Your lawmakers
For the period June 26-July 2
Congress Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains
• 1217 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. 1-202-225-5441; fax: 202-225-3289.
• 40 Gleneida Ave., 3rd Floor, Carmel, 10512. 845-225-3641 ext. 371; fax: 845-228-1480.
Website: johnhall.house.gov
Activities: Chaired a hearing of the Veterans Subcommittee on Disability Help and Memorial Affairs on H.R. 3407, The Severely Injured Veterans Benefit Improvement Act of 2009. Attended a markup of the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on the Oil Spill Accountability and Environmental Protection Act of 2010.
Bills: Sponsored and led the floor debate on H.R. 5609, which bans lobbyists from advocating on behalf of any countries that the U.S. State Department has deemed to be supporters of international acts of terrorism. The bill passed the House by a vote of 408-4. Joined a bipartisan group of members of Congress who sent a letter to the president urging him to stand by Israel’s right to defend itself and avoid a rush to judgment regarding the recent flotilla incident. Co-sponsored H.R. 4693, the Military Spouse Job Continuity Act of 2010, which allows military spouses who switch states when their spouse is transferred to qualify for a $500 tax credit for relicensing fees if they are in a profession that requires a license. Co-sponsored H.R. 4764, the Military Spouses Employment Act of 2010, which allows a military spouse whose spouse is deployed for 90 days or more to qualify for the work opportunity tax credit (gives employers a tax incentive for hiring military spouses).
Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley
• 2431 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. 1-202-225-6335; fax: 202-226-0774.
• Wall Street, Kingston, 12401. 845-331-4466
Website: house.gov/hinchey
Activities: Announced that Hudson River Housing inc., a not-for-profit agency that helps the homeless and low-income residents of Dutchess County, has been awarded a Rehabilitation of Affordable Housing federal grant totaling $313,996.80. Applauded the launch of HealthCare.gov — a comprehensive resource that will help new Yorkers determine which health-care option is best for them. Invited U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to visit the region as part of his America’s great Outdoors initiative. Salazar recently announced that he is touring several regions of interest to develop the America’s great Outdoors program, which aims to reconnect Americans to the outdoors. Visited Watson Services in Newburgh to announce a $70.6 million federal contract that will allow the company and its 210 local workers to continue providing cadet mess, mess attendant and cooking services at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Secured approval of $520,000 from a House panel for various projects throughout the Hudson Valley, including $250,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Town of Wallkill, Pine Bush and Sullivan County; $100,000 for the Bardavon 1869 Opera House; $75,000 for the Newburgh City Police Department; $60,000 for the Women’s Studio Workshop in Kingston; and $35,000 for the Children’s Media Project in Poughkeepsie.