Protecting Coney Island from the Threat of Global Warming and Rising Tides

Congressman Nadler, along with other local officials, inspects new erosion and flood mitigation measures at Coney Island.

Last week, I was thrilled to be in Coney Island to announce the completion of the T-Groins shore protection project after twenty years of hard work.  The $28 million project will increase resiliency and reduce the risks coastal storms pose to residents and businesses in Coney Island. Twenty-four years ago when I was first elected to Congress, I made a commitment to the people of this community that I would safeguard Coney Island's beaches after the Nor'easter of 1992 devastated Sea Gate - a need that was spotlighted again after Superstorm Sandy hit Coney Island in 2012. Finally, this project—a testament to the dedication of everyone who worked on it—is finally finished, and 100% paid for by the federal government. Thank you to the United States Army Corps of Engineers, my colleagues Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, New York State, New York City, and the Sea Gate Association.  I am proud to say that the famous beaches of Coney Island are protected for generations to come.

Visiting Our Seniors to Discuss Affordable Housing

Congressman Nadler discussing affordable housing with New York seniors.

I have been fortunate over the last few weeks to speak with seniors throughout my district and talk about some of the issues that I have been working on that are the most pressing for them.  From Bensonhurst to the Upper West Side, and everywhere in between, I have heard the same concerns from senior citizens.   

One of the most important issues for our senior citizens is affordable housing. Since I obtained funding for the nation's first NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community), I have been working for years to make sure that people can remain in their homes and communities as they grow older. As Congress begins voting on funding bills for the next fiscal year, I am fighting to increase funding for Section 8 and for affordable housing resources.
 
Additionally, in the past few years, I have joined with my fellow Democrats to draw a hard line to make sure that a federal budget deal doesn’t come at the expense of Medicare and Social Security.  I am prepared to fight to protect these programs if Congress engages in the kind of budgetary brinksmanship it has in recent years.
   
Finally, our seniors depend on mass transit — our buses and subways — to get around our City, to the senior centers they visit and the services they depend on.  Last year, I was fortunate to be able to serve on the conference committee for Congress’ big transportation bill—which meant I was able to protect key transit funding for programs critical for New York City and ensure the final bill provided an additional $1.5 billion in highway and transit formula funds for New York.

Passing Legislation to Protect American Jobs in the Film Industry

I was proud to join Rep. Mimi Walters as the lead Democrat on legislation that passed the House of Representatives, protecting the jobs of working families in the United States in the film and television industries. Our bill, the “Oversee Visa Integrity with Stakeholder Advisories (O-VISA) Act,” would bring needed transparency to the O visa application process, and help ensure that foreign workers do not replace Americans on motion picture projects unless they meet the standard of extraordinary ability that is required under the law. I am pleased that the House passed our bill, and I urge the Senate to take up this legislation soon.