Latest news with #Suozzi
Yahoo
5 days ago
- 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.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex-Social Security Boss Sounds Alarm: DOGE Will Delay Checks in ‘Very Near Future'
Former Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley doubled down on his warning that beneficiaries could stop receiving payments because of the destruction wrought by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 'I truly believe there's going to be some interruption of benefits for some period of time, and I believe that will probably happen in the very near future,' O'Malley said at a Social Security town hall in Nassau County on Monday, according to the Long Island Press. 'I've never hoped I was wrong so much in my life,' he added. In March, O'Malley—who served as the agency's commissioner under former President Joe Biden—predicted interruptions to Social Security payments 'within the next 30 to 90 days.' 'Ultimately, you're going to see the system collapse, and there will be an interruption of benefits,' he told CNBC. Earlier this month, O'Malley sounded the alarm again, telling the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee that 'the Trump co-presidency is gutting this agency.' Under Musk's direction, DOGE has pushed for sweeping cuts at the Social Security Administration (SSA), announcing in February that it would slash 7,000 jobs—including half of the agency's technology team—because of 'bloat.' The changes have thrown SSA into chaos. The SSA website crashed several times this month, and 47 field offices across the country have been slated for closure. The SSA threatened to cut phone services before reversing course amid backlash. Reps. Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi, both Democrats from New York, joined O'Malley at Monday's town hall. 'Why would you cut 7,000 employees to save 0.06 percent of the budget from one of the most important agencies?' Suozzi asked. According to the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute, administrative costs account for less than 1 percent of the SSA's spending. 'It doesn't make any sense,' Suozzi said. The Long Island Press said that more than 200 constituents attended the town hall. Many voiced fears about their benefits and retirement security as well as the state of the economy. 'I would not normally come to a forum like this,' Trish Burr-Peters, 71, said. 'I'm also here because I want Gillen and Suozzi to know that people really do care, and, if they needed us to do something, I would do it. What's happening now is nothing to ignore.'
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Blue state congressman claims he's against noncitizens voting but then tries to block law preventing it
Democratic New York Congressman Tom Suozzi said claims that illegal aliens are voting in his state's elections are a "myth" and "completely inaccurate," pointing specifically to an argument from Elon Musk several weeks ago claiming Democrats in states like New York and California have engaged in a strategy of "turning" illegal aliens into registered voters. "I don't want [noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections]. That's actually a myth that Elon Musk [said] on a show where he was talking about noncitizens voting in New York — it's just not true," Suozzi told a reporter on Capitol Hill, who asked him why he "wants noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections." The question came shortly before Suozzi voted against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which ultimately passed with enough congressional support and restricts federal voting to only fully legal U.S. residents. Suozzi, during the last legislative session, voted in favor of a congressional measure that banned noncitizen voting in local D.C. elections. Scoop: Arizona To Begin Removing As Many As 50K Noncitizens From Voter Rolls Following Lawsuit "It's an actual lie," Suozzi said about Musk's claim of noncitizen voting in New York, before walking into the Capitol building. Liberal localities, including New York City, have become flash points in the debate over noncitizen voting. Read On The Fox News App In January 2022, an ordinance passed by New York City's city council sought to allow green card holders, DACA recipients and other non-U.S. citizens residing in New York to vote in municipal elections. However, the controversial measure only lasted for roughly six months before the courts shot it down, and then, last month, the state's appeals court affirmed the move, which would have added roughly 800,000 noncitizens to the city's voter rolls, according to the New York Times. Dems Fight Bill To Stop Illegal Immigrant Voting Despite Polls Showing Voter Support "Why is the Democrat propaganda machine so fired up to destroy me? The main reason is that entitlements fraud… for illegal aliens is what is serving as a gigantic magnetic force to pull people in from all around the world and keep them here," Musk said during a Feb. 28 episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast. "If you end the illegal alien fraud, if you turn off that magnet, then they leave… and if that happens a massive — they will lose a massive number of Democratic voters." Musk's argument on Rogan's podcast sought to underscore a view from many Republicans more broadly about an effort by Democrats to increase the number of Democrat-friendly voters on the nation's voter roles by enticing illegal aliens, who historically vote largely for Democrats, into the country with generous public assistance programs, and then permitting them to engage in elections. "They're already turning them — so in New York State illegal aliens can already vote in state and city elections. A lot of people don't know that," Musk added. "They're trying to stop that, but currently, I think it's 600,000 are registered to vote — illegal aliens — in New York." Musk also cited California, where in San Francisco and Oakland noncitizens can vote in local school board elections. According to Ballotpedia, in addition to California, only Maryland and Vermont also have jurisdictions where noncitizens can vote. State Conservatives Demand Action On Noncitizen Voting: 'Time For Congress To Listen' "I won't accuse him of lying — I'll just say he's just completely inaccurate, as he is on many things," Suozzi told Fox News Digital. "He's spreading it like a gospel and pissing all these people off behind a complete fabrication." Suozzi pointed out how Musk is a high-profile figure that many Americans look to for guidance, noting that this makes it important for people to understand the facts of the matter when it comes to noncitizen voting. The need to remain vigilant and educated on the topic was echoed by Musk during his appearance with Rogan as well. "I invite people to do their research," Musk told Rogan when he remarked how fascinating it was that people were not aware of the scenario which Musk was discussing. "The more they do their research, the more they will see that what I'm saying is absolutely true." When reached for comment on Suozzi's remarks about Musk's claim on noncitizen voting in New York and other areas, White House spokeswoman Liz Huston remarked that noncitizen voting "is a very real problem," and added that "anyone who says otherwise is delusional and lying." "He's choosing to ignore the facts and pander to his far-left base at the expense of the truth," National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella article source: Blue state congressman claims he's against noncitizens voting but then tries to block law preventing it
Fox News
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Blue state congressman claims he's against noncitizens voting but then tries to block law preventing it
Democratic New York Congressman Tom Suozzi said claims that illegal aliens are voting in his state's elections are a "myth" and "completely inaccurate," pointing specifically to an argument from Elon Musk several weeks ago claiming Democrats in states like New York and California have engaged in a strategy of "turning" illegal aliens into registered voters. "I don't want [noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections]. That's actually a myth that Elon Musk [said] on a show where he was talking about noncitizens voting in New York — it's just not true," Suozzi told a reporter on Capitol Hill, who asked him why he "wants noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections." The question came shortly before Suozzi voted against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which ultimately passed with enough congressional support and restricts federal voting to only fully legal U.S. residents. Suozzi, during the last legislative session, voted in favor of a congressional measure that banned noncitizen voting in local D.C. elections. "It's an actual lie," Suozzi said about Musk's claim of noncitizen voting in New York, before walking into the Capitol building. Liberal localities, including New York City, have become flash points in the debate over noncitizen voting. In January 2022, an ordinance passed by New York City's city council sought to allow green card holders, DACA recipients and other non-U.S. citizens residing in New York to vote in municipal elections. However, the controversial measure only lasted for roughly six months before the courts shot it down, and then, last month, the state's appeals court affirmed the move, which would have added roughly 800,000 noncitizens to the city's voter rolls, according to the New York Times. "Why is the Democrat propaganda machine so fired up to destroy me? The main reason is that entitlements fraud… for illegal aliens is what is serving as a gigantic magnetic force to pull people in from all around the world and keep them here," Musk said during a Feb. 28 episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast. "If you end the illegal alien fraud, if you turn off that magnet, then they leave… and if that happens a massive — they will lose a massive number of Democratic voters." Musk's argument on Rogan's podcast sought to underscore a view from many Republicans more broadly about an effort by Democrats to increase the number of Democrat-friendly voters on the nation's voter roles by enticing illegal aliens, who historically vote largely for Democrats, into the country with generous public assistance programs, and then permitting them to engage in elections. "They're already turning them — so in New York State illegal aliens can already vote in state and city elections. A lot of people don't know that," Musk added. "They're trying to stop that, but currently, I think it's 600,000 are registered to vote — illegal aliens — in New York." Musk also cited California, where in San Francisco and Oakland noncitizens can vote in local school board elections. According to Ballotpedia, in addition to California, only Maryland and Vermont also have jurisdictions where noncitizens can vote. "I won't accuse him of lying — I'll just say he's just completely inaccurate, as he is on many things," Suozzi told Fox News Digital. "He's spreading it like a gospel and pissing all these people off behind a complete fabrication." Suozzi pointed out how Musk is a high-profile figure that many Americans look to for guidance, noting that this makes it important for people to understand the facts of the matter when it comes to noncitizen voting. The need to remain vigilant and educated on the topic was echoed by Musk during his appearance with Rogan as well. "I invite people to do their research," Musk told Rogan when he remarked how fascinating it was that people were not aware of the scenario which Musk was discussing. "The more they do their research, the more they will see that what I'm saying is absolutely true." When reached for comment on Suozzi's remarks about Musk's claim on noncitizen voting in New York and other areas, White House spokeswoman Liz Huston remarked that noncitizen voting "is a very real problem," and added that "anyone who says otherwise is delusional and lying." "He's choosing to ignore the facts and pander to his far-left base at the expense of the truth," National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella added.
