On January 30, 2024, twenty-one members of the NY FCNL Advocacy Teams met with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s staff member Sachin Mathur. He is a Legislative Assistant for Sen. Gillibrand on the Armed Services, Intelligence, and Foreign Policy Committees. Our members were from Hubbardsville, Nyack, Clinton, New Paltz, Buffalo, Alfred, East Aurora, Ossining, Stanley, Hamilton, Perrysville, Schenectady, two from Orchard Park, three from Brooklyn, and four from New York City.
Connie Knapp introduced the New York FCNL Advocacy Team. Then, Charlotte Tahk thanked the Senator for supporting the Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act addressing food insecurity in food desert areas through additional grocery stores.
Geoff Schaber urged Senator Gillibrand to champion a Senate companion bill to the Streamline Pentagon Budgeting Act currently in the house as HR 4740 that has bipartisan support. On our behalf, he requested the Senator reach out to Senator Warren to be anoriginal co-sponsor before the bill is introduced in the Senate. Geoff mentioned that Unfunded Priorities List (UPL) distorts congressional ability to oversee the budget and that this Act would bring us a step closer to accountability.
Nancy Bermon then described her work as a NYC family physician for over 40 years. She has helped patients suffering from AIDS and now COVID related heart disease which she suffers from as well. Nancy also explained that a majority of her patients are working class, poor and from the immigrant community, who have fled persecution and hardship resulting from preventable violence. She mentioned how there is still no cure for COVID and we urgently need funding for research for treatments. She talked about her Israeli doctor who has a nephew in the Israeli Defense Force, and the conditions he is living under in the current war. She stressed that there is no health in war.
Jill McLellean introduced herself as a retired educator who worked in special education for 39 years in the Finger Lakes region. She talked about needs relating to education, including access to free breakfast and lunch for all students. She said it is embarrassing for some students when not available because they stand out when requesting a free meal to avoid hunger. Jill also mentioned the benefits of summer food programs for students such as the Boys and Girls Club. She mentioned these are now at risk due to a decrease in COVID funding, causing more hunger. She described the need for summer school recreation and how these and other respite programs help keep families intact. Jill mentioned that providing assistance for children with special needs also helps assure that no one is left behind. Sachin replied by saying he had personally witnessed these issues around food security as a child when his mother worked in education, teaching the first and second grade in Elber County, CO. He saw how people needed to take food home.
John Bailey asked whether Senator Gillibrand would be willing to sign on as an original co-sponsor. If not, what prevents such support? What can we do to help change her mind? Has the senator heard from other constituents on this issue.
Sachin replied that he cannot speak for Sen. Gillibrand whether she would be an original co-sponsor. He needs to read the bill first, but would be happy to put a call into Warren’s office afterwards. He is aware that for over 20 years the United States has funded a global war on terror and there is a general understanding that we need a clampdown on military spending. However, the UPL does assist in providing information on the needs of service members. For example, they are able to confirm the needs of service members at Fort Drum or Fort Hamilton. However, it appears that the UPL process has gotten out of hand. He knows Senator Gillibrand has gone against the military and other agencies to protect men and women in uniform, for example on behalf of those exposed to burn pits. He said the Senator has not heard from other constituents on this issue, but he does meet occasionally with Julie Gledhill (former FCNL AUMF lobbying) for a beer and she mentioned UPL oversight.
Nadine Hoover asked whose perspective the military UDL reflects. Military personnel have needs not in the UDL, such as human PFAS testing. She also asked where unfunded civilian priorities are listed. Nancy Bermon asked why these essentials for service members aren’t included in the original funding. We want to provide funding for service members, but with oversight.
Sachin replied that military policy and funding are primarily for personal costs and maintenance. There is an amendment asking for an extra $25 billion and the Senator is against this. She wants oversight and is questioning the Department of Defense (DOD).
Rabbi Jonathan posed a philosophical question of why the military budget is being used to subsidize the economy. People need to be cared for whether or not they serve in the military. Focus should be on welfare of the people first.
Sachin affirmed that the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) under the DOD provided research for diseases because we can’t get pharmaceutical companies to do it when it is not in their profit interest. But Rabbi Jonathan questioned whether this should be in Department of Defense or even for-profit, but rather done for all in the public interest. Nadine noted that research on lupus is under the CDMRP.
Geoff wrapped up by asking again that Senator Gillibrand champion a Senate companion bill to the Streamline Pentagon Budgeting Act and reach out to Senator Warren to be an original co-sponsor on the bill. We will follow up on a few days. Connie closed the meeting.