Latest news with #Suozzi
The Hill
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Suozzi says Mamdani ‘tapped into the same thing' as Trump
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), a moderate Democrat, said President Trump and Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani 'tapped into the same thing' that catapulted their respective underdog campaigns to victory. In an interview on CBS News's 'Face the Nation,' Suozzi noted that both Trump and Mamdani, a democratic socialist who officially clinched the New York City mayoral nomination last week, focused their campaigns on affordability. 'I disagree with Mr. Mamdani. I have to make that very clear that, you know, I'm a democratic capitalist. I'm not a democratic socialist,' Suozzi said. 'But you have to recognize that he tapped into something,' he continued. 'He tapped into the same thing that Donald Trump tapped into, which is that people are concerned that the economy is not working for them. Affordability and the economy is the number one issue in the country.' Suozzi said 'too often,' people perceive Democrats as prioritizing reproductive rights and LGBTQ protections over issues related to economic mobility and affordability. The former two issues are 'important issues,' Suozzi continued, 'but they're not the issues that people think about every night when they're lying in bed thinking about paying their bills or when they're talking about how they're going to send their kids to school.' Suozzi said Democrats can learn from Trump's and Mamdani's diagnoses of the problem — even if not their proposed solutions. 'Democrats have got to do a better job learning from both Trump and Mamdani, not with their solutions, which I think are wrong, but with the diagnosis of the problem — that we're frustrated, we're concerned.' 'Everybody in America — whether you're a right-wing conservative or a left-wing progressive — should believe that, in return for working hard, you make enough money so you can live a good life. You can buy a home, you can educate your children, you can pay for your health insurance, you can retire one day without being scared,' Suozzi said. 'People don't feel that currently, and we have to do a better job of communicating that,' he added.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
NY Democrat voted against Trump's ‘big, beautiful' bill but admits he agrees with 75% of it
US Rep. Tom Suozzi stood by his decision to vote against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act despite acknowledging that he agrees with roughly three-quarters of the megabill. 'Because those things that I just mentioned are so devastating,' Suozzi (D-NY) told CBS News' 'Face the Nation' Sunday when pressed about his opposition to the megabill. 'I like the idea that we're investing more money to secure the border,' said Suozzi, who represents Long Island and part of Queens. 'I like the idea that we are providing tax breaks to lower-income folks and hard-working middle-class folks and people aspiring to the middle class.' Advertisement Host Weijia Jiang had pointed to his recent comments about favoring the bulk of President Trump's marquee agenda bill. Last month, Suozzi told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, 'I agree with 75% of the stuff that's in the big bill that you guys talk about.' But the Empire State Democrat argued that preserving the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act's lower rates for the wealthy, the Medicaid cuts and the deficit impact of the megabill were too much for him to stomach. 3 Rep. Tom Suozzi acknowledged that he agreed with a lot of the provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Anadolu via Getty Images Advertisement 3 President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law last Friday. REUTERS 'When the economy is doing as well as it has been over the past several years, why would we be providing a tax decrease — tax breaks for some of the wealthiest Americans in our country, while blowing a massive hole in the deficit?' Suozzi added on 'Face the Nation.' Republicans slashed taxes across the board in 2017 and placed a strong emphasis on reducing the burden on businesses. Proponents of the cuts on the top income tax brackets argued that it will affect small businesses that pay their bills to Uncle Sam as pass-throughs. High-income taxpayers are forced to pay into every tax bracket, so cutting every tax bracket reduces their obligations to the government. Advertisement However, there is some evidence that the top 1% of households paid a larger share of federal taxes after the 2017 tax bill than before it, meaning that taxes were about to go up across the board. If Congress failed to act, many key provisions of the 2017 tax cut would expire at the end of the year. Suozzi also ripped into the GOP's inclusion of work requirements on Medicaid, noting that '92% of the people that are able to work are currently working, and the 8% that are not are often people that are taking care of disabled children.' 3 The New York Democrat has put a heavy emphasis on bipartisanship during his tenure in Congress. Getty Images Advertisement 'Why would we be taking health insurance and food benefits away from some of the most needy Americans while we're providing what I believe is an unnecessary tax break for some of the wealthiest Americans,' he complained. House Republicans narrowly squeezed the megabill through the lower chamber last week and President Trump signed it into law on Friday during the Fourth of July. The megabill featured an extension of the 2017 tax cuts, increased energy production, bolstered border security, defense modernization efforts, spending cuts and a slew of other conservative wish list items. Suozzi also reiterated his concerns that socialist Zohran Mamdani's shock win in the New York City mayoral Democratic primary should be a wake-up call for his party. 'I disagree with Mr. Mamdani. I have to make that very clear that, you know, I'm a Democratic capitalist. I'm not a Democratic socialist,' Suozzi said. 'But you have to recognize that he tapped into something. He tapped into the same thing that Donald Trump tapped into, which is that people are concerned that the economy is not working for them.' The Queens and Long Island rep contended that Democrats are often perceived as being 'focused on reproductive rights and on LGBT protections' and need to do a better job of addressing affordability concerns.
New York Post
17-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Dem Rep. Tom Suozzi appears to dodge questions about anti-ICE LA riots by faking phone call in caught-on-camera moment
Long Island Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi appeared to dodge questions about Los Angeles' violent anti-ICE riots by pretending to take a phone call in a bizarre moment that was caught on camera. The cringeworthy encounter showed a man waiting to question Suozzi outside the US Capitol Thursday when the congressman briefly greeted the curious bystander before abruptly putting his phone to his ear. 'Sorry, hold on, I got a call coming through,' said Suozzi, who had his iMessage app still open on his phone's home screen as he faked answering the bogus call, according to footage obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation. Advertisement 4 Rep. Tom Suozzi appearing to avoid questions by pretending to take a phone call. NRCC The lawmaker, who represents New York's Third Congressional District, continued the ruse as the individual lobbed two questions about the days-long unrest in the City of Angels. 'Congressman, what do Democrats mean when they say the riots in LA are peaceful?' the man probed, as the wannabe moderate ignored the question and proceeded to walk away. Advertisement LOL: Dem Rep. Tom Suozzi pretends to take a phone call when asked about violent rioters — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 16, 2025 The individual then asked if Suozzi 'considers throwing rocks at a moving car to be a peaceful act,' before the congressman turned to the camera and said, 'Sorry, I'm on the phone,' the footage showed. 4 Suozzi appeared to have his iMessage app still open when he faked answering the bogus call. NRCC 'Enjoy the fake phone call,' the questioner replied as the lawmaker scampered away, still pretending to talk to no one. Advertisement National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Maureen O'Toole called Suozzi a coward for the staged act. 'Two-faced Tom Suozzi calls himself a 'commonsense Democrat,' but when asked about violent riots, he cowardly fakes a phone call instead of standing up for law and order,' O'Toole said in a statement, the Independent Journal Review reported. 4 The lawmaker evaded questions as he scampered away, still pretending to talk to no one on the phone. NRCC 'It's not just weak, it's disgraceful. Suozzi's refusal to condemn chaos shows he's fully captured by the radical left. He won't be able to fake his way out of this one — his free fall back home is just getting started.' Advertisement Suozzi did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment. The congressman has remained tight-lipped after thousands of unruly protestors spent days flooding the streets of downtown Los Angeles demonstrating against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts in the city. 4 A burning car during a Los Angeles protest against ICE raids. Zuma/Jonathan Alcorn / The unrest prompted President Trump to deploy hundreds of on-duty Marines and thousands of National Guard troops to quell the chaotic scene of rioters hurling various items at cops, looting luxury stores and setting cars ablaze. Elected Democratic officials have either downplayed the turmoil, out-right lied about the violence or failed to condemn rioters as they blasted the president for instructing troops to contain the destructive chaos that engulfed the city for four days and nights. US Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa) was one of few Democrats who denounced the riots – and criticized his own political party. 'I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigration—but this is not that,' Fetterman wrote on X. 'This is anarchy and true chaos. My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement.'
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Republicans roast Democrats in trying to ban ‘Chiefs,' Native-American mascots in NY schools
Republicans are planning to attack their Democratic opponents over New York's effort to force Massapequa to drop its Chiefs mascot as part of a ban on Native-American imagery in school logos. The GOP sees the mascot controversy as another example of Democratic-run Albany pushing fringe issues, and wants them to pay a political price for it. 'We have a lot of chiefs in volunteer fire departments in New York,' said John McLaughlin, a pollster for New York Republicans and President President Trump — also known as the commander-in-chief. 'Hochul and the Democrats should focus on improving reading and math and not indoctrinating our students,' he said. McLaughlin noted that Hochul is already unpopular on Long Island — she has a 55% unfavorable rating in the New York suburbs compared to 36% favorable in a recent Siena College poll. She is up for reelection next year. The comments come after US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Massapequa on Friday and threatened to bring a civil rights case against the Empire State for forcing the high school to ditch its mascot. The event was coordinated by Nassau County Executive and Trump pal Bruce Blakeman, who is up for re-election this fall. 'Denigrating whole communities like Massapequa and Wantagh is not a good look for Governor Hochul, who seems hell bent on making as many enemies as she can on Long Island,' Blakeman, who also is also eying a run for governor next year, told The Post Sunday. Blakeman's Democratic opponent for county executive, Seth Koslow said, 'School pride matters, but it's hard to believe this is the top concern of the federal government right now.' The New York Board of Regents' and state Education ordered schools to ban Native American mascots back in 2023. The members of the education policy-making board are appointed by the Democratic-controlled state legislature. The National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee is using the controversy to tar Democratic incumbents up for re-election next year on Long Island and elsewhere, including Reps. Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen. 'It's another day that ends in 'y,' so obviously Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen's Democrat Party is more concerned with demonizing a high school mascot than lowering taxes and costs for Long Island families,' said NRCC spokeswoman Maurenn O'Toole. 'Democrats are completely missing the plot, and voters will hold Suozzi and Gillen accountable for their utterly foolish, destructive, and out of touch agenda next fall.' But Suozzi told The Post Sunday, 'I support the Massapequa Chiefs.' Suozzi said Republicans are engaging in cheap politics to change the subject. 'This is nonsense, and just another distraction from national Republicans. Congressman Suozzi supports the Massapequa Chiefs, but not the petty partisan politics that people can't stand,' said Suozzi senior campaign adviser Kim Devlin. 'National Republicans should spend their time reducing prices, negotiating a bipartisan fix on immigration, lowering their own proposed record-breaking deficits, and protecting people's healthcare—not cutting it. Congressman Suozzi has always stood with our communities, and no amount of desperate distortion will change that.' State Democratic Party chairman Jay Jacobs, a close ally of Hochul who also is the Nassau County Democratic leader, said Trump and the GOP are trying to deflect from their unpopular policies in DC by focusing on mascots. 'This is a Republican distraction. The Democrats have not made this an issue,' Jacobs insisted. 'The Republicans are trying to distract from all the damage they're doing in Washington. They want to talk about mascots instead of tariffs, cuts to Medicaid, SNAP benefits and education programs,' Jacobs said. 'This is what Republicans do every election — they try to scare and anger people.' Hochul, through a rep, sought to distance herself from the mascot controversy. 'The decision being discussed was made by the independent State Education Department, which is not under our Administration's jurisdiction,' said Hochul spokesman Gordon Tepper. 'While Secretary McMahon focuses on WWE-style distractions, Governor Hochul is focused on what matters: fully funding Long Island's public schools and making sure every kid gets a high-quality education.' Last year, Trump and the GOP successfully slammed Democrats for supporting the unpopular policy of allowing transgender athletes to compete against biological females in sports. Republicans said they are pleasantly surprised — even baffled — at state officials going after local school districts on Long Island, of all places. Numerous Long Island towns have native American names — honoring tribal history — Massapequa, Wyandanch, Manhasset, Mineola, Quogue, Amagansett, Patchogue, Hauppauge, Patchogue, among others.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's Prized Tax Bill Doesn't Do Anything He Promised
Donald Trump's tax promises for the middle and working classes are actually not in his tax proposal. The president has trumpeted the extension of his 2017 tax plan, attempting to make the bill more palatable to non-millionaires by claiming that it would end tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits. But as it turns out, none of that is actually in the text of the bill. During a heated exchange between Representative Tom Suozzi and Thomas Barthold, the chief of staff on the Joint Committee of Taxation, it became abundantly clear that none of those promises would be happening. 'On tips—the president said, 'Your tips will be a 100 percent yours.' Does this tax bill continue the payroll tax on people's tips?' asked Suozzi. 'Yes it does,' said Barthold. 'Overtime. The president said, 'Your overtime will be tax-free.' Does this bill continue the payroll tax on overtime?' continued Suozzi. 'It does not exempt overtime from payroll tax,' said Barthold. 'The president said he's going to remove taxes from Social Security,' pressed Suozzi. 'Does this bill remove taxes on Social Security benefits?' 'The legislation provides an increased exception amount—' Barthold began, before Suozzi interrupted. 'But does it remove taxes on Social Security benefits?' reiterated Suozzi. 'It does not change Social Security,' Barthold said. And while middle- and working-class Americans get shafted by the bill on what Trump promised them, the wealthy will continue to benefit from the president's bill—even if it's not what he claims he wants. NBC reported Thursday that Trump pressed House Speaker Mike Johnson to raise the top income tax rate to close the carried interest loophole, raising the 37 percent tax rate to 2017 levels—39.6 percent—for Americans making $2.5 million or more. But when Suozzi asked if the reconciliation bill included 'an increase in the tax rate for the wealthiest people in the United States of America,' the answer wasn't so promising. 'The legislation before you extends permanently the top bracket at 37 percent,' Barthold said. 'So it does not return it to what it was at 39.6 [percent]?' Suozzi continued. 'That is correct, Mr. Suozzi,' Barthold responded.
