Western New York Politics
News and Opinion on Politics in Western New York and Elsewhere
April 2025 Congressional Votes: Western NY’s Langworthy, Tenney, Morelle & Kennedy
In April 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives took up a series of bills, including controversial election laws, proposed Medicaid and SNAP benefit cuts, extending Veterans’ benefits, and imposing judicial oversight. Western New York’s congressional delegation – Representatives Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY23), Claudia Tenney (R-NY24), Joseph Morelle (D-NY25), and Tim Kennedy (D-NY26) – recorded votes on these measures, reflecting sharply divided partisan lines.
Votes by WNY Representatives:
Bill | SAVE Act (H.R. 22) | Congressional Budget (H.Com.Res.14) | Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act (H.R. 1228) | No Rogue Rulings Act (H.R. 1526) |
Synopsis | Aims to safeguard voter eligibility and prevent election fraud. | Establishes the federal budget for FY 2025 and sets budgetary levels for FY 2026-2034. | Provides enhanced benefits for surviving family members of veterans. | Limits judicial overreach by restricting certain court rulings. |
Comments | Framed as an effort to “safeguard elections,” the bill introduces measures that could make voting less accessible, particularly for marginalized communities. Critics argue that while the bill emphasizes election security, it follows a broader pattern of legislation that risks suppressing voter turnout under the pretext of protecting the electoral process. | The bill proposes significant cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, providing healthcare and food assistance to millions of low-income Americans. Supporters frame the reductions as necessary for fiscal responsibility, while critics argue the cuts disproportionately harm vulnerable populations in order to preserve tax breaks for corporations and wealthy individuals. | The measure offers a rare show of bipartisan support for veterans’ benefits, reflecting a shared recognition of the need to protect services for those who have served in the military. However, some advocates caution that despite the current agreement, future efforts to reduce government spending could still put these programs at risk, particularly as broader budget negotiations resume. | Critics view the proposal as a direct attempt to restrict the power of judges who have ruled against Trump-era policies, warning that it could undermine the independence of the judiciary. Legal experts argue that efforts to weaken judicial oversight threaten the balance of powers that is fundamental to a functioning democracy. |
| Rep. Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY23) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY24) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-NY25) | No | No | Yes | No |
| Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY26) | No | No | Yes | No |
Western New York’s House delegation split sharply on voting rights, healthcare cuts, and judicial limits—uniting only to support veterans’ benefits.
Langworthy and Tenney’s Votes
In April 2025, Western New York’s congressional delegation split sharply along party lines as the U.S. House voted on a series of consequential bills. Republican Representatives Nicholas Langworthy (NY-23) and Claudia Tenney (NY-24) supported all four major measures, including the SAVE Act—a controversial bill requiring documentary proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections—and a federal budget resolution that includes significant cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While the budget resolution has been adopted by both chambers, unlocking the reconciliation process, lawmakers are still in the early stages of drafting the reconciliation package. House and Senate committees are currently working on their respective portions of the legislation, with markups scheduled in the coming weeks. The reconciliation process allows specific budget-related legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority, bypassing the filibuster.
The proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP that Langworthy and Tenney voted for will significantly impact Western New York.
Nationally, the House resolution includes a $880 billion reduction in Medicaid over the next decade, an 11.8% decrease in federal Medicaid support to states. Nearly 40% of Buffalo’s residents rely on Medicaid for healthcare services. 60–70% of Oishei Children’s Hospital patients are Medicaid beneficiaries. Accordingly, local hospitals could face severe financial strain.
The proposed $230 billion cut to SNAP over ten years represents a 20.6% reduction in federal funding. In New York, about 15% of residents receive SNAP benefits. The proposed cuts to SNAP that Langworthy and Tenney voted for could reduce food assistance and exacerbate food insecurity among low-income families and children.
Langworthy and Tenney also backed the No Rogue Rulings Act, which would limit the power of courts to challenge executive actions, and the Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act, which aimed to expand benefits for families of deceased service members.
Morelle and Kennedy’s Votes
In contrast, Democratic Representatives Joseph Morelle (NY-25) and Tim Kennedy (NY-26) opposed the SAVE Act, the budget resolution, and the judicial restrictions while joining Republicans in supporting the veterans’ benefits expansion.
The votes underscore ongoing partisan divides on voting rights, judicial independence, and the role of government in providing social services.