Op-Ed | LoHud
By Mike Lawler

Regarding “Republicans in Congress — like NY’s Mike Lawler — think Medicaid doesn’t matter,” lohud.com, April 10:

There are several important things readers of this opinion page need to know regarding the dishonest op-ed that ran here recently lying about my position on Medicaid, among other things.

First, consider the source of these attacks and their motives for lying about me. There were two co-authors of the piece: One is the leader of a radical far-left organization that supports extreme policies like mass release of prisoners (including violent ones), and the other is an avowed socialist who recently said she was “excited” about a candidate for Mayor of New York City who wants to defund the police. Both of them support the absurd sanctuary state and city policies that have turned New York into a beacon for illegal immigration and rising crime.

Now, onto the substance of their false attacks. Let me be crystal clear: I have consistently lived up to my pledge never to cut Medicare or Social Security. In fact, last Congress, I helped champion passage of the Social Security Fairness Act to end the unfair reduction of benefits for millions of Americans, including teachers and police officers. Now, they are collecting more of their hard-earned money to help with their retirement.

Likewise, I will never cast a vote that takes Medicaid away from eligible recipients who rely on this vital program, such as seniors, children, the intellectually and developmentally disabled, single mothers and families facing tough times. Rather, my commitment has always been to strengthen these programs by cracking down on scam artists exploiting them at taxpayer expense.

This isn’t just a political position; it’s deeply personal to me. My father battled cancer and several other health issues before passing away at age 54. Along the way, he and my mother depended on Social Security Disability to make ends meet and live with dignity. I know firsthand how these programs are lifelines for families in need. That’s why reading accusations — from two people I’ve never met — claiming, without any evidence, that I am “salivating to gut funding” for healthcare is so offensive. I am all for a good debate, but I will not sit silently by and allow people to lie without pushing back.

So, why the dishonest attacks and disregard for the truth? Simple — fringe elements have hijacked and radicalized the Democratic Party. These aren’t disciples of President John F. Kennedy or even my current constituent, President Bill Clinton. Instead, they are members of extremist groups like Indivisible Rockland and others who care more about the rights of violent criminals, gang members and illegal immigrants than they do working families and retirees in the Hudson Valley and beyond. If you work hard and play by the rules, you’re the bad guy — and your punishment is to sit down, shut up and pay more taxes to fund a bloated, corrupt government that creates dependence instead of opportunityand favors endless government handouts to lawbreakers instead of a compassionate hand-up to good people in need.

Consider the facts. A 2024 Empire Center for Public Policy study revealed that as many as three million people are collecting Medicaid in New York State despite potentially being ineligible due to incomes that are higher than the eligibility limit — costing taxpayers of up to $20 billion annually. Wouldn’t that money be better spent supporting low-income seniors, single mothers, the I/DD community and children instead of padding a corrupt system? I think so.

Worse, New York has spent billions on Medicaid for undocumented migrants. That’s not sustainable, and it’s not fair to American citizens, especially those facing tough times, but who are too proud and honorable to scam the system themselves. These are the men and women we must prioritize. These are the men and women who deserve our compassion. These are the men and women I am fighting for in Congress.

That’s why I am advocating for common-sense reforms like work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, shifting eligibility verification to a quarterly review from the current annual review system, and ensuring benefits don’t go to ineligible recipients, including illegal immigrants. These steps aren’t about denying care to anybody. To the contrary, it is about directing resources to those who need it most.

The broader fiscal picture demands action, too. As I wrote in the New York Post on March 3, the federal government is projected to spend over $86 trillion in the next decade, with our national debt already topping $36 trillion, and expected to rise to $59 trillion. This trajectory risks collapsing Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security and will leave future generations without support. If we are to keep the sacred promises made to the most vulnerable among us, we must restore fiscal responsibility.

I urge New Yorkers to reject the lies and smears pushed by extremists — including my growing list of potential 2026 opponents — who care more about keeping people in poverty and exploiting them to advance their own radical political agenda. We can — and must — balance fiscal discipline with our social obligation to ensure these programs remain solvent long into the future. That is the path forward and I am committed to working with commonsense Democrats and Republicans to get it done.

Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican, represents New York’s 17th Congressional District.

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Pearl River, NY – April 7, 2025… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler achieved a monumental fundraising milestone, raising an impressive $1.46 million in the first quarter of 2025 and reporting over $1.3 million in cash on hand for his reelection campaign. This standout performance marks one of Lawler’s strongest fundraising quarters to date, reflecting his widespread appeal and proven effectiveness as a lawmaker. Recently rated one of the most effective members and the 4th most bipartisan member of the 118th Congress, Lawler’s ability to deliver for his constituents continues to drive his success. 

“Congressman Mike Lawler raised $1.46 million in Q1 and will report over $1.3 million cash on hand for his reelection campaign, one of his strongest quarters ever,” stated Chris Russell, the campaign spokesperson. 

“Despite the lies, scare tactics, and coordinated protests by radical far-left groups, Congressman Lawler raised more money than all of his Democrat opponents combined, showing once again his strong support from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents throughout the Hudson Valley,” concluded Russell.

Lawler’s fundraising dominance is a direct reflection of his legislative record, having consistently worked across party lines to address the needs of the Hudson Valley. This commitment to common-sense results has earned him robust support from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike. 

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Pearl River, NY – March 27, 2025… Today, Lawler for Congress issued a strong call for Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado and the Democratic candidates running for Congress to clearly and unequivocally condemn Indivisible Rockland and the Clarkstown Democratic Committee for supporting an election denialism lawsuit rooted in debunked antisemitic conspiracy theories with the goal of overturning the 2024 election results in Rockland County.

A lawsuit by a failed US Senate candidate, promoted by Indivisible Rockland and the Clarkstown Democratic Committee, seeks to invalidate Rockland County’s 2024 election results. Yesterday, the judge rescheduled the discovery hearing for a full countywide recount, sparking baseless conspiracies. Indivisible Rockland has also displayed antisemitic and Nazi imagery at protests while refusing to denounce it.

“It’s beyond hypocritical for radical far-left activists to claim they care about defending democracy while simultaneously backing frivolous lawsuits – steeped in antisemitic conspiracy theories – that attempt to overturn our democratic elections,” said Chris Russell, campaign spokesperson. “Indivisible Rockland prominently displayed a call to action encouraging voters to join the lawsuit earlier this week. Lt. Governor Delgado should immediately cancel his plans and unambiguously condemn the antisemitic imagery and rhetoric at Individible Rockland’s recent rally.”

Russell concluded, “It’s past time for Delgado and the Democrats to clearly state where they stand—either with those committed to democracy and tolerance or with extremist groups perpetuating antisemitism and election conspiracies. Their continued silence is unacceptable and dangerous.”

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Pearl River, NY – March 19, 2025…  Today, Congressman Mike Lawler condemned Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for his blatant hypocrisy on antisemitism. Schumer recently released a book, Antisemitism in America: A Warning, yet failed to act when it mattered most with his refusal to bring the Antisemitism Awareness Act to a vote last year, after it passed the House overwhelmingly.

“Chuck Schumer’s inaction is outrageous,” Lawler said. “As Majority Leader, he had every chance to lead, to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act, and to protect Jewish communities from rising hatred. But he sat on his hands, too scared to piss off his base and the pro-Hamas wing of the Democrat Party. Now, he’s cashing in with a book while doing nothing. Talk is cheap, and the Jewish community deserves a hell of a lot more than empty words and inaction.”

Lawler pointed out the timing of Schumer’s book release, which coincides with his refusal to advance critical legislation. The Antisemitism Awareness Act, which will codify into a law a modernized definition of antisemitism, passed the House with bipartisan support in 2024. But Schumer let it languish in the Senate, prioritizing far-left allies like Bernie Sanders. “With his new book, Chuck Schumer is using antisemitism as a political tool, profiting off it while ignoring the violence and hatred Jewish New Yorkers face every day,” Lawler added. “While Chuck Schumer likes to call himself shomer — defender of the Jews — the reality is he is a shanda, a disgrace.”

Adding insult to injury, Schumer recently canceled his book tour, citing “security concerns” and fear of protests—proof he’s dodging tough questions from voters. “If Schumer can’t face his constituents, how can he claim to lead on antisemitism? He’s more worried about his public image than answering for his failures,” Lawler said.

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New York Post
By Mike Lawler

Why can’t the federal government live within its means, like New York’s families, seniors and small businesses must do?

It’s a question I ask myself every time a handful of special-interest groups blow a gasket over the mere discussion of reducing federal spending or reining in our debt. 

The “sky is falling” scare campaign that alleges any responsible reduction to federal spending will somehow have catastrophic consequences is baloney. 

Make no mistake: The defenders of the status quo want the gravy train to continue for their benefit.

I want it to come to an end — for your benefit. 

Here are the facts: Our nation faces a daunting fiscal crisis; the national debt exceeds $36 trillion and is projected to reach $59 trillion by 2035.

The reckless addiction to overspending and decades-old reliance on debt in Washington has real-life consequences for local families — in the form of ever-increasing taxes, record inflation and a constantly rising cost of living.

Failure to act now will result in long-term economic consequences that threaten the prosperity of future generations. 

At the same time, we must ensure that the most vulnerable in our society can rely on a social safety net that allows them to live with dignity.

Preserving and strengthening essential programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP and veterans’ benefits is both a matter of sound policy and a fundamental moral responsibility.

The budget resolution I helped pass in the House last week has sparked considerable debate — but some critics’ claims are pure misinformation.

For example, it’s categorically false that the budget resolution we voted on includes callous cuts to Social Security, Medicaid or Medicare.

But that hasn’t stopped House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from spouting misinformation, or prevented Gov. Kathy Hochul from using sick children as props to score political points.

That’s wrong.

And it’s exactly the kind of political fear-mongering that distracts from the real challenge: Restoring fiscal discipline while maintaining the integrity of programs that tens of millions of Americans rely on.

But at the same time we have to stop those who scam the system at taxpayer expense. 

Does anyone really think Medicaid should pay for a 27-year-old, able-bodied single man to stay home and play video games all day?

Or that we should provide free food, housing, health care and more to those who entered our country illegally?

Of course not — yet abuses like these are adding untold billions to our bloated federal budget.

That’s the kind of improper spending we rightfully should be cutting.

As far back as 2005, The New York Times reported that New York’s Medicaid fraud may reach into the billions — yet nothing has been done to put a stop to it. We have to take that seriously and clean it up.

Equally pressing is the impending expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which provided critical relief to American families and small businesses.

If allowed to lapse, the child tax credit that law established will be slashed for 40 million families.

The standard deduction will take a significant hit — affecting 91% of taxpayers — and the Alternative Minimum Tax will return, increasing the tax burden on many folks in the Hudson Valley and throughout the state.

Preserving these tax cuts for every American and lifting the cap on SALT (the state and local tax deduction) is essential to growing financial stability for families nationwide.

As I said when I first ran for Congress, lifting the cap on SALT is my top priority in Washington.

Advancing this budget resolution was a critical step toward that goal: Now we can begin the process of negotiating a reconciliation bill.

That bill will secure our border, strengthen our military, increase domestic production of energy, reduce the size and scope of the federal government, and provide real tax relief for hard-working middle-class families.

As we negotiate the final bill, I believe we can achieve fiscal responsibility and economic prosperity — and still take care of Americans who are down on their luck and need a hand. 

I’ll be working with common-sense lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to do what’s right.

Coindesk
By Mike Lawler

On Jan. 20, 2025, the United States will start a new chapter in more ways than one. While the nation will be focused on President Trump’s inauguration as our 47th President, the U.S. financial sector will be celebrating the resignation of Joe Biden’s Securities and Exchange Commission Chair, Gary Gensler.

As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I am well aware of Gensler’s heavy-handed approach in stifling innovation and shackling the American economy’s engine. His punitive stance was particularly damaging in the burgeoning field of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

While touting his actions as measures to protect investors, Gensler leveraged contrived ambiguity to undermine the growth and technological advancements that make U.S. markets competitive and drive promising projects offshore, including the development of the next generation of the internet.Under Gensler’s leadership, the SEC’s enforcement-focused agenda frequently did more harm than good, and “regulatory uncertainty” was used to attack American crypto exchanges like Bittrex, Kraken, and Coinbase, with Bittrex explicitly citing the effects of Gensler’s approach when it exitedthe U.S. market.

The question isn’t whether cryptocurrency requires regulation — it unquestionably does. Cryptocurrency, by its very design, challenges traditional financial systems and demands an entirely different regulatory framework — one that balances consumer protection with the need to foster innovation. With the price of bitcoin recently breaking the $100,000 threshold, digital assets have demonstrated their staying power, and investors have already embraced their potential.

Last year, I was proud to help the House pass the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, a bill championed by our incoming Financial Services Chair French Hill. FIT 21 represents a groundbreaking shift in the legislative landscape and would establish a responsible new regulatory framework that clearly defines the role of the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. This would offer much-needed clarity to a rapidly evolving market and, unlike the SEC’s enforcement-heavy playbook, FIT 21 both fosters transparency and innovation and protects consumers without stifling creativity. I applaud Rep. Hill for his work on this, and look forward to his ongoing efforts in tandem with President Trump in this arena.

President Trump demonstrated a keen understanding of cryptocurrency’s transformative potential during his historic campaign. Polling demonstrates that his embrace of these issues helped him earn broad support from younger and more diverse voters for whom cryptocurrency is a staple of daily life.

During his first administration, President Trump’s SEC worked collaboratively with the crypto industry to enforce securities laws without alienating innovators, offering clear guidance through landmark initiatives like the DAO Report and the Framework for Investment Contract Analysisof Digital Assets.

These resources provided critical insights to help entrepreneurs navigate compliance while building groundbreaking technologies.

Beyond the Biden administration’s hostility to crypto, Chuck Schumer and Democrats in the Senate refused to consider FIT 21 after it passed the House with overwhelming, bipartisan support. Moreover, in New York, the courts thwarted Governor Hochul’s attempt to shutter bitcoin miners by deploying the state’s radical climate law.

In anticipation of President Trump’s return and Republican majorities in the House and Senate, the crypto market is booming, with the price of bitcoin increasing by up to 33% since Election Day. Moreover, President Trump’s new cabinet and the Department of Governmental Efficiency could revolutionize the way federal agencies operate and save taxpayers billions by integrating blockchain technology across government.

With President Trump’s appointment of Paul Atkins as the next SEC Chair, we can expect a more thoughtful and transparent approach to governance and policies that encourage innovation while safeguarding investors — setting the stage for the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector to thrive and the creation of high-paying new American jobs. We will be able to move beyond the opportunities missed during the Biden administration and build a framework that positions the U.S. as a leader in the global digital economy.

Lohud
By Mike Lawler

Let’s be clear: Gov. Kathy Hochul’s congestion pricing plan isn’t about protecting the environment or easing traffic, it’s about forcing another tax on working- and middle-class New Yorkers to bail out the bloated and corrupt Metropolitan Transportation Authority. It’s one more burden imposed by a state government that has lost touch with the people it’s supposed to serve, hurting families, workers and our state’s economy.

Hochul’s plan will penalize people for the “sin” of needing to commute to Manhattan to earn a living — including small-business owners, police officers, firefighters, teachers and other essential workers who serve New York City and our state every single day. Hochul’s plan charges these folks up to $2,500 per year just to get to work — and then she has the gall to tell them she’s doing them a favor by not making it $5,000 a year. Thanks a lot, Kathy!

Congestion pricing is a symptom of a deeper problem in our state: government overreach and mismanagement. The MTA is one of the worst-run agencies in America. It’s facing a staggering $3 billion budget deficit in the coming years, due in large part to fare evasion, which drains over $700 million a year from the system. And it already has racked up over $45.5 billion in debt on its books — a number larger than the budgets of 38 states.

However, rather than addressing these issues, trying to slash debt and driving down internal costs, the MTA and Hochul are looking to squeeze more money out of New Yorkers to cover their own failures.

The MTA’s budget woes didn’t come out of the blue. The waste, fraud, abuse and unchecked spending at the MTA are legendary. Janno Lieber and the authority’s leadership operate under the assumption that Hochul and Albany Democrats will bail them out, regardless of how irresponsibly they manage their finances. We need real accountability for the MTA, including a full audit of its books, and an analysis of what must be done to tackle its uncontrollable spending habits.

Meanwhile, violent crime on the subway has surged, with murders in our subway system jumping more than 60%. New Yorkers are, understandably, increasingly hesitant to use public transportation due to these crimes, a direct result of our state’s disastrous cashless bail law that frees repeat offenders, allowing them to commit offenses again and again. Hochul has failed to address these serious safety issues. Rather than making public transit safer, she has chosen to fast-track a tax that will push people away from going into the city altogether.

The entire process behind congestion pricing has been flawed from the start. It has been made possible only by manipulating federal programs, such as the Value Pricing Pilot Program, which Congress approved more than 30 years ago. The Biden administration further enabled this scheme by shortcutting the environmental review process and fast-tracking Hochul’s significant changes to her proposal that she announced immediately after the election.

As we look to the future, I hope that President-elect Donald Trump will work with me, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-Staten Island, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-Wyckoff, and other opponents of congestion pricing to end this flawed policy once and for all. We need solutions that improve MTA services and don’t levy additional taxes on hardworking middle-class families. New Yorkers deserve accountability from the MTA, not another unnecessary tax to make calling New York home even more brutally expensive. Hochul’s congestion pricing plan won’t solve our transportation challenges. Instead, it punishes those who have no choice but to drive to work due to safety concerns or lack of access to mass transit.

I won’t stop working with Republicans and Democrats to put an end to this misguided policy, restore accountability to the MTA, and reduce the crushing tax burden on New Yorkers, which is driving away millions of residents from our state. You can count on that.

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Pearl River, NY, 11/16/2024… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign released the following statement after unveiling CongestionPricingSucks.com, a website that highlights Governor Kathy Hochul’s disastrous congestion pricing scheme.

Concurrently, the Lawler for Congress campaign released a video highlighting how Hochul and the MTA’s mismanagement has led to this mess in the first place.“Governor Hochul is the worst Governor in America,” said Congressman Mike Lawler. “And her obscene congestion pricing cash grab is just the latest example of how inept and incompetent she really is.“Rather than forcing the MTA to operate within their means, including enforcing the $700 million in lost fares on buses and in the subway, reducing spending on high-priced consultants that cost more than actually boring tunnels, and cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse, Governor Hochul seems content sticking working families with the bill,” continued Lawler. “That’s appalling and shows a complete lack of leadership from the Governor’s Mansion.”

“New Yorkers deserve so much better than what Governor Hochul has to offer the great state of New York,” concluded Lawler. “It is my sincere hope that it will become a reality in 2026 when the people of this state fire Kathy Hochul once and for all.”

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Congressman Mike Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of the 118th Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District in the Lower Hudson Valley. He has won two consecutive elections in a “Toss-Up” seat, winning in 2024 by over 6% in a district Joe Biden carried by 10 points in 2020.

Pearl River, NY – 10/24/2024… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler slammed Mondaire Jones for his call for Israel to return to pre-1967 borders and cede land to Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in order to achieve a lasting peace – a stark reversal of his previously stated “strong support” for the State of Israel.

“Mondaire Jones’ statement during the debate calling for Israel to return to its pre-1967 borders is outrageous and exposes him for the anti-Israel radical that he really is,” said Congressman Mike Lawler. “The fact that Mondaire Jones believes that Israel must cede land to Hamas and the Palestinian Authority — as they seek to kill Jews and eradicate the state of Israel — in order to achieve a lasting peace is not only nuts, it’s disqualifying in New York’s 17th Congressional District.”

“This totally undermines Mondaire Jones’ supposedly ‘strong’ support for Israel and should cause alarm to all those who believe in Israel’s right to exist,” concluded Congressman Lawler. “To call for Israel to return to pre-1967 borders, which would result in the loss of a significant portion of Israel’s current land, is a radical position held by a radical politician in Mondaire Jones.”

Mondaire Jones’ position that Israel must make land concessions to Hamas and the Palestinian Authority – in addition to his prior votes against Iron Dome – is radical and out-of-touch and puts the existence of the state of Israel at risk.

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Lohud
By County Executive Ed Day, County Executive Kevin Byrne, and County Executive Sue Serino

As county executives in the Hudson Valley, we know what it takes to deliver results for our communities. We understand the importance of working across the aisle, standing up for the hardworking people of our counties and fighting to ensure things get done.

In short, Rep. Mike Lawler shares our values of bipartisanship, common sense and problem-solving.

During his term, Lawler has proven himself to be an incredible representative. Specifically, Lawler has delivered over $38 million in Community Project Funding to the 17th District. From critical clean water and infrastructure investments to support for local cops, Lawler has put his constituents first, ensuring that our region has the resources it needs to thrive.

Lawler has also been a steadfast supporter of our law enforcement. He fought tirelessly to secure $10 million in long-overdue drug forfeiture funds for Hudson Valley police departments, working across the aisle with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to get it done. These funds will help keep our neighborhoods safe and combat the scourge of drug trafficking that has devastated so many families in our community. Lawler knows and respects our brave law enforcement officers and is actively fighting to get them the funding they need and deserve.

That is a stark contrast with his opponent, Mondaire Jones, whose radical agenda could not be more out of step with the values of the Hudson Valley. Jones has repeatedly called for defunding the police and attacked law enforcement as “racist” and “terrorizing” — rhetoric that puts the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe in danger. Jones’ push for cutting ICE funding by billions of dollars and limiting migrant detentions are reckless and dangerous, especially as we face a crisis at our southern border and an opioid epidemic that has hurt too many families in our counties.

While Jones spent his time in Congress pushing a far-left, hyper-partisan agenda, Lawler has been hard at work passing bipartisan legislation that addresses the real issues we face. Lawler has introduced and cosponsored thousands of bills, amendments and resolutions, garnering broad support from both Republicans and Democrats. He has passed critical measures like the Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act, working to broker peace in the Middle East, and the SHIP Act, placing sanctions on Iranian oil trade that funds terror organizations. These are the kinds of impactful, bipartisan policies we need in Washington — policies that put America’s security and prosperity first.

In recognition of his efforts, Lawler was recently ranked the 4th most bipartisan member of Congress. He has introduced more legislation, secured more cosponsors and passed more bills than Jones ever did in his full term. Lawler understands that to get things done for the Hudson Valley, you need to work with both sides of the aisle — not cater to radical fringes or align oneself with the socialist “Squad,” as Jones did in his term.

Let’s be clear: this election is about more than just who represents us in Washington. It’s about the future of the Hudson Valley, the safety of our communities and the strength of our economy. Jones’s radical agenda would only hurt our region, driving up costs for working families, undermining law enforcement and advancing policies that divide rather than unite.

On the other hand, Lawler has shown that he can deliver real results for the Hudson Valley. He has been a tireless advocate for our region, bringing back resources to improve our quality of life and fighting for policies that keep us safe and secure. Now more than ever, we need Lawler in Congress.

This November, the stakes couldn’t be higher. We urge every voter in Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess and Westchester counties to get out and vote for Lawler. Together, we can keep our communities safe, our economy strong, and our future bright.