Press Releases

Kennedy Named Ranking Member Of The Homeland Security Subcommittee On Emergency Management And Technology 
Kennedy Will Continue To Serve On Veterans’ Affairs To Honor Nation’s Heroes

BUFFALO, NY — For the 119th Congress, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) will serve on the House of Representatives Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Homeland Security. Kennedy will hold a leadership role on Homeland Security, where he has been unanimously named Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology. 

The Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, which has jurisdiction over emergency preparedness and response, will put Congressman Kennedy in a strong position to support fire department and transportation security grant programs that benefit Western New York and continue to push for passage of the Support Neighborhoods Offset Winter Damage (SNOW) Act. The legislation, announced by Kennedy in December, would update the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster assistance policies to better help communities prepare for and recover from snowstorms.

“There is no greater honor than to serve America’s heroes and keep our homeland safe,” said Congressman Kennedy. “Western New York has unique needs and I look forward to continuing to bring our region’s perspective to the Veterans’ Affairs and Homeland Security Committees to deliver the benefits our veterans have earned and deserve, and to ensure our communities and nation are kept secure.”

Rep. Kennedy will also serve on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, as well as the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittees on Economic Opportunity and Oversight and Investigations. 

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39), and House Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (MS-02) released the following statements on Kennedy’s appointments: 

“I'm pleased to welcome Representative Kennedy back to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for the 119th Congress,” said Ranking Member Takano. “As an occupational therapist, Rep. Kennedy brings invaluable healthcare expertise to our work, and he has proven himself a dedicated champion for New York's veterans. Together, we will continue our mission to modernize veterans' healthcare facilities and provide both veterans and healthcare providers with the resources they deserve.” 

“I want to thank Congressman Kennedy for joining the Committee on Homeland Security again for the 119th Congress,” said Ranking Member Thompson. “As a Representative for a northern border community, he will provide a strong voice for the challenges experienced in places like Western New York, and will work to make our communities safer and economies stronger. His experience will be critical to our work in keeping the country secure and ensuring rigorous oversight of the new Administration.”

During the 118th Congress, as a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Kennedy quickly responded to administrative failures at the Buffalo VA Medical Center that led to delayed care for patients. At Kennedy’s invitation, VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal visited the Buffalo VA in September to see the staffing and infrastructure needs firsthand. Kennedy has since called for a new VA Hospital to better serve the region’s veterans. According to the United States Census Bureau, New York’s 26th Congressional District is home to more than 40,000 veterans. The district includes numerous U.S. veteran and military resources including the VA Medical Center, two VA Health Clinics, the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, the Buffalo Vet Center, and the Buffalo VA Regional Benefit Office.

As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and Co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus, in the previous Congress Kennedy fought to increase federal resources and support our Customs and Border Protections Officers. Kennedy also helped prevent harmful regulations that hindered travel and caused undue harm to Americans who frequently cross and unjustly diverted resources from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In Committee hearings, he advocated for commonsense legislation that would make Americans safer, including the Aaron Salter Jr. Body Armor Responsibility Act. 

###