A Message from the Office of Representative Ocasio-Cortez
To Our Neighbors in NY-14,
Last month, we kicked off the beginning of the 118th Congress. The beginning of a new legislative session also means new committee assignments for the next two years. This legislative session, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez will return to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability — but this time as the Vice Ranking Member, the #2 spot for Democrats on the committee. She will also serve on the Committee on Natural Resources for the first time, and as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Pictured: Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez standing
in front of the door to the Committee on Natural Resources
Already, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has used her time on these committees to expose Twitter’s bias in favor of right-wing media and propose an amendment requiring the collecting of public health data in response to new drilling on federal lands. A large part of the Congresswoman’s work in D.C. involves attending committee hearings, where she only has five minutes to question witnesses on various topics. You can watch some of her accomplishments from last year here.
Back in the district, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez toured OANA’s Astoria Waterfront Arts District this week — an area of Astoria that’s new to NY-14. The arts district has been a hub for creativity and cultural expression in Astoria for years, providing spaces for artists and arts enthusiasts of all backgrounds and ages to gather, collaborate, and showcase their work. We’re looking forward to more visits with community members around the district over the next two years.
Pictured: Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez touring the
Astoria Waterfront Arts District with community members
We also opened a new office in Co-Op City at 177 Dreiser Loop, The Bronx, NY 10475, where we accept walk-ins Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Unfortunately, we closed our former office in Jackson Heights due to redistricting — but stay tuned as we search for offices in other parts of the new district. If you’re unable to visit us in person, you can always contact us online or by phone at 718-662-5970, where we also provide language translation. We also held our first town hall of the year last month in Co-Op City. If you missed it, you can watch it here.
You can find more updates from our office below, including information on free tax preparation resources, Medicare open enrollment, passports, and more. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you need assistance on another matter or to share your opinion on legislation.
In service,
The Office of Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez
Other Updates from Our Office
Take advantage of free resources available to you this tax season! Any individual or family earning $73,000 or less in 2022 can use tax software through IRS Free File at no cost, in both English and Spanish, here. You can also find additional free and local help by calling 800-906-9887 or using the VITA Locator Tool here.
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is running now through March 31st. During this period, Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare Advantage plans can 1) switch to another plan with or without Part D coverage or 2) disenroll from Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare and enroll in a Part D plan. Learn more here.
Out-of-pocket costs for insulin are now capped at $35 per monthly prescription among Medicare Part D enrollees under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, or have any other outstanding questions, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Are you looking to renew or apply for your passport ahead of international travel this summer? Be sure to submit your application sooner rather than later. Beginning this month, processing times are expected to take longer than usual — 8 to 11 weeks for routine processing and 5 to 7 weeks for expedited processing. Apply here.
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