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. Yet just last week, those same Democrats voted to shut down the government outright, rejecting the House’s status-quo funding bill that carried no partisan riders and simply extended existing funding for 52 days. The hypocrisy is striking. The recklessness is worse.

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. Even leaders at the highest levels of government have recognized their bravery.

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. Our discussion was both productive and encouraging, and I am hopeful that it will lead to effective solutions that directly benefit Long Islanders.

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. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to represent Suffolk County in Congress and to serve the greatest nation the world has ever known.

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). As your Representative in Congress, a Navy veteran, and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am proud to have been deeply involved in shaping this bill, ensuring it reflects our values and priorities.

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. With this legislation now heading to the House floor for a full vote, we are making real progress in preserving this unique piece of Long Island’s natural heritage.

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. It forces suburban communities to subsidize wasteful mismanagement while the state ignores pressing issues like rising violent crime and the ongoing migrant crisis.