Month: March 2024

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Tom Suozzi – The Right One for the Job

Howard Fensterman’s editorial on the electoral win of Tom Suozzi and the resultant consequences moving forward, especially regarding the migrant issue was published in Long Island Press this week. Fensterman’s perspective is summarized below.

In a special election to replace George Santos, Democrat Tom Suozzi won the Third District, which consists of sections of New York’s Queens and Nassau Counties over his Republican opponent Mazi Pilip. 

His constituents well know Democrat Suozzi in his New York district. A veteran and skilled leader who has always been willing to work across party lines to find solutions to seemingly intractable problems.  

The return of Tom Suozzi to Congress has sparked a thorough examination by analysts in New York and nationwide as they seek to decipher the potential messages for the upcoming national elections. In this nuanced political landscape, Suozzi emerges as a known and skilled leader recognized for his willingness to collaborate across party lines to address complex challenges.

A focal point of recent political discourse has been the defensive stance taken by President Biden and Democrats in response to a Republican onslaught regarding the influx of migrants crossing the southern border, with over 100,000 of them finding their way to New York. Suozzi emphasized the bipartisan credentials he has cultivated in his three previous terms in Congress.

In a notable departure from party lines, Suozzi not only criticized President Biden’s handling of immigration but also backed a bipartisan plan from the Senate called the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act or simply, H. R. 815, which is aimed to tighten border controls, enhance asylum procedures, and provide crucial support to allies in Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. 

A surprising turn of events unfolded when House Republican leaders, who initially advocated for such a solution on immigration, reversed their stance and refused to consider the bill after Trump expressed a preference for inaction.

This stark difference in approach resonated strongly with voters across the border leading to Suozzi securing the district by a noteworthy eight-point margin over his opponent Mazi Philip. His appeal extended beyond party lines, winning over independents and garnering more support from Republicans than his opponent did from Democrats. The significance of suburban districts, once again poised to be the deciding factor in the November elections, underscores the importance of embracing common-sense solutions and seeking common ground on the most challenging issues to propel the country forward.

While many Democrats view Suozzi’s victory as a potential turning point, it’s crucial to acknowledge the enduring strength and vibrancy of the moderate Republican party in Nassau County. The reality is reflected in the fact that all three county-wide offices and town supervisors in Nassau County are Republicans. This robust Republican presence in the face of continued extreme left-wing policies from the New York City Council and the New York State Legislature raises the prospect of more Democratic moderates leaning towards voting Republican in the future. Suozzi’s victory stands as a credit to his leadership and the substantial goodwill he has established through his accomplishments as a two-term County Executive and three-term Congressman. 

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Immigration is a Federal Responsibility

President Biden Must Address the City’s Migrant Issue

Howard Fensterman recently published an op-ed in LongIslandPress.com emphasizing that local officials, especially those in New York City are acquiring the brunt of the federal government’s failure to address the issue of migrants being transported to the city.

Mr. Fensterman highlighted that the current immigration problem is a federal responsibility, but the New York City metropolitan area has shouldered the human and financial costs due to the federal government’s inaction. 

In his op-ed, he stated, “But as we have painfully learned in the last  two years, New York City and the region  have been forced to bear the human and  financial costs of the federal government’s  failure to act”

Mayor Adams is Taking Action on the Issue

New York City Mayor Eric Adams faces significant fiscal challenges and blames President Biden for not defraying the costs, leading to potential obstacles for the President’s re-election and the city’s fiscal stability. 

The mayor’s attempts to address the migrant issue include lawsuits against companies transporting migrants, particularly those chartered by Texas governor Gregg Abbott, but the federal government has not provided financial assistance and these bus companies have now begun dropping migrants across New Jersey, where local authorities put them on trans-Hudson commuter trains to the city. 

Although Mayor Adams has managed to lower the anticipated cost of caring for migrants, Governor Hochul’s additional billion-dollar allocation to her proposed budget has been a crucial lifeline. Despite these efforts, the federal government’s checkbook remains closed.

Political Implications

Fensterman pointed out that due to concerns over migrants and criminal justice reforms, the 2022 Congressional elections swung to the Republicans winning in New York. 

That said, this migrant situation has political, fiscal, and human costs, impacting Democrats, New York taxpayers, and migrants. 

Amidst this complex scenario, the call for real solutions echoes loudly. Tom Suozzi, seeking to return to Congress representing Long Island, proposes a sensible compromise. His approach involves closing the routes used by migrants to illegally enter the country while simultaneously creating a pathway to citizenship for those adhering to established rules and already residing in the United States. This approach aims to address the root causes of illegal migration while providing a fair and just solution for those seeking a better life.

Congressional leaders are being urged to collaborate with President Biden instead of exploiting the crisis for political gain. This call to action emphasizes the importance of a unified effort in tackling the migrant crisis, shifting the focus from political posturing to pragmatic solutions that balance security concerns with compassion.

Conclusion

A poignant reminder surfaces – beyond Indigenous people present before the arrival of Europeans, we are all immigrants or their descendants. Fensterman points out that there are parallels between racist rhetoric targeting recent immigrants and the dangerous rhetoric preceding the Nazi takeover in 1930s Germany, emphasizing the need for a humane and compassionate approach to the crisis.

With that said, the migrant crisis underscores the federal government’s responsibility, but its failure to act places a disproportionate burden on localities like New York City. Mayor Adams’ struggles, combined with the political ramifications and human costs, highlight the urgency for comprehensive and compassionate solutions, such as Suozzi’s proposed compromise, to address the complexities of immigration.