Lawler, Michael RSS Articles

Lawler Leads Bill To Improve Airbag Safety For Car Buyers In Honor Of Local Crash Victim

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – 10/7/26… This week, Congressman Mike Lawler introduced the Anthony Amoros Law Right to Know Act, legislation that would require auto dealerships and other resale channels that sell used vehicles to have a functional airbag system, or require the seller to clearly disclose if an airbag is missing or disabled. Anthony Amoros was a Rockland County native who tragically died in a car crash in a vehicle that was sold to him without airbags and without Amoros’ knowledge.

“Every driver and passenger deserves to know that the vehicle they are getting into is safe, and this bill will help protect consumers by making sure they have the information they need to make informed decisions. This legislation will ensure dealerships and third-party sellers cannot sell these vehicles without clearly informing consumers of the safety risks,” said Congressman Lawler.

Full bill text can be found HERE.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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Chairman Lawler Remembers October 7 Attacks, Reaffirms Commitment to Jewish Security and Israel

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Pearl River, N.Y. – 10/7/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, released the following statement marking the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel:

“Three years ago today, the world witnessed the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Hamas terrorists murdered more than 1,000 people, committed horrific acts of sexual violence, and took hundreds hostage, including American citizens. I will never forget what I saw when I traveled to Israel shortly after the attack. I met with families whose loved ones had been murdered or taken hostage, spoke with Israeli officials, and saw firsthand the brutality Hamas unleashed on innocent civilians. The barbarity of October 7 must never be forgotten, minimized, or justified,” said Congressman Lawler.

“The rise in antisemitism we have witnessed in the United States since that day has made clear that Jewish Americans are under threat. No one should have to fear going to synagogue, sending their children to school, or openly practicing their faith. Three years later, our commitment must remain unwavering. We must fully disarm and dismantle Hamas. We must stand with Israel. And we must ensure that never again is not simply a slogan, but a commitment we live by every single day,” concluded Congressman Lawler.

Since October 7, Lawler has made combating antisemitism, strengthening Jewish security, and supporting Israel a central focus of his work in Congress. This agenda has included:

Leading the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act: Lawler was the lead House sponsor of the bipartisan legislation with Rep. Josh Gottheimer to require the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Fighting antisemitism on college campuses: Lawler has repeatedly challenged universities, including Columbia University, over their failure to protect Jewish students from harassment and intimidation. He has argued that calls for the eradication of Jews are not protected speech and that universities must enforce their own policies against antisemitic threats and violence.
Supporting Jewish security funding and legislation: Lawler has co-led and supported legislation including the Jewish American Security Act, aimed at strengthening security for Jewish institutions and communities.
Standing with Israel: Lawler co-sponsored the Stand With Israel Act with Rep. Jared Moskowitz, legislation designed to hold international organizations accountable when they target or penalize Israel.
Calling for the release of all hostages: Lawler has consistently demanded that Hamas release every remaining hostage and has made clear that lasting peace requires Hamas to surrender and no longer pose a threat to Israel.
Calling out antisemitism across the political spectrum: Lawler has repeatedly said antisemitism must be confronted regardless of where it comes from, including publicly criticizing prominent voices on both the political right and left.
Fighting for Jewish Americans’ right to live without fear: Lawler has warned that Jewish Americans are under attack and has emphasized that no American should be afraid to attend synagogue or openly practice their faith.

As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, Lawler has continued to make Israel’s security, the defeat of Hamas, the release of hostages, and the fight against antisemitism central priorities of his work in Congress.

Lawler Releases Statement on Restoration of 988 Press 3 Option for LGBTQ+ Youth

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – 10/1/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) released the following statement regarding the restoration of the Press 3 option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which allows LGBTQ+ youth experiencing a mental health crisis to connect with counselors trained to address their specific needs. The Press 3 option resumed service on September 30, 2026.

Lawler has been a leading advocate for reinstating the service after it was discontinued in July 2025. He worked across the aisle to introduce legislation codifying specialized 988 services for LGBTQ+ youth and helped secure $33.1 million in federal funding for the restoration.

“At the heels of National Suicide Prevention Month, I am grateful for the official restoration of the Press 3 option on the 988 Lifeline. Young people in crisis deserve access to counselors trained to meet their specific needs. When a young person is brave enough to reach out for help, we need to make sure someone is there to answer. Now that Press 3 is back, I’ll continue working to ensure 988 and other mental health resources are there for every person who needs them,” said Congressman Mike Lawler.

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Lawler Urges Administration to Strengthen Head Start in New Rule

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – 9/28/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) submitted a public comment on the Administration for Children and Families’ (ACF) Proposed Rule titled “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Program, Inc.” In this letter, he strongly urged the Administration to revise the proposal to ensure the sustainability, financial security, and success of Head Start programs nationwide.

On August 7, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and ACF proposed sweeping new regulations that would undermine and weaken Head Start, one of our most substantial and successful government programs. This proposal would require English-only education, lower the cap on federal funding for administrative expenses, lower the quality of the program’s performance standards, remove training requirements for staff, adjust the required staff-to-child ratios, and remove regulations governing parent committees.

“[T]he Proposed Rule, as currently written, would weaken the Head Start program as a whole and result in the reduction of quality services offered to low-income children and families in New York and across the country. We can reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and be responsible stewards of federal dollars without compromising sound care for children. Health and safety should not be where we seek savings or efficiencies,” wrote the lawmaker.

While some of the proposed changes include waiver provisions to provide exceptions to impacted programs or allow for programs to continue following prior guidance without enforcement or include waiver provisions to provide exceptions to impacted programs, that is not enough. Oversight and community investment often vary, and they often do not meet the high-quality standards required in existing federal regulation.

Rep. Lawler has been a longtime partner with and advocate for Head Start of Rockland, Inc. Over the last 62 years, this program has provided high-quality services to tens of thousands of children across the county. He has advocated for increased funding to Head Start programs and supported additional funding opportunities for Head Start of Rockland specifically.

The full letter can be found HERE.

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Lawler Introduces Legislation to Update Tax Code for Widows and Widowers

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – 9/25/26… This week, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the Tax Relief for Surviving Spouses Act, legislation that would update the federal tax code so widows or widowers can claim surviving spouse status for up to two years after their spouse’s death, regardless of whether they have a dependent child.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 2(a), only surviving‑spouse filing status requires that the widow or widower have a dependent child, which does not always reflect in modern household structures. Many married couples have no children, adult children, or children who are no longer dependents, yet the financial disruption of losing a spouse is the same.

“Losing a spouse is an unimaginable loss, and I believe we should be doing everything we can to make the aftermath of a tragedy as manageable as possible for the American people. This small, targeted fix will deliver meaningful relief that eliminates an arbitrary distinction which has no connection to the financial need of a widow or widower,” said Congressman Mike Lawler.

"No one should get hit with a bigger tax bill just because they lost their husband or wife. But, that's exactly what our current tax code does to surviving spouses who don't have a child at home — pushing them into higher single-filer rates at the most financially fragile moment of their lives," said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). "Our bipartisan bill ends this unfair 'widow's penalty' and gives every recent widow and widower the breathing room they need. This is commonsense, and it's long overdue.”

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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Lawler Introduces Legislation to Update Home Safety Design Features for HUD Housing

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – 9/24/26… This week Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the Home Accessibility Improvements Inclusion Act, legislation that directs the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to update its options for universal design features and to train appraisers on how to properly value universal‑design and accessibility improvements, which can be financed through the FHA’s 203(k) rehab mortgage program.

Universal design features include zero‑step entrances, wider doorways and hallways, accessible bathrooms, lever‑style handles, and walls reinforced for grab bars.

“We’re making it easier for people to update their homes so they’re safer, easier to move around in, and usable for everyone, senior people with disabilities, families with kids, or anyone who wants a home that works for them throughout their life. This legislation will not only create safety updates to home infrastructure, but it will make homes more accessible for years to come for Hudson Valley families,” said Congressman Lawler.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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Lawler Demands Hochul and NYPA Release the Hidden Cost of Electricity Discounts for Rockland Data Centers

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Hochul's Power Authority admits it is cutting power bills for three Orangeburg data centers but refuses to tell the public what those discounts cost New York ratepayers.

Pearl River, N.Y. – 9/17/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler called on Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York Power Authority to immediately disclose the full value of the electricity discounts the state is giving to data centers in Rockland County, after The Journal News reported that the authority is refusing to say how much the subsidies are worth or what rate the data centers are paying.

According to the report, three of the four data centers in the Orangeburg section of Orangetown are receiving discounted hydropower through the authority's ReCharge program. NYPA officials told LoHud they cannot disclose how much those discounts save operators, or even what rate a given data center is paying, calling the information "proprietary and protected under contract.”

“Rockland families have watched their electric bills climb year after year, and now we learn that Kathy Hochul's Power Authority has been handing discounted power to data centers while refusing to tell the people footing the bill what it costs them,” said Congressman Lawler. “This is public power, sold by a public authority whose board is appointed by the Governor. The public has every right to know what it is worth and who is getting it. Governor Hochul and NYPA need to release the numbers, and they need to do it now.”

“The Governor imposed a moratorium on data centers and promised to go after their tax breaks, and the whole time her own Power Authority has been quietly cutting their electric bills and hiding the details behind confidentiality agreements,” Lawler continued. “Albany is doing what Albany always does: making decisions behind closed doors and sending the bill to hard-working Hudson Valley families. If the Governor wants to be taken seriously on data centers, she can start by telling the truth about what her own agency is giving them.”

Lawler said the authority should, at a minimum, publish the total annual cost of ReCharge discounts to New York ratepayers and the average subsidy per participant. The good-government group Reinvent Albany has argued that the authority could release both figures without exposing any single company's power usage, and that it has refused to do so even in response to public records requests. State records show 858 entities are enrolled in ReCharge.

Lawler has spent this year working across the aisle on artificial intelligence legislation. In January, he introduced the CHAT Act to protect children from harmful AI companion chatbots. In February, he and Congressman Josh Gottheimer introduced the AI Workforce Training Act, which creates a tax credit for businesses that train their workers to use AI. In March, he joined Representatives Sara Jacobs and Don Beyer on the AI Foundation Model Transparency Act, which would require the companies building the most powerful AI models to disclose how they are trained. This month, he and Gottheimer introduced the Stop Rogue AI Act, which directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to set national standards for tracking and controlling AI agents used by the federal government and its contractors.

“I have worked all year with Democrats and Republicans on AI legislation that protects kids from AI chatbots and requires transparency from the companies building these systems,” Lawler said. “But transparency has to apply to government too. If New York is going to use public power to attract data centers, it should be able to tell the public what the deal is and what taxpayers get in return.”

Lawler has also been one of the loudest voices in Congress against the state policies driving up energy costs in the Hudson Valley. New York electricity prices have risen 58 percent since 2019, against 36 percent nationally, and NYSERDA projects the state's climate law will cost households more than $4,000 a year. Lawler has called for reopening the Indian Point nuclear plant, expanding natural gas pipeline capacity, and repealing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act as part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy.

“The reason a data center needs a secret discount to operate in New York is that Albany has made electricity unaffordable for everyone. Albany shut down Indian Point, spent years blocking natural gas pipelines, and passed a climate law that is pricing families out of their own homes,” Lawler concluded. “Now the only way to get anyone to build here is a special deal off the top, paid for by every other ratepayer. Fix the underlying problem. Bring Indian Point back, build the pipelines, put reliable power back on the grid, and prices come down for everyone.”

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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Lawler, Gottheimer Push for Bipartisan AI Safeguards at Capitol Hill Press Conference

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – 9/17/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) held a bipartisan press conference to highlight their Stop Rogue AI Act, legislation that would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop national standards, guidelines, and best practices for discovering, verifying, monitoring, and controlling AI agents.

WATCH: LAWLER, GOTTHEIMER PUSH FOR BIPARTISAN AI SAFEGUARDS AT CAPITOL HILL PRESS CONFERENCE

The legislation comes as AI agents become increasingly capable of acting autonomously, with recent incidents highlighting concerns about AI systems accessing external networks and taking actions beyond their intended scope.

“This isn’t about stopping AI or stifling innovation. It is about making sure we can safely deploy AI. A pause is not a safeguard. Some states have put a moratorium on the infrastructure that powers this technology. That does not invent a kill switch. It does not inventory the agents already on a hospital network or a utility system,” said Congressman Lawler.

“If the United States taps the brakes while others floor it, we do not get safer AI. We get someone else’s AI. We are not going to regulate ourselves into second place,” concluded Congressman Lawler.

“Our bill gives basically a driver’s license to every AI agent operating in this country. It tells NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, get in a room and set standards so organizations can find every agent on their network, verify who built it, who’s running it, watch it in real time for anything suspicious, and cut off its access the second something looks wrong. That’s what putting people back in the driver’s seat looks like,” said Congressman Gottheimer.

The bill would also require federal agencies and contractors to incorporate these safeguards into how they procure and deploy AI, with NIST and CISA coordinating with existing cybersecurity guidance.

Reps. Lawler and Gottheimer have also worked together on a broader bipartisan AI agenda focused on preparing American workers for an AI-driven economy, protecting consumers, strengthening national security, and maintaining American technological leadership.

These include:

H.R. 7576, the AI Workforce Training Act, which provides businesses with a tax credit for qualifying AI workforce training.
H.R. 9318, the National Security Commission Quantum Computing Act, which establishes an independent commission to evaluate advancements in quantum computing and make recommendations for maintaining U.S. technological leadership.
H.R. 9585, the Advancing American Quantum Leadership Act, which expands the definition of quantum technology under the Export-Import Bank’s China and Transformational Exports Program.

B-ROLL: Video content from today can be found HERE.

PHOTOS: Pictures from today can be found HERE.

VIDEO: Remarks from today can be found HERE.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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Lawler Joins Problem Solvers Caucus to Introduce Four Bipartisan Bills to Address Gerrymandering Nationwide

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – 9/17/26… Yesterday, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) joined the Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03) announced four bipartisan bills aimed at establishing clearer and more consistent rules for congressional redistricting across the country. Reps. Lawler and Salud Carbajal (CA-24) introduced their bipartisan Problem Solvers Mapdrawing Accountability and Principled Standards (MAPS) Act.

WATCH: LAWLER JOINS PROBLEM SOLVERS CAUCUS TO INTRODUCE FOUR BIPARTISAN BILLS TO ADDRESS GERRYMANDERING NATIONWIDE

The legislation is the result of months of work by the Caucus’ bipartisan Gerrymandering Working Group, led by Reps. Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03) and Ed Case (D-HI-01).

The Caucus previously released its Gerrymandering Reform Framework outlining four areas for congressional action: banning mid-decade redistricting, establishing nationwide standards for drawing congressional districts, reducing partisan influence in the map-drawing process, and creating a consistent federal process for resolving redistricting challenges.

“Congressional districts should be drawn around communities, not political interests. The Problem Solvers MAPS Act establishes clear, commonsense standards to stop partisan gerrymandering and ensure districts are fairly drawn without favoring any one candidate or party. Politicians in states like New York and Texas should not be able to choose their elected representatives - under a democracy, that power is reserved for the people. I’m proud to work with Rep. Carbajal and our colleagues in the Problem Solvers Caucus to advance a bipartisan approach that puts voters first,” said Congressman Lawler.

“This Problem Solvers MAPS Act is really about putting some commonsense guardrails around the redistricting process. When mapmakers do not have clear standards to follow, it becomes much easier for politics to take over. Every state is different, and no two congressional districts are going to look exactly alike, but the basic rules should be fair and consistent, no matter where you live across the country. That is what the Problem Solvers MAPS Act is trying to do: give states clear rules to follow and give voters more confidence that their districts were drawn for the right reasons,” said Congressman Carbajal.

Members of the Caucus formally unveiled three additional pieces of the four-bill legislative package supporting their Gerrymandering Framework. Those bills include:

H.R. 10379 - Problem Solvers Mapdrawing Accountability and Principled Standards (MAPS) Act, led by Reps. Mike Lawler and Salud Carbajal, would establish clear and consistent criteria for drawing congressional districts nationwide. Maps would be required to comply with standards including equal population, contiguity, compactness, respect for existing political boundaries such as counties, municipalities, and cities, and to prohibit drawing maps to favor any particular party, candidate, and/or incumbent.
H.R. 10378 - Problem Solvers Transparent Redistricting Under Stable Timelines (TRUST) Act, led by Reps. Ed Case and Jeff Hurd, would prohibit states from redrawing congressional districts more than once following each decennial Census. The bill is intended to establish a consistent national rule and prevent states from repeatedly redrawing congressional maps between censuses for partisan gain.
H.R. 10380 - Problem Solvers Independent Commissions Act, led by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Debbie Dingell, would require congressional districts to be drawn through independent citizen redistricting commissions designed to reduce direct partisan influence from politicians over the map-drawing process and establish a more transparent process for developing congressional maps.
H.R. 10381 - PSC Nonpartisan Congressional Uniformity and Oversight of Redistricting Trials (COURTS) Act, led by Reps. Ryan Mackenzie and Ed Case, would establish a uniform federal process for legal challenges involving congressional redistricting, including consistent jurisdiction and venue requirements for cases challenging congressional maps.

“[Gerrymandering] is a problem that both parties are guilty of. It’s a power issue, not a party issue. Every party that has the opportunity to do it has capitalized on it, and there needs to be a group of individuals and patriotic Americans that say no more because everybody agrees, even the people that do it, by the way, that it is corrosive to democracy, but they are justifying this as this tit-for-tat; meanwhile, the American people suffer,” said Co-Chair Fitzpatrick.

“Gerrymandering is bad for America. It weakens the will of the voters, erodes public trust, and creates safe seats that reward extremism and disincentivize thoughtful, bipartisan collaboration. I’m proud our caucus is leading on this framework to take politics out of redistricting and restore confidence in a system where voters choose their representatives, not the other way around,” said Co-Chair Suozzi.

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Lawler Applauds Passage of Bill to Modernize U.S. Foreign Service

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – 9/16/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) released the following statement after his bill, H.R. 9086, the Foreign Service Modernization Act, passed the House by voice vote.

This legislation will improve the operations and effectiveness of America’s diplomatic corps as they work to advance U.S. interests abroad.

WATCH: CONGRESSMAN LAWLER DEBATES ON HOUSE FLOOR IN FAVOR OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE MODERNIZATION ACT

The Foreign Service Modernization Act marks the first comprehensive review of the Foreign Service Act since it was signed into law in 1980.

“America’s diplomats are on the front lines of advancing our interests and protecting our national security around the world. But for more than four decades, their processes and scope have not evolved with the geopolitical landscape. This legislation will give our diplomats the tools, resources, and support they need to meet the challenges of the 21st century. I’m proud to see this important legislation pass the House, and I look forward to working to get it across the finish line in the Senate,” said Congressman Lawler.

The legislation includes several reforms to improve how the State Department recruits and trains diplomats, including measures that would:

Provide Ambassadors with increased authority and oversight in carrying out US foreign policy at their posts overseas,
Create a pilot program for a Diplomatic Reserve Corps, modeling the reserve functions of the armed services, that would surge diplomats to the front lines in response to emergencies and crises abroad,
Enhance expeditionary diplomacy in austere posts to advance American interests outside of the confines of embassy walls,
Align State Department human resources, technology, and training to meet modern national security demands, and
Increase pathways for military veterans to join the Foreign Service.