Kennedy, Tim RSS Articles

Cancel the Cuts: Kennedy, 1199SEIU, and Western New York Healthcare Leaders Warn of Looming Medicaid Requirements

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

With New Rules Set to Take Effect January 1st, State Health Officials Estimate at Least 475,000 New Yorkers Could Lose Medicaid Access

Kennedy Vows House Democrats Will Fight to Protect Care and Affordability

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) joined 1199SEIU, a coalition of organized labor, and leaders from local hospitals, nursing homes, and community health centers at 1199SEIU’s offices in Buffalo to warn that new federal Medicaid work requirements taking effect January 1st will put coverage and care at risk for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers.^{^[1]} The leaders called on Congressional Republicans to cancel the cuts and pledged to fight to protect the healthcare safety net.

“Starting January 1st, Western New Yorkers who rely on Medicaid will face new barriers to care, where one missed form could mean losing their health coverage,” said Congressman Kennedy. “Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans added red tape that puts coverage at risk for people who need it most. With clinics closing, nursing homes struggling to stay open, and hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers already losing Essential Plan coverage, our healthcare system cannot afford more cuts. House Democrats are fighting to reverse these cuts and protect the healthcare safety net that Western New York’s families, hospitals, and nursing homes depend on.”

“Make no mistake- this isn't actually about work. We know that 92% of Medicaid enrollees either work, go to school, provide care for someone, or are unable to work due to illness or disability. These “work requirements” aren’t about promoting work; they’re about taking healthcare away from the people who need it most. We cannot ignore the lessons we have learned from states like Georgia and Arkansas, whose attempts to incorporate these requirements into their Medicaid eligibility only resulted in loss of coverage and loss of access to preventative care that saves lives,” said Grace Orr, 1199SEIU Vice-President for WNY Nursing Homes.

Under the Big, Ugly Bill, many adults aged 19-64 on Medicaid must either show 80 hours a month of work, school, job training, or community service, or earn at least $580 a month, and must also renew their coverage every six months instead of annually.^{^[2]} The rules apply to new applicants starting January 1st and to current enrollees at renewal beginning on March 1st.^{^[3]} The NYS Department of Health estimates that at least 475,000 New Yorkers could lose Medicaid because of new work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks. The state’s uninsured population is also estimated to grow by 45 percent, from roughly 1 million to as many as 1.45 million uninsured individuals.^{^[4]} The Congressional Budget Office estimates the work requirements alone will increase the number of uninsured Americans by 5.3 million by 2034, and that 70 percent of those who lose coverage at the bi-annual renewals will lose it for procedural reasons such as missing paperwork.^{^[5]}

The impact will be felt across Western New York, where tens of thousands of the 300,000 Medicaid enrollees in Erie and Niagara Counties will be impacted by the new requirements.^{^[6]} Joint Economic Committee Democrats project that more than 42,000 people in Kennedy’s district, including more than 39,000 Medicaid enrollees, will lose coverage by 2034 because of Republican healthcare cuts.^{^[7]}

The damage has already begun. About 450,000 New Yorkers lost Essential Plan coverage on July 1st, and nearly 178,000 of them have not enrolled in another plan through the state marketplace, according to the NYSDOH.^{^[8]} Clinics in Amherst, Tonawanda, and Buffalo have closed, Erie County Medical Center has cut roughly 150 jobs, and the Richmond Nursing Home in Springville has received state approval to close.

New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, "Thousands of New Yorkers have already been kicked off their health insurance this year following federal cuts that impacted the Essential Plan. Now, beginning in January, new Medicaid requirements threaten to put even more New Yorkers at risk of losing their coverage. These policies create unnecessary barriers to health care and threaten access to coverage for families across Western New York and throughout our state. We should be making health care more accessible, not making it harder for people to stay insured.”

“People who depend on Medicaid should not have to fight through more red tape to keep their health coverage,” said Senator Jeremy J. Zellner. “Someone working multiple jobs or unpredictable hours should not lose access to their doctor or prescriptions because they cannot keep up with government paperwork. I stand with Congressman Kennedy in opposing requirements that put working families at risk and place more strain on the hospitals and providers serving Western New York.”

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “The new Medicaid work requirements are a cruel, unnecessary barrier that will take health care away from people who need it most. Millions of Americans who qualify for coverage will be forced to navigate a maze of government paperwork, putting their health and financial security at risk. At a time when families are already struggling with the rising cost of living, Republicans are making it harder for people to see a doctor, afford their prescriptions and get the care they need. These cuts will mean more uninsured families, more medical debt and more preventable suffering. Health care should be a basic necessity. Instead, Republicans are attempting to make it a privilege that depends on someone’s ability to navigate bureaucratic red tape.”

"Medicaid is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, providing access to essential health care, prescription medications, and long-term care,” said Assemblymember Karen McMahon. “These new federal requirements threaten to take that coverage away from the most vulnerable in society, creating additional barriers to care and placing greater strain on our hospitals, nursing homes, and community health centers. We must protect access to affordable health care, not make it harder for people to get the care they need. I join Congressman Kennedy, 1199SEIU, and health care leaders across Western New York in calling on Congress to cancel these cuts and protect the Medicaid safety net that so many of our families rely on."

“Medicaid work requirements will create significant barriers to healthcare for individuals and families who already face challenges accessing their essential services," said Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre. "We must prioritize policies that protect access to care and ensure that no one loses their healthcare because of unnecessary hurdles.”

“Our health is the foundation of how we perform in everyday life,” said Niagara Falls City Councilmember Bridgette Myles. “When you feel good, you are able to do good. As a Niagara Falls City Council Member, I believe it is important to educate our community about the upcoming Medicaid changes, how residents may be personally affected, and what resources are available to help them maintain their healthcare coverage.”

“I totally support Congressman Kennedy’s stance on these Medicaid work requirements,” said North Tonawanda Councilmember Will Schulmeister. "These work requirements will hurt many people in need."

"Community health centers like Jericho Road serve people who have nowhere else to turn. Medicaid work requirements add administrative burdens on patients already navigating the complex challenges that poverty imposes upon them. Many who qualify will lose coverage because they can't keep up with the documentation," said Dr. Allana Krolikowski, CEO of Jericho Road Community Health Center. "Community health centers must also dedicate scarce staff and resources to help patients prove their eligibility in addition to caring for them. In American healthcare, health insurance is essential to accessing care. When people lose coverage, they delay preventive care, skip medications, and end up sicker, and our entire community pays the price. We urge our leaders to protect coverage, not erect new barriers to it."

“Jewish Family Services of WNY has a significant share of clients who could lose Medicaid coverage and ultimately access to critical healthcare services under these new work requirements,” said Molly Carr, CEO of Jewish Family Services of WNY. “They are meaningful contributors to our community who deserve to receive care with dignity, respect, and compassion, and Medicaid provides access to these services that clients are unable to get elsewhere.”

"Too many eligible patients risk losing coverage because of burdensome paperwork requirements, not because they don't qualify," said Joanne Haefner, President and CEO of Neighborhood Health Center of WNY. "We want people to know that our health center is here for them -- to assist with insurance applications and to continually provide care no matter a person's insurance status."

Kennedy cosponsors the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act (H.R. 10692), which would repeal the Big, Ugly Bill’s premium tax credit eligibility restrictions and fully restore funding for New York’s Essential Plan. House Democrats are fighting to reverse Republican healthcare cuts and deliver affordable healthcare for every American.^{^[9]}

Full video of press conference is available here.

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^{^[1]} https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/sites/default/files/Changes%20to%20Medicaid%20Coverage%20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20English.pdf

^{^[2]} https://www.kff.org/medicaid/health-provisions-in-the-2025-federal-budget-reconciliation-law/

^{^[3]}https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/sites/default/files/Example%20Notice%20of%20Work%20Requirements%20for%20Medicaid.pdf

^{^[4]} https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-sues-trump-administration-protect-medicaid-coverage

^{^[5]} https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2025-10/PL-119-21-Medicaid%20_0.pdf

^{^[6]} https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/enrollment/docs/by_resident_co/current_month.htm

^{^[7]} https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/eee0d67f-c44a-4b97-bb59-01d2fcd2e26e/jec-district-level-impacts-of-health-care-cuts.pdf

^{^[8]} https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/sites/default/files/HR1-EP-Fact-Sheet-Aug-30-Update.pdf

^{^[9]} https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/10692

Kennedy Leads Letter Urging FTC to Block $29.1 Billion Sysco-Restaurant Depot Merger

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Kennedy and Colleagues Warn Proposed Acquisition Threatens Independent Restaurants, Local Jobs, and Affordability by Eliminating a Critical Source of Price Competition

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) led his colleagues in sending a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging rejection of Sysco Corporation’s proposed $29.1 billion acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot. Members warned that the merger would reduce competition, drive up costs for independent restaurants, and threaten the small businesses that anchor local economies across Western New York and the nation.

Across the country, independent restaurants are already facing mounting financial pressure, with food costs up 38 percent nationwide since 2019 and nearly half of restaurant operators reporting that their businesses were unprofitable in 2025. Sysco’s acquisition of Restaurant Depot would eliminate a critical source of price competition, leaving independent restaurant owners with fewer options to control costs and putting additional pressure on businesses already struggling to keep prices affordable for their customers.

“Independent restaurants are part of the fabric of Western New York. They employ our neighbors, support local suppliers, and give our communities places to come together. These small businesses are already being squeezed by rising food prices and operating costs, and they cannot afford another hit,” said Congressman Kennedy. “This merger would put even more power in the hands of a major distributor while taking away one of the few tools independent restaurants have to keep their costs down. When competition disappears, small businesses pay the price and those costs ultimately reach the families sitting down at the table. The FTC must stand up for independent businesses, protect competition, and reject this deal.”

“Independent restaurants are already struggling because of rising food costs,” said Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL). “By buying Restaurant Depot, Sysco would eliminate a key source of competition that independent restaurants rely on to get a fair price on food and supplies. That means higher costs for local restaurants and more expensive meals for working families. We need regulators to be serious about pushing back against this wave of corporate consolidation so that people can afford to live their lives and so our small, local businesses can have a fair shot.”

“Independent restaurants are operating on razor-thin margins, and Restaurant Depot is one of the few tools they have to check broadline prices and keep their costs in line. We are grateful to Congressman Tim Kennedy for his leadership urging the FTC to reject Sysco's proposed acquisition of Restaurant Depot. When competition disappears from the supply chain, the consequences reach well beyond a restaurant’s doors putting farmers, local artisans and the economic stability of communities at risk.” Erika Polmar, Executive Director, Independent Restaurant Coalition

Lawmakers underscored the importance of protecting competition as families and small businesses continue to face affordability challenges. Allowing further consolidation in the foodservice supply chain would leave independent restaurants with fewer choices and less leverage to manage costs, threatening the local businesses and jobs that communities depend on.

Background

Restaurant Depot operates 167 warehouse locations across 35 states, serving more than 725,000 independent restaurants and foodservice operators. Its cash-and-carry model allows restaurant owners to compare prices directly with traditional wholesale distributors like Sysco and negotiate more competitive terms. This proposed acquisition would place both distribution channels under the same corporate ownership, eliminating an important check on pricing in the foodservice supply chain. Independent restaurants employ approximately 11 million workers nationwide and support more than five million additional jobs across supply chains that include farms, fisheries, dairies, equipment suppliers, and specialty food producers. By hiring locally, purchasing from local suppliers, and banking with local financial institutions, these businesses help sustain the communities they serve. The FTC has previously recognized the competitive risks of consolidation in foodservice distribution: in 2015, the Commission opposed Sysco’s proposed acquisition of US Foods, arguing that the merger would substantially reduce competition and likely increase prices for restaurants. After a federal district court granted the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction, the companies abandoned the deal.

Full text of the letter can be found here.

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Following DHS’s Disclosure of Nearly $17 Million Expansion, Kennedy Makes Unannounced Visit to ICE Batavia Facility to Inspect Conditions and Conduct Oversight

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Kennedy Questions ICE Officials and Witnesses State of the Facility and its Detainees Firsthand

BUFFALO, N.Y. - After receiving written confirmation from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin that ICE is proceeding with a nearly $17 million expansion at their Batavia facility, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) made an unannounced visit to the Service Processing Center to witness firsthand the wellbeing of detainees, conditions of the facility, and to inspect the expansion. DHS held 653 individuals at Batavia as of July 2026 and has begun construction to create a new detention facility for women. DHS noted that, depending on the need, men may be housed in the new facility as well. More than 70% of the detainees at Batavia have no criminal history.

However, several questions about the expansion, medical care, and the treatment of detainees remained unanswered. Following his visit, Congressman Kennedy, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to DHS seeking additional information about the planned expansion, the availability of adequate medical care, the number and circumstances of individuals being detained, and policies impeding access to legal representation. The letter calls for greater transparency and accountability as DHS moves forward with its plans for the facility.

“Conducting oversight of federal agencies is one of my fundamental responsibilities in Congress, and I will not allow a nearly $17 million expansion of a federal detention facility to move forward without demanding answers. I went to Batavia to see the conditions firsthand, ask questions, and get clear answers about the planned expansion, medical care, and the treatment of detainees. When questions about medical care, the treatment of detainees, and access to legal representation remain, DHS has a responsibility to provide clear answers,” said Congressman Kennedy. “I will continue pressing for transparency and accountability to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly and the basic needs of those in federal custody are being met.”

Pursuant to Section 527 of the FY2024 DHS Appropriations Act, DHS is legally obligated to allow Members of Congress to inspect detainee facilities without prior notice. This law has been upheld in federal court in the case of Neguse et al v. U.S. ICE et al.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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Kennedy, New York Delegation Demand DHS Release $87 Million in Counterterrorism Funding Still Owed to New York

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

One Year After Trump Promised Full Reversal of Funding Cuts, First Responders Statewide are Still Without Millions in Federal Investments

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, led members of the New York Congressional Delegation in urging the Department of Homeland Security to immediately release $87 million in FY2025 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funding that is still owed to New York. Their letter, sent to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton, highlights the danger of withholding this funding from one the largest states in the nation and a top target for international and domestic terrorism.

“One year ago, President Trump promised to restore New York counterterrorism funding in full after slashing the state’s allocation by nearly 90 percent. Yet today, DHS refuses to release $87 million that is still missing,” said Congressman Kennedy. “As Ranking Member of the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee, I know how critical these preparedness investments are. They help law enforcement and first responders across New York, from Buffalo to Manhattan, plan for emergencies, train for real world terrorism threats, and get the equipment they need to keep our communities safe. These preparedness grants were born out of the aftermath of the deadliest terror attack in American history, a tragedy that changed New York State forever. DHS’s refusal to restore $87 million for the state is not just reckless – it poses a direct threat to public safety.”

In September 2025, DHS issued HSGP award notifications that cut New York’s allocation by 86 percent, or $187 million, leaving the state with just $30 million compared to roughly $220 million in FY24. In October 2025, following bipartisan advocacy, President Trump committed to restoring full funding at approximately $220 million. After a court order in Noem v. Illinois that found Trump unlawfully cut emergency grant funding, the administration released $100 million, but $87 million is still owed to New York.

The missing funds affect every county in the state, including Erie and Niagara, and represent $11 million in losses for New York City. The letter warns that without full restoration, DHS is severely limiting local law enforcement’s ability to plan, train tactical teams, procure equipment, and conduct operations. Created in the wake of the September 11th attacks, HSGP has protected New York State for decades. The delegation underscored that the funds are due 25 years after 9/11 and one year after the President’s promise.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Grant Extends Microloans and Business Support for Refugee Entrepreneurs

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

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

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

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

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

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read Congressman Kennedy’s oversight letter here.

Read Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s full response here.

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

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

Congressman Kennedy's floor remarks can be viewed here.

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

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full text of the letter here.

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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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