Thomas R. Suozzi

Suozzi Unveils Bipartisan SACRED Act to Protect Houses of Worship

Position: Congressman Suozzi supports the SACRED Act, bipartisan legislation that would make it a federal crime to intimidate, obstruct, or harass people exercising their right to religious worship within 100 feet of a place of worship, while preserving First Amendment protections for peaceful protest.

Glen Cove, NY—Today, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Long Island, Queens) unveiled his bipartisan buffer zones bill, the Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption (SACRED) Act. The bill, co-led by Congressman Max Miller (R-OH), would make it a federal crime to intentionally intimidate, obstruct, or harass people exercising their right to religious worship within 100 feet of a place of worship, whether by threatening them, blocking their path, or approaching them within 8 feet for the purpose of harassment or intimidation. The Sacred Act is endorsed by: • Anti-Defamation League (ADL) • American Jewish Committee (AJC) • Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU) • Hadassah • Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) • Hindu American Foundation (HAF) • Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) • UJA-Federation of New York • Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) •Agudath Israel of America • United Sikhs Additionally, Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law at University of California, Berkeley School of Law, has said that “this bill is consistent with the First Amendment.” “No one deserves to be harassed or intimidated, especially on their way to their place of worship,” said Congressman Suozzi. “We’re living in increasingly volatile times, fueled in part by social media fanning the flames of division and our foreign adversaries trying to divide us from within. I’ve heard real fear from my constituents over the last few years about the hate they see and feel, especially while going to pray or being visibly religious. We have a responsibility to address that fear in a thoughtful, targeted way that protects our constituents while balancing the First Amendment right to peacefully protest.” “Every American deserves to practice their faith free from fear, intimidation, or harassment,” said Congressman Miller. “The SACRED Act ensures that people can access their place of worship safely and without obstruction, while still preserving First Amendment protections for peaceful expression. This commonsense legislation draws a clear line: intimidation and threats have no place in our communities.” Across the country, we have seen worshippers confronted, intimidated, and harassed on their way to practice their religion. Synagogues in particular have faced an unprecedented wave of aggressive demonstrations, where congregants have been shouted at, physically blocked from entering services and subjected to threatening rhetoric. Churches, mosques, Hindu mandirs, and Sikh gurdwaras have faced similar patterns of intimidation. Right now, there is no dedicated federal statute protecting worshippers from this kind of harassment at the door, and the SACRED Act would remedy that. Congressman Suozzi was joined in Glen Cove for the unveiling of the SACRED Act by leaders of several prominent faith and advocacy groups, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Union for Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Hadassah, and several Long Island synagogues. “Antisemitism is at historic levels. In 2024, ADL tracked 9,354 antisemitic incidents, including 1,702 incidents at Jewish institutions alone. Individuals seeking to pray in peace at houses of worship across our country are increasingly becoming targets of harassment and intimidation,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, Anti-Defamation League CEO. “As we aim to stem this wave of hate, we must take substantive action to fight back. That is why the SACRED Act is crucial, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Congressmen Suozzi and Miller to develop and introduce this critical bipartisan bill to ensure every individual, of every faith, can worship safely without fear.” “According to American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) State of Antisemitism in America 2025 Report, 28% of American Jews say that at least one Jewish institution they are affiliated with has been a target of antisemitic incidents in the last five years, and 55% of American Jews altered their behavior in the past year out of fear of antisemitism. At a time of rising threats against Jewish institutions, we applaud Representatives Suozzi and Miller for introducing the bipartisan SACRED Act to ensure safe access to houses of worship,” said Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee. “As the umbrella body for synagogues across the United States, the Orthodox Union is very grateful to Rep. Tom Suozzi and Rep. Max Miller for leading this effort to better protect our congregants - and parishioners at all houses of worship. Freedom to worship in America can only be enjoyed together with a freedom from fear. Sadly, we are in an era when we have seen too many assaults on synagogues, churches and other holy places. Federal buffer zone legislation is necessary, and we urge Congress to pass it as soon as possible,” said Nathan J. Diament, Executive Director for the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. "Intimidating and harassing people exercising their right to worship is unacceptable – anytime, anywhere. Hadassah has heard from Jewish women who are afraid to display symbols of their faith and who constantly watch their synagogue doors for attackers. The antisemitism these women face reflects the erosion of public safety at every place of worship, and we must act to keep sacred spaces safe,” said Carol Ann Schwartz, National President of Hadassah. “We applaud Representatives Suozzi and Miller for their bipartisan leadership in fighting hatred, and we urge Congress to pass this critical legislation to provide greater security to everyone practicing their faith." “Religious freedom thrives where respect prevails. Let every place of worship be a sanctuary free from intimidation, obstruction, or harassment so all people may practice their faith in peace, dignity, and safety within every sacred space,” said Azhar Azeez, CEO of the Islamic Society of North America. "The Hindu American community welcomes the introduction of the SACRED Act as a critical step in safeguarding our places of worship. In recent years, we have seen a disturbing rise in the targeting and desecration of Hindu mandirs across America, which has deeply shaken the sense of safety for our families and devotees. By establishing federal penalties for those who intentionally disrupt or harass individuals within 100 feet of a religious establishment, this legislation ensures that our mandirs remain the sacred spaces of peace and community they are meant to be. No American should have to exercise their First Amendment right to pray under the shadow of intimidation or fear. We're grateful to Representatives Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Max Miller (R-OH) for their bipartisan leadership on this issue,” said Samir Kalra, Esq., Managing Director of Policy & Programs at the Hindu American Foundation. “We, at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, understand religious persecution and so we are so proud to stand with Congressman Suozzi in protecting the rights of all Americans, regardless of where they pray- a synagogue, mosque or church - their right to do so free of danger and harassment will now be granted,” said Alan Mindel, Chair of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. “Houses of worship are sacred spaces and visitors gathering there to pray or attend communal events should be free from harassment. The SACRED Act helps protect communities by creating a buffer zone around places of religious worship and individuals and imposes penalties for violations of this law. Unfortunately, recent incidents in front of synagogues around the country highlight the need for additional protections. We thank Representatives Max Miller (R- OH) and Tom Suozzi (D – NY) for sponsoring the bill and we urge Congress to advance this important piece of legislation,” said Rabbi A. D. Motzen, National Director of Government Affairs of Agudath Israel of America. “For the Sikh community, and all faith communities, whose houses of worship are rooted in openness, service, and equality, this protection is especially meaningful. gurdwaras, synagogues, mosques, churches and temples are not only places of prayer but also centers of community support and public service. Ensuring that individuals can enter and participate without fear of harassment helps preserve these core values… At a time when incidents of religiously motivated hostility continue to affect diverse groups, this measure reinforces a shared commitment to religious freedom, mutual respect, and public safety,” said Bhupinder Kaur of United Sikhs. Click here to read the full text of the SACRED Act. Click here to see the livestream of the press conference. ###

Suozzi Introduces Bipartisan SEPTIC Act to Protect Homeowners and Improve Water Quality Nationwide

Position: The release advocates for legislation that would exclude septic system upgrade grants from federal taxable income, arguing that homeowners should not be taxed for making environmental and public health improvements to their properties.

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Suozzi (D–Long Island, Queens), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, introduced the bipartisan SEPTIC Act alongside Co-Leads Congressmen Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Aaron Bean (R-FL), and Greg Steube (R-FL). The Septic Exclusion for Property owners through Tax-free Infrastructure Compensation Act will ensure that grants provided to homeowners for septic system upgrades are not taxed as income. The bill would codify existing IRS guidance for Suffolk County and expand it nationwide, providing clarity and financial relief to families seeking to upgrade outdated and failing septic systems. “Families shouldn’t be taxed for doing the right thing,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi. “Today, on Tax Day, Americans across the country are reminded of how much they already pay in taxes. Upgrading a septic system protects our drinking water, safeguards public health, and preserves our environment. The federal government should be encouraging that, not making it more expensive. This commonsense, bipartisan bill reduces the tax burden on homeowners who are trying to do the responsible thing for their families and their communities.” "Outdated septic systems in Hernando, Citrus, and Pasco Counties threaten the health of our waterways and communities," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. "I am proud to co-lead the SEPTIC Act to authorize septic replacement grants that will help modernize aging systems, reduce pollution, and protect Florida’s natural resources for future generations. This commonsense legislation supports homeowners, strengthens infrastructure, and helps preserve the waterways that are vital to our economy and way of life.” “Florida’s 2.6 million septic system households shouldn’t be taxed for improving their wastewater systems and protecting our clean water. The SEPTIC Act ensures septic replacement grants aren’t treated as taxable income, helping families upgrade failing systems, protect public health, and safeguard local waterways without unnecessary financial burden. I am pleased to join Congressman Suozzi in this effort,” said Congressman Aaron Bean. “Families shouldn’t be taxed for making critical upgrades that protect their health, water quality and their communities,” said Congressman Greg Steube. “Florida represents 12% of the United States' septic systems. Failing septic systems pose serious risk to our water supply and public health. In Florida alone, approximately 2.6 million households rely on septic systems, making this an issue that impacts millions of families across our state. The SEPTIC Act ensures homeowners can access assistance to fix these systems without being hit with an unexpected tax bill.” Across the country, millions of Americans rely on septic systems to manage wastewater. Aging and failing systems can contaminate groundwater, harm local ecosystems, and pose serious public health risks. While many states and localities offer grants and financial assistance to help residents cover the costs of upgrading to more efficient septic systems that mitigate pollution and keep our water safe, uncertainty in the tax code has created confusion and, in some cases, an unintended tax burden. The SEPTIC Act would fix this problem by ensuring that homeowners are not penalized for participating in programs designed to protect public health and the environment. “This is about common sense,” Suozzi added. “We should be working together to lower costs, make government smarter, and incentivize solutions that protect our environment.” “Outdated and failing septic systems are an ongoing threat to the water our communities rely on every day," said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "By reducing costs and making it easier to replace these systems, the SEPTIC Act will help protect the communities that need it most. Everyone deserves access to clean water, and we applaud Rep. Suozzi for his leadership in protecting this fundamental human right.” “The Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District today strongly supports bipartisan action for legislation to codify a tax exclusion for septic replacement grants. Clean water is essential for every resident, and excluding these grants from taxation will help more homeowners upgrade their systems, improving water quality across the county,” said Derek Betts of the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District. "The New York Section of the American Water Works Association (NYSAWWA) supports the Septic Act as a critical solution for New York and the entire Nation. The need is especially critical on Long Island where failing septic systems are a major driver of nitrogen pollution and water quality degradation. By removing the tax burden on septic system replacement grants, this bill makes it easier for homeowners to upgrade systems and protects drinking water sources, local waterways, and the region's economy. We appreciate the leadership behind this effort and stand ready to advance it,” said Jenny Ingrao, Executive Director NYSAWWA. This bill also has the support of Food and Water Watch. More information on the bill can be found here. Bill text is attached. ###

Suozzi Introduces Commonsense Bill to Protect Taxpayers During Shutdowns

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Suozzi (D–Long Island, Queens), a member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, today announced the introduction of the Taxpayer Advocate Continuity Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure that the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) continues operating during a federal government shutdown. “When Washington is in deadlock, Americans looking for help shouldn’t pay the price,” said Congressman Suozzi. “Shutting down offices designed to help people navigate the IRS makes no sense, especially in times of increased uncertainty due to a government shutdown. This commonsense bill ensures that, even if Washington shuts down, help for taxpayers doesn’t.” “Even during shutdowns, IRS enforcement actions continue. This bill protects the right to a fair and just tax system by ensuring the Taxpayer Advocate Service is available during shutdowns, so taxpayers who are experiencing significant hardship as a result of IRS actions can get the help they need and avoid potentially irreparable harm,” said Nina Olson, Executive Director of the Center for Taxpayer Rights and former National Taxpayer Advocate. The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that helps Americans resolve problems with the agency. TAS maintains local offices across the country, including an office in Holtsville, Long Island, which Congressman Suozzi’s office regularly works with to assist constituents facing complex tax issues. During last year’s government shutdown, TAS operations were halted, leading to a month-long backlog of cases and leaving thousands of taxpayers without assistance. The Taxpayer Advocate Continuity Act would grant TAS the authority to continue operations during a lapse in appropriations, ensuring uninterrupted support for taxpayers dealing with audits, refund delays, identity theft, and other urgent issues. The legislation reflects broad bipartisan support and aligns with ongoing efforts to improve tax administration; This language has already been introduced in the Senate as part of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act led by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), has full support from the IRS itself, and implements guidance from the National Taxpayer Advocate’s “Purple Book,” an annual nonpartisan report outlining reforms to improve the taxpayer experience. “Good government means making government work better for people,” Suozzi continued. “This bill is about helping taxpayers get answers, resolve problems, and move forward with their lives, even when Washington is at an all-too-common partisan standstill,” concluded Suozzi. “This is exactly the kind of commonsense solution that should pass with overwhelming bipartisan backing, making government more responsive, more efficient, and more accountable to the American people.” The full text can be found here. ###

Suozzi Urges FAA and DOT to Address Airplane Noise and Health Impacts in Communities Near JFK and LaGuardia

Position: Congressman Suozzi calls on the FAA and DOT to enforce existing altitude agreements, expand alternative flight paths, and implement noise-reduction measures at JFK and LaGuardia airports to address airplane noise and health impacts in nearby communities.

Washington, DC — Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03) has sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration leadership calling for immediate action to reduce airplane noise affecting communities near John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport. In the letter, Suozzi highlighted the ongoing burden of near-constant aircraft noise in Long Island and Queens neighborhoods, raising concerns about its impact on residents’ quality of life and long-term health, including increased stress and elevated risks of heart disease. “Airplane noise isn’t just an annoyance, it’s a real quality-of-life and public health issue,” said Suozzi. “We need a coordinated, system-wide approach that protects residents while maintaining the safety and efficiency of one of the most complex airspaces in the country.” Suozzi’s number one suggestion is for the FAA to monitor and enforce an altitude agreement to keep JFK arrivals into runway 22L/R at or above 3,000 feet until they are within 15 miles of the airport. Congressman Suozzi was responsible for brokering this deal with the FAA Eastern Regional Office in 2019, which resulted in decreased airplane noise impacts after air traffic controllers implemented it. However, the FAA has not meaningfully enforced the agreement in recent years. Suozzi outlined several other practical steps for the FAA to take in coordination with airlines and the Port Authority, including expanding the use of alternative flight paths to reduce concentrated noise and limiting use of the TNNIS departure route from LaGuardia whenever possible. The Congressman also called on the FAA to move forward with long-overdue initiatives, including establishing the Airplane Noise Advisory Committee and ensuring that new technologies, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, are deployed with noise reduction as a priority. Since coming to Congress in 2017, Suozzi has made reducing airplane noise a priority, working with federal officials, airlines, and local stakeholders to deliver meaningful relief for affected communities in Queens and Nassau Counties. Read Suozzi’s full letter here and attached. ###

Fitzpatrick, Suozzi Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Fund DHS, Reform ICE, and Protect America

Position: The release advocates for legislation that fully funds the Department of Homeland Security while implementing targeted reforms to ICE operations, including body cameras, standardized uniforms, and refocused enforcement priorities on violent offenders.

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) unveiled their Reforming ICE and Protecting America Act, bipartisan legislation to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Fiscal Year 2026 while enacting targeted, enforceable reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The legislation comes after weeks of deadlock in Washington over immigration enforcement, during which no serious proposal emerged that both kept DHS fully funded and delivered real ICE reform. The Reforming ICE and Protecting America Act meets both imperatives: fully funding DHS while bringing ICE in line with the standards of every other law enforcement agency in the United States. “Government should never be brought to a standstill—certainly not when homeland security is on the line and the consequences are borne by TSA agents, Coast Guard servicemembers, FEMA personnel, frontline DHS employees, and the American people. This debate began with a legitimate call for real ICE reform, yet after weeks of political deadlock, no serious solution emerged. The right course was clear from the start: keep the Department of Homeland Security fully funded and confront the problem before us with real reform. That is precisely what this bill does. It is time to do what should have been done from the beginning: govern, reform, and protect,” said Fitzpatrick. “The American people are fed up. The chaos at our airports was awful, the Department of Homeland Security has not been fully funded during these very dangerous times, and the people are demanding that ICE live up to the standards of all other federal law enforcement. They are sick and tired of the endless blame game and they are demanding that we work together to solve the very real problems we face,” said Suozzi. “This legislation cuts through the dysfunction. It’s rooted in common sense; let’s fund DHS, keep our country safe, and hammer out real reforms of ICE.” Drawing on Fitzpatrick’s more than 15 years as an FBI Special Agent and Suozzi’s experience overseeing the nation’s 11th largest police department as Nassau County Executive, the legislation was developed with direct input from federal law enforcement officials and in consultation with Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus and Senate partners, including the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Reforming ICE and Protecting America Act would: Fully fund DHS for FY26 and keep the Department operational across its core security, disaster response, and public safety missions. Bring ICE in line with standardized law enforcement policies through body cameras, a limitation on masks, visible identification, standardized uniforms and training, and independent investigations of officer-involved shootings. Focus enforcement where it belongs—on violent offenders and the most serious threats to public safety. Protect due process and prevent abuse through probable-cause and warrant requirements in key enforcement contexts, including protections against the knowing detention of U.S. citizens without probable cause. Establish clear guardrails for sensitive locations by limiting civil immigration enforcement at schools, health care facilities, places of worship, polling places on election day, childcare facilities, and private home residences absent a warrant, except in exigent circumstances. Protect law enforcement personnel and their families by strengthening penalties for doxxing and expanding protections for sensitive personal information. Ensures CBP remains focused on its intended mission: securing the border. Last week, Fitzpatrick and Suozzi announced they were developing a bipartisan path to fully fund DHS while advancing real ICE reform. The bill introduced today is the product of that effort. Read the full bill text here. Watch the Congressmen talk about their efforts here and here. ###

Suozzi, Fitzpatrick Announce Bipartisan Effort to Fund TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, and Other DHS Departments, While Advancing ICE Reforms

Position: The congressmen are advancing bipartisan legislation to fund DHS operations while implementing reforms requiring ICE to meet the same professional standards, training requirements, body camera use, and accountability mechanisms as other federal law enforcement agencies.

Washington, D.C.— Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) announced that they are working on bipartisan legislation to immediately re-open the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while advancing commonsense reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). At a moment when Washington remains deadlocked, the Suozzi-Fitzpatrick effort offers a serious bipartisan path to restore full DHS operations while pairing that action with targeted reforms to improve public trust and strengthen accountability within ICE. “People are standing in long lines at our airports, TSA agents are not getting paid, FEMA is going unfunded, and Americans are becoming increasingly frustrated that instead of solving problems, politicians in Washington are pointing fingers. Congressman Fitzpatrick and I are trying to cut through the dysfunction, isolate the problem areas where negotiations have stalled, and work together to get things done,” said Congressman Suozzi. “Ultimately, ICE is a law enforcement agency that needs to be held to the same professional standards as every other law enforcement agency in the United States. Unfortunately, ICE has been operating in a fashion I believe is illegal and immoral. It’s not a radical idea to ask them to answer to the same safety and transparency requirements as every other police officer and federal agent in the country. “Protecting the American people is among the first obligations of government, and that means ensuring the Department of Homeland Security is fully funded and fully operational. It also means ensuring that those entrusted with enforcing the law operate under clear, consistent standards that preserve public trust. I have long believed that, at its core, law enforcement is a social contract built on trust on both ends. This effort would restore DHS operations, reinforce clear and uniform standards across federal law enforcement, and keep enforcement focused on the most serious threats to public safety. That is how we restore the mission, strengthen enforcement, and renew public confidence in the institutions charged with protecting the American people,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. The proposed reforms are being developed to fully restore DHS operations while establishing ICE standards consistent with those of other law enforcement agencies. In shaping this effort, the Congressmen have engaged directly with federal law enforcement officials, while drawing on Congressman Fitzpatrick’s more than 15 years as an FBI Agent and Congressman Suozzi’s experience overseeing the nation’s 11th largest police department as Nassau County Executive. The legislation would require that all federal law enforcement agencies, including ICE, are held to the same high standards and policies as it pertains to training requirements, the use of body cameras, independent investigation of use-of-force at scenes, clear outer identification of the agency engaged in the enforcement action, cooperation with local law enforcement, and a prohibition of masks during enforcement actions coupled with tougher penalties for doxxing. It would also lay out stronger warrant requirements and rules governing activity in sensitive locations to ensure enforcement resources are focused on the “worst of the worst.” Background: Last week, the Senate failed to advance DHS funding for the fifth time, extending a stalemate that has left the Department unfunded since February 13 and is taking a serious toll on TSA staffing, airport operations, and DHS’s ability to fully carry out its mission. At the same time, the deadlock has made clear that any durable solution must not only reopen DHS, but also address the need for credible, commonsense reforms that strengthen accountability within ICE. ###