I am a the U.S. Representative for New York's 22nd Congressional District, which spans eight counties from the Hudson Valley to the Finger Lakes region. Now serving in my ninth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, I am member of the House Appropriations Committee, which allocates funds in the federal budget. I am also a member of the House Natural Resources Committee and one of only 20 members on the bicameral Joint Economic Committee. Prior to coming to Congress in January 1993, I served 18 years in the New York State Assembly, including 14 years as Chairman of the Committee on Environmental Conservation.