Congressmen Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) and Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) joined a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in voting for the American Relief Act, a measure that ensures federal government operations remain funded through March 14, 2025. The vote, which averts a looming government shutdown, highlights a commitment to fiscal responsibility while prioritizing essential services for Americans.
After passing the bill, Congressman LaLota expressed his support for the legislation and its importance to both national and local priorities.
“Yesterday, I joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in passing the American Relief Act, which keeps the government open while providing critical support for our troops, safeguarding Social Security, and ensuring millions of Americans have access to essential healthcare. The bill also delivers much-needed aid to our nation’s farmers and disaster-stricken states,” said LaLota. “Looking ahead, Congress must address the nation’s growing debt and deficit, while prioritizing key New York spending needs, including securing supplemental funding for the World Trade Center Health Program to prevent an expected shortfall in October 2027.”
The legislation allocates funding for a wide range of programs and initiatives critical to Americans, including national defense, which ensures military readiness and providing resources for troops. It also addressed maintaining funding for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs to support millions of beneficiaries for now. The bill offers aid to farmers and states recovering from natural disasters and addresses the continuation of the National Flood Insurance Program through March of 2025.
Congressman Garbarino, a staunch advocate for New York interests, joined LaLota in supporting the bill. His voting record underscores his commitment to protecting Long Island’s families and ensuring the federal government remains operational.
“A government shutdown is bad for the American people, plain and simple. While I am frustrated by the absence of 9/11 health funding and other important provisions that were included in the initial CR, I voted for the final package to keep the government open for the next three months, prevent a lapse in government resources, and ensure that our troops, border patrol agents, and tens of thousands of federal employees living on Long Island would not have to go without pay over the holidays. There continues to be widespread bipartisan and bicameral support for preventing impending cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program, and I remain confident in our ability to secure a path forward in the next Congress,” stated Congressman Garbarino.
The American Relief Act’s passage was critical in averting a potential government shutdown, which would have disrupted vital services, furloughed federal employees, and strained essential programs nationwide. The bipartisan nature of the legislation reflects lawmakers’ ability to find common ground despite political divides.
For Suffolk County and the broader New York Community, the bill carries significant implications. The inclusion of disaster relief funds is particularly important as the region continues to face the impacts of climate-related events.
While the American Relief Act offers temporary stability, lawmakers acknowledged the pressing need for comprehensive fiscal reform. Both Garbarino and LaLota emphasized the importance of addressing the national debt and deficit while ensuring that New York’s unique needs, including infrastructure investment and healthcare funding, remain priorities in future budget discussions.
The bipartisan effort to pass the American Relief Act demonstrates a collective commitment to ensuring the federal government continues to function effectively while delivering for the American people. As Congress prepares for future budget negotiations, Representatives Garbarino and LaLota are expected to play key roles in advocating for Suffolk County and New York’s interests.
