Early in 2025, our congressional representative, Mike Lawler expressed support for “phasing out” or repealing the existing ACA credits in favor of broader health care reforms.
By July, in the absence of any compromise plan advanced by his Party, Lawler cast the deciding vote in favor of H.R.1, Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” with provisions leading to the expiration of enhanced ACA tax subsidies.
That vote put life sustaining credits on the chopping block, projecting huge health care premium spikes. more than doubling the cost for at least 1.7 million New Yorkers, with seniors and older adults facing the sharpest of these increases. In addition, his willful actions are projected to result in a loss of coverage for an additional 80,000 thousand in our State, including many constituents in CD 17.
When public outrage followed, Lawler predictably pivoted. He criticized his own party, joined Democrats in a temporary, damage control vote to extend benefits and yet again began posturing as a bi-partisan moderate… a position that cannot erase the fact that it was Lawler himself that cast the pivotal vote creating this crisis in the first place.
Unfortunately, any compromise now depends on a Republican Senate. And even if any reasonable extension were passed, it still faces a likely veto from Trump.
The good news is that in a Primary on June 23rd Democrats will have the opportunity to select which one of the motivated challengers they feel best able to end the incumbency of Lawler, replacing the chaos endorsed by this disingenuous, self-promoting politician and transactional handmaiden in service to Trump.
Having closely considered the credentials, experience and debate skills of all the challengers appearing at multiple forums, I hope you will join me in supporting and voting for Cait Conley, the one candidate whose resume checks off all the boxes… energy, clarity, determination, commitment to affordable health care /housing and outstanding military service – making her the strongest candidate qualified to legislate in the best interests of all the constituents of CD17, while working to restore sanity in congress.
Thank you,
Jay Forbes
Peekskill, NY
