of free medical care and support to women facing unplanned pregnancy every year. Pro-life Pregnancy Resource Centers provide a woman with true choice: the ability to say ‘no’ to abortion. And yet, pro-abortion domestic terrorists have attacked hundreds of pro-life Pregnancy Resource Centers—firebombing CompassCare in 2022, vandalizing us in 2023, and engaging in cyber terror acts in 2025. Added to that, Big Tech censored us, preventing women from finding our free, ethical services in their time of need; pro-abortion politicians like NY Gov. Hochul weaponized legislation against us; NY Attorney General Letitia James engaged in lawfare, seeking specifically to prevent women from receiving life- saving emergency abortion pill reversal at our medical offices; all while a politicized federal law enforcement turned a blind eye. From the terrorists to pro-abortion politicians, the goal of their attacks is the same: shut down all competition to the abortion industry. What Congresswoman Tenney understands is the need to shut down the unjust attacks and abuse of peaceful pro-life citizens, sacrificially investing in their neighbor in crisis. Rep. Tenney’s bill is a strong step in that direction,” said Reverand Jim Harden, CEO of CompassCare.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) released the following statement on her appointment to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI).
Established in 1977, HPSCI is responsible for overseeing the U.S. Intelligence Community, which encompasses the intelligence and related activities of the U.S. Government, including the Military Intelligence Program.
"I am honored to have been named to serve on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for the 119th Congress, and thank Speaker Johnson for this prestigious appointment. At this pivotal moment in our nation's history, I am committed to ensuring that our intelligence community has the resources and support necessary to strengthen our national security capabilities. Facilities such as Fort Drum, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and Rome Lab in upstate New York are critical to our national security. I am dedicated to advocating on behalf of these premiere defense sites as a part of our critical national security asset base. I look forward to working with President Trump, Speaker Johnson, HPSCI Chairman Crawford, and my colleagues to strengthen our defense capabilities and uphold essential oversight of our nation's intelligence operations," said Congresswoman Tenney.
“In an increasingly dangerous world with hot wars around the globe, multi-faceted threats from China, and terrorists within our borders, the mission of our intelligence community is vitally important. Congress has a responsibility to conduct thorough oversight of these intelligence systems to ensure we are safeguarding the American people and our national interests while also strictly adhering to the Constitution," said Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) announced the launch of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. The Congressional Art Competition is open to high school students who reside in New York’s 24th Congressional District.
Since 1982, the Congressional Art Competition has been held each spring to celebrate the talents of young artists across the country. Rep. Tenney welcomes students from the 24th Congressional District to take part in this tradition. Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of experts from NY-24, and the winning artwork will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year.
In 2024, Tenney’s office received over 30 submissions from high schoolers across New York's 24th Congressional District.
Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor
Computer-generated art
Photographs
All submissions must be delivered to one of Tenney's district offices beginning April 14 and ending April 18. All necessary paperwork must be attached to the students’ artwork.
Please set up a time to drop off artwork at one of the following locations:
Lockport District Office - 169 Niagara Street, Lockport, Phone 716-514-5130
Canandaigua District Office - 2375 Rochester Road, Suite 250, Canandaigua, Phone 585-869-2060
Oswego District Office - 46 E Bridge Street, Suite 102, Oswego, Phone - 315-236-7088
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) introduced the Red Light Act to withhold federal transportation funding from states that enact laws to provide driver's licenses or identification cards to illegal immigrants in the United States.
This bill directs the Department of Transportation to withhold a state's entire share of specific federal highway funds—namely, those allocated for the National Highway Performance Program, the Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program—if the state enacts legislation allowing the issuance of driver's licenses or other identification cards to individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States.
In 2019, New York's Green Light Law took effect, allowing anyone over the age of 16, including illegal immigrants, to obtain a New York State driver's license. The license also serves as a legal form of photo identification. In just the first month after New York's Green Light law took effect, more than 50,000 illegal immigrants received a New York State driver's license.
"Our nation is grappling with an unprecedented migrant crisis, yet some states, like New York, are incentivizing and rewarding criminals with driver's licenses and identification cards. In New York, the Green Light Law has given licenses to illegal immigrants, allowing these dangerous individuals to roam freely in our country, brutally attacking, raping, and murdering members of our community. In addition, this law also restricts law enforcement from accessing DMV records, preventing the enforcement of our nation's immigration laws. This legislation ensures states that refuse to comply with our nation's immigration policies are not rewarded with federal funding," said Congresswoman Tenney.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) was sworn in as a Member of the United States House of Representatives by the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be elected to serve the constituents of the newly formed New York District 24. I will continue to be a transparent and aggressive advocate on behalf of all of my constituents. Our team is deeply committed to delivering outstanding results for NY-24, by implementing innovative and common-sense solutions to the issues facing our communities. Our team will continue to provide top-tier constituent services. House Republicans are eager to begin implementing President Trump’s agenda by making America secure and prosperous again. We are eager to hear from you and ensure that your views are represented in Washington. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I am committed to upholding our Constitutional principles and delivering meaningful results for our nation and especially New York," said Congresswoman Tenney.
Redistricting in 2024 has eliminated parts of Cayuga and Ontario Counties and added parts of Steuben and Schuyler Counties to NY-24. As a result, Rep. Tenney’s district office in Victor is no longer within NY-24. To better serve the Finger Lakes Region, Rep. Tenney is opening a new district office in Ontario County. For more information about who will represent you in Congress starting January 3, visit www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.
Rep Tenney’s Office Locations for the 119th Congress:
Washington, DC Office
2230 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) voted in favor of a short term funding bill to keep the federal government open through March 14, 2025.
H.R. 10545 - Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025 passed the House by a vote of 366-34 with one present.
“In November, the American people overwhelmingly rejected the Biden administration and Senate Democrats' reckless spending, which wastes taxpayer dollars on Green New Deal pet projects, cripples our economy, and raises the national debt,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “In November, voters made it clear that they are fed up with the way Washington is currently run and issued a mandate for Republicans to deliver a fiscally responsible budget that cuts outrageous spending and reins in Washington’s bloated bureaucracy.”
"Passing a short-term Continuing Resolution is essential to avoid a shutdown under the Biden administration and ensures that we can enact our America First agenda in the new year. With Republicans set to have a majority in Congress and President Trump set to return to the White House in 2025, we will have the opportunity to implement the fiscally conservative, America First priorities that voters demanded. In the meantime, a Continuing Resolution was necessary. While this process was difficult, I am relieved we reached an agreement to prevent a shutdown and were able to secure critical funding. Thank you to President Trump, Speaker Johnson and our great leadership team for their extraordinary efforts."
“This legislation provides $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers struggling with crop loss, government overregulation, and external market forces, while also extending current farm bill programs through September 30, 2025. Additionally, a shutdown would severely impact military families in our district, cripple our defense industrial base, and hinder Customs and Border Protection Agents working to secure our border. During a shutdown, servicemembers risking their lives for our freedoms and border agents responding to an unprecedented crisis would go unpaid. Even worse, a shutdown while the Biden administration controls all the federal agencies would have surrendered complete control to un-elected staff due to the complete absence of leadership by President Biden."
“House Republicans have already begun working on implementing policies necessary to usher in a new era of leadership. We are committed to growing our economy, reducing inflation by reducing taxes, cutting wasteful spending, securing our borders, and unleashing American energy dominance. House Republicans are dedicated to delivering a more efficient, transparent and accountable government that returns the Constitutional power back to the American people."
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) nominated President Donald Trump, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister of Israel Yoav Gallant for their tireless efforts on the Abraham Accords, to advance peace in the Middle East, to combat terrorist groups and to confront radical and oppressive Islamist regimes.
For decades, politicians and foreign affairs professionals claimed Middle East peace depended on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, through the efforts of President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister Gallant, historic normalization agreements were secured between Israel and Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Sudan, while laying groundwork for future agreements with Saudi Arabia.
During Israel’s recent war of self-defense, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant severely weakened Hamas, Hezbollah, and the IRGC. These men courageously stood up to radical Islamist dictators like Ayatollah Khamenei in Iran and, formerly, Bashar al-Assad in Syria, who waged war against their own innocent civilians through the indiscriminate use of violence.
“President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister Gallant’s valiant work to combat terrorism and stand up to Islamist regimes has directly led to greater regional and global stability. Without their work, terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the IRGC would still pose a massive threat to all civilians in the Middle East and around the world. In a time of global turmoil, the bold and unwavering efforts of these leaders is unprecedented and offers hope for lasting peace in the Middle East and around the world. The Nobel Peace Prize Committee has honored esteemed world leaders and champions of peace; it is only fitting that valiant and heroic leaders like President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Gallant join these esteemed ranks. I am eager to see these leaders receive the respect, honor, and distinction they richly deserve,” said Congresswoman Tenney.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) released the following statement following the passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which modernizes, enhances efficiency, and improves the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare, benefits, and services.
Tenney cosponsored this legislation, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 389-9.
"The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act aims to ensure that the men and women who have served our nation receive the high-quality care and services they have earned without unnecessary bureaucracy," said Congresswoman Tenney. "Supported by over 40 veterans’ organizations, this legislation provides essential reforms to the Department of Veterans Affairs, streamlining and strengthening the services and benefits our veterans and their families rely on. Additionally, this bill expands home and community-based services at every VA center, allowing our veterans the dignity of receiving care in their own homes. This bill is a crucial step toward honoring our promise to those who have served, ensuring they receive the timely, efficient, and comprehensive support they have earned."
