Tackling Corruption in Washington
Andrew Garbarino and many of his colleagues in D.C. have lost sight of who they work for: the American People. Instead of representing the people of the South Shore, Garbarino has waded deep into the corruption-filled swamp, bending his knee to special interests that hurt Long Island.
Washington is broken because too many politicians spend more time answering to lobbyists, corporate PACs, billionaires and special interests than the people who elected them. That drives up costs, weakens accountability, and leaves Long Island families paying the price.
I believe public office is a public trust. Congress should be focused on lowering costs, strengthening oversight, and solving problems—not helping powerful interests gain influence behind closed doors.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHT
Your Tax Dollars are Being Used for Washington Corruption
Washington insiders keep finding new ways to reward themselves while hardworking Americans pay the bill. Convicted insiders. Pardons for cronies. Secret deals. Zero oversight. And while it happens, Congressman Andrew Garbarino stays silent.
My Record of Integrity
Throughout more than four decades of public service, I’ve built a reputation for transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
I served as Chair of the New York State Assembly Ethics Committee.
Required strong ethics standards and rigorous background reviews for appointments.
Supported full financial disclosure to prevent conflicts of interest.
Delivered transparent leadership as Suffolk County Executive, State Assemblyman, County Legislator, and Chair of the Suffolk County Water Authority.
Protected the drinking water of more than 1.2 million Suffolk County residents through independent, accountable public oversight.
My Plan to Clean Up Washington
First, I’m not accepting any corporate PAC contributions, unlike my opponent who’s taken over huge amounts of Corporate PAC Money from companies who do business with the Department of Homeland Security.
Banning Members of Congress from trading stocks with insider information and making it water-tight, not filled with loopholes like the watered-down bill Garbarino supports.
Overturning Citizens United and reducing the influence of unlimited special-interest money in politics.
Ending the revolving door between Congress, lobbying firms, and the industries they regulate.
Strengthening ethics rules and financial disclosure requirements.
I will commit to hold quarterly public town halls and maintain responsive constituent services so Long Islanders always have access to me, their representative - a stark contrast to my opponent.
Protecting independent congressional oversight to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.
The Contrast with Garbarino's Pay-to-Play
When politicians become dependent on corporate money, the public has every right to question whose interests are being represented. Recent reporting has highlighted concerns that Representative Andrew Garbarino accepted tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from corporate PACs affiliated with companies that received Department of Homeland Security contracts after he became Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. Watchdog groups have argued that this creates the appearance of a "pay-to-play" system and raises legitimate questions about whether Congress can effectively oversee the very industries funding political campaigns.
Andrew Garbarino ran for Congress for himself—not for the people he is supposed to represent. He has said he has "always wanted to be a congressman" and appears to enjoy the perks and privileges that come with his office. Garbarino has embraced the swamp in Washington by:
Held stock in, and accepted campaign contributions from, pharmaceutical companies that have been accused of defrauding consumers and taxpayers.
Repeatedly voted against measures to protect the integrity of New York's elections.
Repeatedly voted against the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Profited from private legal work while serving in public office and opposed efforts to ban outside income for legislators.
Major corporate PAC money Garbarino has received:
PRIVATE PRISON CONTRACTORS: Accepted more than tens of thousands of dollars from private prison contractors, including GEO Group and CoreCivic, companies that hold ICE detention contracts while serving on the committee responsible for overseeing the Department of Homeland Security.
BIG PHARMA: Accepted at least $12,000 in campaign contributions from major pharmaceutical, health insurance, pharmacy benefit management, and healthcare companies, including CVS and Amgen, while Long Island families struggle with rising insurance premiums and prescription drug costs.
ENVIRONMENT & FOSSIL FUELS: Accepted thousands of dollars from fossil fuel and energy industry PACs while Long Island communities face rising flood risks, worsening coastal erosion, and the growing costs of climate change.
FINANCE: Accepted thousands of dollars from Wall Street firms and major banks, including BlackRock, Wells Fargo, Fifth Third Bank, and U.S. Bancorp, while Long Island families face rising mortgage costs, unaffordable housing, high interest rates, and mounting household debt.
DEFENSE: Accepted thousands of dollars from defense contractor PACs, including L3Harris and Lockheed Martin, while Long Island communities continue to fight for federal investments in infrastructure, flood protection, transportation, and affordable housing.
AIRLINES & TRANSPORTATION: Accepted thousands of dollars from airline and transportation PACs, including Delta Air Lines and FedEx, while Long Island commuters continue to deal with transportation challenges, airport congestion, and rising travel costs.
REAL ESTATE: Accepted campaign contributions from the National Association of Realtors while Long Island faces one of the nation's worst housing affordability crises, pricing young families out of the communities where they grew up.
INSURANCE: Accepted campaign contributions from the insurance industry while Long Island homeowners continue to face rising homeowners' insurance premiums and increasing flood insurance costs driven by growing climate risks.
I believe Congress should never leave voters wondering whether campaign contributions influence official decisions. Public confidence depends on transparency, independence, and accountability.