Rep. Mike Lawler ranked as the most effective House freshman in his first term on a report card that judges how well lawmakers get legislation through Congress.
The Rockland County Republican was rated sixth of all House Republicans in scoring by the Center for Effective Lawmaking, based on bills he introduced in the last two years and their outcomes. According to the report released on Tuesday, March 25, the House passed seven of Lawler's 58 bills, two of which were later signed into law on their own or as part of larger legislation.
However modest that may seem, Lawler was far more productive than most of the 74 House members first elected in November 2022. The report says the average freshman in that term introduced fewer than 20 bills, got about two through the House and had fewer than one, on average, that became law.
Lawler, who also scored highly last year on another ranking for bipartisanship, touted his new recognition on social media on Friday.
"From day one, I’ve worked across the aisle to deliver common sense solutions, and will continue to fight for the Hudson Valley," he said.
What are some bills that Lawler brought to the U.S. House?
In a statement, Lawler highlighted several bills he championed that became law, including ones that increased sanctions to step illegal oil sales by Iran; renewed a ban on guns that can evade metal detectors; and created a special envoy to oversee a Middle East peace effort known as the Abraham Accords.
Were any other New York officials named in ratings?
Close behind Lawler in the effectiveness ranking was fellow freshman Marc Molinaro, who lost his seat in New York's 19th Congressional District to Democrat Josh Riley in November and is set to join the Trump administration. Molinaro has been named to lead the Federal Transit Administration and had his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday.
The effectiveness scorecard is done by a research institute jointly run by the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University. The purpose of the Center for Effective Lawmaking is to measure productivity by senators and House members and highlight those who overcome gridlock and extreme partisanship to advance their policies.
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