The Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Steve Scalise, came to Suffolk recently to discuss key issues with County Executive Edward Romaine and Congressman Andrew Garbarino.
“We talked about crime, immigration, inflation, the economy; how we can make sure that Long Island keeps moving forward,” Romaine reported. “We appreciate the second-highest official in the People’s House taking the time to come see us and find out what’s important to our residents.”
High on Suffolk’s agenda is securing the county’s fair share of federal aid, Romaine noted, especially monies from the $1 trillion Infrastructure Bill, which Garbarino supported under pressure from budget hawks concerned about federal spending. “Our region has many needs when it comes to transportation, and we are pushing hard to get some of these much-needed funds,” the county executive said, ticking off-road and bridge repair, funding for public buses, electrification of the railroad lines that serve Suffolk, and the building of new stations as the county’s top transportation concerns.
“We also talked about illegal immigration and the impact thousands of new residents will have on local services, schools, and our economy,” Romaine said. “Congressional Republicans are well aware of the problems communities such as Suffolk face with the migrant crisis and are in a constant battle with the Biden Administration to secure the southern border.”
Romaine said he also brought up the Fentanyl epidemic and the need to stop the flow of illegal drugs coming into the U.S. “Congressman Scalise knows how weak the New York Democrats are on crime, and we’re happy to have him on our side when it comes to repealing the dangerous cashless bail laws and supporting law enforcement.” The subject of funding in the next federal budget for police vehicles and other equipment for the police was also broached, Romaine said.
Hailing from Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District, Scalise represents parts of New Orleans and its suburbs through the Mississippi Delta. He’s served in both houses of the state’s legislature and has a background in computer software engineering and technology marketing. While practicing for a Congressional softball game, the Republican gained worldwide attention when he was severely wounded by a politically motivated gunman.