In the News

Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York may be a relative newbie in the halls of Congress but he’s making waves early in his tenure.

Since being elected in 2022, Lawler has sponsored 95 bills and co-sponsored 1,489. In the last session, he introduced 58 bills and two were signed into law, earning him the title of the most effective freshman lawmaker by the Center for Effective Lawmaking.

The Center reports that the average freshman typically introduces less than 20 bills, has around two go through the House and has less than one on average that gets signed into law.

A major issue for him in the last few years has been the rising tide of antisemitism on college campuses, a personal issue for him given his faith.

Lawler introduced the Stop Anti-Semitism on College Campuses Act within his first few months and later that same year introduced the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act which he is now. reintroducing. He says Congress is now in a much better position to pass the legislation.

But it’s not all business for Lawler. He’s also known for his love of Michael Jackson. He named Jackson’s 2001 30th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden, the last before his death in 2009, as one of his favorite concerts. Though Lawler notably got into trouble in 2024 when a photo of him wearing blackface while dressed as Jackson resurfaced.

U.S. News & World Report sat down with Lawler to discuss his decision to reintroduce the bill, how to handle antisemitism on college campuses and what makes him an effective lawmaker.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How do you see the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act making its way through Congress this time around? 

“We obviously made progress last Congress, passing it 320-91 through the House. Unfortunately, Senate Minority Leader [Chuck] Schumer sat on the bill, refusing to bring it to the floor for a vote.

“But we've already made progress in getting the Senate to introduce the same version as the House. I'm pushing to get this through committee and to the floor for a vote pretty quickly.

“Obviously the steps the administration is taking against anti-Semitism on college campuses are significant. So collectively, I think we're in a much stronger position in this Congress than we were just a year ago.”

What has the reception been like across the aisle? 

“We have broad bipartisan support. In the last Congress, 320 members voted for it and it had significant co-sponsorship.

“So I think people, broadly speaking, will support it again. I'm sure there are those that will not, but I think we're in a much stronger position than we were a year ago.”

Do you agree with the recent announcement from Homeland Security that anti-semitic activity found on the social media accounts of immigrants would be grounds for denials of visa and green card applications? 

“I support it.

“The fact is, being here on a green card or a visa is a privilege. It is not a right. And if there are those who seek to come here to engage in that type of activity, that is something we shouldn't tolerate.”

Do you agree with the argument from some that increased scrutiny of campus speech could infringe on free speech rights? 

“Folks should understand they have a right to engage in free speech. They have a right to engage in civil protests. But if you are part of an effort to promote the propaganda of a terrorist organization, we're not going to tolerate it.”

You were recently recognized as the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress. What do you attribute your success to? 

“I think it's a number of factors. Number one is showing up. I was very aggressive throughout the 118th Congress, and continue to be, in terms of engaging and showing up in my district.