New York’s 1st Congressional District covers two-thirds of Suffolk County, including the entire East End and northern portion of Brookhaven Town. The US Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government. As the lower house, members of the House of Representatives work with senators and the President of the United States to develop and amend laws and create the national budget. In addition to writing, debating, and passing laws, representatives of Congress have a number of exclusive powers, including initiating bills to raise or lower taxes, impeaching federal officials, voting to approve a declaration of war, and electing the president in the event of a tie in the Electoral College.

There are currently 435 representatives in the House, each serving a two-year term, and there are no term limits. Members of Congress must be residents of the state they represent, but do not have to live within a particular district. All seats are up for election this year, and Republicans currently control the House majority by a narrow margin.

Incumbent Republican Nick LaLota took office in 2022 and is now running for re-election. Citing scheduling conflicts, Mr. LaLota declined the newspaper’s invitation for an in-person or virtual interview and instead provided written responses to questions sent by email.

Nick LaLota (Republican from Amityville)

Mr. LaLota is currently serving his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives from New York’s 1st Congressional District. He was previously appointed and then twice elected to the Amityville Board of Trustees and is a former chief of staff of the Suffolk County Legislature and a member of the Suffolk County Board of Elections. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he rose to the rank of lieutenant during his military service. Mr. LaLota declined The Suffolk Times’ request for an in-person or virtual interview and instead responded in writing to a series of questions from our editorial staff. He said his top priorities for a second term in Congress are “secure the border, fight inflation and always put Long Island first.”

He pointed to his success in securing more than “$150 million in critical funding for our communities” during his first term and vowed to build on that success by “cutting taxes, creating good-paying jobs and meeting Long Island’s unique needs.”

About Immigration and Border Security: Mr LaLota said he would continue to work to secure the border and “put an end to illegal immigration and the drug trade that directly impacts our communities”. He pointed to his support for the Stop Fentanyl Act and his success in introducing and passing the Fentanyl and Xylazine Detection Act, which he said would “give law enforcement new tools to detect dangerous substances and impose tougher penalties on traffickers.” He said he would support funding to complete the border wall and other measures to improve security and combat drug cartels and human traffickers. Mr. LaLota added that he would support reforms to the immigration process “that meet our workforce needs and support American businesses.” He said he supports expanding work visa programs such as H2B and H2A to provide “a stable, legal workforce for seasonal industries without sacrificing American jobs.” In terms of enforcing laws against illegal migrants, Mr. LaLota said the focus should be on “removing those who pose a danger or do not follow the legal process.” He added that “mass deportations must be directed at those who have violated our immigration laws, but we must ensure that any actions taken will not harm the economic stability of regions like the North Fork.”

On legislative priorities characteristic of the East End: Preserving Plum Island from commercial development remains one of Mr. LaLota’s top priorities. He also noted his success in securing $40 million in funding to protect Long Island Sound and pledged to address “the growing threat of the southern pine beetle by promoting comprehensive conservation efforts for the Pine Barrens.” He said he will fight for federal funding to improve roads, bridges and water quality systems in the area. Mr. LaLota said he will continue to be responsive and accessible to all of his constituents in the East End and pointed to his experience holding hundreds of in-person and virtual meetings in Suffolk County during his first term. He added that his team “will be holding mobile offices in Rocky Point every week, bringing help closer to the East End.”

On climate change and environmental protection: Mr LaLota called for a “balanced approach” to combating the impacts of climate change that “protects our environment while supporting our local industry”. He pointed to $3 million in federal funding he received to repair a bulkhead at Greenport Harbor “that directly protects against rising sea levels and extreme weather events.” He said preserving farmland, wetlands and natural habitats was also vital to protect against flooding and erosion and maintain resilience. He declared support for “clean energy solutions” to improve energy efficiency without imposing new burdens on local economies. He emphasized his commitment to fully funding the National Estuary Program, which supports projects to protect the Peconic Estuary and Long Island Sound. “These initiatives underscore my commitment to preserving the environment for Long Islanders today and for future generations.”

On bipartisanship and election integrity: When asked about former President Donald Trump’s continued claims that he won the 2020 election, Mr. LaLota pointed to his record as county Board of Elections commissioner in 2020, when he personally certified election results. If he had been in Congress at the time, he said, he would have voted to confirm Joe Biden as president, adding that he recently joined “a bipartisan group of colleagues who signed a pledge to certify the results of the 2024 election.” He said it was up to the courts, not Congress, to rule on allegations of election fraud. Mr. LaLota noted that he was one of two House Republicans to shake hands with President Biden after his 2023 State of the Union address and said that in doing so he “demonstrated the respect his office deserves, even as we strongly disagree about politics. »