Lohud
By Mike Lawler
This is everything that’s wrong with politics today.
Throughout this campaign, Mondaire Jones and his special interest allies have continually resorted to lies and distortions because he and they cannot defend Mondaire’s radical record. Jones knows that when voters see the truth — when they see the clear contrast between his far-left extremism and my commonsense, bipartisan approach — his arguments fall apart.
Let’s set the record straight, once and for all.
Here’s the truth:
I have NOT and will NEVER cut Social Security and Medicare. I’ve fought hard to protect these vital programs, which so many of our seniors rely on, and I will continue to fight to ensure they remain strong and sustainable for future generations.
I will NOT support a national abortion ban. As I have consistently said, I have always believed in exceptions for rape, incest, and the life and health of the mother. And I have been a strong advocate for access to IVF and contraception. These are difficult, personal issues, and I respect that. My stance has always been clear and consistent and I am in no way looking to change New York State law.
I am NOT working to overturn the Affordable Care Act or allow insurance companies to discriminate against those with preexisting conditions. In fact, I have always supported protecting those with preexisting conditions and allowing children to stay on their parents’ policies until age 26, ensuring that they have access to the healthcare they need.
Sadly, Jones believes that if he repeats these lies enough times, the voters will believe them. He is counting on misinformation and fear to sway public opinion, rather than relying on the facts or his own legislative record, which is subpar, to say the least.
But what’s even more insulting than this litany of lies is the insinuation that I, like so many others, don’t understand the struggles facing working families.
This is how my perspective as a public servant has been shaped
Let me share two stories that have shaped my perspective as both a person and a public servant.
In 2013, I lost my Dad to cancer. He was just 54 years old. In the five years before his death, my parents faced a series of devastating blows. They lost their life savings in a Ponzi scheme, my Dad lost his job and battled depression, they were forced to sell their home and move in with my grandparents and my Dad fought two grueling battles — one against Multiple Sclerosis and another against cancer.
In those years, my Dad had to rely on Social Security disability, a lifeline for many families who’ve paid into the system for years. My family was fortunate that my Mom had health insurance through her job, but I’ve seen firsthand the toll it takes when you’re struggling to make ends meet, when the system you’ve supported your whole life becomes your only safety net.
After graduating college in 2009, I moved back home to help my parents. I lived through their challenges with them. I understand the burden that illness, unemployment and financial ruin can place on a family. I saw my Dad go through that, and it’s why I’ve spent my career fighting for families like mine, making sure that no one falls through the cracks.
In the last conversation I had with my Dad, just five days before he passed away, he told me something that has stayed with me every day since. He said, “Michael, to whom much is given, much is required. You’ve been given a lot of talents and skills. Use them to do God’s work and to always keep your moral compass.”
He said those words before suffering a series of seizures that put him into a coma. That was the last time I ever spoke with him, but his words have been my guiding light in everything I’ve done since — especially in my capacity as an elected official.
Secondly, in January 2020, after years of trying to start a family, my wife Doina and I got pregnant with our first child. At eight weeks, we went to Doina’s OBGYN for our first ultrasound. Not knowing fully what to expect, we watched the screen with excitement as the technician checked the baby’s measurements.
After about 10 minutes, she informed us that she needed to speak with the doctor. As Doina and I waited, we smiled and talked about finally becoming pregnant.
Soon after, the doctor came back with the technician and started to perform the ultrasound. A few minutes later she said, “So based on the size measurements, the baby is about 7 weeks and 4 days. At this point we should hear a heartbeat. Unfortunately, we do not. The baby is not viable.”
We were shocked, confused and heartbroken. In a moment we went from experiencing pure joy to excruciating pain.
As we left the doctor’s office and got into our car, we were both stunned into silence.
A few weeks later, my wife had to have a D&C procedure to ensure her health and well-being. It was a traumatic experience.
Everyone who has ever suffered a miscarriage or the loss of a child understands that pain. It’s a feeling you never forget or get over. You live with it for the rest of your life.
Over the next year and a half we struggled to get pregnant, taking steps to begin IUI and IVF treatments. Fortunately, just days before our first IUI treatment, we found out we were pregnant with our daughter, Julianna. Next month we are expecting our second daughter. It is the greatest blessing in our lives.
Unfortunately, for too long the discussion around these issues have been driven by the extremes in both parties, rather than the vast majority of Americans who want a reasonable and honest discussion on this issue.
So, shame on Jones for lying about my record and misrepresenting who I am. But more importantly, shame on him for not recognizing that we all have our own life experiences that shape our views, our values and our commitment to public service.
I’m in this fight because I’ve lived it. I know what it’s like for families to struggle, and I’ve dedicated myself to making sure that the government works for the people it serves. I’ve fought to bring $38 million in Community Project Funding back to the Hudson Valley, I’ve fought to secure millions in law enforcement resources, and I’ve fought to protect programs like Social Security and Medicare — programs that my family relied on during our darkest days.
I believe in bipartisanship, in working across the aisle to get things done. That’s why I’ve been named one of the most bipartisan members of Congress, and that’s why I will continue to fight for commonsense policies that make a real difference for the people of the Hudson Valley.
No number of lies from Jones or dark money groups will change that.
Rep. Mike Lawler, running for reelection, represents New York’s 17th Congressional District.
