Tom Suozzi on Homeland Security

Protect our core values as Americans

I will vigorously support intelligence cooperation and military aid to Israel. It's in our best interest to do so: any hint that this cooperation could be at risk is a dangerous signal to Israel, and emboldens our shared enemies. I will vote to fund a renewed 10-year commitment of a minimum $3.1 billion annually for military assistance to Israel, as well as additional funding for foreign aid.

Warriors to Work: public-private partnership for vets' jobs

As Nassau County Executive, I spearheaded the county's Warriors to Work program, a public-private partnership that helped match veterans with open jobs in the local business community. I oversaw Nassau County's participation in a series of Veteran Stand Downs, which aim to support homeless vets in need, and through this and like initiatives, helped hundreds of needy veterans find jobs, training, treatment, shelter, and housing during my time in office.

In Congress, I will fight for better services & support on behalf of military families who serve alongside our armed forces. It's high time we treat our national heroes and their families with the compassion & respect they deserve.

Combat international and domestic Islamophobia.

H.R.5665: Combating International Islamophobia Act: This bill establishes within the Department of State the Office to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia and addresses related issues. The bill requires annual reports to Congress about human rights and religious freedom in foreign countries to include information about Islamophobia, such as:

1. acts of physical violence or harassment of Muslim people,
2. instances of propaganda in government and nongovernment media that attempt to justify or promote hatred or incite violence against Muslim people, and
3. actions taken by a country's government to respond to such acts. The office shall coordinate and assist in preparing these portions of the reports.

Rationale to vote NO (Rep. Zeldin, R-NY, 12/14/21)::: Lee Zeldin, one of two Jewish Republicans in Congress, announced that he will vote against H.R. 5665, a partisan resolution: "Rep. Ilhan Omar's bill that is supposed to combat Islamophobia does not even define 'Islamophobia'. In fact, the way the bill is worded intentionally plays into Omar's calculating game that any criticism about any topic relating to her, even if it has absolutely nothing at all to do with her religion, could be defined as 'Islamophobia'. That is absurd and I will vote 'no'!"

Rationale to vote YES (NY1.com, 12/15/21)::: "Our country's commitment to defending freedom of religion and belief goes back centuries, and the Administration strongly believes that people of all faiths and backgrounds should be treated with equal dignity and respect around the world," a statement of support issued by the White House read. The bill comes after Republicans in Congress have targeted the three Muslim members of Congress as members of a "jihad squad."

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 219-212-3 on 12/14/2021, Roll no. 448)' introduced in Senate on 12/15/21 and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations; no further Senate action during 2021.