Constituents Meet at Garbarino's Office

Pictured (L-R) Ms. Jean Hand, Sr. Caryn Brennan, CSJ, Sr. Ann Gray, DW, Sr. Rosalie Carven, CSJ, and Donna Boyle, District Director for Rep. Andrew Garbarino.

March 20, 2025  – Donna M. Boyle, District Director for Rep. Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), noted a wish to keep the lines of communication open and sent the material of concerns to Congressman Garbarino and his DC team after meeting with Sr. Ann Gray, DW, Sr. Rosalie Carven, CSJ, Sr. Caryn Brennan, CSJ, Ms. Jean Hand and Mr. John Dowd last week to talk about the issue of cuts to Medicaid and SNAP - and the devastating impact it will have on his constituents. Sr. Ann said, "I believe Donna Boyle was sincere in wanting to hear what we had to say. It was a first encounter; from this point forward, we will closely follow where Congressman Garbarino puts his money. The materials left behind urge Congressman Garbarino to protect our health and to resist any reductions in federal Medicaid funding during the reconciliation process, as well as any new, devastating cuts to SNAP or additional work-reporting requirements, and not to be the vote that takes food from our families.

Support for their views included leaflets from NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice providing statistics for the need for Medicaid and on the harmful restructuring of SNAP. 

Network offers a wealth of resources; to access them, visit: https://www.networkadvocates.org/take-action-save-snap-medicaid-and-more/.

Earlier in the day, a rally took place outside his Patchogue, NY, office, where residents filled the sidewalk, raising their voices and holding signs to share their concerns. The speakers represented a diverse range of citizens and interfaith groups, including a Presbyterian Minister, a Lutheran woman, a Representative from Jobs for Justice, a Dominican Sister, a member of the Health Workers Union, and a woman reading passages from the Torah. Sr. Ann said, "Their speeches were to the point and powerful, emphasizing that tax cuts for billionaires are not worth the health and lives of Long Islanders, and the potential $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid would impact an estimated 680,000 Long Islanders who depend on Medicaid for their healthcare. Speakers emphasized that Medicaid is primarily a moral issue. The strong message conveyed was that protecting Medicaid means protecting lives on Long Island."