Small businesses are a driving force behind Western New York’s economy, supporting local jobs, serving our neighborhoods, and keeping our communities strong. We must continue to open doors to new opportunities, connect business owners with the resources they need, and ensure local companies can compete and create jobs right here in Western New York.  For the past three years, Talia Johnson-Huff and RARE Place Inc. have helped make that possible for minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses, equipping local entrepreneurs with the tools and connections to grow their businesses. Congratulations to this year’s graduates!

Western New York families are already seeing what happens when our health care system loses critical services. In Buffalo, health care cuts have contributed to clinic closures, fewer rehabilitation beds, and job losses. Now, maternity wards are closing across the country, putting even more pressure on families trying to access care. For expectant mothers in Western New York and communities across our region, access to quality maternity care matters. We cannot afford policies that put essential health services further out of reach. House Democrats will keep fighting to #CanceltheCuts. theguardian.com/us-news/2026…

As utility prices rise, too many Western New York families are facing another winter of tough choices. New York will begin accepting applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) on November 2. If you or someone you know needs help keeping the heat on this winter, stay informed about eligibility, application dates, and available resources through Erie County. My office is also here to help, so please do not hesitate to reach out by calling (716) 852-3501. No family should have to choose between heating their home and paying for other necessities. Erie County residents: www3.erie.gov/heap/ Niagara County residents: niagaracounty.gov/department…

Under Trump and Congressional Republicans, working families in Western New York have paid more than $5,400 in additional costs for everyday goods and services, according to the Joint Economic Committee. $5,400 more on groceries, housing, gas, utilities, and healthcare costs. Trump promised to lower costs on day one. Instead, his failed policies, tariffs, and war of choice in Iran are making your life more expensive. Western New Yorkers deserve an economy that works for them – not a corrupt government that guts healthcare to finance tax breaks for the rich. When Democrats retake Congress we will fight to make life affordable and hold this president accountable for his failures.

TSA officers are responsible for keeping our airports and skies safe, they deserve respect and dignity, not policies that make their jobs harder. As an occupational therapist, I know that standing on the job without proper precautions takes a toll on back, feet, and joints, and causes long-term health issues. Removing chairs from document-check stations nationwide raises serious concerns about worker safety and health. Officers should be able to do their jobs safely and comfortably, whether sitting or standing.

Muslim Americans have fought and died in every war this nation has fought, dating all the way back to the Revolution. They are as American as you or I. Lackawanna serves as a beautiful example of a diverse community living and growing together, recognizing that our differences enrich us all and should be celebrated, not met with hatred. I’m so proud to represent this community, and I’ll never stop fighting to make sure that it’s a place that people of all faiths can safely call home. This act was shameful and deserves condemnation from every side of the political spectrum. buffalonews.com/news/local/a…

Team Kennedy checking in here to wish the boss a very happy 50th birthday! He’s the hardest working guy in Washington and no one loves Western New York more than him. Whether he’s fighting for the Buffalo-Niagara region in Congress or showing up for our community back home, his love for Buffalo and the people who make it special is, and always will be, front and center. We’re lucky to work for someone who gives so much of himself to this job. Happy Birthday, Congressman! 🎉

I'm heartbroken and outraged by the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon. A teacher and three children, ages 5, 8, and 11, were killed. Five years old. Eight years old. Eleven years old. Old enough to be learning to read, working through fractions, and figuring out who they want to be. Young enough that they never should have had to think about what to do if a shooter came to their school. They should have had homework, soccer tryouts, birthday parties, and graduations on their mind instead. They should have had their whole lives. This morning, every school in Bend is closed and parents who should be waving goodbye at the bus stop are planning funerals instead. As a father, my heart aches for parents who have been robbed of the chance to watch their children grow up. For big brothers and little sisters who should have had more time. For students, friends, and families whose lives will forever be changed by this day. In Buffalo, we know the pain of gun violence all too well. We know that thoughts and prayers will never be enough. As this tragedy continues to unfold and we search for answers, we must recognize a simple truth: if nothing changes, then nothing changes. Our schools should be safe places for children to learn and thrive, not places where students, teachers, and staff fear for their lives. Gun violence is not an unsolvable problem. Mourning our children is not inevitable. School shootings are not normal and they are not acceptable. As members of Congress, we have a responsibility to the American people to keep this nation safe. That means action. One life is too many. One child is too many. As Americans, we must do better. I'm holding the entire Bend community in my heart.

Fixed that for you.

🚨Medicare Open Enrollment starts today and runs through December 7th!🚨 Medicare beneficiaries can compare coverage options for 2027 to find a plan that meets their needs and budget. Even if you’re happy with your current coverage, take time to review your options. Visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to get started. If you want to keep your current coverage, you don’t need to re-enroll. Changes take effect January 1st, 2027.

Every time you open your wallet, Donald Trump’s illegal war and tariff tax are taking a bigger and bigger bite. Diesel is now over $6 a gallon, and gas has been over $4 a gallon for over 150 days, meaning everything from your groceries to your medications costs more. @HouseDemocrats are fighting to rein in this out-of-control administration and its inflationary policies. The American people can’t sustain this, and they shouldn’t have to.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder that early detection saves lives and that everyone deserves access to quality screenings and care. Here in Western New York, Roswell Park’s EDDY program is bringing mobile breast cancer screening directly into our neighborhoods, removing barriers and making it easier to get checked. If you’re due for a mammogram, make the appointment, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. No one should have to face breast cancer alone. Learn more at RoswellPark.org/EDDY.

Cancer is a devastating disease that touches the lives of far too many people. I am keeping Pope Leo XIV in my thoughts and prayers following his lung cancer diagnosis. I wish him strength and comfort as he recovers from surgery and pray for his continued healing. apnews.com/article/vatican-p…

Rooting out corruption means holding everyone in this administration accountable, not just when they get caught, but whenever they abuse their power for personal gain. From a luxury jet gifted by Qatar to a memecoin selling access to the president to taxpayer-funded ads glorifying Trump, these abuses of power demand scrutiny. No one in government is above the law, and no public office should be used for private benefit. When Democrats take back the House, we will investigate every abuse of power and expose corruption at every level. nytimes.com/2026/10/13/us/po…

Founded on service and fellowship, Paramount Chapter #57 of the Order of the Eastern Star has empowered African American women since 1895. For generations, its commitment to leadership, philanthropy, and mutual aid has strengthened Western New York. We honor that legacy of light, love, and service and carry it forward by continuing to “keep moving forward, doing all things together.”

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the history, cultures, and enduring contributions of Indigenous Peoples. Their leadership, resilience, and deep connection to the land have shaped our communities and continue to guide the pursuit of a just and sustainable future. Today, and every day, we must recognize Indigenous voices, honor tribal sovereignty, and recommit ourselves to protecting Indigenous rights and heritage.