Cutting Taxes and Saving Lives

Statement

Dear Friend,

I recently voted to help pass a bipartisan agreement to extend the payroll tax cut, which will let about 1.2 million working Long Islanders save between $1,000 and $1,500 this year. I was proud to support this effort to provide relief for our working families. I'd like to tell you about another important provision in the legislation that will help protect Long Islanders for years to come.

In addition to reducing your taxes, the new law will help keep the people of Long Island safe by allowing police and firefighters to communicate seamlessly and effectively. The attacks on September 11, 2001 tragically underscored the importance of making sure first responders can communicate without interruption. Communicating seamlessly and rapidly means saving lives -- it's that simple. The legislation advances that goal by increasing the amount of wireless signal capacity available for public safety purposes. Allocating more bands of radio spectrum for use by first responders will keep you and your family safer.

I have long advocated for our first responders to have a dependable communications network to protect both them and the public they serve. This legislation incorporated many of the provisions of the Broadband for First Responders Act, which I was proud to cosponsor. The attacks on September 11 hit Nassau County especially hard, so we know all too well just how important safety and effective emergency response truly are.

Fighting for a strong middle class and protecting our nation's heroes are top priorities of mine in Congress; that's why I voted recently to extend the payroll tax cut and improve the wireless communications network for emergency first responders. Here I'm with some brave 9/11 first responders, including (right) the tireless advocate John Feal, to announce a new health center for 9/11 first responders.

This bill is a tremendous victory for our police, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders throughout the country. The legislation also provides funding for critical public safety research activities and for the deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 services that include delivering voice, text, photos, video, and other data to 9-1-1 call centers.

Two of my top priorities in Congress have always been strengthening Long Island's economy and fighting for the safety, security, and health of the American people. I can report that my vote in favor of this legislation will enable hardworking Long Islanders to keep more of their paychecks and ensure our first responders are adequately equipped to protect themselves and our families

Please don't hesitate to contact my office at 516-739-3008 or visit my website if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your time and attention. It's an honor to serve you.

Sincerely,

Carolyn McCarthy
Member of Congress

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