I cannot in good conscience tell my constituents that their country does not value their bond, their commitment, or their family.

If the Congress thinks that because of some automatic cuts this has to be cut back, you are doing a few things.

operating the government under continuing resolutions and sequestration is not the right way to do it

Congress must do its work, and we on the Appropriations Committee are committed to writing thoughtful spending bills in regular order.

I fear they will soon have to manage with less support in order for the Federal government to meets its obligations to our most vulnerable citizens.

I appreciate your Department honoring my request and that of Governor Cuomo and some of my House and Senate colleagues, to take a second look at the designation.

I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Committee and the secretary to continue to review the president's budget request.

While our economy is in recovery, some of our fellow citizens are being left behind.

It is true that my district has experienced the one--what do they say, once-in-100-year storms twice in the last 2 years, with Hurricane Irene and Sandy.

Can you please explain to me what estimates and methodology were used for determining the most impacted and distressed counties designation?

I have determined that both Rockland and Westchester Counties suffered roughly equal damage from Hurricane Sandy.