STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — In a striking political moment, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis emerged as the lone New York City congressmember to back the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” leading to significant scrutiny from political opponents.
The contentious bill was passed by the House of Representatives with a narrow margin of 215-214, and now heads to the Senate where it is expected to face further modifications.
On Friday, Comptroller Brad Lander, who is also a Democratic mayoral candidate, publicly challenged Malliotakis to a debate regarding her vote.
Lander’s challenge was formally presented at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bay Ridge, leading up to the proposed debate on Wednesday, May 28.
“Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was the deciding vote to gut Medicaid for millions so that billionaires can get a tax break,” Lander exclaimed, calling for the congresswoman to explain her support for the bill in front of community members.
The proposed legislation, should it pass through the Senate with no changes, aims to deliver a series of tax cuts, funded in part by cuts to critical social programs such as Medicaid and SNAP.
Republican advocates of the bill have framed the reductions as necessary measures to eliminate fraud and waste in the system.
However, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office raises alarms, projecting that the bill could lead to a loss of health care coverage for 8.6 million Americans over the next decade and result in 3 million fewer people receiving SNAP benefits monthly.
Lander, who previously served on the City Council, noted his obligation to oppose the bill’s detrimental impact on New Yorkers. “As the Chief Financial Officer of New York City, it is my duty to stand against these life-altering cuts to Medicaid – which will be disastrous for our economy and leave families, veterans, disabled and elderly New Yorkers in Bay Ridge without care. See you there, Congresswoman,” he stated after delivering his debate invitation to Malliotakis’ office.
Interestingly, Lander’s choice of a venue in Bay Ridge, a part of Malliotakis’ constituency, could cater to a more supportive audience, as Lander represents some of the more liberal neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
Malliotakis has not yet confirmed whether she will accept Lander’s invitation but took the opportunity to critique him for his previous City Council tenure.
“Why is the wacky ‘Defund the Police’ candidate for Mayor looking to debate me instead of his own opponents? Is he afraid of debating Andrew Cuomo?” Malliotakis charged.
She further remarked, “The reason I had to secure State and Local Tax (SALT) relief in the one big beautiful bill is that Brad Lander repeatedly voted to increase our property tax levy as a city councilman.”
Lander’s time on the City Council did coincide with property tax increases for many residential properties across New York City.
Though he supported broad reforms – including efforts to reform the property tax system – his name had become associated with those increases, thus complicating his challenge against Malliotakis.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” aims to uplift the State and Local Tax deduction limit from $10,000 to $40,000 for residents earning up to a maximum annual income of $500,000.
Among the eleven candidates vying for the Democratic mayoral nomination this June, Lander has been an outspoken proponent of various urban issues as well as criminal justice reform initiatives.
As he prepares for the upcoming primary, Lander is actively seeking debate opportunities, including a scheduled June 4 debate on NBC that he plans to attend.
In the backdrop of this political confrontation, the implications of Malliotakis’ vote and the ongoing discourse about healthcare and taxation remain at the forefront of the looming electoral battle.
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