Fighting for Long Island Priorities in Our Nation’s Capitol
Part 2 of a 2-Part Op-ed by Congressman Lee Zeldin
In the first part of this 2-part op-ed, I discussed Long Island’s important environmental priorities, from preventing offshore drilling off the coast of Long Island, to halting the sale of Plum Island and securing vital funding for Brookhaven National Lab and Stony Brook University’s important clean energy research. Almost completely surrounded by water, safeguarding our environment is an important in every part of our district’s way of life, but it is just one of the many important issues facing our area. From Hauppauge to Shelter Island, the vast diversity and individuality that makes NY-1 the greatest Congressional District in the country, also presents unique challenges that I’m committed to addressing each and every day.
Along the North Shore of our district, I’m fighting to restore quality of life for residents adversely affected by the North Shore Helicopter Route, and, last Congress, my legislation requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reconsider the North Shore Helicopter Route, including an all-water route, was passed and signed into law. Now it’s vital the FAA takes the necessary steps to change the route and provide relief to the residents who for too long have been ignored while suffering due to the persistent issue of helicopter noise on the East End.
From Northport VA to the East End, I’m also fighting to ensure our local veterans have access to the high quality care they have earned. This includes prioritizing the reopening of Building 11, the homeless shelter on campus at Northport VA, focusing on repairing the campus’ aging infrastructure and expanding access to care for East End veterans with Community Based Outpatient Clinics and other alternatives that allow them to receive the care they need with local convenience.
Just as our nation’s veterans fought for the freedoms and liberties that make this country the greatest in the world, our local law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical services work to safeguard our neighborhoods each and everyday. We must ensure they have access to every resource they need to safely and effectively do their jobs. This includes blocking the sale of the T-Band spectrum, a vital communication system, which works even when cell phones, internet, and electricity cease to function. T-band is the last line of defense, and selling off this spectrum would harm public safety and at great financial cost.
On Long Island, our local law enforcement is faced with the rise of the heroin and opioid abuse crisis, as well as transnational gangs, such as MS-13. We must make sure law enforcement is provided with the equipment they need to protect themselves and the laws in place that help safeguard our neighborhoods. In my time in Congress, we’ve passed into law several key pieces of legislation on this front. Some of these bills include the Federal Law Enforcement Self-Defense and Protection Act and Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act, and this progress is important, but there is even more hard work that still lies ahead.
Our local first responders’ commitment to our community, courage and unwavering dedication to protect and serve may never have been as evident as it was on September 11th, 2001. The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund was established to provide compensation for the victims of 9/11 and their families, including these brave first responders. However, we’re now hearing from the Special Master of the fund that this funding “may be insufficient to compensate all claims.” This is completely unacceptable, and I’ve already called on Congress to fully fund the Victim Compensation fund at the very beginning of this Congress In honor of these first responders and the families who carry on their memory.
These are just a few of the many important priorities for our great island. It is my utmost honor to be able to represent New York’s First Congressional District. It is a privilege to fight for my constituents, friends and neighbors, while serving in our nation’s capital. We will always have a lot of critical work still ahead and successes to pursue and achieve for the amazing place we all call home.
Congressman Lee Zeldin represents the First Congressional District of New York in Congress where he serves on both the House Financial Services and Foreign Affairs Committees.