Staten Island GOP Rep. Nicole Malliotakis is working to unify the conference if given the chance to serve as the next vice chair — and believes her congressional district has provided an ideal proving ground.
Malliotakis told The Post in an exclusive interview Monday that House Republicans have a winning message on some of the most important issues facing the country, but have lost their way through weeks of infighting after the ouster of then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
“Currently we have influence with the allocation process,” he said. “And that’s what really upset me about the three-week loss that we did.”
To increase their majority, Malliotakis urged the Republican conference to move forward with “giving a message about what unites us,” as they are led by newly appointed Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who previously held the vice chairmanship.
Staten Island GOP Rep. Nicole Malliotakis is working to unify the conference if given the chance to serve as the next vice chair.Getty Images
Malliotakis replaced Democratic Rep. Max Rose in 2021 and said he has held onto his seat in New York’s contested 11th district, which also includes parts of Brooklyn, by pushing relentlessly for common sense policies that the majority of Americans want.
“They want us to address energy independence and reduce energy costs,” he said. “They want us to secure this border, stop this mass migration that is destroying cities like ours. And it’s just not sustainable and not safe.”
“They want us to support our law enforcement, crack down on crime, and cut wasteful overspending so we can tackle inflation and make this country more affordable for families.”
Malliotakis told The Post in an exclusive interview Monday that House Republicans had a winning message but lost the fight before electing Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).AP
He also emphasized the need to provide further defense funding to Israel and Ukraine amid their ongoing wars, while providing oversight to ensure the funds are used appropriately.
The Biden administration, he said, “should be doing confidential briefings with us on a regular basis” on Ukraine and have “a strategy to make sure we win this war.”
As a former New York State representative and public relations professional, Malliotakis believes he has the ability to drive those points as a conveyancer to House Republican leadership.
Malliotakis replaces Democratic Rep. Max Rose in 2021 and said he has held onto his seat in New York’s contested 11th district by relentlessly pushing for common sense policies.AP
Malliotakis served in the state General Assembly for a decade after working in public affairs for former New York Governor George Pataki.
In an Oct. 25 letter to his colleagues, he also emphasized that his district’s placement “in New York City’s major media market” is ideal.
“I’ve played an important role here in New York City as a counter point of view,” Malliotakis also told The Post, contrasting himself with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
As a former New York State representative and public relations professional, Malliotakis believes he has the ability to drive that point as a communicator for House GOP leadership.Getty Images
“Because of the role I play in messaging here in New York City, we’ve been able to flip four assembly seats in my congressional district,” he added. “In 2020, I’m the only Republican elected in Brooklyn — and there are eight of us now.”
“We’ve been able to grow the Republican Party, and pick up and flip seats, because we’re getting the message out. … And I think that’s a model that we can share with the rest of the country.”
Malliotakis pointed out that House Republicans had missed an opportunity to capitalize on public support during the battle over government funding in September, which was bypassed by eight members of their conference.
“I’ve played an important role here in New York City as a counter point of view,” Malliotakis told The Post, contrasting himself with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), pictured above. AFP via Getty Images Malliotakis said the Biden administration should have a strategy for Ukraine’s victory.REUTERS
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and seven other GOP lawmakers removed McCarthy as speaker after he passed a “clean” government spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, on a bipartisan basis.
But Malliotakis said House GOP members have options at that point to implement “border security changes” and reduce “excessive spending” with the initial resolution rejected.
“I think a lot of senators, including some Democrats, see the need to secure the border, and having sent something, I think we’re going to get something back that might be something to celebrate,” he explained. .
“I think many senators, including some Democrats, see the need to secure the border,” Malliotakis said.AP
Asked whether he would support changes to the rules surrounding motions to vacate another House speaker, Malliotakis deferred to Republican leadership.
“I think there should be a discussion with the speaker and the leadership team,” he replied. “I personally think that it doesn’t help when you can just disrupt the proceedings and force a vote on something without having a plan to ensure that the vote is successful for the conference.”
Johnson told Fox News last week that “everyone” in the GOP conference has also expressed to him the need to change the rules.
Other declared candidates in the vice-chairman race include Representatives Mark Alford of Missouri, Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma, Beth Van Duyne of Texas, Michelle Fischbach of Minnesota and Brian Mast of Florida.
The conference will host a candidate forum for the vice-chairman position on November 7, with a vote on their candidate to be held the following day.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
