Kennedy, Tim RSS Articles

Kennedy Announces $62,500 Federal Grant for Buffalo’s Westminster Economic Development Initiative

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Grant Extends Microloans and Business Support for Refugee Entrepreneurs

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) today announced a $62,500 federal grant from the Office of Refugee Resettlement for the Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI), extending its Refugee Microenterprise Development project through September 2027. The award will fund the project’s upcoming year, continuing WEDI’s microloans and business-development support for refugees and other eligible newcomers who are starting and growing small businesses in Western New York.

“Refugees and new Americans bring ambition, skill, and strong determination to build a better future for themselves and their family, and a small business is one of the best ways to help them put down roots here in Buffalo,” said Congressman Kennedy. “WEDI has spent years supporting these entrepreneurs with the capital and guidance they need to start a successful business. I’m thrilled to see this funding carry that work forward, and I know that WEDI will use it to make sure that Buffalo continues to live up to its reputation as the City of Good Neighbors.”

“At WEDI, we see every day what can happen when talented, determined entrepreneurs have access to the right resources and capital,” said WEDI Interim Executive Director Courtney Yonce-Swain. “This funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement has helped us support more than 100 businesses since 2022, giving refugee entrepreneurs greater opportunity to start, stabilize, and grow their businesses. We are incredibly grateful for this additional support and for the opportunity to continue investing in entrepreneurs who strengthen their families, their neighborhoods, and the Western New York economy"

WEDI first received this award in 2022. Through March 31, 2026, the most recent reporting period, it has helped 105 businesses, including more than $94,000 in microloans for start-up, stabilization, and expansion. Founded in 2007, WEDI is a certified Community Development Financial Institution and also operates the West Side Bazaar, a small business incubator on Niagara Street.

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Kennedy Condemns Trump Administration’s $17 Million Expansion of ICE Detention Facility in Batavia

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

At Kennedy’s Demand, DHS Finally Discloses Details of Batavia ICE Facility Expansion - New $17 Million Structure Will House Women Detainees

In a Response to Kennedy’s Letter Written in His Oversight Capacity, DHS's Own Numbers Show More Than 70% of Batavia Detainees Have No Criminal Record, Contradicting Administration's "Worst of the Worst" Claims

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, today condemned the Trump administration's plan to build a new detention facility at the Buffalo Service Processing Center in Batavia at a cost to taxpayers of nearly $17 million funded by Trump and Congressional Republicans' Big Ugly Bill. He also exposed the administration's own admission that the vast majority of the people it is detaining in Western New York have no criminal record.

In a response to Kennedy's July 8 oversight letter, which arrived on September 29, 76 days past his July 15 deadline, the Department of Homeland Security disclosed that 72 percent of detainees at Batavia have no criminal record. Rather than defend the expansion as a public safety measure, DHS wrote that known criminal history "is not a prerequisite for immigration enforcement action." Secretary Markwayne Mullin instead pointed to the 2024 election, writing that the department intends to deliver "mass deportations."

"This administration told the American people it was going after the worst of the worst. Now they've admitted in writing that it isn't true. More than 70 percent of the people held in Batavia have no criminal record, and DHS says that doesn't matter," said Congressman Kennedy. "It took them more than two months to answer, and they still can't keep their story straight about what they're building. Meanwhile, the calls coming into my office tell the real story. Every single day we’re getting calls about people who are picked up by ICE while dropping their kids off at school or going to work. People that are here lawfully are feeling threatened and afraid. This administration must be held accountable.”

"Western New Yorkers are working hard to put food on the table, keep up with their utility bills, fill their gas tanks, and afford their medical bills. Our government should be focused on making life more affordable," Kennedy continued. "Instead, the Trump administration is spending nearly $17 million to enact its cruel and inhumane agenda.”

DHS's response contradicts itself. ICE's contract approval describes a "soft sided temporary detention facility," while DHS's answers refer to a "hard-sided" structure.”

The department also revealed that ICE plans to hold women at the new facility and that men could be held there as well "if the needs of the service dictate."

Kennedy's letter requested all records related to the decision to build the facility, including cost estimates and communications with contractors. DHS provided a single approval memo, with pricing details and the planned number of beds redacted. It said staffing levels for the facility are "still being discussed."

In July, Kennedy warned that the Trump administration has a pattern of rapidly building soft-sided tents and makeshift detention facilities without ensuring detainee health and safety, and demanded that DHS halt construction at Batavia. He will continue to press DHS for answers and to oppose the expansion of ICE detention in Western New York.

Read Congressman Kennedy’s oversight letter here.

Read Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s full response here.

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Stop Trump’s Tariff Tax: Kennedy Warns Escalating Trade War with Canada Threatens Western New York Manufacturing Jobs

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Standing at Northland Workforce Training Center, Kennedy Highlights How Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum, and Cross-Border Materials are Raising Costs for WNY Manufacturers

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Today Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26), joined by local employers and advocates at the Northland Workforce Training Center, warned that the escalating trade war between the United States and Canada is raising costs and creating uncertainty for Western New York’s manufacturing sector, one of the region’s largest employers. Manufacturing is the third-largest industry in the Buffalo Niagara region, employing tens of thousands of workers, and Northland trains the next generation of workers pursuing advanced manufacturing and energy careers.

“Manufacturing built this region, and the workers training right here at Northland are the reason Western New York’s manufacturing sector has a future,” said Congressman Kennedy. “But that future is at risk when the materials that cross the border during production get taxed each time. This is a Trump tax on Western New York manufacturers and the workers who rely on them for stable, good paying jobs in an increasingly unaffordable America. Canada is our closest ally and our neighbor, not our enemy, and it’s long past time to end this petty trade war before it costs us more manufacturing jobs.”

Western New York’s manufacturers are especially vulnerable to the cross-border trade war because materials used in manufacturing frequently cross the northern border multiple times during production, subjecting them to tariffs at every step. That two-way exposure shows up clearly in New York’s own trade numbers: the state exports $482 million in aluminum and aluminum articles and $254 million in iron and steel products to Canada each year, while importing $1.1 billion in aluminum and $586 million in copper and copper articles from Canada, according to the Consulate General of Canada in New York. Canada supplied roughly 60% of all U.S. unwrought aluminum imports in the first half of 2026^{^[1]}, while current tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper products can range up to 50% depending on their classification. On September 8th, Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on roughly $20 billion in U.S. goods took effect, covering steel, aluminum, agricultural equipment, appliances, electronics, and other products manufacturers rely on.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, “For more than 200 years, Canada has been our closest ally politically and one of our most important economic partners. Simply put, Canada is not our enemy and President Trump's trade war against our neighbor is hurting Western New York's economy. The free flow of goods across our shared border supports businesses and good-paying jobs throughout our region. Trump’s unnecessary tariffs are raising costs for local manufacturers, creating uncertainty and threatening the jobs families rely on to pay their bills and put food on the table. I join Congressman Kennedy in calling on the administration to end this dangerous trade war it started and restore stability to our relationship with Canada.”

"You cannot build a sound financial plan around uncertainty, and our local manufacturers are no different,” said Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick. “Western New York’s economic relationship with Canada is too important to be undermined by unpredictable trade policies. When our manufacturers struggle to plan, invest, and grow, the consequences are felt throughout Erie County’s economy. Our businesses and workers deserve stability, predictability, and a trade relationship that allows both sides of the border to prosper."

“Western New York’s economy has always been closely connected with our Canadian neighbors,” said New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin. “Our manufacturers should not have to navigate constant uncertainty to do their regular business across the border. When companies cannot reliably plan for their costs and supply chains, it puts jobs, businesses, and people’s livelihoods at risk. Our federal leaders should be helping us strengthen Western New York’s unique relationship with Canada, not undermining it with unpredictable trade policies.”

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “Western New York workers are the ones paying the price for the uncertainty and instability created by President Trump’s trade war. The men and women who build, manufacture, ship, and move goods across our region deserve the confidence that comes with stable economic policies and strong cross-border partnerships. Instead, they are facing disruptions to supply chains, rising costs, and growing uncertainty about the future. For generations, Western New York’s economy has been built on the close relationship we have with Canada. When trade policies create unnecessary barriers, it’s our workers, families, and local communities that feel the impact first. I thank Congressman Kennedy for highlighting the challenges facing Western New York workers and for continuing to fight for an economy that puts working families first.”

“Western New York manufacturers should not be forced to operate under a cloud of uncertainty created by President Trump’s disastrous trade policies,” said Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre. “Our region’s economy is deeply connected to Canada, and continued volatility in our trading relationship can raise costs, disrupt supply chains, and make it harder for businesses to plan, invest, and grow.”

“As Chair of the Erie County Legislature’s Economic Development Committee and a member of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency Board, I know that businesses need stability to invest and create jobs,” said Legislator Taisha St. Jean Tard “Our manufacturers should not have to navigate unnecessary uncertainty over the cost and availability of the materials they need to operate. The families who make up our local workforce deserve an economy where businesses can plan for the future, not one where they are left wondering what the next tariff will mean for their jobs, their paychecks, or the cost of living. Buffalo and Erie County have worked too hard to build a strong manufacturing economy to allow needless trade disputes to undermine that progress."

The stakes extend beyond heavy industry. New York and Canada are both key partners in the Northeast Semiconductor Corridor, and a single Quebec facility in Bromont packages and tests more than 80% of all semiconductors manufactured in the United States. This is a stark reminder that the advanced manufacturing careers Northland provides depend on the same cross-border supply chains now caught in the crosshairs of Trump’s tariff fight. Statewide, 816 Canadian-owned companies employ 88,700 New Yorkers, underscoring how deeply integrated the two economies have become.

Kennedy will continue pushing the administration to end the trade war with Canada and restore a stable, predictable trading relationship for Western New York’s manufacturers and the tens of thousands of workers whose jobs depend on it.

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^{^[1]} https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/canada-tariffs-deepen-north-america-210000214.html

Kennedy’s NEXUS for Families Act Passes U.S. House of Representatives

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Legislation Would Allow Families to Apply and Interview Together, Reducing Unnecessary Barriers to Cross-Border Travel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Tim Kennedy’s NEXUS for Families Act, H.R. 9382, legislation that would make it easier for families to enroll in and renew their NEXUS memberships. The bipartisan bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to link NEXUS applications for members of the same family, allowing them to apply and interview together. It would also give CBP the ability to waive in-person interviews for children under 14 when appropriate.

“I am proud to lead the NEXUS for Families Act, legislation that modernizes and improves the process and ensures it actually works for families,” said Congressman Kennedy. “By allowing families to apply together and conduct joint interviews, this bill makes the travel process simpler for parents, children, and spouses.”

For families in Western New York, where travel across the U.S.-Canada border is part of everyday life, the current NEXUS process can create unnecessary hurdles. Each family member must submit a separate application, and parents often have to schedule separate interviews for their children, requiring multiple, inconvenient trips to enrollment centers. This results in delays that prevent families from traveling together through NEXUS lanes, adding unnecessary time and bureaucracy to cross-border trips.

NEXUS was created jointly by the United States and Canada in 2000 to provide pre-approved, vetted travelers with expedited processing at the northern border. Today, more than two million people are enrolled in NEXUS, and nearly 328,000 people cross the northern border every day, supporting local economies and strengthening the ties between America and Canada. By allowing families to manage their NEXUS applications and interviews together while preserving the program’s security and vetting requirements, the NEXUS for Families Act cuts through unnecessary red tape and makes cross-border travel more efficient for Western New York families. This legislation will now be considered by the U.S. Senate.

Congressman Kennedy's floor remarks can be viewed here.

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Kennedy Sends Oversight Letter to EPA & Army Corps of Engineers Seeking Answers and Transparency in Ongoing NECRA Project

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Kennedy Presses Federal Agencies for Clarity on Contamination, Testing Timeline, Resident Protections, Relocation Assistance, and Financial Impacts on Affected Families

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Commanding General Lieutenant General William H. Graham, Jr. to solicit answers on the ongoing Niagara and Erie County Radiological Assessment (NECRA) and the federal government’s role in responding to elevated levels of radioactive material discovered on properties in Niagara and Erie Counties.

“As the elected federal representative of the families directly impacted by this situation, I am deeply concerned that the pace, transparency, and scope of the joint federal and state response have not adequately matched the urgent concerns facing affected residents,” wrote Congressman Kennedy. “These families deserve clear answers, timely action, and confidence that all levels of their government are doing everything possible to protect them.”

Kennedy’s letter comes as affected residents continue to face uncertainty about the safety of their homes, their health, and their financial futures. Kennedy called on EPA and USACE to provide written answers on the scope and pace of the investigation, sampling and laboratory analysis, risk assessments, health and safety protections, temporary relocation assistance, property values, and the origins of the radioactive contamination.

The full text of Kennedy’s letter can be found here.

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Kennedy, Ranking Member Thompson, Homeland Security Dems Demand DHS Cooperate with Homicide Investigation into Death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

After Thorough Review, AG James Determined her Office Lacked Authority to Prosecute, Referred Case to Erie County DA

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Standing feet from where Mr. Nurul Amin Shah Alam was found, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) was joined today by House Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Border Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Lou Correa (CA-46), and Rep. Nellie Pou (NJ-09) to demand that the Department of Homeland Security fully comply with the Erie County District Attorney’s investigation into the death of Mr. Shah Alam. Shah Alam was a Rohingya refugee with legal status who was found dead in Buffalo in February after being released from DHS custody. In April, the Erie County Medical Examiner determined Shah Alam’s death to be a homicide and an investigation remains ongoing. In a letter sent this week to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Kennedy and Thompson demanded the Department turn over any and all information requested by Erie County law enforcement, arguing that DHS has a legal and moral obligation to cooperate with a local homicide investigation within the District Attorney’s jurisdiction.

In their letter, they noted that there has been a clear pattern by the Department to obfuscate facts and block meaningful oversight. Despite multiple letters as well as several instances of questioning by members of Congress on the Homeland Security Committee and other committees, all inquiries have been met with silence.

“It has been more than six months since Nurul Amin Shah Alam died after DHS left him, blind and disabled, outside of a closed coffee shop in the middle of winter without the proper footwear or clothing needed for the Buffalo climate and no way to call for help,” said Congressman Kennedy. “The Erie County Medical Examiner has ruled his death a homicide, yet DHS still won’t hand over a single meaningful record. Not to my office, not to Attorney General James, and not to the Erie County District Attorney. Simply put, they are obstructing the pursuit of justice by local law enforcement. Mr. Shah Alam’s family deserves to see justice served by our legal system. I won’t stop demanding it until DHS complies.”

“A man died after being released from DHS custody, and his family deserves to know what exactly happened. DHS does not get to run out the clock and hope folks stop asking questions,” said Ranking Member Thompson. “If DHS has nothing to hide, then they need to turn over the records and cooperate fully with the Erie County law enforcement. It is that simple.”

“DHS dropped off a blind, disabled man outside a closed coffee shop in the dead of winter in New York with no coat and no call to his family. Six months later, there is an ongoing homicide investigation into his death, and DHS won’t cooperate. His family deserves answers. DHS owes Erie County the truth,” said Congressman Correa.

“Nurul Amin Shah Alam’s death was a tragic injustice that the Department of Homeland Security wants to sweep under the rug,” said Congresswoman Pou (NJ-09). “As Members of Congress, we have taken an oath to act in the best interest of the American people, however, consistent efforts from the Department of Homeland Security undermine this crucial work. I am proud to join Congressman Kennedy here in Buffalo to make clear that we will never forget what happened to Mr. Shah Alam and we will never stop fighting for justice for his family and this community.”

On February 19, 2026, DHS agents released Shah Alam, who was disabled, largely blind, and spoke little to no English, outside a closed Tim Hortons in Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood without proper footwear or appropriate clothing for Buffalo’s winter weather, and without notifying his family or attorney. He was reported missing and was found dead on February 24, miles from where he was released. DHS initially claimed he had been dropped off at a “warm, safe location” and showed no signs of distress, which has since been proven to be false by video evidence. Kennedy, Thompson, and their colleagues have since sent multiple oversight letters to DHS. Kennedy directly questioned Secretary Mullin on the topic as well, and was met with hostility. To date, no substantive response has been received. Attorney General James opened her own inquiry into the death, but has since reported that CBP has declined to share information and records, and she has determined that proper jurisdiction lies with the Erie County District Attorney.

Kennedy introduced the DHS Release Transparency Act in response to Shah Alam’s death, which would require ICE and CBP to notify a detainee’s designated point of contact before releasing them from custody.

Full text of the letter here.

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House Homeland Security Democrats Visit Buffalo to Discuss Domestic Extremism Prevention, Meet With 5/14 Families

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Delegation Met with Law Enforcement, Local Officials, and Families of 5/14 Victims and Survivors to Examine Emergency Response and Warn Against Trump Administration Cuts to FEMA Preparedness Grants

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Today, at the invitation of Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee’s Emergency Management Subcommittee, a delegation of House Homeland Security Committee Democrats visited Buffalo for a roundtable discussion on emergency management, domestic extremism prevention, and the federal grant programs that support state and local efforts to stop violence before it occurs. Earlier this week, it was revealed that New York State is still awaiting $87 million in FEMA funding for the state’s counterterrorism and homeland security efforts. Kennedy ws joined by Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Border Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Lou Correa (CA-46), and Rep. Nellie Pou (NJ-09) for the closed-door roundtable at the Frank E. Merriweather Library. The delegation was joined virtually by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Joined by Buffalo Police Commissioner Erika Shields, City of Buffalo Emergency Manager Tom Luby, and Dr. Amanda Nickerson, Director of the University at Buffalo’s Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention, the members heard directly from 5/14 family members and leaders from the 5/14 Foundation, whose perspective centered the roundtable on the racially-motivated mass shooting at Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue on May 14, 2022. The shooting, which killed ten people and seriously injured three others, reshaped the community’s understanding of emergency response and long-term recovery. The discussion focused on the emergency response in the shooting’s immediate aftermath, the role that sustained DHS investment can play in preventing domestic extremism through grant programs, and the impact of the Trump Administration’s continued delays and cuts to programs, including the State Homeland Security Grant Program.

Following the roundtable, members of the delegation visited the Tops Supermarket on Jefferson Avenue and the memorial that has been installed on the property honoring those who were lost in the shooting.

“What happened at the Tops on Jefferson Avenue was an act of racist domestic terrorism, and this community has carried that weight every day since,” said Congressman Kennedy. “Standing at that memorial and speaking with family members, advocates, and public safety officials is a reminder of why this work is so important. Our federal government has a responsibility to invest in preventing violence before it happens and to ensure state and local governments can rely on this FEMA funding year after year. Instead, we have seen cuts to the very grant programs that help communities like Buffalo prepare, respond, and heal. I’ll keep fighting to protect that funding and to make sure that Washington never forgets what happened here and in far too many other communities across the nation.”

“I am glad Committee Democrats met with local leaders on the impact of the 2022 domestic terrorism mass shooting in Buffalo. It is clear that this tragedy has left an indelible mark on the Buffalo community. White supremacist extremism has no place in America and, sadly, continues to be a scourge we must work together to eradicate. That means investing in the people and programs that help communities identify threats early, strengthen partnerships with law enforcement and community organizations, and intervene before violence occurs. I thank Congressman Kennedy for hosting us in his district today,” said Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson.

“Public safety funding is not a political weapon, and Buffalo knows better than most what is at stake,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “The federal government is directly undercutting our work to keep our communities safe by withholding critical homeland security funding that our state needs. The best way to honor those whose lives were stolen on 5/14 is by ensuring a horrific attack like this can never happen again. I am grateful to Congressman Kennedy for convening this conversation and fighting in Washington to ensure what happened at Tops is never repeated.”

“We must make sure our first responders and law enforcement have what they need to stop violence before it happens. The Trump Administration needs to stop withholding critical funding for our states now and not after the next tragedy,” said Congressman Lou Correa.

“Time and time again, the American people are seeing the Trump Administration weaponize FEMA funding for their own partisan reasons and political revenge,” said Congresswoman Pou (NJ-09). “The bottom line is that our communities need federal aid, and they should not be punished for whether they live in a red district or a blue one. Withholding over $80 million in assistance is unconscionable, especially when this funding is supposed to be used to combat terrorism and extremism, and provide emergency support.”

“The May 14 mass shooting was a devastating tragedy that continues to profoundly impact members of our community. Beyond the awful effects felt here in Buffalo, this terror attack awakened the nation to the dire threat posed by domestic extremism. But in continuing to withhold $87 million in federal counterterrorism funding to New York State, this administration is demonstrating it has forgotten the painful lessons of May 14 - and that it refuses to prioritize the safety of Americans who live in states that do not politically support this president. I deeply appreciate the visit and support from Representatives Tim Kennedy, Bennie Thompson, Lou Correa, and Nellie Pou, as well as Attorney General Letitia James, and I join their call to restore federal funding to protect New Yorkers from terror attacks. This is not a partisan issue; no Americans should ever suffer what our community did on May 14,” said Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart.

“May 14 was a wound to the soul of our community, and we continue to carry the pain of that terrible day. We must never forget the lives we lost or the lessons that tragedy taught us. As people of faith and as a community, we have a responsibility to protect one another and to stand against hate in all its forms. I commend the work of our elected officials who have continued to stand with Buffalo, to fight for our community, and to make sure the lessons of May 14 are not forgotten. We must continue to come together, look out for one another, and do all we can to ensure that no community ever has to experience this kind of pain again,” said Pastor Mark Blue, Chairman of 5/14 Foundation and President, Buffalo NAACP.

Kennedy and the delegation vowed to continue pressing the Trump Administration to restore full funding to FEMA’s preparedness and prevention grant programs, and to keep working with Buffalo’s law enforcement, emergency management, and community leaders to ensure the lessons of May 14, 2022 translate into stronger protections nationwide.

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Keeping the Promise: Kennedy Urges Passage of Social Security 2100 Act

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Standing with Faith Leaders, Community Members, Elected Officials, Kennedy Calls on Congress to Expand Benefits, Protect Seniors from Trump-era Cuts, and Make the Wealthy Pay Their Fair Share

Social Security is Currently Projected to Begin Depletion in 2032, Decreasing Benefits

LACKAWANNA, N.Y. – Standing alongside faith leaders, community members, and elected officials at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Lackawanna, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) called on Congress to pass the Social Security 2100 Act, legislation that would expand Social Security benefits and strengthen the program’s long-term viability by making the wealthiest pay their fair share. The bill, introduced by Rep. John Larson (CT-01), would also reverse the Trump Administration cuts to Social Security Administration (SSA) staff and services. Critically, the legislation would eliminate the $184,500 payroll tax cap so higher income earners contribute above the current wage limit, ensuring the long-term solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund. According to the SSA, the Trust Fund is projected to be depleted by 2032, at which point benefits will be scaled back for retirees.¹

“Social Security is not a handout – it’s a promise that is earned over a lifetime of work, and Western New York seniors have a right to expect that promise be kept, not broken,” said Congressman Kennedy. “For too long, future generations have stared down a weakened Social Security system that they won’t be able to depend on in their retirement years. The Social Security 2100 Act changes that. It makes the wealthy pay their fair share, boosts benefits, and undoes the damage the Trump Administration has inflicted on a critical agency that seniors rely on. I won’t stop fighting to save Social Security and ensure that future generations can receive the benefits they have paid into and have rightfully earned.”

“Social Security is a promise we must keep to our Americans who earned it,” said Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre. “The Social Security 2100 Act strengthens the program, asks the wealthiest Americans to finally pay their fair share, and protects the personal data of millions of Americans. Congress must act now to safeguard Social Security for current and future generations.”

“Social Security is more than a federal program—it is a promise our country made to generations of Americans who worked hard, paid into the system and now depend on it. Here in Lackawanna, many of our residents rely on Social Security for financial security and peace of mind. Therefore, we stand with Congressman Kennedy in his efforts to build support for the Social Security 2100 Act. This proposed bill keeps the promise to those who earned these benefits, protects current Social Security recipients, and ensures the program remains available for future generations,” said Mayor Annette Iafallo, City of Lackawanna.

“Social Security isn’t a handout—it’s an earned benefit and a promise to generations of working people who paid into it with every paycheck. After a lifetime of hard work, no retiree should have to wonder whether that promise will be there for them. The Social Security 2100 Act strengthens Social Security for today’s retirees and future generations while asking the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share. UAW Region 9 is proud to stand with Congressman Tim Kennedy in protecting the retirement security working people have earned and deserve,” said Wence Valentin III, UAW Region 9 Political/Retiree Director.

“The Social Security 2100 Act recognizes that seniors face rising health care costs. By using an inflation measure that better reflects seniors’ medical expenses—and protecting Medicaid eligibility when Social Security benefits increase—we can strengthen retirement security without forcing vulnerable Americans to choose between financial stability and access to health care,” said Dr. Lavonne Ansari.

In addition to eliminating the payroll tax cap, the Social Security 2100 Act would add a 12.4% tax on investment income for those making more than $400,000 a year, adopt an improved cost-of-living adjustment that better reflects seniors’ true expenses, and strengthen the minimum benefit so no one who works a full career retires into poverty. The bill would also reverse the Trump Administration’s staffing cuts at the SSA, block future field office closures, and prevent DOGE-like entities and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems.

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¹https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/press/releases/2026-06-09.html

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Kennedy, Dingell, Morelle Introduce Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act to Block Trump’s Attempt to Rename Lake Ontario

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

As Trump’s Tariffs Drive up Costs, Lawmakers Push Back on President’s Move to Turn Lake Ontario into a Distraction From His Affordability Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26), alongside Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25), introduced the Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act, legislation to block President Trump’s attempt to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” and prohibit the future renaming of any of the five Great Lakes.

“Americans are struggling to afford groceries, housing, and everyday essentials, and yet this President chooses to pick petty fights with our closest ally,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26). “This unserious, unacceptable attempt to rename the historic, shared Lake Ontario adds insult to injury as Trump’s tariffs drive up costs, making an already difficult situation worse. Our families, workers, and businesses need an administration focused on lowering costs and strengthening our economy, not distractions. Renaming a lake won’t put food on the table, lower anyone’s bills, or create a single job. It is a pathetic attempt to distract from an affordability crisis that this President has failed to fix.”

“The Great Lakes are a shared treasure that generations of Americans and Canadians have worked together to protect. Canada is not our enemy. It is our neighbor, our ally, and one of Michigan’s most important economic partners. It is a friendship that no stroke of a pen should be able to erase,” said Congresswoman Dingell (MI-06). “By preventing President Trump from trying to divide us with distracting public relations stunts, maybe then he will turn his attention to his reckless trade war that is raising costs and threatening American workers.”

“Lake Ontario is Lake Ontario. President Trump can play games with a map all he wants, but I’m not going to stand by while he wastes the authority and resources of the federal government doing it,” said Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25). “This is ridiculous, it’s embarrassing, and it’s exactly the kind of unserious distraction Americans are tired of.”

The legislation would prohibit the President, Secretary of the Interior, and federal officials acting under presidential authority from altering or renaming the official geographic names of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, or Lake Ontario. The bill would also nullify Trump’s Executive Order renaming Lake Ontario, issued on August 27, 2026, and prohibits federal funds from being used to implement it or any substantially similar action.

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Kennedy Introduces Bipartisan STORMWATER Act to Strengthen Water Infrastructure and Protect Great Lakes Communities

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Legislation Would Reauthorize Federal Grant Funding for Stormwater Infrastructure and Establish New Center of Excellence for the Great Lakes

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26), alongside Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Nick Langworthy (NY-23), introduced the bipartisan Stormwater Treatment, Optimization, Resilience, and Management with Academic Technological Expertise and Research (STORMWATER) Act, legislation to strengthen communities’ ability to manage stormwater, reduce flooding, and protect local waterways from pollution. This legislation is endorsed by the Great Lakes Commission.

“Every Western New Yorker deserves to know that when the next major storm comes, our communities have the infrastructure and expertise to withstand it,” said Congressman Kennedy. “The STORMWATER Act is about making that investment now – strengthening our water infrastructure, protecting our neighborhoods and businesses, and putting Great Lakes communities at the forefront of the technologies we need to safeguard the critical waters we all call home.”

“It is crucial we have protective measures in place for overflows in our lakes. Michiganders know all too well how drastic weather conditions can cause millions of dollars in damages and risk people’s lives. This reauthorization will not only continue to fund these lifesaving agencies, but will establish a new facility in the Great Lakes Basin,” said Congresswoman Dingell.

“Communities across the Great Lakes region know firsthand the challenges that stormwater runoff and flooding can create for our homes, businesses, farms, and infrastructure,” said Congressman Langworthy. “The STORMWATER Act will strengthen research and innovation, support communities working to address flooding, and establish a dedicated Center of Excellence focused on the unique needs of the Great Lakes Basin. As a member of the Great Lakes Caucus, I’m proud to join Congressman Kennedy in advancing this legislation and ensuring our region has the tools and expertise needed to protect our communities and keep our Great Lakes healthy for generations to come.”

"The Great Lakes Commission commends Rep. Kennedy for introducing the STORMWATER Act, which will ensure the Stormwater Centers of Excellence program continues nationwide while recognizing the Great Lakes as a unique resource increasingly threatened by stormwater impacts,” said Tim Bruno, Chair of the Great Lakes Commission. “Communities across the Great Lakes region are confronting more frequent flooding that threatens public health and water quality, carrying nutrients, debris, chemicals and other pollutants into our waterways. This bill will provide crucial resources to help communities prepare for and address these growing challenges."

The STORMWATER Act would reauthorize federal grant programs established through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that support stormwater innovation, technical assistance, and flood mitigation. The existing grant programs are currently set to expire in September 2026. The legislation would extend them through fiscal year 2031, providing communities with the resources and continuity needed to plan and implement long-term infrastructure improvements.

Critically for Western New York, the legislation would establish a Stormwater Center of Excellence specifically focused on the Great Lakes region. While four existing Stormwater Centers of Excellence currently provide regional expertise on stormwater infrastructure, there is no federally designated center focused specifically on the Great Lakes basin, a region containing approximately 21 percent of the world’s fresh water and 84 percent of North America’s surface fresh water. This Great Lakes-focused Center would ensure that communities across the region can access technical expertise tailored to their unique stormwater and water-quality challenges, including strategies to improve infrastructure, reduce flooding, and protect the lakes and waterways that are central to the region’s economy and quality of life.

Specifically, the STORMWATER Act would:

Establish a fifth Center of Excellence focused on the Great Lakes region, ensuring the region’s unique stormwater and water-quality challenges receive dedicated expertise;
Reauthorize $5 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support and maintain five Centers of Excellence;
Reauthorize $10 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for competitive Stormwater Control Infrastructure Project grants to support communities’ stormwater infrastructure needs.

Background

Stormwater runoff occurs when rain or melted snow cannot absorb into the ground and instead flows over hard surfaces like roads, rooftops, and parking lots. As that water moves rapidly into drainage systems and waterways, it can overwhelm infrastructure, contribute to flooding, and carry oil, debris, fertilizers, chemicals, and other pollutants into local streams and lakes.

For Western New York communities surrounded by the Great Lakes, these challenges are both environmental and economic. Stronger stormwater infrastructure can help protect homes and businesses from flooding, reduce pollution entering local waterways, and preserve the health and economic vitality of the Great Lakes for generations to come.

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March 11 Telephone Town Hall

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 23:30:00 GMT

Join Representative Tim Kennedy for a telephone town hall on March 11th at 7:30PM. Representative Kennedy will provide an update on his work in Washington, answer your questions, and address the issues that affect you most.

Special guests include Letitia James, Attorney General of New York and Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08).

To watch the Telephone Town Hall, click here.

2024 Service Academy Night

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 21:30:00 GMT

Congressman Kennedy will host the 2024 Service Academy Night at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the Hohn Auditorium on the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Campus at 665 Elm Street in Buffalo. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Free parking is available in the Roswell Park parking ramp.

Additional Information:

Representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Coast Guard Academy, as well as the Army and Navy R.O.T.C programs will discuss the application process and be available to answer questions.

Students applying to the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy are required to receive a nomination from a member of Congress. The individual academies make final acceptance decisions. Students enrolled in a U.S. service academy graduate achieving a military officer rank and commit to at least five years of military service.

The deadline for students living in New York’s 26th Congressional District to apply for a nomination from Congressman Kennedy is November 1, 2024. For more information or to apply for a nomination visit: https://kennedy.house.gov/services/service-academy-nomination.htm.

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