Issue Position: Serving Constituents

Issue Position

One of Jerry's most important responsibilities as a Member of Congress is to help constituents navigate the dizzying maze of government bureaucracy on questions of benefits, immigration, housing, insurance, veteran affairs, Medicare, and Social Security, among other issues. Over the years, Jerry and his very experienced staff have helped thousands of New Yorkers solve their cases on critical and pressing constituent issues.

In particular, because his district is a prime gateway for immigrants seeking a better life in this country, immigration issues have become a mainstay in his office. Many of those seeking his help have a limited knowledge of the English language, of their rights and responsibilities, and of how our government works, but Jerry has worked hard to address the needs of those who have come to the U.S. for opportunity and security.

Jerry has also used his experience and stature in the House to work in an effective bipartisan manner to bring much-needed funds for key programs in New York. His record of providing for the 10th Congressional District is second to none, with successful allocations to dozens of major cultural institutions, museums, schools and universities, and non-profit programs for at-risk youth, homeless, seniors, those living with HIV/AIDS, immigrants, as well as for important infrastructure projects in the district which both solve logistical problems and produce local jobs and economic development.

Finally, Jerry's veteran community relations staff works every day to ensure that every neighborhood in the 10th Congressional district remains livable. Jerry believes that, in our dense urban environment, sensible and sustainable planning is the key to ensuring that our communities and local businesses thrive. He takes an extremely hands-on approach to every major local development project -- from the World Trade Center site redevelopment to Coney Island's renewal and the High Line on the West Side -- to ensure that negative local impacts are mitigated and community benefits realized. In an endorsement, the West Side Spirit wrote that, Jerry is "a solid Congressman who has gone above and beyond in delivering for his constituents, and even those outside his district. In Congress, he has been an unwavering progressive voice whose influence has only grown since Democrats took over Capitol Hill."

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