Congressional representatives for Orleans County are reacting to the U.S. military action in Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken from Caracas, the capital, and brought to New York City to face indictments charging them with narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.

‘The idea that Trump plans to now run Venezuela should strike fear in the hearts of all Americans.’ – Chuck Schumer

Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic Leader, released a statement after the military action against Venezuela was launched without congressional authorization and Trump’s announcement that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela.

“Let me be clear: Nicolás  Maduro is an illegitimate dictator. But launching military action without congressional authorization and without a credible plan for what comes next is reckless.

“The administration has assured me three separate times that it was not pursuing regime change or taking military action in Venezuela. Clearly, they are not being straight with Americans.

“The idea that Trump plans to now run Venezuela should strike fear in the hearts of all Americans. The American people have seen this before and paid the devastating price.

“The administration must brief Congress immediately on its objectives, and its plan to prevent a humanitarian and geopolitical disaster that plunges us into another endless war or one that trades one corrupt dictator for another.

“To district from skyrocketing costs Americans face and the historic cover up of the Epstein files, Donald Trump is attempting to throw Americans into more international chaos and uncertainty.”

‘This operation sends a clear message that the United States will stand firmly against tyranny and corruption that threaten US security in our hemisphere.’ – Claudia Tenney

U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, NY-24, praised President Trump for leading the action against “tyranny.”

“Last night, under the leadership of President Trump, Secretary Marco Rubio and Secretary Pete Hegseth, the U.S. conducted a decisive and successful action against Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his illegitimate regime,” Tenney said. “This operation sends a clear message that the United States will stand firmly against tyranny and corruption that threaten US security in our hemisphere.

“I also want to recognize the brave men and women of the United States Military for carrying out a flawless operation with professionalism, precision, and strength. Their service continues to protect freedom and uphold American leadership on the world stage.

“Nicolás Maduro was not only a brutal dictator, but an indicted drug trafficker. The people in Venezuela now have the opportunity to pursue freedom and prosperity.”

‘The Constitution and international law are not optional.’ – Kirsten Gillibrand

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement”

“Nicolás Maduro was a thuggish dictator who abused his power, his people, and refused to accept the results of elections. No one disputes that he should be held accountable for his crimes.

“But the Constitution and international law are not optional. The administration must justify these actions to my fellow members on the Senate Armed Services Committee and explain to the American people how this was a justified act of war against a foreign country.

“After repeatedly telling me and my colleagues that it was not seeking to do so, the administration must also explain why they would carry out this military operation to perform regime change without authorization by Congress and how the United States is going to ‘run’ Venezuela indefinitely without putting our service members in harm’s way.

“Beyond this flagrant breach of trust, I remain concerned that the administration’s actions are not the end of something, but the beginning of chaos and instability in the region that threatens our service members, our allies, and American security.

“The administration must lay out a concrete plan to ensure peace and stability in Venezuela and the Western Hemisphere, with transparency and in consultation with Congress.”

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt

ALBANY – Following disturbing reports of widespread fraud involving taxpayer dollars in Minnesota, members of the Senate Republican Conference have penned a letter to the Governor’s Office urging her to immediately hire a private professional services firm to conduct a truly independent audit of programs administered by state agencies to ensure that public funds are only being distributed to authorized organizations and individuals, and utilized for authorized activities.

Further, Senate Republican Leader Ortt will be introducing a bill to require an independent audit of New York State government programs by a professional third party and to mandate that all findings of fraud or abuse will be promptly referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities.

These actions follow recent revelations of rampant fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars uncovered by investigative reporting in Minnesota, including schemes that reportedly involved sham daycare centers.

“If Governor Hochul isn’t alarmed by what’s happening in Minnesota, New Yorkers will lose even more trust in how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “The Governor must do her job and guarantee this isn’t happening here. If nothing is amiss, there is no excuse for refusing a comprehensive, independent audit. Failing to act would be an extreme disservice to taxpayers.”

An independent audit is necessary to root out all similar schemes currently underway here in New York, Ortt said. For example:

• $68 million in Medicaid fraud committed by a Brooklyn adult daycare operator uncovered by the Department of Justice in August.
• The State improperly paid over $2.6 billion in Medicaid premiums for people who do not live in New York.
• $13 million in Medicaid fraud for transporting patients to medical appointments.
• $7 million in Medicaid fraud for fraudulent billing.

“This issue is especially urgent given that dozens of counties across New York have already exhausted their allotted state funding for the Child Care Assistance Program,” the Republican senators state in the letter. “At a time when resources are strained, it is essential that available funds are protected and directed exclusively to those who truly need assistance. Moreover, with reports that your administration may advance a proposal for universal pre-kindergarten in the upcoming legislative session, ensuring these programs are efficient, transparent, and free from fraud should be a shared priority for all New Yorkers.”