Mitt Romney captures my concern that the President's rhetoric does not attempt to unite the nation. The country would be better off if everyone -- Republican and Democrat -- toned down their rhetoric and focused on solving our biggest challenges.

The First STEP Act is a historic bipartisan reform that will increase community safety, reduce recidivism, and make federal sentencing laws more fair. All of this will be accomplished while ensuring violent criminals and drug traffickers serve their time.

The true state of our national debt and deficit is described here by a Manhattan Institute scholar. This is biggest issue we face as a nation which gets little coverage or attention.

US withdrawal risks the security of our allies Israel, Jordan, and the Kurds. It also threatens to worsen the humanitarian disaster among refugees in that region. We are kidding ourselves if we believe that ISIS and other aligned terrorists are defeated.

President Trump’s withdrawal of the 2000 US troops from Syria is the wrong move, at the wrong time. US leadership is critical to thwarting Iranian and Russian ambitions in that region.

Population loss figures don’t lie. New Yorkers continue to vote with their feet. State “economic development” spending, like that announced yesterday, does little to fix this trend.

I'm happy that a much-needed overhaul of the Congressional harassment and discrimination complaint and investigative processes passed the Senate. Harassment, abuse, and discrimination in the workplace are unacceptable, and Americans expect far better from those elected to serve.

Today marks Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day -- the 77th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii. We will never forget the men and women who were in Hawaii that day, and those who responded during the course of World War II.

Honored with my congressional colleagues to attend service for President George H. W. Bush today. His life was one of service to his family, his nation and to Almighty God. May he Rest In Peace.

China has been slow to combat fentanyl. The STOP Act will force them to act but this process won’t happen quickly enough.

The only in NY Scaffold Law is in dire need of reform. It drives up the cost of construction for schools, roads, bridges, and affordable housing. How it drives up costs and why it needs to be reformed:

My statement on the passing of President George H.W. Bush:

2/2 This is another reason why our legislation to fix the immigration system while resolving DACA and ending diversity lottery represents a realistic compromise on this issue.

1/2 Migrant melee is another example of why we need to enact stronger border security. The system of releasing asylum seekers into the nation results in more people claiming asylum.

A new piece from EJ McMahon highlights the astronomical cost of bringing Amazon to NY. These costs will be paid by the taxpayers, including the brick and mortar businesses that Amazon is in most direct competition.

Justice will be served for those responsible for the attempted attacks against Pres. Obama, Sec. Clinton and others. These actions run counter to our values and do nothing more than divide and terrorize our country. I am grateful for the Secret Service and local law enforcement.

I am thankful for the service and sacrifice of the many police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel. I attended the First Responders Mass at St. Peter’s Church alongside local law enforcement and firefighters to honor the many brave men and women who help keep us safe.

It was great to meet local veterans at my Dutchess Co. Veterans Resource Fair on Saturday. This event brought together representatives from various agencies and community outreach programs to provide area veterans with resources and guidance about benefits available to them.

In Upstate New York, farming is an important part of our local identity and a way of life for many. I am saddened to hear of the devastating barn fire at Millerhurst Farm. My thoughts and prayers are with the Miller family in this difficult time.

I had the privilege of joining Christopher at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Sunday. His Eagle Scout project consisted of making a sign for the Town of Kingston and the Sawkill Fire Dept. and constructing a stonewall and flower beds. Congratulations, Christopher!