Chris Jacobs

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is hosting a virtual informational night for NY-27 students who are interested in attending a service academy.

“Each year, I have the distinct honor of nominating exceptional NY-27 students to attend four of our nation’s service academies,” Jacobs said. “These students go on to become leaders in our nation’s military and eventually their communities following their service. This night is the first step for families making a decision about which service academy is the best fit and gives students and parents a chance to ask questions directly to representatives of the academies.”

Jacobs’ virtual service academy informational night will be held on Tuesday, September 28th, 2021, at 6:00 PM EST. Students and parents can register for the event and learn more about the nomination process at https://jacobs.house.gov/military-academy-nominations.

Congressman Jacobs can nominate students to four out of the five service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA) – West Point NY, the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) – Annapolis MD, the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) – Colorado Springs CO, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) – Kings Point NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) – New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination.

All applications must be received by Congressman Jacobs’ Clarence District Office by 5:00 PM EST on Friday, November 5th, 2021.

Press release:

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4350 – the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act.

Our nation faces many challenges in the coming years – from the growing threat of terrorism brought on by our reckless withdrawal from Afghanistan, to Chinese aggression.
This bill reverses defense cuts proposed by the Biden administration to fund our military and ensure our nation can counter any threat.
It also addresses President Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan by prohibiting financial support for the Taliban and allocating resources for counter-terrorism operations. 

In addition, it provides our troops a pay raise and supports the procurement of essential equipment.

Finally, the bill includes a bill I introduced to improve retention and readiness by providing opportunities to reservists, and the rule makes in order my amendment that will get more small and innovative companies to access to DoD contracts.

Mr. Speaker, we face numerous challenges both today and in the future. This legislation prioritizes resources for our military at a critical time, and I urge its passage.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) introduced a bill to provide the $1 billion in defense funding for Israel’s Iron Dome that Democrats stripped from today’s spending bill.

“As if Democrats hadn’t learned their lesson about turning their backs on our allies when they need us most from the events in Afghanistan these past few weeks, today Speaker Pelosi stripped critical funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. Just a few months ago we witnessed the Iron Dome’s effectiveness against terrorist attacks from Hamas. This decision to cut critical aid funding from our most important ally in the Middle East is shameful, adds further damage to our international credibility, and emboldens our enemies like Iran.

“I am proud to stand with Israel and their right to self-defense. I introduced this legislation to ensure critical funding gets to our ally and allows for them to protect innocent lives from future attacks. I urge my colleagues in the House to cosponsor this legislation and send a clear message of support to our Israeli partners. 
 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement following tonight's combined vote on a continuing resolution and legislation to raise the debt limit.

“Once again, Democrats are playing games with our nation’s economic recovery. Nancy Pelosi asked Republicans to act on a bipartisan basis to raise the debt limit so she can force through $3.5 trillion in unnecessary partisan spending.

“Equally troubling, Pelosi caved to radical progressives in her party and stripped $1 billion in critical funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. This spring we saw the Iron Dome’s effectiveness against terror attacks – we need to keep it operational and stand by Israel’s right to self-defense.

“Speaker Pelosi is taking us down an incredibly divisive path that will only result in further spending problems and erosion of our credibility with our allies. Our nation would be better served if the Speaker shifted her focus from partisan power to fiscal responsibility. This is no way to govern, and Americans and our allies are growing tired of these partisan games with their well-being.
 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) has been awarded the Adult Education Champion Award presented by the Coalition on Adult Basic Education. Congressman Jacobs was presented the award by Lisa Lee – Executive Director of CORE Learning Centers and State Advocacy Fellow for the Coalition on Adult Basic Education.

“Congressman Jacobs answered our call and advocated tirelessly on our behalf to get funding released – preventing further shut-downs and staff lay-offs – giving our students with continued educational opportunities and access to needed services,” Lee said. “As a State Advocacy Fellow and member of the Coalition on Adult Education and member of the New York Association of Adult Continuing and Community Education, I am proud to honor Congressman Chris Jacobs' efforts as a Champion for Adult Education in NYS and across the country.”

“Congressman Jacobs has been a long-time supporter of adult literacy efforts in Western New York and across NYS. He has championed our mission and recognizes the importance of all people being able to read, write and speak English in order to be most successful in life,” Tara Schafer – Executive Director Literacy Buffalo Niagara said. “We would like to congratulate Congressman Jacobs and thank him for advocating on behalf of Literacy Buffalo Niagara and the 147,000 people that struggle with literacy in our region.”

“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this award from the Coalition on Adult Basic Education. I have spent my professional career tirelessly advocating for quality education for our Western New York students, and I will continue that advocacy for years to come,” Jacobs said. “I want to commend CORE and Literacy Buffalo Niagara for the incredible work they are doing to help adult learners realize new opportunities and reach their full potential. It is important work, and I will continue to be a strong federal partner with them to ensure our students get the resources they need.”

The Adult Education Champion Award is awarded to legislative leaders for their work advocating for the needs of adult learners. They are awarded as part of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) participated in the House Agriculture Committee’s markup of their portion of the $3.5 trillion partisan reconciliation package.

“The House Agriculture Committee met to once again consider a massive, partisan reconciliation bill crafted in secret by Speaker Pelosi. One would have thought that record inflation and struggling small businesses would have been enough to teach Democrats this style of unilateral legislating is unworkable and damaging, but sadly this is not the case,” Jacobs said. “This package will likely include taxes that will devastate farmers and rural communities but possibly won’t even pay for the whole $3.5 trillion cost of this bill.”

The hearing, which started Friday and finished today, was to consider the House Agriculture Committee’s piece of the overall budget reconciliation package. This section will total roughly $90 billion in new spending, though $28 billion of that total was not even considered by the committee because it has not been written yet. At the hearing, Jacobs offered an amendment to redirect funding to combat an invasive species, the spotted lanternfly, that has become a threat to growers in the Northeast and Midwest. It was rejected.

“The Democrats in control of this committee did not hold one single hearing with farmers or agribusinesses to learn the exact needs of rural America. If they had, they would’ve learned that their partisan wishlist is unneeded and unwanted. They would have instead directed funding to fix very real problems facing our farmers, such as rural broadband, disaster assistance, and invasive species,” Jacobs said. “This process once again shows Democrats are more interested in political power than serving their constituents' needs – a truly unfortunate change of tune for the Agriculture Committee that has in previous years been lauded as the most bipartisan committee in the House.”
 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement on the 20th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, 2001. 

“Twenty years ago today, our nation came under attack from a foreign enemy, and we lost 3,000 American mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, and heroes. It was one of our nation’s darkest hours – clouded by smoke, fear, and uncertainty. We did not know what tomorrow holds, let alone the next few hours. But we also witnessed the true meaning of what it means to be an American. Amidst that uncertainty and fear, we witnessed bravery and courage, and selflessness that made each of us proud to be an American.

“Our first responders and regular citizens alike rushed into the flames and collapsing buildings to save their fellow Americans, many losing their own lives in the process. And a whole generation of Americans enlisted in our nation’s military to go overseas and bring to justice each and every single person who sought harm against our nation. America was tested in our resolve, and in true American fashion, we banded together emerged stronger than we were before. 

“It has now been two decades since that day – but the pain and clarity of it still remain recent in our minds. Today, 20 years later, we remember our fallen brothers and sisters, and we honor the brave men and women who ran into darkness to save lives and defend our nation. They were true American heroes, as is every single service member who has spent the last 20 years keeping our nation safe. Our nation is eternally grateful for that service, and our nation will never forget. 

“So today, reflect on the events of 20 years ago, take a moment to honor those who perished, those who fought, and those who continue to fight and pass on the memory of those heroes and this day to the new generation who were not alive in 2001. God bless the United States of America. 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) joined House Republican colleagues in calling for the President to provide transparency into his July 23rd call with former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

“The President’s handling of our withdrawal from Afghanistan was devastating. His actions put Americans and our allies directly in harm’s way, weakened our global reputation, and resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and the abandonment of hundreds of Americans still stuck in Afghanistan,” Jacobs said. “The American people deserve to know what led to this catastrophe and whether or not the President pushed President Ghani to downplay the threat the Taliban posed. The White House must release the full transcript of this call at once.”

The letter to President Biden was led by Congresswoman Tenney (NY-22) and has 27 signatories. It calls for the President to release the full, unredacted transcript of his July 23rd call with former Afghan President Ghani so Congress can determine to what degree the President may have misled the American people.
 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement in response to the deadly bombings outside of Hamid Karzai airport in Kabul today.

“The attacks that occurred today outside of the airport in Kabul are horrific and tragically took the lives of 12 American service members. My heart is with each of their families, and I ask every American to join me in praying for them and every American service member still in harm’s way.

“This heartbreaking situation is the direct result of the President’s reckless withdrawal from Afghanistan. This administration must immediately present a coherent plan to secure the area around the airport, safely return every American from Afghanistan and extend the deadline past 8/31 until this is completed, and bring the terrorists who committed these atrocities to justice. 
 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) and Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) introduced the Reservists Opportunity Act to give more flexibility to members of the National Guard and Reserves.

“Making the decision to serve our country, especially on active duty, is an honorable and selfless one, so when members of our Reserves and National Guard decide to volunteer for active-duty assignments, they should not be met with red-tape, Rep.Chris Jacobs said. “This legislation removes an unnecessary barrier and allows these members to easily find opportunities from their own computers. Streamlining this service and increasing access will improve our military readiness and retention of qualified service members.”

“When our soldiers want to step up to serve full-time, the last thing that should stop them are technological barriers. This bill will ensure that these soldiers can access the opportunities available for active-duty service from their personal devices. Not only does this make sense, it improves readiness and retention. I look forward to its swift consideration in the House,” Rep. Tim Ryan said.

The Reservists Opportunity Act introduced by Jacobs and Ryan would allow for National Guard and Reserve members to access the Army’s Tour of Duty system, which serves as a military job board, from personal devices. Currently, this service is only accessible on devices connected to Department of Defense (DoD) networks limiting the ability for some members to easily find active-duty opportunities in a timely manner.
 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) introduced a resolution expressing the need to safely evacuate American citizens and allies from Afghanistan.

“The President has failed the American people and left our citizens and our allies trapped behind enemy lines without any plan to rescue them and ensure they are safely evacuated,” Jacobs said.“This administration failed to plan, has failed to execute a cohesive strategy, and has weakened our nation's image on the global stage. The President has done immeasurable damage to our nation and national security, but before we can even begin to repair that we must safely evacuate every American and ally we have in Afghanistan.”

Jacobs’ resolution expresses the need for every American citizen and ally to be safely evacuated from Afghanistan and calls upon the President to provide a clear plan to ensure this happens. In addition, the resolution highlights the dire conditions on the ground in Afghanistan with reports of beatings, executions, and growing security concerns.

“The President, our Commander-in-Chief, has a sworn and solemn duty to protect American citizens both at home and abroad, so far he has failed to meet that obligation,” Jacobs said. “The United States does not leave Americans behind, and we do not abandon our allies. It is far past time for the President to stop shifting blame and dodging the hard questions. He must present and execute a clear plan to rescue and evacuate every American and Afghan ally in harm’s way.”
 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement after the Biden administration announced yet another extension of the U.S. – Canadian border restrictions until at least September 21st, 2021.

“Extending the closure of the U.S. – Canada border again without answers demonstrates the sheer inability of this administration to adequately plan or provide transparent answers to the American people. Our shared border should have been open months ago. This administration’s failure to do so has forced our small businesses to suffer economically from another missed tourism season, and more heartbreaking, they have prolonged the suffering of thousands of families. 

“Enough is enough. The President needs to stop passing the buck and reopen the U.S. – Canada border immediately.

The Department of Homeland Security extended the current restrictions on land travel from Canada to the United States until September 21st, 2021. The border has been closed to nonessential travel since March 2020. On August 9th, 2021 Canada began allowing fully vaccinated Americans into the country. 

Jacobs introduced the Northern Border Reopening Transparency Act in June to force the Biden administration to provide answers to Congress and the American people on its efforts to reopen the U.S. – Canada border.
 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is putting out the following statement and information regarding assistance to individuals trapped in Afghanistan. 
 
“My office is actively helping individuals trapped in Afghanistan, and we stand ready to aid others in need,” Jacobs said. “We are working diligently to assist NY-27 constituents and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants who are in harm’s way in Afghanistan. If you are a petitioner or a family member of someone trapped or know of someone who is, I urge you to share this contact information and reach out to my office as soon as possible.” 
 
Anyone in need of assistance in NY-27 is urged to call Congressman Jacobs’ Geneseo District Office at 585-519-4002 or the Clarence District Office at 716-634-2324. In addition, they can contact the office by visiting https://jacobs.house.gov/contact.  
 

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement on the situation in Afghanistan.
 
“Five weeks ago, President Biden addressed the nation and vowed it was ‘unlikely’ we would see Afghanistan overrun by the Taliban and that we would not see Americans being evacuated from our embassy. His administration failed to plan for that exact scenario, despite the warning signs and has now handed Afghanistan over to the Taliban. This negligence has put Americans and our allies in harm's way, put Afghan women and children at the hands of a regime known for human rights atrocities and weakened our national security. 
 
“History will remember this as one of the most devastating foreign policy failures in our nation’s history.”

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (R-NY) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) led a bicameral letter with 29 members of Congress to President Biden calling for the administration to change course and end its unconstitutional eviction moratorium. 
“We strongly oppose the Biden administration’s latest eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This latest action is plainly unconstitutional and will only serve to further distort the market and create a housing affordability crisis,” the lawmakers said. “Additionally, any further restrictions on evictions at this point are counterproductive. The economy is open, jobs and vaccines are abundant, and federal rental assistance is a reality.”

In a recent Supreme Court case, Alabama Association of Realtors v. Department of Health and Human Services, five members of the Supreme Court effectively acknowledged that CDC exceeded its authority in issuing the moratorium. Justice Kavanaugh stated that “clear and specific congressional authorization (via new legislation) would be necessary for the CDC to extend the moratorium past July 31.” 

“Instead of pursuing an unconstitutional moratorium, the Biden administration should be focused on distributing the nearly $50 billion in rental assistance that was appropriated through three separate stimulus packages.” the lawmakers said. “As long this moratorium remains in place, property owners will continue to struggle financially. These property owners must still pay mortgages, taxes, and maintenance for the dwelling. If this continues much longer, we will see a wave of bankruptcies, foreclosures, and blighted properties.”

Most states require the tenant to take the initiative when applying for rental assistance. A recent Treasury report found very little of the federal rental assistance money has been disbursed so far, and the new moratorium will act as an additional disincentive for tenants to apply for this aid, leaving property owners on the hook. 

“We demand the Biden administration end this moratorium and allow the rental assistance funds to do what they were intended to do. This government overreach must end,” the lawmakers said.

Full text of the letter can be found here

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is sharing important passport information for individuals seeking to schedule emergency appointments. 

“With many Americans eager to travel again and applying to renew their passports, the State Department is experiencing large delays in processing and approving applications,” Jacobs said.“Firstly, if you are planning on traveling in the next eight months you should take care of the appropriate paperwork now.”

New updates have been made to the way individuals can schedule emergency appointments. Now, the only way individuals can make these appointments is by calling the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY) 1-888-874-7793 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday.

Appointments cannot be transferred, and applicants may only schedule one if they are traveling within two weeks, or within four weeks if a foreign visa is needed. Appointments will only be scheduled within three business days of travel, or 10 days if a visa is required – proof of travel within the time will be required when arriving at the appointment.

“If you are experiencing passport delays, this can be a valuable resource to ensure your passport is squared away before you travel,” Jacobs said. “In addition, my office is available to help with any additional questions concerning passports or other federal agencies.” 

In addition, in response to these reported delays, Rep. Jacobs has also asked the State Department to take additional steps to address the processing backlog. You can view the text of that letter here. For additional questions concerning passports or federal agencies, Jacobs’ Geneseo District Office can be reached at 585-519-4002.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) held a press conference this morning with Jim Butera, president of the WNY Chapter of the NYS Restaurant Association and owner of Butera’s Craft Beer and Craft Pizza, to discuss the labor shortage caused in part by enhanced unemployment benefits.

“I consistently hear from small businesses in my district that have multiple open positions and cannot find anyone willing to work. In February, against numerous warnings, Democrats and President Biden forced through a massive partisan package filled with unnecessary spending. The result is they have made it more lucrative to stay home than to seek employment,” Jacobs said.

“This has become detrimental to our economic recovery, and many businesses are losing money, shortening hours, or closing down entirely because they cannot find employees. Unfortunately, this translates to longer wait times, higher prices, and shortages of numerous products families need.”

“The government keeps providing stimulus money instead of encouraging people to find and get employment, and it is hurting my business and all those around me," Butera said.

"This is equivalent to ‘give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish feed him for life.’ Our government needs to end disincentives, get back to working for the people, and make our economic recovery and small businesses a priority."

Jacobs introduced the Help Wanted Act (H.R. 3148) in May to combat these disincentives and prioritize our economic recovery. Specifically, the legislation: 1) restores work search requirements, 2) removes the expansion of unemployment to individuals who voluntarily left their job, and 3) clarifies that general safety concerns related to COVID-19 are no longer sufficient grounds to claim unemployment benefits.

“Our regional economy relies heavily on the service industry and manufacturing – the businesses hurt most by this government spending,” Jacobs said.

“The President’s reckless spending has forced businesses to compete with the government. As long as these benefits remain in place, businesses will continue to struggle from massive labor shortages, prices will increase, and supply chains will suffer. I call on the House to consider the Help Wanted Act to end these disincentives to work.”

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) returned yesterday from a trip to McAllen, Texas with Former President Trump to observe the crisis at our Southern Border.

“The was my third trip to the Southern Border, and my second time touring the Rio Grande Valley section. When I was here in 2019, the successful policies implemented by President Trump were working effectively to deter illegal immigration, and Border Patrol was supported and given the resources needed to protect our border,” Jacobs said.

“Now it is a completely different story. The Biden Administration’s decision to end ‘Remain in Mexico,’ reinstate catch and release, and halt border wall construction have sent a message to the cartels that our border is open season, and they are taking advantage of it.”

President Biden first paused the Migrant Protection Protocols (Remain in Mexico) in early January and later terminated the program entirely. Similarly, using an executive order, President Biden halted construction of the Southern Border wall despite congressional funds already being appropriated toward construction.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported three consecutive months of 170,000+ apprehensions of illegal immigrants. In May alone there were more than 180,000 encounters, representing a new 20-year record. Last week it was also reported that in the Rio Grande Valley alone, Border Patrol had already encountered more large groups in FY21 than the previous two years combined.

On the trip Jacobs, members of the Republican Study Committee, Texas Governor Abbott, and President Trump met with Border Patrol agents and toured unfinished sections of the wall. In addition, Jacobs and other members were taken on a nighttime excursion of the border where they encountered numerous migrant groups, including many unaccompanied minors, trafficked by the cartels, being picked up by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).

“The most disturbing observation from this entire trip is how the cartels are taking advantage of the Biden Administration’s weakened policies at the Southern Border and exploiting thousands of children,” Jacobs said. “CBP agents described how it has become common practice in this region for the cartel to traffic and abandon a large group of children at one gap in the wall to occupy Border Patrol agents while they then move to another gap to smuggle drugs and dangerous criminals across the border.

"It is truly a disturbing humanitarian and national security crisis that Border Patrol is working tirelessly to confront under strenuous circumstances. Without engagement and support starting at the top, they are limited on what they can do.”

“The Biden-Harris Administration needs to get serious about fixing the crisis they created and continue to ignore. Finishing the wall, giving more resources to Border Patrol agents on the ground, and reinstating successful Trump policies will have a profound effect on stemming this crisis and securing our Southern Border,” Jacobs said.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) has cosponsored a resolution condemning the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for 100 years of human rights violations and atrocities.

“For a century, the Chinese Communist Party has committed atrocities against millions of civilians without recourse,” Jacobs said. “From massacres, torture, and repression committed at the direction of Mao Zedong and continuing today with the enslavement, forced labor, and genocide of the Uyghur People in Xinjiang -- the Chinese Communist Party is one of the most prolific abusers of human rights.

Today, July 1st, 2021, marks the 100th Anniversary of the creation of the Chinese Communist Party. On this anniversary, the resolution Jacobs cosponsored (H.Res. 500) specifically:

• Condemns the Chinese Communist Party for 100 years of gross violations of human rights.
• Supports the inherent right of the Chinese people to self-determination and free political expression independent of one-party rule.
• Calls on the Government of the United States and like-minded allies and partners to support human rights in the People’s Republican of China.
• Looks forward to the day the Chinese Communist Party no longer exists.

“The Chinese Communist Party represents the greatest threat to their own people, and one of the greatest to the global community as a whole,” Jacobs said. “I condemn their ongoing persecution of the Uyghur people in the strongest possible terms and will continue to work with my colleagues to hold the CCP accountable.”