Kennedy, Tim RSS Articles

Empty Shelves, Weaker Communities: Kennedy Calls for Passage of Three Bills to Combat Food Deserts Outside Shuttered Buffalo Grocery Store

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Genesee Street Save A Lot Closure is the Latest in a String of WNY Grocery Losses Hurting Neighborhoods

Kennedy Urges the House to Pass the Food Deserts Act, the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act, and the Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Standing with community members outside of the recently shuttered Save A Lot grocery store on Genesee Street in Buffalo, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) called on the House of Representatives to pass three pieces of legislation that he cosponsors that are aimed at combating food deserts and expanding access to affordable, healthy groceries in underserved communities. The Genesee Street Save A Lot permanently closed in May, leaving neighbors, many without a car, with far fewer options for groceries within walking distance.

“When a grocery store closes in a neighborhood like Schiller Park, for families with limited access to transportation, it can mean the difference between fresh food and processed food, and between affordable groceries and expensive, unhealthy options from a corner store,” said Congressman Kennedy. “No matter your ZIP code, every Western New Yorker must have access to a walkable grocery store where they can find fresh fruits, vegetables, and affordable food for their families. This package of legislation includes three commonsense bills that would help bring grocery stores back to underserved neighborhoods and support existing stores. With groceries becoming more unaffordable every day, I’m calling on the House of Representatives to pass this legislation as soon as possible and give relief to communities in need.”

The three bills would each address a different piece of the food desert problem:

The Food Deserts Act, H.R.484, would direct the Department of Agriculture to award grants to states to establish revolving loan funds supporting the opening and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities.
The Health Food Access for All Americans Act, H.R.2473, would create tax credits and grants for grocery stores, food banks, and mobile markets that operate in food deserts.
The Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act, H.R.3506, would reauthorize and fund the Department of Agriculture’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative through 2030. This program is a public-private partnership that has helped attract grocery stores and fresh food retailers to underserved neighborhoods nationwide.

The closure of Save A Lot on Genesee Street is a part of a larger troubling pattern in Western New York. In 2019, the Tops Friendly Markets location near Broadway and Bailey permanently closed. The Save A Lot in the Broadway Market shuttered its doors in June 2024, followed by closures in Lancaster and Batavia that same year. Similarly, Braymiller Market closed its downtown Buffalo location in December 2024. These closures force families to rely on discount retail dollar store chains and corner stores that don’t carry the same variety or quality of fresh food, requiring many to travel further for groceries.

Grocery prices have continued to climb even as stores like the Genesee Street Save A Lot disappear. The cost of food nationwide rose roughly three percent over the past year ending in June 2026^{^[1]}. For families now forced to rely on corner stores or dollar stores instead of a full-service grocer, those higher prices cause even more financial strain, since smaller retailers typically charge more per item and rarely carry fresh produce or sale pricing. Losing a full-service grocery store doesn’t just mean a longer walk to buy groceries, it means paying more for less, at the worst possible time.

“Food insecurity is a pervasive problem throughout Western New York. Last year alone, nearly 171,000 neighbors relied on FeedMore WNY and our partner agencies for nutritious food assistance – but we cannot alleviate food insecurity alone. Increasing access to healthy, affordable food is a shared responsibility that requires partnerships throughout our community across the public and private sector. We stand with Congressman Kennedy in support of these critical pieces of legislation to reduce food deserts and increase nutritious food access for our Western New York neighbors,” Catherine Shick, Chief Communications Officer for FeedMore WNY, said.

Deputy Erie County Executive Lisa M. Chimera said, "Food is a basic necessity, not a luxury or privilege. As a former teacher, I saw how hunger affects a child’s ability to learn and succeed, while creating health consequences that can last into adulthood. Erie County has worked with our Food Policy Council and community partners to improve food access, but we cannot do it alone. I thank Congressman Kennedy for supporting legislation that would bring fresh food, jobs, and investment to underserved communities.

New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, "In the wake of the May 14 tragedy at Tops on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo, we saw firsthand the devastating impact of a community having limited access to fresh, healthy food. I was proud to secure a $500,000 pilot for the FRESH Communities Act in this year's State Budget, building on Congressman Kennedy's longstanding leadership on this issue in the State Senate. Expanding access to nutritious food requires partnership at every level of government, and these federal bills will help communities like Buffalo improve access to grocery stores and strengthen local food systems. I thank Congressman Kennedy for his work to bring fresh, nutritious groceries to all New Yorkers."

“Access to healthy, affordable food is a matter of public health, equity, and opportunity. Too many residents across Buffalo’s Eastside and other underserved communities continue to face barriers to accessing fresh, nutritious food close to home,” said President Pro Tempore & Masten District Councilwoman Zeneta B. Everhart. “I stand in support of Congressman Tim Kennedy’s efforts to advance legislation that invests in communities impacted by food deserts, supports local grocery stores, and ensures families have access to the resources they need to thrive. The closure of the Save A Lot on Genesee Street is a reminder that we must continue working together to bring meaningful investment and solutions to neighborhoods that have been historically underserved. Every Buffalo resident deserves access to healthy food options, and this legislation moves us closer to that goal.”

Kennedy introduced the FRESH Act while in the New York State Senate. This legislation, now carried by Senator April Baskin, authorizes financial assistance, such as loans and grants, to encourage the opening, expansion, and retention of grocery stores and supermarkets in underserved low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Kennedy vowed to keep pressing the House to bring all three bills to a vote, and to keep fighting for federal investments that bring grocery stores back to neighborhoods that have lost them.

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^{^[1]} https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2026/consumer-prices-up-3-5-percent-over-the-year-ended-june-2026.htm

Kennedy, Gillibrand Demand USPS Reverse Decision to End Curbside Mail Delivery for Whistling Straits Residents

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In Letter, Lawmakers Call on Postmaster General to Honor Commitment Made to Residents, Slam Agency’s Bureaucratic Failures

WHEATFIELD, NY - Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sent a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner demanding that the United States Postal Service (USPS) immediately reinstate its previous implementation of curbside mail delivery to the residents of the Whistling Straits subdivision in the Town of Wheatfield, New York.

After years of advocacy by residents and elected officials, local USPS leadership informed these families that curbside delivery would rightfully be implemented and began delivering it accordingly. However, in an inexcusable display of bureaucratic mismanagement, USPS has rescinded that decision, notifying residents that curbside mail delivery will end on August 28th, 2026.

The lawmakers called on USPS to honor the prior commitment it made to residents, arguing that families should not be punished because the agency failed to follow its own internal approval process. In the letter, Kennedy and Gillibrand criticized USPS for reversing course after beginning curbside delivery, urging the agency to immediately maintain curbside service and hold itself accountable for its own administrative failures. The lawmakers emphasized that Whistling Straits residents deserve the same practical mail delivery provided to surrounding neighborhoods and a Postal Service that keeps its word.

Read the full text of the letter below:

July 30, 2026

Postmaster General David Steiner
United States Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW
Washington, D.C. 20260

Dear Postmaster General Steiner,

We write to demand that the United States Postal Service (USPS) immediately cancel its inexplicable decision to reverse its commitment to provide curbside mail delivery to the residents of the Whistling Straits subdivision in the Town of Wheatfield, New York. After years of advocacy by residents, local officials, and our offices, local USPS leadership informed these families that curbside delivery would rightfully be implemented and began delivering it accordingly. Now, in a stunning display of bureaucratic mismanagement, your agency has rescinded that decision, notifying residents that curbside mail delivery will end on August 28th, 2026.

According to the letter your agency sent to affected homeowners, the local Postmaster “improperly changed the established mode of mail delivery” and lacked the authority to do so. Rather than taking responsibility for its own internal failures, USPS has instead chosen to punish the families who relied on the agency’s representations in good faith. That is unacceptable. The facts underlying this case have not changed. Whistling Straits, consisting of Squire Drive and Piedmont Street, received local planning approvals before USPS adopted cluster mailbox units as the default delivery method for new developments in 2012, and the subdivision was designed accordingly. It has no homeowners association, no common property to maintain a centralized mailbox, and no sidewalks – conditions that make the installation and maintenance of a cluster mailbox both impractical and, particularly during Western New York winters, a legitimate public safety concern.

The residents of Whistling Straits have never sought special treatment, they have asked only for the same curbside mail delivery provided to the homes surrounding their neighborhood along Ward Road, Hoover Road, and Lockport Road. For years, they have been forced to purchase post office boxes and travel to retrieve mail because of a bureaucratic technicality that arose through no fault of their own. USPS ultimately acknowledged the merits of their case when it approved curbside delivery. The Postal Service should not now abandon that determination simply because it failed to follow its own internal procedures.

This situation has severely undermined local public confidence in the Postal Service. USPS made a decision and began implementing it, and allowed residents to believe the matter had finally been resolved before reversing course after discovering its own internal breakdown in governance. Postal customers deserve a Postal Service that communicates accurately, follows its own procedures, and accepts responsibility when it makes mistakes. Instead, the agency has demonstrated precisely the opposite.

Accordingly, we demand that USPS immediately reverse this decision and honor the commitment it made to the residents of Whistling Straits by maintaining curbside mail delivery. Families who have spent years advocating for fair treatment should not bear the consequences of the Postal Service’s administrative failures.

The residents of Whistling Straits deserve competent leadership, accountable government, and a Postal Service that keeps its word. We intend to pursue every available avenue to ensure these families receive the equal treatment they have long fought for. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. We look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

Timothy M. Kennedy
Member of Congress (NY-26)

Kirsten E. Gillibrand
United States Senator

One Year Later: Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries Joins Congressman Tim Kennedy at Evergreen Health to Condemn the GOP's Healthcare Cuts

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Clinics Have Closed, Hospital Beds and Jobs Have Been Cut, and an Erie County Nursing Home Is Slated to Shut Down - With More Cuts Set to Hit Western New York in 2027

BUFFALO, N.Y. - House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) joined Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) at Evergreen Health on Tuesday to mark one year since Republicans in Congress passed the Big, Ugly Bill, enacting the largest healthcare cuts in American history. Leader Jeffries and Congressman Kennedy detailed its mounting toll on Western New York, including coverage losses for 470,000 New Yorkers who relied on the Essential Plan as of July 1, 2026. On top of that, clinics have closed, hospital beds and jobs have been cut, and a local nursing home in southern Erie County is slated to shutter, with additional cuts to Medicaid scheduled to take effect in 2027.

“I stood shoulder-to-shoulder last year with doctors, nurses, union leaders, and healthcare leaders, and we warned what would happen when Republicans in Washington voted to enact the largest healthcare cut in American history in order to pay for permanent tax cuts for the wealthy and well-connected,” said Congressman Kennedy. “Clinics have closed, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers have lost coverage, and premiums skyrocketed for those who were lucky enough to keep their insurance. A nursing home in our community is closing, with many more on the brink of financial collapse. As a direct result of these cuts, hospitals have been forced to cut hospital beds and jobs, weakening our healthcare safety net. Republicans own every single one of those losses. When Leader Jeffries is elected Speaker of the House in 2027, canceling the cuts and delivering for families struggling to make ends meet will be our top priority.”

“Extreme MAGA Republicans have imposed the largest assault on healthcare in modern American history. Their One Big Ugly Bill included a $1 trillion cut to Medicaid, putting hospitals, nursing homes and community health centers at great risk all across the country,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08). “Access to high-quality, affordable healthcare must be a right available to every single American. That's what House Democrats are going to work to bring to life here in Western New York and all across the country. Together, thanks to the work of fighters like Rep. Tim Kennedy, we will win back the House of Representatives and do all that is necessary to cancel the cuts, lower the cost and save healthcare.”

"The 'Big Ugly Bill' is exactly what its name suggests: a giveaway to the wealthy paid for on the backs of working families,” said Senator Jeremy Zellner. “One year later, Americans are already seeing the consequences through higher healthcare costs, reduced access to care, and growing uncertainty, with even deeper Medicaid cuts still on the horizon. Healthcare should never be treated as a bargaining chip. I stand with Congressman Kennedy and Leader Jeffries in demanding these harmful cuts be reversed before even more families lose the care they depend on."

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “A year after the passage of the so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ Western New Yorkers are already feeling the consequences of Washington’s reckless healthcare cuts. These policies have put affordable healthcare further out of reach for working families, seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities who rely on Medicaid and other critical programs to access the care they need. At a time when families are already struggling with rising costs, these cuts have created even greater uncertainty and hardship for our communities. I am grateful to our Democratic leadership in Congress for continuing to shine a light on the real-world impact of these decisions and for their commitment to reversing these harmful cuts. I stand with them in the fight to protect access to care, strengthen our healthcare system, and ensure that every New Yorker can receive quality, affordable healthcare regardless of their income or ZIP code.”

“Federal cuts to healthcare funding are devastating our Western New York community, creating job losses, limiting the availability of nursing home beds, eliminating critical care services, and shutting down healthcare facilities. Cuts to healthcare impact every Western New Yorker – whether you need reproductive care, elective surgery, or a place for your elderly loved one. When nursing homes like Jennie B Richmond in Springville, Weinberg Campus in Amherst or Absolut Care of Westfield closed – hundreds of nursing home beds were no longer available in our community. Without these beds, hospital patients must wait longer to be discharged into our long-term care system, creating longer wait times for hospital patients and limiting the list of available facilities where loved ones can be placed within our community. We must work together to cancel federal healthcare cuts and fully fund healthcare because quality healthcare for everyone is at risk,” said Grace Bogdanove, 1199SEIU Vice President for WNY Nursing Homes.

“The United Steelworkers stand with Leader Jeffries and Congressman Kennedy as they fight for all working class women and men with their commitment to reversing the devastating effects of this disastrous bill,” said David Wasuria, United Steelworkers District 4 Director.

"When women lose access to healthcare, our entire economy feels the impact," said Sheri Scavone, CEO of the Western New York Women's Foundation. "The One Big Beautiful Bill's more than $1 trillion in Medicaid reductions threaten the health and financial stability of the women who make up the majority of our healthcare, retail, hospitality, and caregiving workforce. Medicaid covers more than 40% of births in the United States and nearly half of all children, while 93% of women enrolled in Medicaid are already working, attending school, caring for children or family members, or living with an illness or disability that limits their ability to work. Women also comprise 77% of healthcare workers with direct patient contact and 84% of the long-term care workforce, making these cuts especially damaging to both the people who provide care and those who depend on it.

"The healthcare cuts enacted last year have had real consequences for working families, seniors, and the most vulnerable members of our community," said Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre. "Access to quality, affordable healthcare should never be treated as a political bargaining chip, and I appreciate Congressman Kennedy and Leader Jeffries for continuing to fight against these harmful cuts and for standing up for the people who depend on these critical services."

Western New York is already living with the consequences of the Big, Ugly Bill. Buffalo Therapy Services clinics in Amherst and North Tonawanda have closed, along with an outpatient surgery center in Amherst and the Family Planning Clinic on Main Street in Buffalo. Meanwhile, beds have been cut for rehabilitation services, and approximately 150 jobs have been cut at Erie County Medical Center, the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center. In nearby Springville, the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home has received state approval to close, putting dozens of caregiving jobs and residents' care at risk.

The damage extends statewide. The Big, Ugly Bill eliminated $7.5 billion in federal funding for New York’s Essential Plan, and as of July 1, an estimated 470,000 New Yorkers have lost coverage^{^[1]}, faced with the choice of sharply higher premiums or no insurance at all. Beginning in 2027, new Medicaid work requirements will threaten coverage for hundreds of thousands more New Yorkers.

Leader Jeffries and Congressman Kennedy demanded House Republicans cancel these cuts before more clinics, nursing homes, and hospital units are lost, and vowed that a Democratic majority would restore the funding that Republicans transferred to billionaires through permanent tax cuts.

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Statement from Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) on USPS Decision to Rescind Curbside Delivery to Whistling Straits Community in Wheatfield

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

“USPS is failing and disrespecting the residents of Whistling Straits, and they have every right to be furious. Weeks ago, USPS told these families this matter was resolved after years of advocacy by the community. Now, USPS admits, in writing, that its own postmaster broke their own policy. Instead of owning that mistake, USPS is punishing residents for it.

“This is a bureaucracy protecting itself at the expense of the people it’s supposed to serve. USPS leadership would rather chase Donald Trump’s fantasy of gutting mail-in voting than do their fundamental job of guaranteeing families get their mail delivered to their homes.

“These residents never asked for special treatment, only equal treatment: the same practical, commonsense mail service that exists for the rest of their neighborhood. Instead, USPS strung them along, admitted its own failure, and is now forcing them to pay for a mistake it made. This entire situation is a prime example of why Americans have lost faith in the federal government.

“I will not allow USPS to ignore these residents. I’m demanding answers, I’m demanding accountability, and I am prepared to pursue every legislative option to force this agency to treat these families with the respect they are owed. Western New Yorkers deserve a Postal Service that is competent, accountable, and worthy of the public’s trust. They have run out of patience with USPS’s excuses. So have I.”

Investing in the Next Generation: Congressman Kennedy Announces $2.9 Million in Federal Funding for The Service Collaborative of WNY’s Workforce Development Programs

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Federal Award, Paired With $1,301,438 in Matching Funds, Brings Total Investment in Buffalo Service Corps, ABLE Early Childhood, and YouthBuild Buffalo to More Than $4.1 Million

AmeriCorps- and U.S. Department of Labor-Funded Programs Set to Launch This Fall, Serving Hundreds of Children, Youth, and Young Adults Across Western New York

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Standing outside of a new home constructed with the aid of the previous cohort of YouthBuild Buffalo participants, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) joined leadership from The Service Collaborative of WNY (TSC) to announce $2,895,322 in federal funding, leveraged by an additional $1,301,438 in matching funds, to support three of the organization’s flagship workforce development initiatives. Together, the investments total more than $4.1 million dedicated to preparing the next generation of workers and community leaders throughout Western New York. The funding includes grants awarded by AmeriCorps for Buffalo Service Corps and ABLE Early Childhood, and by the U.S. Department of Labor for YouthBuild Buffalo. All three programs are set to launch in Fall 2026.

“Investing in our young people and our workforce is one of the smartest investments Western New York can make,” said Congressman Kennedy. “The Service Collaborative has spent years proving what strong programming, fiscal discipline, and community partnership can accomplish for our region. This funding will help hundreds of children, teenagers, and young adults across Erie and Niagara Counties build the skills, credentials, and confidence they need to succeed, while also helping their fellow community members. Western New Yorkers deserve exactly this kind of investment in their future, and I’m proud to help deliver it.”

“In a year when federal funding nationwide has been anything but certain, we set out to submit the strongest applications in our organization’s history — and we delivered,” said Kate Sarata, Executive Director of The Service Collaborative of WNY. “This recognition speaks to what TSC does best: exceptional programming, fiscal discipline, and operational excellence. We take our role as stewards of federal investment seriously — and we’ve proven we’re worthy of it.”

New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “For more than 30 years, The Service Collaborative has been changing lives by equipping young people and adults with the skills, training, and opportunities they need to build successful careers while strengthening our community. I was proud to secure $70,000 in State funding last year to support this important work, and I'm thrilled to see Congressman Kennedy and our federal partners recognize the tremendous value this organization brings to Western New York's workforce and economy.”

"The Service Collaborative has earned a reputation for changing lives by creating pathways to education, workforce development, and public service,” said Senator Jeremy Zellner. “I thank Congressman Tim Kennedy for securing this critical federal investment, which will strengthen programs that empower young people, build our workforce, and invest in the future of Western New York."

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “By supporting organizations like The Service Collaborative, Buffalo Service Corps, ABLE Early Childhood, and YouthBuild Buffalo, we're helping young people gain valuable job skills, preparing future educators, and investing in the next generation of community leaders. Just as importantly, these programs are making a tangible difference here in Western New York, from building affordable homes to expanding educational opportunities and connecting residents with meaningful careers. I want to thank Congressman Tim Kennedy for his leadership in securing this critical federal funding and for continuing to champion investments that empower people, strengthen neighborhoods, and build a brighter future for Buffalo.”

The ABLE Early Childhood program mobilizes AmeriCorps members to implement evidence-informed math interventions with small groups of 3- to 6-year-olds in Erie and Niagara counties. Forty AmeriCorps members will serve 290 students during the school year and in summer programming. Since its inception in 2019, ABLE Early Childhood has positively impacted more than 500 children from low-income households, addressing critical gaps in math readiness crucial for kindergarten preparedness.

The Buffalo Service Corps grant will engage 91 AmeriCorps members serving throughout Buffalo in environmental stewardship and career and workforce development activities. These members will assist with the landscaping of 705 acres of city parks and rain gardens, and the program’s summer members will support community outreach efforts of local partners, delivering education on conservation and environmental stewardship topics to more than 1,000 individuals of all ages. The previous AmeriCorps cohort completed 46 work orders covering 128,923 square feet of rain gardens and bioswales, and members removed 4,971 pounds of debris from 32 parks covering 632 acres.

The YouthBuild Buffalo grant will serve 74 young adults through an integrated education and workforce development model that combines academic support, leadership development, and hands-on career training in construction, advanced manufacturing, and customer service/hospitality. In the first six months of 2026, YouthBuild Buffalo served 67 youth, with 99% completing an education or workforce credential and more than 63% placed into employment or higher education, including 16 additional completions, 13 industry-recognized credentials earned in customer service and advanced manufacturing, and 2 NYS High School Equivalency Diplomas.

These awards reinforce TSC’s long-standing commitment to building a stronger Western New York by addressing workforce needs while strengthening communities through service. By connecting individuals to education, industry-recognized credentials, employment opportunities, and civic engagement, The Service Collaborative continues to invest in people who will shape the future of the region. Kennedy will continue to champion the federal investments that connect Western New York’s children, youth, and young adults to the skills and opportunities they need to succeed.

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Kennedy Announces Beginning of Curbside Mail Delivery for Whistling Straits Residents in Wheatfield

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

USPS Reverses Course and Will Provide Curbside Service to the Squire Drive and Piedmont Street Subdivision, Nearly a Year After Kennedy Demanded Action from the Postmaster General

WHEATFIELD, N.Y. — Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced that the United States Postal Service (USPS) has begun to provide curbside mail delivery to residents of the Whistling Straits subdivision in the Town of Wheatfield, ending years of frustration in which homeowners were forced to rely on P.O. boxes while every surrounding street received service at the curb. The decision follows a letter Kennedy sent to the Postmaster General in August 2025 requesting an exemption from USPS's cluster mailbox policy for the roughly 35-home development.

“This is what happens when neighbors and their elected officials work together and refuse to take no for an answer,” said Congressman Kennedy. “Whistling Straits residents deserved the same mail service as every family on the surrounding streets all along, and now they'll finally have it. I want to thank USPS for reconsidering, and I'll keep fighting to make sure Western New Yorkers get the services they deserve.”

“The Town of Wheatfield has been trying to resolve this issue for years, and we're grateful to Congressman Kennedy for his help in getting it done,” said Wheatfield Town Supervisor Don MacSwan. “Thanks to the persistence of our Town Board, our local postmaster, and everyone who worked to make this happen, our residents will finally get the same delivery service as their neighbors around the block, which is all they ever asked for.”

Whistling Straits, made up of Squire Drive and Piedmont Street, received local planning approval before USPS's 2012 shift to cluster mailboxes as the default for new developments. Because the subdivision has no homeowners association and no sidewalks, residents and Town officials had argued a cluster mailbox posed both a maintenance and a winter-safety concern. Kennedy's letter noted the development is bounded by Ward Road, Hoover Road, and Lockport Road, all of which already receive curbside delivery.

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Kennedy’s WINTER Act Passed by House of Representatives

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Legislation Will Strengthen Preparedness Against Terrorist Threats Targeting Critical Infrastructure During Extreme Cold Weather Events

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Tim Kennedy’s (NY-26) legislation, H.R. 3106, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness (WINTER) Act. This common-sense legislation aims to strengthen the nation's preparedness for terrorist attacks during extreme winter weather events.

The WINTER Act directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a terrorism preparedness exercise examining how a successful attack on critical infrastructure during an extreme cold weather event would impact communities and how emergency managers, state officials, and federal partners can better coordinate to respond. The legislation also requires DHS to report its findings and recommendations to Congress to improve future emergency planning.

Full remarks here.

“By identifying security gaps before disaster strikes, we can enhance our resilience and be better prepared to respond to increasingly sophisticated acts of terrorism,” said Congressman Kennedy. “We cannot control when the next severe winter storm will strike, and we cannot predict when terrorists will look to exploit our vulnerabilities. But we can ensure that our homeland security enterprise is prepared for both. That is exactly what this legislation will help us do.”

The WINTER Act was introduced with the support of Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (MS-2), was unanimously passed out of the Committee on Homeland Security, and passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.

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Kennedy Calls on DHS to Halt Construction of New ICE Detention Facility at Batavia

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Kennedy’s Oversight Letter Raises Questions About Need, Detainee Safety, and Facility Conditions

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) has sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding that the Department immediately discontinue plans to construct a new 100-bed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility at the Buffalo Service Processing Center in Batavia, New York. Kennedy warned this development represents a dangerous expansion of the Trump administration’s cruel and extreme immigration enforcement agenda.

Kennedy criticized DHS’s justification for expanding detention capacity, noting that most individuals detained at Batavia do not have criminal records. The letter underscores that the expansion of ICE’s detention capacity at the Batavia facility does little to enhance public safety – it merely increases the Trump administration’s ability to police and overcriminalize communities in Western New York and across the U.S.

Kennedy requested that DHS provide detailed information about the proposed facility, including its cost, funding source, construction timeline, intended detainee population, medical infrastructure, staffing needs, and current detention population at Batavia. He also called on the Department to release records related to its decision to build the facility and explain how it plans to ensure detainee safety and accountability.

Full text of the letter below:

The Honorable Markwayne Mullin
Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528

Dear Secretary Mullin,

I write to demand that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immediately discontinue plans to construct a new ICE detention facility at the Buffalo Service Processing Center (Batavia). This development represents a further expansion of the Trump administration’s cruel, inhumane, and extreme immigration enforcement agenda. It reflects a broader effort to escalate interior immigration enforcement and expand detention capacity in service of the continued over-criminalization of immigrant communities in Western New York and across our country.

DHS’s purported need for additional detention capacity in Western New York is largely a result of its own deeply flawed and extreme enforcement policies. It has been well documented that the majority of ICE detainees – roughly 70 percent – do not have a criminal record. Consistent with this national trend, the majority of Batavia detainees also do not possess a criminal record. Specifically, four of five individuals have no criminal arrest or conviction. This makes clear that DHS’s proposed expansion is not driven by an influx of dangerous criminals in Western New York, but rather by the detention of non-criminal immigrants, including local small business owners, workers, students, or even individuals who mistakenly cross the northern border. Expanding detention capacity under these circumstances does little to enhance public safety – it merely increases the Trump administration’s ability to police and overcriminalize communities in Western New York and across the U.S.

The Trump administration has a well-documented history of rapidly constructing detention facilities in service of its extreme immigration enforcement agenda, oftentimes without ensuring those facilities have the infrastructure to ensure detainee safety, security, and health. Through soft-sided tents, retrofitting of warehouses, and construction of hard-sided facilities, ICE has expanded its footprint – frequently over the objections of local communities – without proper consideration for detainee health or safety. I am deeply concerned that a new facility at Batavia would follow this same pattern, prioritizing rapid facility construction over DHS’s obligation to ensure that every individual in its custody is held in a safe, humane, and dignified manner.

Given these significant concerns, I request that DHS respond to the following questions wholly and completely by July 15, 2026.

As of July 8, 2026, how many individuals are currently being held at Batavia?
1. What percentage of those individuals possess a criminal record? How many detainees are being held for a civil immigration offense?
What appropriated funds is DHS using to build the new facility? What is the total estimated cost of designing, constructing, and operating the new facility?
Does ICE plan to detain men, women, or children at the new facility?
Has construction on the 100-bed facility begun? If so, when?
What additional medical infrastructure, if any, is DHS planning to build?
What are the staffing needs for DHS’s planned new facility?
Please provide all records related to the decision to construct the facility, including official memos, cost estimates, and communications with any contractors.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Timothy M. Kennedy
Member of Congress (NY-26)

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Standing with Western New York Leaders, Kennedy Calls on Full House to Pass the NEXUS for Families Act

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Following Unanimous Committee Approval, a Broad Coalition of Tourism, Business, and Cultural Organizations Urge Immediate Action to Cut Bureaucratic Red Tape for Border Communities

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Today, standing alongside a diverse coalition of some of Western New York’s top economic, cultural, and tourism leaders at the foot of the Peace Bridge crossing to Canada, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) called on the House of Representatives to immediately pass H.R. 9382, the NEXUS for Families Act. The push comes on the heels of the legislation successfully passing unanimously through the House Committee on Homeland Security last month.

Surrounded by endorsing organizations in Buffalo, Kennedy emphasized the urgent need to eliminate the bureaucratic hurdles families currently face when applying for NEXUS passes, a vital tool that currently helps over 2.2 million vetted travelers cross the border between the United States and Canada.

“Standing here today with the leaders who drive Western New York’s cultural and economic engines, the message to Washington is clear: it is time to pass the NEXUS for Families Act,” said Congressman Kennedy. “Traveling with a family is difficult enough even without adding the burden of multiple visits to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities for individual NEXUS interviews. In our region, visits to and from Canada are a routine activity that fuels our local economy. By streamlining the application and interview process, we’re cutting red tape and encouraging the cross-border travel and tourism that our local businesses and attractions rely on. This is common-sense legislation, and the House must bring it to a vote.”

Under current regulations, parents must submit a separate application for each family member. This leads to a dysfunctional system where a child might receive approval while a parent is delayed, or vice versa. Families cannot currently interview together and must bring even young children to CBP facilities for individual screening, resulting in multiple, highly inconvenient trips to enrollment centers.

The NEXUS for Families Act modernizes the process by requiring CBP to:

Link family applications together, ensuring households are processed as a unit.
Allow joint scheduling, so agents can conduct interviews for the entire household concurrently.
Exempt children under age 14 from the interview process when appropriate, expediting approvals for all participating family members.

"Our partnership with Canada is fundamental to Buffalo's economy and to the everyday lives of many Western New Yorkers," Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said. "Whether people are crossing the border for work, shopping, recreation, or to visit family, making that experience more efficient strengthens the ties that have long benefited communities on both sides of the border. I commend Congressman Kennedy for his leadership on this common-sense legislation to reduce unnecessary barriers for families participating in the NEXUS program."

New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “Every day, thousands of Western New Yorkers cross the border to visit family and friends, travel for work, attend sporting events and concerts, or simply enjoy everything our Canadian neighbors have to offer. The NEXUS for Families Act is a commonsense improvement that will make travel easier for families while preserving the security standards that travelers expect and continuing the strong cross-border relationship that has long been vital to Western New York.”

“For Western New York families and our neighbors to the north, the border is part of everyday life,” said New York State Senator Jeremy Zellner. “NEXUS helps keep our communities connected, and this commonsense legislation makes the program more accessible for parents and children while maintaining strong border security. I thank Congressman Kennedy for his leadership and urge Congress to move this bill forward.”

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “For families in Western New York, crossing the border into Canada isn’t just an occasional trip. Whether visiting relatives, attending events, shopping, or supporting local tourism, families deserve a NEXUS application process that works for them, not against them. Congressman Kennedy’s legislation takes a common-sense approach by reducing unnecessary paperwork, streamlining interviews, and making it easier for families to enroll and travel together. As someone who represents a community with deep ties to Canada, I applaud Congressman Kennedy for advancing this bipartisan effort to strengthen cross-border connectivity and support the economic and cultural relationship that has long united Western New York and our Canadian neighbors.”

“As a current nexus pass holder, I understand the benefits for me and my family’s travel,” said Common Councilmember Rasheed N.C. Wyatt. “To expand this service to exempt children could be a game changer for families traveling trying to navigate the borders and TSA check points more expeditiously.”

“We are excited to see tangible action being taken to make cross-border travel to Buffalo easier,” said Michelle Urbanczyk, President & CEO, Explore & More Children’s Museum. “We rely heavily on tourism in Western New York and hope that the passage of this bill will incentivize Canadian families to visit us more often.”

“Employers across the Buffalo and Niagara regions rely on efficient cross-border movement every day to reach customers, manage supply chains, support tourism and hospitality, and maintain strong relationships with partners in Southern Ontario and beyond,” said Grant Loomis, President and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. “The NEXUS for Families Act is a commonsense step that would make trusted traveler enrollment more affordable for families, ease pressure at our border crossings, and help keep people, goods, and opportunity moving. The Buffalo Niagara Partnership urges the House to pass this legislation and support the border communities and employers that depend on a modern, efficient crossing system.”

“The Canadian American Business Council (CABC) is pleased to endorse the NEXUS for Families Act,” said Beth Burke, CEO of the Canadian American Business Council. “This legislation helps reduce hurdles for families, strengthens U.S.-Canada connectivity and enhances the security that underpins our bilateral relationship. By streamlining the NEXUS program for families, this legislation encourages greater cross-border mobility and reinforces connectivity, benefiting communities on both sides of the border. We look forward to working with policymakers to continue modernizing cross-border travel and encourage Congress to move this legislation forward.”

"As a family-oriented attraction located on the U.S.-Canadian border, we are grateful to Rep. Kennedy for his leadership in facilitating cross-border travel for Canadian families," said Chad Fifer, President & CEO, Aquarium of Niagara. "We join him in urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the NEXUS for Families Act and to send a clear message that Canadian families are always welcome to enjoy all that Niagara Falls and Western New York have to offer. Their visits strengthen tourism, support our regional economy, and foster connections between communities on both sides of the border."

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Mannion, Tenney, and LaLota. Endorsing organizations of the bill include: The AKG Art Gallery, Aquarium of Niagara, Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Buffalo Sports Commission, Canadian American Business Council, Destination Niagara, Explore and More, Graycliff, the Mayor of Niagara Falls, New York State Restaurant Association, Niagara Aerospace Museum, Niagara Chamber of Commerce, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Historic Site, The Richardson Complex, U.S. Travel, and Visit Buffalo.

Congressman Kennedy is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus, and serves as the Ranking Member on the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee.

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Kennedy Introduces VA Coaching Into Care Act to Support Families of At-Risk Veterans

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Families of Veterans Lack Critical Mental Health Support After the Discontinuation of the VA’s Coaching Into Care Program

Kennedy’s Legislation Would Restart the Program, Providing Families and Caregivers with Accessible Support from Health Professionals

Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced the introduction of the VA Coaching Into Care Act, a bill to address a major gap in support for families and loved ones of at-risk veterans. This legislation would restart the VA’s Coaching Into Care program, strengthening access to real-time mental health resources for veterans and the family members who support them.

Watch Congressman Kennedy’s full remarks here.

For years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hosted their Coaching Into Care Program, a successful initiative that created a hotline to provide families of at-risk veterans with real-time support and guidance, including resources to help identify warning signs of mental health crises. However, the program was discontinued on March 1, 2024. Since then, calls have been rerouted to the VA’s Caregiver Support Line, which is often overburdened with high call volume and long wait times. Additionally, hotline responders are oftentimes unaware that they can provide resources to individuals who are not formally recognized as caregivers. As a result, many spouses, partners, and family members of veterans are left without access to critical, professional guidance in crisis situations.

“To close this gap, my bill, the VA Coaching Into Care Act of 2026, restarts this program at the VA for three years, providing phone-based counseling and guidance for family members of at-risk veterans. It strengthens the VA mental health support system, and put simply – will save lives,” said Congressman Kennedy. “We ask a great deal of those who serve our country. In this body, it is our responsibility to care for those who have protected us, our livelihoods, liberty, and democracy.”

On average, more than 17 veterans die by suicide per day. Ensuring veterans and their loved ones have access to timely mental health support has never been more important. The Coaching Into Care Act would restore the VA’s proven program for an additional three years, maintaining a toll-free hotline staffed by licensed psychologists and social workers. By reconnecting families with expert guidance and support, the legislation would help bridge the gap between veterans in need and life-saving mental and behavioral health care.

Kennedy’s legislation is endorsed by the Minority Veterans of America, National American Indian Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Vet Voice Foundation, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

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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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