2024 New York (NY-17) US House of Representatives Voters Guide

Mondaire Jones (D) vs Mike Lawler (R)

US House | Election | Nov 5, 2024

The Candidates

Mondaire Jones

Mondaire Jones

Democrat

Mike Lawler

Mike Lawler

Republican

Incumbent

The Issues

Abortion

Ban or legal?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Legal. “One of my first priorities will be to codify Roe v. Wade.” Sponsored a bill that protects access to abortion prior to fetal viability, and after viability if the pregnancy risks a woman’s life or health.

Mike Lawler (R)

Mostly ban. Voted to prohibit the Defense Dept. from reimbursing service members for travel costs when they go to another state to get an abortion. “I am personally pro-life, but I do believe in exceptions.” Leave abortion up to states.

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Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Yes. “The single most pressing issue facing our nation and our world is climate change.” Calls for investing in “clean, renewable energy” and moving towards “net-zero emissions.” Voted to create an Office of Climate Resilience.

Mike Lawler (R)

Mixed. “Climate change is real.” Is a member of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus. Voted to roll back Biden’s climate agenda. Voted to limit the EPA from regulating vehicle emissions. Supported carbon sequestration research and reducing methane emissions.

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Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Would “ensure law enforcement has the resources it needs.” Sponsored legislation banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants and requiring body and dash cams. “We must end qualified immunity,” which restricts lawsuits against police officers.

Mike Lawler (R)

“We must provide our police the support they need to keep themselves, their colleagues, and our communities safe.” Police should be “well-funded,” not defunded. Supported cuts to the FBI and the Justice Department. Supports qualified immunity for police.

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Economy

Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Increase. Supported a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that included funding for NY transportation projects: “It’s critical that we invest in a strong, equitable recovery.” Need stronger antitrust laws, stop corporate price-gouging.

Mike Lawler (R)

Mostly decrease. Voted for a $4.5 trillion spending cut. Supported a bipartisan bill limiting government spending. Criticizes “trillion dollar spending sprees” & “inflation-inducing spending.” Expand Child Tax Credit.

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Education

Limit teaching about racism and gender identity?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Likely no. Opposes efforts to ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in schools. “Today we are witnessing the worst assault on public education in generations.”

Mike Lawler (R)

Mostly yes. Sponsored Parents Bill of Rights but voted against the final bill because an amendment on parental notice of  transgender bathroom use “went too far.” Teach the U.S. as “the greatest force for good, freedom, and democracy in the world.”

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Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Tighten. Criticized the U.S. Supreme Court decision curtailing power of the EPA: “It will gut environmental regulations.” Called for higher scrutiny of the Line 3 Pipeline transporting tar sands oil from Canada.

Mike Lawler (R)

Mixed. Many regulations “do little to protect the environment while doing much to harm small businesses.” Supported restoring NY-NJ watershed and limiting radiological substance discharge into the Hudson River. Opposed regulating natural gas and voted to limit EPA regulations on polluting vehicle emissions.

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Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun regulation?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Tighten. Voted to strengthen “red flag” laws, background checks, and limitations on people convicted of domestic abuse from owning a gun. Supports an assault-weapons ban and universal background checks.

Mike Lawler (R)

Mixed. Supports red flag laws as long as they “mandate due process.” Opposes the current bill to ban assault weapons, “because it pretty much bans any semiautomatic weapon.” Introduced a bill extending a law that makes it harder to sneak firearms past metal detectors.

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Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for healthcare?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Increase. “Health care is a human right.” Sponsored a bill with funding and regulation flexibility to allow states to create their own universal healthcare systems. Voted to allow the federal government negotiate drug prices and cap insulin at $35 a month for people on Medicare.

Mike Lawler (R)

Mixed. Won’t cut Medicare or overturn the Affordable Care Act. Introduced a bill to subsidize travel costs for veterans seeking health care. “I do not support a government takeover of healthcare or the elimination of the private insurance market.”

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Immigration

How to handle immigration?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Would vote for a bipartisan border security bill to strengthen asylum standards and allow the president to shut down the border. Calls for recognizing “the humanity of all people coming to this country.” Urged Biden admin. to extend Obamacare benefits to DACA recipients. Voted to give a path to citizenship to DACA participants.

Mike Lawler (R)

Would “close the back door of illegal immigration and more broadly open the front door of legal immigration.” Supported a bill building Trump’s border wall, hiring more border agents, limiting access to asylum, returning to the Trump-era remain-in-Mexico policy. Sponsored a bipartisan bill to increase border security and lawful migration, and give DACA Dreamers a path to citizenship.

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Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Easier. Supports the PRO Act, which would strengthen collective bargaining and protect organizing rights. “Every worker deserves a strong, fair contract and I’m ready to bring that fight with me to Congress.”

Mike Lawler (R)

Mixed. Voted against requiring that NY employment contracts be written in plain language. Voted against allowing all NY workers to file PTSD Workers’ Comp claims. Would vote for the PRO Act, making it easier to organize, though says it needs changes.

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LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Expand. Sponsored the Respect for Marriage Act, federally protecting same-sex marriages. Sponsored the Equality Act, banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Mike Lawler (R)

Mixed. Regarding the Rockland Pride Center being vandalized: “Hate has no place in the 17th District or anywhere in our country.” Voted for a measure denying transgender care for military personnel. Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.

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Marijuana

Ban or legal?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Legal. Urged Biden to pardon marijuana convictions: “It’s past time to end the failed, racist war on drugs.” Sponsored bill to protect banks serving legal cannabis businesses.

Mike Lawler (R)

Ban. Calls legalization of recreational marijuana a “disastrous” policy and “a major public health decision.” “We must tackle the cannabis crisis that is poisoning our youth.”

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Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Raise. Sponsored a 2021 bill raising the wage to $15 by 2025. Called the $7.25 minimum wage “criminal.”

Mike Lawler (R)

No position found. 

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Student Financial Aid

Support lowering interest on student loans and/or forgiving them?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Yes. Forgiving student debt would liberate millions of Americans to meaningfully participate in our economy.” In 2020 called for “tuition-free public college.”

Mike Lawler (R)

No. Voted to repeal the 2022 student loan payment pause and forgiveness plan. Said Biden’s student debt relief violates the Constitution and is unfair.

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Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Raise. Called for “higher taxes” on the wealthy. Criticized cutting “taxes for the rich.” Supports a proposal to raise the corporate tax rate to 28%.

Mike Lawler (R)

Lower. Would “reduce… corporate taxes.” Voted to pull back $45.6 billion that had been allocated to the IRS to enforce tax codes on households earning more than $400,000.

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Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Mondaire Jones (D)

Easier. Supported a bill expanding voter registration and voting access. Supported a bill establishing Election Day as a federal holiday and requiring federal preclearance for voting practice changes by states.

Mike Lawler (R)

Harder. Opposed a state bill to require state approval for local voting practice changes and provide legal tools against discriminatory voting provisions. Voted to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. Yes on photo ID for voting.

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Mondaire Jones

democratic Party

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Mike Lawler

republican Party

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Mondaire Jones

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Mike Lawler

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See guides.vote for online guides with links & sources https://www.mondaireforcongress.com/ https://www.lawlerforcongress.com/
Abortion

Ban or legal?

Legal. “One of my first priorities will be to codify Roe v. Wade.” Sponsored a bill that protects access to abortion prior to fetal viability, and after viability if the pregnancy risks a woman’s life or health.Mostly ban. Voted to prohibit the Defense Dept. from reimbursing service members for travel costs when they go to another state to get an abortion. “I am personally pro-life, but I do believe in exceptions.” Leave abortion up to states.
Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Yes. “The single most pressing issue facing our nation and our world is climate change.” Calls for investing in “clean, renewable energy” and moving towards “net-zero emissions.” Voted to create an Office of Climate Resilience.Mixed. “Climate change is real.” Is a member of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus. Voted to roll back Biden’s climate agenda. Voted to limit the EPA from regulating vehicle emissions. Supported carbon sequestration research and reducing methane emissions.
Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Would “ensure law enforcement has the resources it needs.” Sponsored legislation banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants and requiring body and dash cams. “We must end qualified immunity,” which restricts lawsuits against police officers.“We must provide our police the support they need to keep themselves, their colleagues, and our communities safe.” Police should be “well-funded,” not defunded. Supported cuts to the FBI and the Justice Department. Supports qualified immunity for police.
Economy

Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Increase. Supported a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that included funding for NY transportation projects: “It’s critical that we invest in a strong, equitable recovery.” Need stronger antitrust laws, stop corporate price-gouging.Mostly decrease. Voted for a $4.5 trillion spending cut. Supported a bipartisan bill limiting government spending. Criticizes “trillion dollar spending sprees” & “inflation-inducing spending.” Expand Child Tax Credit.
Education

Limit teaching about racism and gender identity?

Likely no. Opposes efforts to ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in schools. “Today we are witnessing the worst assault on public education in generations.”Mostly yes. Sponsored Parents Bill of Rights but voted against the final bill because an amendment on parental notice of  transgender bathroom use “went too far.” Teach the U.S. as “the greatest force for good, freedom, and democracy in the world.”
Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Tighten. Criticized the U.S. Supreme Court decision curtailing power of the EPA: “It will gut environmental regulations.” Called for higher scrutiny of the Line 3 Pipeline transporting tar sands oil from Canada.Mixed. Many regulations “do little to protect the environment while doing much to harm small businesses.” Supported restoring NY-NJ watershed and limiting radiological substance discharge into the Hudson River. Opposed regulating natural gas and voted to limit EPA regulations on polluting vehicle emissions.
Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun regulation?

Tighten. Voted to strengthen “red flag” laws, background checks, and limitations on people convicted of domestic abuse from owning a gun. Supports an assault-weapons ban and universal background checks.Mixed. Supports red flag laws as long as they “mandate due process.” Opposes the current bill to ban assault weapons, “because it pretty much bans any semiautomatic weapon.” Introduced a bill extending a law that makes it harder to sneak firearms past metal detectors.
Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for healthcare?

Increase. “Health care is a human right.” Sponsored a bill with funding and regulation flexibility to allow states to create their own universal healthcare systems. Voted to allow the federal government negotiate drug prices and cap insulin at $35 a month for people on Medicare.Mixed. Won’t cut Medicare or overturn the Affordable Care Act. Introduced a bill to subsidize travel costs for veterans seeking health care. “I do not support a government takeover of healthcare or the elimination of the private insurance market."
Immigration

How to handle immigration?

Would vote for a bipartisan border security bill to strengthen asylum standards and allow the president to shut down the border. Calls for recognizing “the humanity of all people coming to this country.” Urged Biden admin. to extend Obamacare benefits to DACA recipients. Voted to give a path to citizenship to DACA participants.Would “close the back door of illegal immigration and more broadly open the front door of legal immigration.” Supported a bill building Trump’s border wall, hiring more border agents, limiting access to asylum, returning to the Trump-era remain-in-Mexico policy. Sponsored a bipartisan bill to increase border security and lawful migration, and give DACA Dreamers a path to citizenship.
Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Easier. Supports the PRO Act, which would strengthen collective bargaining and protect organizing rights. “Every worker deserves a strong, fair contract and I’m ready to bring that fight with me to Congress.”Mixed. Voted against requiring that NY employment contracts be written in plain language. Voted against allowing all NY workers to file PTSD Workers’ Comp claims. Would vote for the PRO Act, making it easier to organize, though says it needs changes.
LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Expand. Sponsored the Respect for Marriage Act, federally protecting same-sex marriages. Sponsored the Equality Act, banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.Mixed. Regarding the Rockland Pride Center being vandalized: “Hate has no place in the 17th District or anywhere in our country.” Voted for a measure denying transgender care for military personnel. Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Marijuana

Ban or legal?

Legal. Urged Biden to pardon marijuana convictions: “It’s past time to end the failed, racist war on drugs.” Sponsored bill to protect banks serving legal cannabis businesses.Ban. Calls legalization of recreational marijuana a “disastrous” policy and “a major public health decision.” “We must tackle the cannabis crisis that is poisoning our youth.”
Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

Raise. Sponsored a 2021 bill raising the wage to $15 by 2025. Called the $7.25 minimum wage “criminal.”No position found. 
Student Financial Aid

Support lowering interest on student loans and/or forgiving them?

Yes. Forgiving student debt would liberate millions of Americans to meaningfully participate in our economy.” In 2020 called for “tuition-free public college.”No. Voted to repeal the 2022 student loan payment pause and forgiveness plan. Said Biden’s student debt relief violates the Constitution and is unfair.
Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Raise. Called for “higher taxes” on the wealthy. Criticized cutting “taxes for the rich.” Supports a proposal to raise the corporate tax rate to 28%.Lower. Would “reduce… corporate taxes.” Voted to pull back $45.6 billion that had been allocated to the IRS to enforce tax codes on households earning more than $400,000.
Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Easier. Supported a bill expanding voter registration and voting access. Supported a bill establishing Election Day as a federal holiday and requiring federal preclearance for voting practice changes by states.Harder. Opposed a state bill to require state approval for local voting practice changes and provide legal tools against discriminatory voting provisions. Voted to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. Yes on photo ID for voting.

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