Freedom vs. Socialism
Defending the Values That Make America Exceptional
My eleven years in the Navy strengthened my belief that America is the greatest nation on Earth—and that the freedom, opportunity, and values behind her exceptionalism must be defended. That same conviction guides my service in Congress today.
The Democrat Party’s March Toward Socialism
The Democrat Party of John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton championed working Americans, understood the value of hard work, and recognized that economic growth—not government dependency—was essential to expanding opportunity.
That is no longer the party we see today.
Today’s Democrat Party is increasingly shaped by Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Zohran Mamdani, and other bona fide socialists. Their influence is no longer confined to the political fringe. It is driving the Democrat Party further left and moving once-radical ideas into its mainstream.
The Democratic Socialists of America have put their agenda in writing. Their published program calls for:
Abolishing ICE and ending immigration detention and deportations.
Defunding the police as a step toward abolishing police and prisons.
Abolishing the United States Senate and the Electoral College.
Replacing the presidency and Supreme Court with institutions subordinate to Congress.
Replacing private ownership of major corporations and essential industries with public ownership.
Ending American military and economic assistance to Israel.
These ideas would fundamentally transform our economy, dismantle constitutional safeguards, weaken public safety, and replace individual opportunity with greater government control.
The election of Mayor Mamdani has further emboldened this movement, expanded the DSA’s influence within the Democrat Party, and given its agenda a powerful platform in New York. Now, Mamdani, the DSA, and their allies are looking beyond New York City and working to bring their policies to Long Island.
The Republican Party of Working Americans
While Democrats have moved toward socialism, today’s Republican Party has become the party of working Americans—the tradesmen, small-business owners, police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, truck drivers, hospitality workers, farmers, fishermen, and families who keep our communities and economy moving.
We proved it by reforming the tax code to reward work and let Americans keep more of what they earn. I helped quadruple the SALT deduction, provide federal tax relief on qualified tips and overtime, and deliver an additional tax deduction for eligible seniors—saving the average Long Island family approximately $3,000.
We also strengthened Medicaid by preserving it for the vulnerable Americans who rely upon it, tightening eligibility rules for noncitizens, and requiring certain able-bodied adults to work, seek qualifying employment, participate in a work program, volunteer, or attend school for at least 80 hours each month.
That is not about denying assistance to people who genuinely need it. It is about protecting Medicaid, respecting taxpayers, and ensuring government assistance serves as a bridge to greater independence—not a permanent substitute for work.
Opportunity, Not Dependency
America was not built by government mandates or endless dependency programs. It was built by hardworking people who took responsibility, played by the rules, and pursued a better future for their families.
We build a stronger economy by rewarding work, encouraging self-sufficiency, supporting small businesses, and creating opportunities for Americans to get ahead. We build a stronger country by securing our border, protecting taxpayers, upholding the rule of law, and defending the constitutional system that has preserved our freedom for generations.
If we remain true to those principles, America’s best days—and Long Island’s best days—are still ahead.