Rep. Tim Kennedy

Navy Radioman 3rd Class George Klein is a proud World War II veteran whose lifetime of service embodies the very best of our nation. George answered the call to defend freedom in the Pacific Theater, helping liberate the Philippines and serving with distinction during one of history’s defining moments. Decades later, he continued serving his community as a husband, father, deacon, and dedicated volunteer.  More than 80 years later, it was an honor to present George with the military medals he rightfully earned recognizing his dedication to our country and extraordinary legacy. Thank you, Navy Radioman 3rd Class George Klein, for your courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to serving the United States of America.

Taking care of your health is one of the most important investments you can make. This Men’s Health Month, take the time to schedule the checkup you’ve been putting off, prioritize your mental well-being, stay active, and encourage everyone in your life to do the same.

This summer is costing Western New York families more under Donald Trump. Costs are up by an average of 13% across the nation, making everything from groceries and gas to family vacations and backyard barbecues more expensive. This is not what the American people were promised, yet we are the ones paying the price for Donald Trump’s vanity projects and bailouts for the Epstein class. @HouseDemocrats are focused on lowering costs for working families, not rewarding Trump’s friends. We are committed to policies that put people first, strengthening the middle class, protecting essential programs, and ensuring that no one is forced to choose between paying their bills and putting food on the table.

In the City of Buffalo, PS 53 has been a cornerstone of our community for decades, and the woman behind that was Mrs. Nan M. Wood. She made sure every child felt seen, supported, encouraged, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. By dedicating this school in her name, we are making a promise to every child who walks through these doors, that they, too, are worthy of excellence; that they, too, can dream beyond what they can see; and that they, too, can leave a legacy as bright and enduring as Mrs. Nan Wood’s.

82 years ago, our nation kept its promise to servicemembers by signing the GI Bill into law.  Today, that promise matters more than ever. Veterans rely on these benefits to finish school, learn a trade, and rebuild their lives after service and sacrifice. That's why I'm working every day to expand access, so every veteran has the tools and support they need to build a successful future after serving our country.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month. This month, we raise awareness, honor caregivers, and support those living with Alzheimer’s by advancing research initiatives and treatments for the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s. My grandmother battled Alzheimer's. I watched what that disease does to a family long before I became an occupational therapist and it's shaped how I've spent my career since. 1 in 9 Americans over 65 lives with Alzheimer's dementia today. That number only grows as we age. As the only OT in Congress, I know what families actually need: real research funding, support for caregivers, and treatments that reach people in time to matter. This month and every month, that's what I'm fighting for. If you're caring for someone with Alzheimer's in Western New York, you're not alone, and organizations like @alzassociation are there to help. Reach their 24/7 helpline at 1-800-272-3900.

America's strength is in both our diversity and our shared values. Many of us were born here and have enjoyed the liberty that makes our country special. These new Americans chose us, they worked hard to reach the point where they could take the oath of citizenship, and our community and nation are better off as a result. Congratulations! 🇺🇸 wkbw.com/news/local-new…

Students with disabilities deserve equitable access to succeed and thrive alongside their peers. As an occupational therapist, I know what children can accomplish when they have the resources and support they need to fully participate in their education. Success is not determined by a disability, but whether or not children are provided the tools to reach their full potential. Secretary McMahon and Donald Trump’s decision to move the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office of Civil Rights to the Department of Health and Human Services is wrong and cruel. When Democrats take back the majority, we will restore these offices to the Department of Education and recommit to enforcing the civil rights protections that millions of students and families depend on. npr.org/2026/06/16/nx-…

Freedom and justice for all Americans is a promise we must continue striving to fulfill.  On Juneteenth, we honor the resilience of those who fought for freedom, reflect on our nation's history, and make good on the promise  building a future where liberty, opportunity, and equality are truly within reach for everyone.

The so-called memorandum of understanding signed by President Trump and Vice President Vance is a gift to the murderous Iranian regime with no guarantee they will ever give up their nuclear ambitions. This unnecessary and illegal war of choice has cost the lives of servicemembers, made life more expensive for Americans, and demonstrated profound weakness for the rest of the world to see. In the deal, Iran receives hundreds of billions of dollars, while all the United States gets in return is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, where commerce was freely flowing before the war even started. In the end, Iran and our enemies are emboldened, our allies in the Middle East are less safe, and Americans are paying the price every single day. nytimes.com/2026/06/18/wor…

Trump is playing games with our national security in the name of throwing up barriers to prevent eligible U.S. citizens from voting. According to the Brennan Center, more than 21 million Americans of voting age wouldn’t be able to quickly find the documents the SAVE Act requires, and nearly 4 million of them don’t have them at all. Voting is a solemn right and I won’t stop defending that right from these baseless attacks. cnn.com/2026/06/17/pol…

Huge news for WNY! 🌊 @UBuffalo is officially New York’s new hub for Great Lakes research. While the Trump Administration tries to slash hundreds of millions in funding from NOAA and gut climate research, NY is stepping up to protect our resources. Western New York is defined by our connection to water, and I’m proud to see UB leading the charge. buffalonews.com/news/local/art…

Another lie confirmed: taxpayers are footing more than half of the bill for Donald Trump’s vanity project after being told time and again it would not happen. Americans are struggling to live because of the rising cost of groceries, gas, housing, childcare, and so much more, yet Donald Trump and Republicans are giving him the greenlight to spend taxpayer dollars on projects most of us will never experience. When House Democrats take back the gavel, we will put an end to this corrupt, pointless, and embarrassing spending by Donald Trump. washingtonpost.com/investigations…

I promised the families of the 10 souls we lost on Jefferson Avenue in 2022 their loved ones would not die in vain. Gun manufacturers spent years trying to overturn the law we passed in New York to give these families the right to hold them accountable. Yesterday, the Supreme Court rejected their challenge. The fight isn’t over, but now these families are closer to justice. The best way to honor their memory is to advance gun safety laws at the federal level, starting with implementing universal background checks, renewing the assault weapons ban, and passing the Aaron Salter, Jr. Responsible Body Armor Possession Act. nystateofpolitics.com/state-of-polit…

This African American Music Appreciation Month, I want to recognize a true gem right here in Western New York, Buffalo's Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum at 145 Broadway. Buffalo has long been a cornerstone of African American music history, and the Colored Musicians Club stands as a living testament to that legacy. Founded in 1917 after African American musicians were excluded from the all-white musicians union, the Club became a sanctuary where legends like John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, and Aretha Franklin performed and a community thrived. The only Black-owned and operated music club of its kind remaining in America, its mission is to preserve that history, not just for Buffalo, but for the world, and to educate the next generation about their musical heritage. Buffalo has always been a music town, and the Colored Musicians Club is proof of that legacy. I'm proud to represent a community with this kind of history and heart.

Home care costs are rising at an alarming rate and Western New York families are feeling it. A new @AARP analysis found home care costs jumped 7.9% in one year, nearly double overall inflation. Over five years, they're up 39%. The median home care cost is now $51,480, while the average Social Security benefit is $23,700. That gap is unsustainable and Republicans in Washington are making it worse by cutting Medicaid and gutting the programs families depend on. As the only licensed occupational therapist in Congress, I've seen what happens when care becomes unaffordable. Families face impossible choices, unpaid caregiving, draining savings, or going without. Going without means more falls, more hospitalizations, and worse outcomes for our most vulnerable neighbors. I'm fighting to make sure aging at home is a real option for every family in WNY.

Western New York families have been saying it for months: costs are up and Republicans in Washington aren't listening. Now the numbers back it up. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows only 31% of rural Americans approve of how Trump is handling the economy. Gas prices are up, groceries are up, and farmers are being squeezed on every side. That's why I'm fighting every day to bring costs down for WNY families. reuters.com/world/us/trump…

Dreamers are woven into the fabric of Western New York. They are our neighbors, our coworkers, and our friends. For 14 years, DACA has let them do what we all want to do: build a life, raise a family, and call this place home. Western New York is stronger because they're here. House Democrats are committed to protecting DACA so that Dreamers have the permanent protection they deserve.

If you needed further proof that the system is rigged, Elon Musk just became the world’s first trillionaire. At a time when housing costs are on the rise, utilities are unaffordable, and inflation is going up, the insatiable thirst for more wealth by the billionaire and trillionaire class is squeezing working families dry. Musk’s fortune is built on the backs of American taxpayers. We deserve better than this. nytimes.com/2026/06/12/tec…

1 in 10 older adults in Western New York will experience abuse or mistreatment, and in most cases it never gets reported. June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Elder abuse doesn't always look the way people expect. It can be financial exploitation, emotional harm, or neglect, just as often as physical abuse. And it's almost always committed by someone the older adult knows and trusts. If you see something, say something. Erie County Department of Senior Services: (716) 858-8526 Niagara County Office for the Aging: (716) 438-3030 Statewide APS Helpline: 1-844-697-3505 Western New York's seniors deserve to be safe. Spread the word.