Claudia Tenney

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today voted against the omnibus government funding bill for the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) due to its failure to rein in out-of-control government spending, cut wasteful and woke programs, and lower costs for hardworking families.

This bill passed the House by a vote of 339-85.

“With over $34 trillion of national debt and counting, Congress should not spend another $1.65 trillion while failing to address the crises plaguing our nation in a meaningful way,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “I understand the complexity and frustration of a divided government, however, our communities will continue to suffer under Biden’s policies that spend our tax dollars on the woke and Green New Deal projects that have been inserted into this bill. This 1,050-page spending monstrosity does not provide the relief that the American people are demanding and will only increase already sky-high prices and add to our national debt. There are positive aspects of this bill, including the 12 Community Funding Projects we submitted to help residents of NY-24. Other positives include fully funding veterans’ healthcare and toxic exposure programs, military construction projects, and important agricultural research programs, but this bill in its entirety, negotiated behind closed doors, is a bridge too far.”

Some of the worst provisions in this bill include:

• Provide $3.5 million for an initiative to create parade floats
• Supports the Biden administration's illegal Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule
• Fails to rein in the ATF’s anti-second amendment rules
• Maintains funding for the VA’s and DOJ’s anti-life initiatives
• Gives $1 million to a private entity to construct a coffee shop and a greenhouse for refugees
• Funnels $1 million to the WE ACT environmentalist group in New York City
• Continues allowing leftist bureaucrats to fly pride flags and other political flags over federal buildings
• Wastes taxpayer money on Critical Race Theory and the DEI Executive Offices
• Allows federal funds to continue flowing to the Wuhan lab

Despite all the wasteful spending in this bill, there are some critical infrastructure projects for NY-24, which Congresswoman Tenney submitted after a rigorous review process. The projects Tenney successfully submitted and advocated for in NY-24 include:

• $1.75 Million for the Town of Constantia Northshore Sewer Project
• $1.75 Million for the City of Canandaigua Water Plant Project
• $750,000 for the Town of Watertown Phase 1 Army Water Line (AWL) Pipeline Replacement Project
• $2 Million for the Brickyard Road Tank and Transmission Main Improvements on behalf of the Canandaigua-Farmington Consolidated Water District
• $3.5 Million for Town of Fayette Sewer District No. 1 Project
• $1.75 Million for the Genesee County Water Security and Resilience—Prole Road Transmission Main Project
• $1.6 Million for Keuka College’s Rural Community Outpatient Clinic
• $700,000, for the Livingston County Regional Water & Wastewater Cybersecurity Improvement Project
• $1 Million for the City of Watertown Water Quality Improvement Project
• $2.1 Million for the Town of Wolcott Salt Storage Barn

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today introduced the recognizing Judea and Samaria Act to require all official United States documents and materials to use the term "Judea and Samaria" instead of the "West Bank."

Additional cosponsors of this legislation include Representatives Randy Weber (TX-14) and Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04).

The terms Judea and Samaria date back millennia to the ancient Kingdoms of Judah and Samaria. In 1967, after Israel’s Arab neighbors launched the Six-Day War, Israel reclaimed Judea and Samaria from Jordan. The term “West Bank” is used to delegitimize Israel’s historical claim to this land. 

In November 2019, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States would formally recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and Judea and Samaria. Recently, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reversed this position, stating the Biden administration's disappointment in Israel's recent decision to expand its settlements in the region.

This condemnation comes even though under the Oslo Accords, a bilateral agreement between Israel and Palestinian representatives, Israel was granted full military and civilian control over the majority of Judea and Samaria.

"The Israeli people have an undeniable and indisputable historical and legal claim over Judea and Samaria, and at this critical moment in history, the United States must reaffirm this," said Congresswoman Tenney. "The misguided decision by the Biden administration to revoke the Pompeo Doctrine undermines our greatest ally in the Middle East. The recognizing Judea and Samaria Act requires all U.S. legal documents to use the rightful term "Judea and Samaria" to refer to this territory instead of the "West Bank." This bill reaffirms Israel's rightful claim to its territory. I remain committed to defending the integrity of the Jewish state and fully supporting Israel's sovereignty over Judea and Samaria."

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced that her office is accepting submissions for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition from high school students in New York's 24th District.  

Since 1982, high school students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories have been invited by members of the U.S. House of Representatives to participate in this esteemed nationwide art competition. Over the years, this competition has provided a platform for over 10,000 works of art to be exhibited and celebrated.

The contest winner will have their artwork displayed in the prestigious halls of the United States Capitol for an entire year. Additionally, they will be given the exciting opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to witness their masterpiece showcased at the Capitol. Southwest Airlines is donating two round-trip tickets for the winner and a guest to attend this year’s celebration on June 27.

All submissions must be delivered to one of Tenney’s district offices by the close of business on Friday, April 19. Additional information about the competition, including guidelines and student release forms required to participate, can be found here or by calling Tenney’s District office at (716) 514-5130.

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today, with Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), introduced the Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone (PACE) Act to update federal childcare incentives and improve access to affordable and high-quality childcare for American families.

The PACE Act would modernize the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and enhance Dependent Care Flexible Spend Accounts (FSAs) to make the credit refundable and allow for annual updates to keep both incentives effective and provide more financial support for working parents.

“Families shouldn’t have to jeopardize their finances to enroll their children in quality childcare,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The current federal childcare incentives have not kept up with the rising costs plaguing hardworking families and sometimes rival college tuitions. This pro-family bill updates federal childcare incentives, expands accessibility, and ensures lower-income and working families can provide quality care for their children. On top of that, our legislation will enable parents to go back to work, helping to combat our nationwide worker shortage.”

“It is hard to find quality, affordable child care – and when workers can’t afford child care, they can’t pursue work opportunities, take care of a loved one, or attend college," said Congressman Schneider. "We need to make child care less expensive, which is why I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan PACE Act with my colleague Rep. Claudia Tenney. This important legislation would directly provide working families with money in their pocket to put towards child and dependent care."

"Working families continue to struggle with the costs of child care," said Radha Mohan, Executive Director of the Early Care and Education Consortium. "A lack of access to high-quality, affordable child care means parents cannot participate in the workforce. The bipartisan PACE Act helps working families pay for child care by expanding and modernizing the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and increasing the amount of pre-tax dollars families can set aside in Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts. Childcare providers applaud Reps. Tenney and Schneider for introducing this bill."

“The bipartisan Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone (PACE) Act is a crucial step to supporting families with young children while ensuring greater economic stability across the country,” said FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling. “The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) is the only provision of the tax code specifically created to help working parents afford child care. Together with expanded Dependent Care Assistance Plans (DCAP), enhancing the CDCTC and ensuring its refundability will help ease the burden of the cost of child care for families who truly need it most. We are so grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Tenney and Schneider, in coming together to introduce the PACE Act and helping America’s young children and their families find and afford the care they need."

“It is critical that federal tax incentives intended to support access to child care meet the needs of the nation’s workforce,” said Linda K. Smith, Director of the Early Childhood Initiative at the Bipartisan Policy Center. “We applaud Representatives Tenney (R-NY) and Schneider (D-IL) for their leadership in introducing bipartisan legislation that enhances the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) and increases the Dependent Care Assistance Plan cap to better support low- and middle-income working families. The PACE Act makes meaningful changes to help both businesses and working parents meet the demands of today’s economy.”

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC):

• Makes the credit refundable in order to expand the credit’s reach to working parents.
• Enhances the value of the credit for working parents through an increase in the credit rate.
• Indexes the credit to inflation to ensure the value of the credit will not be eroded over time by rising childcare costs.

Dependent Care Flexible Spend Accounts (DCFSAs):

• Increases the amount of pre-tax dollars parents can put into the accounts from $5,000 to $7,500. 
• Indexes the new cap to inflation so DCFSAs can keep pace with the cost of childcare.

Press Release:

The FEC released fundraising totals for NY-24. Rep. Claudia Tenney’s, numbers showed:

• About 340k raised for the 4th Q 2023 and $1.1 million for fiscal year 2023
• Tenney’s “Victory Fund”  brought in an additional $290k for the year
• $200,000 of the Victory Fund was from a billionaire energy investor and over $70k from another
• Of Tenney’s total take, over 70% was from Big Corporations, Corporate PACS,  lobbyists, and their officers

“This is just wrong,” said David Wagenhauser, who is running to unseat Tenney. “We work for the people signing our paycheck - the people signing Tenney’s check are not the people of NY-24; they are Pfizer, billionaires, bankers, and Wall Street elites,” he said.

“Tenney’s fundraising totals won’t tell you who will win the election, but a review of her donors will tell you who’s got their money's worth and how she will vote this year,” Wagenhauser stated.  

He pointed to Tenney’s previous votes for Big Pharma (she voted against price caps on insulin for diabetics and other efforts to make prescription drugs more affordable); her votes for Big Insurance and against covering people with pre-existing conditions and to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), that would have left millions uninsured; and her votes to cut tax rates for billionaires and Big Corporations, causing the national debt to skyrocket.

While raising big PAC money, Tenney’s campaign also spent huge sums: $845 thousand dollars last year. “Hundreds of thousands of dollars to slick DC consulting firms and $750 meals at exclusive DC insider haunts such as the Capitol Hill Club show just how out of touch Tenney has become and the respect she shows for other people’s money.” Wagenhauser continued, “They go in rich, they come out richer.”

Wagenhauser’s fundraising totals for 2023 were also released yesterday.  They showed he raised over $6k in a very short time after his Christmastime launch. He noted he is significantly above that amount now.  He also noted that unlike Tenney, his campaign will not accept money from Big Corporations, Corporate PACS or lobbyists. “We are working for the people of our District, and will fight for our neighbors, not Wall Street, not K Street lobbyists and not Big Pharma.”

“I can guarantee you that we will be outraised and outspent by Tenney.” he said, “But we will not be outworked or out-organized, or beaten in November by a career politician who no longer represents the interests or values of the people of this District.”  

He concluded, “Tenney once campaigned on fighting for people, not PACS. Her FEC filings and the video I am releasing today tell a different story.  She’s changed and the lines she’s crossed tell us who she’s really fighting for.”

Take any object -- a house, office building, highway, bridge, car -- all will eventually fall apart if not properly maintained. 

The same is true of war memorials, the monuments communities erect to honor their war dead and help tell the history of their hometowns.

Rep. Claudia Tenney has co-authored a bill she hopes will help communities preserve those sacred monuments so the legacies they are meant to honor live on well after we're all gone.

The Remembering Our Local Heroes Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Pappas from New Hampshire, allocates $2 million a year over five years that will act as matching funds for community groups to mount efforts to preserve war memorials as well as monuments honoring those who served in law enforcement and fire services. 

If a community group, such as a veterans group or a Boy Scout troop, can raise $10,000, for example, the group can apply for a grant of up to $20,000, which would result in a total of $30,000 for the project. If $150,000 is needed for the project, the group would need to raise $50,000.  The maximum federal grant under the bill, which is still pending in committee, would be $100,000 per project.

"We really would love to be able to do this," Tenney said. "There are so many areas where you go to, especially throughout my district, where you see these beautiful old monuments, including your Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Monument that you have here, the Upton Monument, that could definitely be upgraded and cleaned and maintained. A lot of these monuments really aren't being maintained, especially the monument for our heroes."

Tenney stopped in Batavia on Saturday to visit the Upton Monument and discuss her bill with The Batavian.

"This (bill) would allow the federal government to participate in helping maintain veterans memorials and remembering local heroes," Tenney said.

In order to unlock access to the federal grant, all of the money to preserve a monument would need to come from private donations. Local governments could not help fund the project.

The bill combines twin interests and passions for Tenney, recognizing the sacrifices of those who have served their nation and their communities, and history. During the interview, she talked a good deal about Upstate New York's rich history and its contributions to creating the nation during the Revolution, the abolitionists of New York who helped free the slaves, most notably with the Underground Railroad, but also leading figures Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman, and New York's efforts to preserve the union during the Civil War and its role in the War of 1812.

"I brought Burgess Owens (to New York), who is a Republican, former football player, a Black Republican, whose hero is Harriet Tubman, his whole life, and he never knew that Harriet Tubman had a house in Auburn," Tenney said. "So I brought him in, and we went everywhere. He was amazed. We did the full tour. We went to all the different sites. And he was like, 'Wow, I can't believe this.' You know, we have such a rich history."

The germ of the bill began when Tenney served in the New York State Legislature, and she learned that Vietnam Veterans often have a hard time unlocking support that's available to other veterans groups because of the lingering controversies of that war.  During that time, she visited a group that wished to build a Vietnam memorial, but they couldn't access federal funds.  When she was first elected to Congress, she introduced the first version of this bill designed to allow any community group that takes on the task of ensuring local heroes are appropriately honored to tap into a small pot of federal funds to assist the effort.

"We (New York) were critically important in all the wars, whether it's the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the War of 1812," Tenney said. "I think it's important that we know our history."

The Upton Monument was dedicated in August 1919 (see the 100th-anniversary documentary produced by The Batavian embedded below), with construction funded by donations and contributions from the city of Batavia and Genesee County.  It was constructed by Wardon Monuments, a company that built monuments throughout the northeast, including Gettysburg, and had its headquarters on Evans Street in Batavia.  Officially, it is the Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Monument, but it carries a bronze statue of Civil War hero Gen. Emory Upton, who was from Batavia.

At 105 years old, it shows some age -- discolored bronze and cracks in the stone, including a large chunk of granite missing from the base.  There has been no known effort over the past several years -- and The Batavian has made inquiries -- among either private groups or the county government to take steps to ensure it is maintained and preserved.

That isn't unusual in her NY-24 district, Tenney indicated, because local governments are so cash-strapped these days.

On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Tenney said she often goes for a ride on her motorcycle through the district and will stop at various memorials along her route.

"I'll drive around to the monuments and just kind of place a little flag or just kind of see what condition they're in," Tenney said.  "I did that a couple of years ago, I didn't last year, but I did that, and it was just really interesting to see how many people actually do care about what's in their community. But there's no money, and all these local governments are strapped with unfunded mandates from the state and all these other issues, so we have this as something that is supplemental."

When we remember our history, Tenney noted, it binds us to our community and it teaches our children the value of their community.

"If you don't remember the people who really founded your community, the principles that it was founded upon and that people actually served, died, sacrificed, lost life and limb, I think that really sends a message," Tenney said. "We want to send a message to our young people that their community is worth something and that they should be proud of their community, of the people that founded it."

Photos by Howard Owens.

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), member of the Ways and Means Committee, today voted in favor of H.R. 7024, Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024.

This bill passed the House by a vote of 357-70.

“The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 is a pro-growth, pro-worker bill which ensures that hardworking Americans, family-owned farms, and small businesses that have suffered for far too long under Biden’s disastrous policies receive much-needed economic relief,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “This comprehensive bill was shaped by critical feedback from Main Street Americans across the country and New York’s 24th District. This package, focused on renewing President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, will boost our economy and give manufacturers the tools they need to bolster our global competitiveness. Not only does passing this bill work to preserve over 7,300 jobs in New York, but it would also retain $622 million per year in R&D-related wages for our state. I am thrilled that this bill, which will increase desperately needed economic growth, passed the House today. By voting in favor of this bill, I reiterated my commitment to supporting fiscally conservative economic policies implemented by President Trump that deliver much-needed relief for the hardworking taxpayers of NY-24.” 

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today joined Congressman Marc Molinaro (NY-19) and New York’s Republican Congressional Delegation in introducing a Congressional Resolution condemning New York Governor Kathy Hochul for defunding schools across New York State and prioritizing increased funding for migrants.

The Governor’s budget reduces funding for hundreds of schools across New York State while providing $2.4 billion to provide undocumented immigrants with legal assistance, housing, transportation, healthcare, and jobs. If Governor Hochul’s cuts to schools go through, schools could be forced to make up the difference by shuttering special education and disability services, cutting mental health resources, and more.

"Once again, Governor Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats are putting illegal migrants and their progressive agenda ahead of New York’s children," said Congresswoman Tenney. "Hochul's misguided decision to cut critical funding from taxpayer-funded schools threatens students' learning, especially as they continue to recover from COVID-related learning loss and their access to valuable disability services and mental health resources. I stand with my New York Republican colleagues in demanding that she reevaluate her priorities and support our children over illegal migrants!"

"Governor Hochul is prioritizing undocumented immigrants over our children's education," said Congressman Molinaro. "Cutting funding for schools will inevitably jeopardize crucial disability services and mental health resources. We cannot let extreme left immigration policies ruin our children’s future. Governor Hochul: reverse course.”

"This self-inflicted New York City migrant crisis shouldn't be paid for on the backs of our children," said Congressman Garbarino. "Our children must come first. The needs of New Yorkers must be placed before those of illegal immigrants. I urge the Governor to change course and do what’s right for our kids and our state.”

“New York Democrats’ sanctuary policy that’s turning hotels, schools, federal parks, and senior living facilities into encampments for unvetted migrants from all over the world is unfair to surrounding communities and the taxpayers who are being forced to foot the bill," said Congresswoman Malliotakis. "Because of State and national Democrats’ reckless policies, the Governor is now slashing hundreds of millions of dollars from schools across the state, including over $130,000 from New York City. This crisis is unsustainable and unsafe for everyone involved, and the fact that our Mayor and Governor are cutting services from citizens to continue funding free giveaways to illegal immigrants is insane. Our children deserve better.”

“Governor Hochul’s misplaced priorities have placed the interests of migrants over Empire State students by slashing education funding while dedicating billions to those who crossed through our porous borders," said Congressman D’Esposito. "I am calling on Governor Hochul to immediately reverse course and stop punishing New York students for Joe Biden’s disastrous migrant crisis.”

“A politician’s budget proposal is indicative of that politician's values and it is clear from her budget that Governor Hochul values migrants over our kids," said Congressman LaLota. "As the husband of a teacher, father of three young girls, and a New York taxpayer, I’m appalled by the Governor’s heartlessness. Her decision to hurt our kids, especially in counties that voted against her, is Cuomo-esque bullying. The Governor is yet again putting politics before people and every New Yorker should be vocal against Hochul.”

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) introduced H.Res. 965, a resolution calling for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett, a United States citizen, who was wrongfully detained by the Taliban on August 10, 2022, and condemning the wrongful detention of Americans by the Taliban.

Additional cosponsors of the resolution include House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Representatives Dan Meuser (R-PA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), French Hill (R-AR), Pat Ryan (D-NY), Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Dina Titus (D-NV), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Jim Costa (D-CA), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Brandon Williams (R-NY), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Marc Molinaro (R-NY), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Pete Stauber (R-MN).

Ryan Corbett, a husband, father, and Western New Yorker has been held without charge by the Taliban in Afghanistan since August 10, 2022. Ryan is being held in a basement cell without regular access to a bathroom, sunlight, or medical care. Other Westerners who have been released from the prison where Ryan is being held report that he is in deteriorating health. Ryan’s family has been fighting for his release in silence but decided to go public because of fears for his life.

Since meeting with the Corbett family and hearing their story, Congresswoman Tenney has led the charge in fighting for Ryan’s release and well-being. This includes working to get Ryan officially designated as a wrongful detainee by the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2023.

"When I first heard of Ryan Corbett’s detention and the brutal conditions of his captivity from his wife Anna, I was heartbroken," said Congresswoman Tenney. "Inspired by Anna, his children, and his loved ones who have been bravely advocating for his release, today I introduced a bipartisan resolution, reiterating that Congress will not stand idly while an innocent American is wrongfully detained and suffers under harsh captivity at the hands of the Taliban. The strong bipartisan support for this resolution calling for Ryan Corbett’s release shows that Congress stands united in calling for Ryan’s release and condemning the Taliban’s wrongful detention of Americans. We will work tirelessly to bring attention to Ryan Corbett's case and advocate for his immediate release to bring him home to his family."

"I am grateful for the strong bipartisan support that my family has received, in particular from our Congresswoman, Claudia Tenney," said Anna Corbett. "Ending the wrongful detention of Americans abroad should be in the interest of all Americans, and I am hopeful that these continued efforts to highlight Ryan's plight will help us bring him home without delay."

View the text of the resolution here.

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) today introduced the Unborn Child Support Act to enable expecting mothers to receive child support payments during pregnancy.

Additional cosponsors of the legislation include U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and U.S. Representatives Jim Banks (R-IN-03), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Ben Cline (R-VA-06), Bob Good (R-VA-05), Clay Higgins (R-LA-03), Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13) and John Moolenaar (R-MI-02).

Specifically, this bill allows the courts, in consultation with the mother, to grant child support payments during the prenatal period, extending retroactively to the physician-determined point of conception. Additionally, it provides flexibility for mothers who seek to avoid the involvement of the father by offering discretion as to whether those mothers receive child support.

“Every human life is important, and expecting mothers should have the physical, emotional, and financial support they need to reflect that,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Unborn Child Support Act provides mothers with the opportunity to access child support payments during pregnancy while giving them the flexibility to deny these payments, should they choose. I am honored to lead this bicameral legislation in the House and will continue to work to ensure mothers and their unborn children have the support they deserve from conception.”

“New mothers and unborn children deserve care from conception, and child support should reflect this. Modifying child support laws to allow pregnant mothers to receive it is commonsense and long overdue,” said Senator Cramer. “Instead of imposing mandates, our bill empowers mothers by giving them the choice to receive pre-natal child support. Now, more than ever, there is a greater responsibility for Congress to pass legislation to protect and support mothers and children.”

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) today announced that their provision, which would require that American flags purchased by the Department of Defense be made in America by American workers and use American-grown and manufactured materials, was included in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

“American Flags flown over our military installations, carried into battle, and draped over the caskets of our servicemembers who have made the ultimate sacrifice should be made in the land they so valiantly defend,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The United States should never contribute to offshoring jobs, especially when it comes to purchasing American flags. I am thrilled our bipartisan amendment was included in the FY24 NDAA to ensure that only American flags made in the USA are purchased by the DOD. I will always fight to support American manufacturers and workers and the domestic production of critical goods, including American flags.”

“The American flag is the greatest symbol of freedom in the world, and it represents the hard-fought battles by American servicemembers who made tremendous sacrifices to protect our nation,” said Congressman Thompson. “Every American flag purchased by the Department of Defense should be made by American workers in the United States with American materials. I am proud to have gotten this requirement signed into law.”

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced that a bill she co-led, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, passed the House Ways and Means Committee by a vote of 24-18.

This legislation was introduced by Congresswoman Michele Fischbach (MN-7). Congressman Smith (NJ-4) was also an original cosponsor. It would prohibit the Biden administration from limiting the ability of states to spend Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds on pregnancy centers.

"Crisis pregnancy centers play a vital role in delivering crucial medical care, essential supplies, and unwavering support to pregnant women, new mothers, and both their unborn and born babies,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Biden administration's efforts to divert TANF funds away from specific crisis pregnancy centers is a direct assault on pro-life institutions and jeopardizes access to invaluable resources for countless women. By passing this bill today in the Ways and Means Committee markup, House Republicans are fulfilling our promise to always stand with the unborn while further protecting our country’s foundational values of life, individual rights, and freedom.”

"Pregnancy centers offer a wide array of services and support for expectant mothers, fathers, and their families," said Congresswoman Fischbach. "Women who face an unexpected pregnancy should be able to safely go into a facility that is not going to push abortion on them and instead provide them with the education and support they need. And yet, the Department of Health and Human Services has proposed a rule that could restrict states from using TANF funding for these important resources, and encourages funding to go to facilities that provide abortions. This is one more example of this Administration's anti-women, pro-abortion agenda."

“Pregnancy centers across our country provide crucial services to close to 2,000,000 patients that encompass parenting and prenatal education programs, counseling, and critical material support—including pregnancy tests, free ultrasounds, millions of baby outfits, millions of packs of diapers, and tens of thousands of new car seats and strollers,” said Congressman Smith. “This critical legislation will block the Biden Administration’s efforts to strip these centers of federal TANF funding and will help ensure that their dedicated and compassionate staff can continue to provide much-needed assistance and quality care for pregnant women and their precious unborn babies.”

"National Right to Life applauds Reps. Michelle Fischbach, Claudia Tenney, and Chris Smith for their work on H.R. 6918, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act. Pregnancy centers serve millions of clients annually and offer hope and support for women and their unborn children. This legislation protects access to maternal care by blocking the Biden Administration from implementing a rule that could endanger funding for pregnancy centers in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. In a post-Roe America, it is more important now than ever that pregnancy centers are able to effectively support mothers and their babies. National Right to Life strongly supports this legislation," said Carol Tobias, President National Right to Life.

Tenney delivered remarks during the markup, which can be watched here.

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) released her 2023 Year End Report today, which highlights her office's legislative and constituent services accomplishments throughout the past year.

“Our office hit the ground running this year, starting off the 118th Congress by introducing 54 bills, cosponsoring 324 pieces of legislation, and returning over $13,000,000 in benefits back to our community,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “It has been an honor to represent New York's 24th Congressional District for an entire year now, and I remain as dedicated as ever to serving our community. I am eager to continue working on your behalf to deliver lasting results to our sprawling district and restore transparency and accountability in Congress. I encourage you to read our report, and as always, please contact my office with any questions. We are here to assist you.”

Read the full report here and view highlights from each section below: 

Constituent Services

• Returned over $13,000,000 in earned benefits
• Closed over 1,500 constituent cases
• Hosted 20 Mobile Office Hours
• Organized nine seminar sessions with federal partners
• ​​Announced $9,266,122.72 in federal grants and awards for NY-24

Accessibility and Transparency

• Explained more than 500 votes publicly on the website
• Launched three advisory committees, including the Agriculture Advisory Committee, the Service Academy Review Committee, and the Second Amendment Advisory Committee.
• Replied to more than 43,000 messages from 28,000 constituents
• Attended 285 community events
• Hosted three Farm Bill Roundtable Listening events
• Released seven detailed legislative plans

Delivering Results for NY-24

• Introduced 54 bills
• Cosponsored 324 bills, 47 of which passed the House
• Backed five bills that were signed into law
• Organized the Congressional Family Business Caucus

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Member of the Ways and Means Committee, sent a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to prioritize repayment of the state’s billions of dollars in outstanding federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) loans.  

The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) imposes a 6.0 percent gross federal unemployment tax rate on the first $7,000 paid annually by employers to each employee, resulting in a maximum federal tax of $420 per employee per year. Employers in certain states may credit up to 5.4 percentage points of state unemployment taxes paid against the 6.0 percent tax rate, meaning that the typical FUTA tax is $42 per worker per year.

However, employers in states whose unemployment insurance funds have outstanding federal advances for two or more consecutive years, like New York, could have their FUTA credit reduced by an additional 0.3 percent for each year the outstanding balance is not repaid in full. This means that New York small businesses, through increased employer taxes, will bear the brunt of Governor Hochul’s irresponsibility and inaction in paying back the state’s federal UI loans.

“Governor Hochul’s inaction in paying back New York’s outstanding federal UI loans in a timely manner irresponsibly places that burden on our small businesses and hardworking families,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “At a time of skyrocketing inflation due to President Biden and Governor Hochul’s far-left fiscal policies, Main Street businesses across New York are struggling and are now facing even higher taxes as a result of New York failing to repay its outstanding federal UI loans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, far-left officials in New York forced businesses to shut down, causing disastrous effects on our economy. Now, these same businesses will be forced to help repay the state’s federal UI loans despite the fact that the state had other means to repay the debt. This is reckless management from Governor Hochul and only serves to further hurt New York businesses while they’re already reeling from many other pressures. Today, I sent a letter to Governor Hochul urging New York to prioritize repayment of the outstanding federal UI loans to prevent additional harm to our small, local businesses and workers in New York.”

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced that she has nominated 13 local high school students from the 24th Congressional District to the United States Service Academies.

Each year, Tenney has the distinct privilege of nominating a limited number of people to four of the five service academies. These students were recommended to Tenney for nomination by a local committee made up of community leaders and veterans from across New York’s 24th Congressional District. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.

“As a mom of a US Naval Academy graduate, I am honored to nominate these outstanding individuals to attend our Nation’s Military Service Academies,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “One of my greatest privileges as a member of Congress is to nominate our next generation of leaders to these prestigious institutions, and each year, I am inspired by the exceptional applications submitted to our office and by their commitment to our country. Congratulations to all the nominees, and I wish you nothing but success in your future as you aim to serve our country!”

Listed below are the students who were nominated by Tenney:

United States Air Force Academy

• Frank Hersom, Genesee County
• Evan Moore, Cayuga County
• Ebon Brown, Cayuga County*
• Braedon Fonte, Livingston County*

United States Naval Academy

• Ian Cady, Oswego County
• Samuel Chanler, Livingston County
• Daniel Gagnier, Oswego County
• Ezekiel Krystaf, Niagara County
• Brendan Laity, Ontario County
• Ebon Brown, Cayuga County*
• Braedon Fonte, Livingston County*

United States Merchant Marine Academy

• Griffin Garnot, Ontario County
• Annalise Hobbs, Jefferson County
• United States Military Academy
• Casper Stewart, Genesee County
• Bradon Wolfe, Oswego County
• Braedon Fonte, Livingston County*

*student nominated to multiple academies

More information on the Service Academy nomination process can be found here.

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) sent a letter to Cornell University President Martha Pollack demanding Professor Russell Rickford immediately resign for his anti-Semitic and pro-Hamas comments.

In the wake of the terrorist invasion of Israel that has killed over 1,300 Israelis so far, Mr. Rickford referred to the slaughter of Israeli civilians by Hamas as “energizing” and "exhilarating," while speaking at a pro-Palestine protest on Cornell's campus. Tenney’s letter detailed the severity of this rhetoric and called for Professor Rickford to either immediately resign from his position as an educator at Cornell or be fired.

In the letter, Tenney wrote, “Anti-Semitism should not be tolerated in academia or any other part of a civilized society. Professor Rickford holds a position within the university that allows him to mold and influence young minds. This position demands a higher standard of behavior, one that is free from anti-Semitic rhetoric and the vocal support of terrorism. By perpetuating these abhorrent views, Professor Rickford has not only violated his ethical responsibility as an educator but has also jeopardized the safety of the Jewish community and tarnished Cornell University's reputation. I sincerely hope that, as the President of Cornell, you will take this matter seriously and understand the severity of these faculty statements."

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) made the following statement on the recent election of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04).

"Congratulations to my dear friend, Speaker Mike Johnson, on being elected Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Mike Johnson is an inspirational conservative who will restore faith in our government and bring strong, principled leadership to America.

"Speaker Johnson is committed to restoring transparency to Congress, reining in runaway spending, holding our adversaries accountable, and strengthening oversight of federal bureaucrats. Though 70% of appropriation priorities have already been passed in the House, the remaining appropriations bills will be considered expeditiously.

"Speaker Johnson's first action was to immediately open the People's House in order to bring a bipartisan resolution to the floor in support of the nation of Israel, our most important ally in the Middle East. He is immediately addressing issues critically important to the American people. This starts with direct action on the border crisis, prioritizing legislation to address runaway inflation due to far-left spending under Pelosi and Biden.  

"Speaker Johnson will renew our commitment to backing our courageous officers in blue, empowering parents' rights against the hostile agenda imposed by the Biden Administration and its weaponized law enforcement agencies, unleash American energy production which will lead to greater freedom, prosperity, and security for all Americans.

"House Republicans understand this historic moment for America and are laser-focused on providing leadership, restoring transparency and responsible government, and achieving real results for the American people."

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today introduced the Producing Incentives for Long-term Production of Lifesaving Supply of Medicines (PILLS) Act to promote the production of generic medicines in the United States.

This legislation offers pharmaceutical companies various tax incentives to encourage them to shift all aspects of the manufacturing process for generic medicines, including materials and testing, to the United States. Currently, the generic drug industry is experiencing a trend toward centralization in India and China due to their significantly lower production costs. However, this shift raises concerns about inadequate drug safety measures and the potential for supply chain disruptions.

“In recent years, drug manufacturing has shifted away from the United States, threatening American jobs and the security of our vital medicine supply chains,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “To bolster domestic generic medicine production and guard against future supply chain disruptions, I introduced the PILLS Act to incentivize businesses to produce these important pharmaceutical products in the United States. This legislation is a crucial step to not only re-shore drug production but also to strengthen our domestic supply chains and create American manufacturing jobs."

"The PILLS Act is an incredibly important bill that would create massive incentives to strategically restore U.S. domestic production of generic medicines," said Zach Mottl, Chairman of the Coalition for a Prosperous America. 

"Our country is facing a national health care crisis due to ongoing, and worsening, shortages of essential lifesaving generic drugs, which account for roughly 90% of all prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. Currently, the U.S. is dangerously dependent on foreign manufacturers—particularly in China and India—for essential, lifesaving generic medicines. Since 2002, imports from India have increased 35x, while the floodgates have opened to allow imports from China to rise to an astounding 165x their 2002 levels. This should sound alarm bells through Washington and highlight the need to pass the PILLS Act in order to address the shortage crisis and rebuild America’s domestic production of generics, antibiotics, and other key medicines."

Read the full text of the bill here. 

Press Release: 

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and Representatives Joe Morelle (NY-25), Brian Higgins (NY-26), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Marc Molinaro (NY-19), and Brandon Williams (NY-22) announced the approval of the New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor (NY SMART I-Corridor) application for the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) Program.

The SMART I-Corridor will leverage existing and new investments in semiconductor and sensing technology along with regional expertise in advanced manufacturing. The bipartisan group of New York members built on the strengths of their unique communities in a historic effort to bring transformative federal investments to reinvigorate regional economic growth for years to come. Following enormous community effort and collaboration from their universities, field experts, and local and federal advocates, the NY SMART I-Corridor coalition has delivered a promising future for the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region.

"By officially designating the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse corridor as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub, we are set to witness a substantial increase in job opportunities while fortifying the nation's vital supply chains," said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. "By designating our region, which was the home of the Industrial Revolution, as a tech hub, we will again see our community be at the forefront of innovation and drive economic and technological progress for our country. I deeply appreciate the bipartisan support from my colleagues, and I am eager to see the opportunities, jobs, and innovative advancements that this Tech Hub designation will bring to our community, our nation, and the world!"

“This historic federal commitment will power our local innovation economy, create jobs, and fortify our position as a leader in the global tech landscape,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I am incredibly grateful for the bipartisan support of my colleagues from the New York delegation – together we are leveraging the unique economic strengths of our regions to pioneer the industries of tomorrow and secure our nation's technological future.”

“Western New York is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in semiconductor production and this award demonstrates confidence that the workforce, research, and manufacturing infrastructure in place is prepared to deliver on this opportunity,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. “There is strength in collaboration. We are proud to support this project designed to bolster national security and deliver regional and national economic opportunities.”

“Western New York and the Southern Tier have a rich legacy of manufacturing innovation, and the approval of our Tech Hub application reflects our commitment to advancing technology, creating high-paying jobs, and securing our nation's economic and technological future,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy. “Our region's proximity to the world-renowned Micron facility in Upstate New York makes the NY SMART I-Corridor a natural choice for this transformative investment. Leveraging the expertise and resources of Micron, alongside our growing skilled workforce, reinforces our future as a premier destination for semiconductor research and production.”

"This is a significant investment into the future of Upstate New York. I am proud to be a part of the initiative that will transform our region into a prominent hub for innovation, job growth, and economic prosperity,” said Congressman Marc Molinaro. “Working alongside my fellow New York Members of Congress, we aim to continue developing advancements in technology and creating endless opportunities for Upstate."

“With a Tech Hub designation, we will welcome in a new era for New York—embracing a call to action and introducing transformational change, with our state becoming the semiconductor epicenter of the world,” said Congressman Brandon Williams. “Designating a Tech Hub for New York focused on the advancement of technologies, including the production of semiconductors domestically, will not only create jobs locally but will promote national security.”

For more information on the Tech Hubs Program Economic Development Initiative click here.

Press Release:

Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24), alongside Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-8), introduced H.R. 6007, the Retirement Investment in Small Employers Act (RISE Act) to incentivize micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees to adopt retirement plans, helping more workers save for retirement.

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 enhanced the retirement plan startup tax credits for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees to create incentives to adopt new plans. SECURE 2.0 allows for 100 percent of retirement plan administrative and startup costs to be covered for new plans, up to $5,000 per year. However, the law did not amend the formula relied upon to determine the amount an employer may claim in retirement plan startup tax credits, leaving the smallest micro-businesses and their employees unable to take full advantage of the credit. The RISE Act rectifies this issue, ensuring that micro-businesses benefit in the same manner as larger businesses.

"Congress must empower and reaffirm our commitment to small businesses across the country by taking steps to grant them a competitive edge in our economy," said Congresswoman Tenney. "I introduced the Retirement Investment in Small Employers Act along with Congressman Kildee today to enable micro-businesses across NY-24 and the nation to offer their employees robust retirement plans and allow their employees to save for the future. I remain committed to advocating for tax policies that work in favor of our small businesses and hardworking families."

“In mid-Michigan, small businesses support thousands of good-paying jobs and fuel our local economy,” said Congressman Kildee. “I am proud to work introduce legislation with Congresswoman Tenney to help more employers set up retirement plans, ensuring more Michigan workers can save for retirement. This bipartisan bill is a win for small business owners and workers alike.”

“All businesses, regardless of size, deserve the same opportunity and access to tax credits to help offset the costs of offering a retirement plan to their employees,” said Michael Majors, Paychex vice president of HR Solutions. “Paychex is proud to endorse Rep. Claudia Tenney’s and Rep. Dan. Kildee’s legislation to expand tax credits for micro-sized businesses which give incentives to offer retirement plans to help their employees save for the future.”