Kennedy, Tim RSS Articles

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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Kennedy Statement on Trump’s Pathetic Lake Ontario Renaming Proposal

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

“If Donald Trump spent half as much time trying to make life more affordable as he does trying to rename bodies of water, working families might actually be able to afford their rent, utility bills, and food costs. His pathetic proposal to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America” proves what we already know him to be: a petty, vindictive, failed president.

“By declaring economic war on Canada, our strongest ally and New York’s largest trading partner, President Trump is waging that same war on border communities like Western New York, and we have been paying the price. Canadian tourism to New York is down 26 percent and Canadian spending is down 28 percent.

“After picking fights with our allies and losing illegal wars of choice with our adversaries, President Trump is cementing his place as the worst president in the history of our country. ”

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Protecting a Piece of History: Kennedy Announces NPS Approves Long Overdue Funding for Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

After Months of Advocacy, the National Park Service Approved the Buffalo Landmark’s Full 2026 Operating Funds, Resolving a Gap that Put Bills and Payroll at Risk

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced today that the National Park Service (NPS) has informed his office that it has approved the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site’s overdue 2026 operating funds, resolving a monthslong void that had left the Buffalo landmark as the only NPS site in the country without its funding this year. Kennedy has been working closely with the site and its leadership for months to press the agency to release the roughly $300,000 in funding, which covers about a third of the site’s annual operating budget.

“The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site is one of Buffalo’s greatest historic treasures, and its leadership should never be forced to consider shutting its doors for lack of funding,” said Congressman Kennedy. “I’m glad the National Park Service is finally releasing the delayed funding this site is owed, and I’m grateful to Spencer Morgan and the entire team at the Inaugural Site for their partnership and professionalism throughout this fight. This is a win for Buffalo, for Western New York, and for everyone who believes our nation’s history deserves to be preserved and shared with future generations.”

The Wilcox Mansion, where Roosevelt took the oath of office in 1901 following President William McKinley’s assassination in Buffalo, relies on its annual NPS grant to cover staff salaries, utilities, and day-to-day operations. The site also offers free field trips to students, serves as an early voting location, and welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Kennedy said he will continue working with the site to address its longer-term needs.

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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

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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