Editorial

For years, Democrats have blasted Republicans for even talking about government shutdowns, warning of the harm they would cause everyday Americans. No one has been louder than New York’s own Senator Schumer.

The extraordinary dedication of Long Island’s First Responders was on full display during the recent brush fires that tore through parts of Brookhaven and Southampton Towns. Their swift and selfless response not only protected lives and property but earned national attention — and deservedly so.

This past weekend, I had a significant meeting with President Trump at Mar-A-Lago to address key issues that affect Long Island families, such as the need to restore the full state and local tax (SALT) deduction and combat congestion pricing.

As we gather to celebrate the holiday season—whether lighting the menorah for Hanukkah, decorating the Christmas tree and celebrating Christ’s birth, or simply enjoying time with loved ones—it’s an ideal moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made together over the past year.

This past week marked a significant advancement for Long Island and the United States with the House of Representatives' passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The recent passage of my bipartisan Plum Island National Monument Act out of the House Natural Resources Committee represents a major milestone in the fight to protect and preserve Plum Island—one of Long Island’s most treasured ecological and cultural landmarks. This critical step brings us closer to securing the island’s future as a protected natural sanctuary.

Governor Hochul’s so-called “congestion pricing” is nothing more than a commuter tax that unfairly targets hardworking Long Islanders. At a time when families are already struggling under New York’s crushing tax burden, this policy adds insult to injury.