Top Issues

Our nation’s national security and economic well-being require reliable forms of energy. Jim believes that the federal government should not be picking winners and losers when it comes to various forms of energy. The United States should instead adopt an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that includes a long-term, multifaceted approach to address the current status of high energy prices and the lack of energy independence.

A comprehensive energy package that increases energy independence and encourages the development of alternative and renewable energy sources would ensure that we are providing energy solutions without placing America at a competitive disadvantage with the rest of the world.

The fentanyl poisoning crisis is a tragedy of epic proportion and a national security threat that requires a wholistic and highly coordinated response from our government – starting with stricter border security. If elected to congress Jim will use his knowledge of how the financial markets operate to support legislation such as the Stop Fentanyl Money Laundering Act which seeks to shut down the sophisticated money laundering schemes used by those organizations and individuals involved in the production and distribution of illegal fentanyl

Jim believes that the country should be welcoming for those who go through the immigration process to obtain legal residency. While it is true that America is a nation of immigrants, it is also a nation of laws. Illegal immigration is a serious problem in the United States, it stresses infrastructure and programs designed to support American citizens in particular those who are homeless and attending public elementary and secondary schools.

Additionally, many cities across the nation, including New York City, have enacted official sanctuary policies for illegal immigrants or have been refusing to comply with detainer requests from the Department of Homeland Security. Sanctuary cities create a dangerous environment for citizens and law enforcement. When in Congress, Jim will support efforts which strengthen our border security; curtail the flow of illegal immigrants into our country and defund cities with sanctuary policies.

Historic levels of inflation are taxing middle-class families and hurting small businesses across Long Island. Whether at the grocery store or the gas pump, rising prices are holding families back from economic security.

As a child in the 1970’s with a Father on a fixed-income and now as a parent with four children, Jim has experienced the stress and fear inflation brings to households. When serving in Congress, ending this historic inflation will be top a priority. Here are some of the steps we must take to do so:

• Enact pro-growth tax and regulatory policies.
• End the spending sprees in Washington that is devaluing the dollar and prolonging the inflation crisis.
• Unleash American energy producers to make America energy dominant again
• Normalize monetary policy

The recent downgrade on U.S. government debt by Fitch Ratings needs to be a wake-up call for greater fiscal responsibility. As of August 1st, the U.S. Treasury owed $32.6 trillion to bondholders while its budgetary deficit exceeds $1 trillion. By most any measurement: debt as percentage of GDP; the amount of debt per capita or debt per taxpayer the continued deficit spending by government is a burden to future generations. As a member of Congress Jim will support policies which get our nation on a path towards fiscal responsibility.

The cost of living in New York’s 3rd Congressional district is unnecessarily high due to rising inflation and government policies. Whether you drive to work or take the LIRR, your commuting costs have gone up dramatically due to the high cost of gasoline, increases to existing tolls and train fares and now new fees associated with the MTA’s congestion pricing program. As a member of Congress Jim will support policies which lower the cost of energy, will push back on fare increases and new fees, while also working on a bipartisan basis to restore the State and Local Tax (“SALT”) deduction.

Occurrences or appearances of insider trading erode the public trust in government and undermine our democracy by destroying the reputations of the government and its institutions. As a former stock trader at a premier financial firm Jim understand the policies and surveillance to detect trading on material non-public information. Jim is well qualified to recognize this nefarious behavior and as a member of Congress will work on a bipartisan basis to craft thoughtful and effective legislation which will instill public trust that government officials who are privy to material and non-public information will not use that knowledge to benefit themselves at our expense.