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| Garbarino.house.gov |
Speaking candidly with the Congressman, Garbarino compared his experiences between the two positions. He stated, "Well, the one thing about the state assembly, if you were in the minority, which Republicans are, the speaker would not let you pass bills with statewide effects." However, he found a way to make an impact at the local level, "Like I did a lot of local bills, tax bills, real estate stuff, retroactive tax bills for non-profits, things that affected your district locally."
This local approach contrasted with his experience in Congress, where he claimed to have signed four or five bills into law within his first two years, despite being in the minority. "Still working and continuing to work on things like getting amendments into bills, getting projects funded," Garbarino shared.
He also highlighted the stark difference in the size of the budgets he handled in both positions, "When I was in the State Assembly, we had small amounts of money for projects - construction, sewer, road projects - small amounts like $50,000, $30,000, $75,000. But last year, I brought home almost $15 million to local projects, being in the minority."
He then confidently projected his budget for the following year, "I think I'm gonna bring close to $40 million, as long as we pass a budget." He disclosed specific projects in the pipeline for funding, such as the Smith Point Bridge, the Correction Officers Intelligence Center, and the Brookhaven sewage treatment facility.
Garbarino underscored the real-world impact of these financial commitments, "This is real money that's gonna help get the projects done and make the constituents' lives better. It's my job," he emphasized.
Speaking on his constituents, Garbarino recognized the mixed political leanings in his district, which he described as "middle-of-the-road." He mentioned the considerable Hispanic, Catholic, and African American populations and how issues like flood resilience, clean water, and infrastructure remain universally valued regardless of party affiliation.
Garbarino steered the conversation toward the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. His support for this policy highlighted another tension point in the role of federal representation. As he noted, "These are not Republican or Democrat issues. They're Long Island issues, they're New York issues and middle-class issues. That makes them easy to fight for."
While the SALT deduction policy may seem advantageous on the surface, its critics argue that it exacerbates the divide between states, compelling lawmakers to balance national and local interests. This policy faces opposition in traditionally red states, which lean towards conservative fiscal practices and often have little to no state income tax. Critics believe that the SALT deductions reward blue states, promoting what they view as reckless financial conduct to their detriment. Instead, they propose that an effective method to decrease the tax load for residents would be to fix the cost structure itself.
Despite his conservative beliefs, Garbarino reiterated his obligation to represent all his constituents, "I'm a conservative person personally, but when you get sent to represent over 700,000 people, you have to represent everyone, not just those who voted for you." He revealed his decision-making process when voting on legislation, "I think to myself, what is going to make people's lives better? What is going to ensure that Long Island continues to be a great place to live. That's usually how I base my votes."
Garbarino also expressed his concerns about international relations, particularly China's aggressive economic and political maneuvers. "Our number one adversary right now is China. We are the world's leader - the strongest, most powerful nation. We can't let China overtake us," he warned.
Regarding U.S. assistance to other countries, Garbarino expressed support, arguing, "We don't live in a bubble. A lot of people in the world look to us for leadership." He detailed that American assistance often involves U.S.-made products and aid, thereby keeping the money largely within the U.S.
The Congressman also touched on the pressing conflict in Ukraine, "After hearing the atrocities Russia has performed on civilians there, it's disgusting. If Russia isn't stopped here, they'll continue with other countries." He praised international efforts to aid Ukraine and stressed the importance of oversight for allocated funds.
He concluded by asserting, "We need peace, but I do support making sure that Russia is stopped in its tracks. It's something we had to do. If we pull out, Russia will continue its atrocities with the citizens of Ukraine."
In the same vein, Garbarino explained his controversial vote of "present" to censure former Democratic Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff. Schiff faced censure for advancing allegations that the 2016 campaign of former President Trump had engaged in collusion with Russia. This censure vote positioned Schiff as only the third House member to undergo such reprimand since the dawn of the 21st century. He clarified, "If we vote to censure him and refer to ethics, he can then ask us to recuse ourselves from the investigation, and if we all have to recuse ourselves, then there's no investigation."
He pointed out that his vote did not indicate a lack of interest in holding Schiff accountable. "We actually want to hold him accountable, and the only way that we could continue our ethics investigation was for us to vote present," Garbarino stated. He added, "Believe me, I'm not soft on Schiff." The House barely censured Schiff, with a close margin of 213-209 along party lines.
The Congressman expressed pride in working with local governments to secure funding for critical projects and the direct assistance his office provides to constituents. He recounted touching moments when residents thanked him for resolving their Medicare cases or aiding in passport processing. "Those moments are truly rewarding," he said.
In wrapping up, Congressman Garbarino reaffirmed his dedication to his constituents, saying, "It's my job." The statement resonates with his steadfast commitment to the district, a promise he continues to uphold through every bill he sponsors, every funding he secures, and every policy he supports. As he navigates the challenging terrain of U.S. politics, Garbarino's unyielding focus remains on creating a better future for the constituents he serves. His office in Washington, DC, can be reached at (202) 225-7896, and his office in Patchogue, NY, at (631) 541-4225 for further constituent services.