Dear Neighbor,

I’ve returned to Westchester and the Bronx during October while work is still being done in Washington by my team as we move closer to the end of the 119th Congress. Until I return to D.C. in November, I continue to meet with local stakeholders, advocates, and community leaders during the final few weeks of Congress as a fighter for the communities of Westchester and the Bronx.

As always, please reach out if my office can be of assistance, as we are here to serve you.

I am proud to have introduced 3 pieces of legislation during the October recess, which you can read about more below.

Introduced: Food Access in Community Health Centers Act
One of the bills introduced is H.R. 10680, the Food Access in Community Health Centers Act. Introduced alongside Congresswoman Kelly of Illinois, this bill would fund partnerships between community health centers and emergency food banks to expand access to nutritious food by providing pantry services directly to patients as they receive care.

Food access is a major issue facing far too many families, especially as SNAP and other key nutrition programs face proposed cuts. After meeting with community health centers, food banks, and healthcare stakeholders across Westchester and the Bronx, I saw an urgent need for practical, innovative ways to address the food crisis impacting our neighbors.

Access to fresh food is the cornerstone of strong communities and healthy families. Those facing food insecurity cannot wait, and Congress must act swiftly to pass this critical piece of legislation. I look forward to working alongside our local stakeholders to ensure this bill becomes law.

Introduced: Incentivizing Small Business Employee Retention Act of 2026
Another bill introduced was the Incentivizing Small Business Employee Retention Act of 2026, which aims to help small businesses hire and retain individuals who traditionally face barriers to employment.

This bill amends the tax code to enhance the Architectural and Transportation Barrier Removal Tax Deduction and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).

Currently, the WOTC encourages employers of all sizes to hire job seekers from one of several targeted groups, including qualified veterans and individuals with disabilities referred from vocational rehabilitation programs. The credit allows employers to claim a tax benefit equal to 40% of up to $6,000 in first-year wages for an eligible worker who completes at least 400 hours of service.

While the WOTC is a vital tool for initial hiring, additional support is needed to help small businesses retain these employees beyond their first year of employment. This bill addresses that gap by providing a targeted financial incentive for small businesses to keep WOTC-eligible workers employed long-term.

Introduced: Stroke Education and EMS Care Improvement Act of 2026
The most recent bill introduced was the Stroke Education and EMS Care Improvement Act of 2026, legislation that directs the HHS Secretary to establish a standardized stroke education program for emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians.

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the United States. Every minute matters when a stroke occurs, and the quality of pre-hospital care can significantly influence patient outcomes. However, EMS stroke training and treatment protocols vary substantially across states and regions, creating disparities in care and contributing to delays in diagnosis, treatment, and transport to appropriate stroke centers.

This bill would standardize EMS education in stroke care to ensure that EMS professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize stroke symptoms, perform timely assessments, and route patients to the appropriate stroke care centers. A nationwide standardization of stroke education for EMS providers is critical to improving patient outcomes and addressing healthcare disparities in both urban and rural communities.

Legislation Process
There is a multi-step process after a bill is introduced before it’s signed into law.

Once introduced in the House, a bill is referred to the relevant committee for debate and refinement. With over a dozen permanent committees, each with membership split between both parties, the majority party sets the legislative agenda and holds committee leadership. Members work across party lines to modify and polish the text before voting to send a finalized version out of committee. It requires the majority party to agree to advance the bill.

After passing the House, the bill undergoes a similar process in the Senate: committee review, debate, and a full chamber vote. Once both chambers pass their respective versions, they meet to resolve any differences and agree on a final draft. That final legislation goes to the President to be signed into law or vetoed – a veto Congress can override with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses.

Navigating this process takes time and sustained coalition-building, but I am fully committed to seeing these bills through. Throughout the 119th Congress, I will continue working across the aisle to win bipartisan support, attempt to deliver legislation to the President’s desk, in order to secure results that families across Westchester and the Bronx deserve.

I want to highlight a few events and meetings I’ve attended recently around our communities.

New York Blood Center
I was invited to speak at an event honoring the people who serve the New York Blood Center. These incredible individuals provide lifesaving blood to over 75 million people every year, ensuring that those in need across our state have access when they need it. These volunteers serve many and deserve a special opportunity to be recognized for the care and support the New York Blood Center and their volunteers bring to their communities.

Heineken USA Visit
I met with Heineken USA during a visit to their headquarters in White Plains. I had a productive meeting with CEO Maggie Timoney to strengthen ties between their business and the efforts of legislators in Westchester and Washington. The visit was capped off by a Q&A with Heineken staff, focusing on reducing commuting times and ensuring that surrounding communities remain viable for those working in Westchester. I always look forward to meeting with businesses, small and large, to see how my colleagues and I can help them grow and provide the best services for their customers.

UN General Assembly
I had the pleasure of meeting with two different international leaders during the UN General Assembly in New York City. My first meeting was with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti. We discussed how to further protect the sovereignty of Kosovo and how the U.S. can recommit to preserving Kosovo’s security. I followed up our meeting with a letter congratulating Prime Minister Kurti on his new term, and encouraging him to work with all political parties in Kosovo to agree on a new Kosovar president.

A second meeting was held in New York with Ambassador Felix Baumann, the new Consul General for Switzerland. We had a purposeful conversation about the impact of tariffs on both our nations and how to expand the United States’ cooperation with our longtime ally in Switzerland.

Watch some of my recent House of Representatives floor speeches:

I have been committed to listening to people discuss what matters most to them and how we can make sure our government is delivering for our neighbors.

In case you missed it, my office sends text messages to residents in the 16th District. We hope this is another way to keep you informed of what I am working on in DC and at home. If you would like to join our texting list, you can sign up here: https://latimer.house.gov/services/subscribe-texting

Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter/X and YouTube to stay up-to-date on what I am working on. If this newsletter was sent to you by someone else, you can sign up for it here: https://latimer.house.gov/contact/newsletter-subscribe

As always, reach out to my offices with concerns or questions. We are here to serve you!

Sincerely,

Rep. George Latimer

Member of Congress