Lawler Votes to Extend Temporary Protected Status For Haiti, Protect Haitian Community of New York

Washington, D.C. – 4/16/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) voted to pass H.R. 1689, bipartisan legislation he co-led with Rep. Laura Gillen (NY-04) that extends  Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation beyond the current timeline. The bill passed the House of Representatives 223-204 and now moves to the Senate. “I am proud to see the House take an important bipartisan step forward in extending TPS for Haitians. The situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate with gang violence rampant, political instability persisting, and the humanitarian crisis deepening by the day. No one should be forced to return to those conditions, determined by the State Department to be unsafe, especially while living in the United States lawfully and working in our communities. The Haitian community here at home plays a critical role in our local economy and the vibrant culture of the Hudson Valley. Haitians in my district are healthcare workers, small business owners, and faith leaders. They are an integral part of our community. That is why I worked to introduce this bill, led letters to the Administration about working towards a solution, and ultimately signed a discharge petition to bring this bill to the floor for consideration,” said Congressman Lawler. Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs. ###