NY GOP Rep. Mike Lawler on being a blue state Republican

New York Congressman Mike Lawler sits down with Margaret Hoover to discuss his approach to legislating as one of only three Republicans in the House representing a district Kamala Harris won in 2024 and why he believes his Democratic-leaning constituents should reelect him next year.

Lawler, who recently ruled out a run for governor, talks about defending his record at often rowdy town halls and highlights instances where he has stood up to the Trump administration. He also explains how he has succeeded in advancing his district’s priorities, like raising the cap on the state and local tax deduction in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

Lawler, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Middle East and Africa Subcommittee, responds to Trump’s criticism of Israel over starvation in Gaza and lays out his view of the conflict. He also comments on declining support for Israel in the U.S., particularly among younger Americans.

Lawler defends the OBBBA’s Medicaid provisions and disputes projections of the bill’s costs. He also reacts to controversy over Texas Republicans trying to redraw congressional maps mid-decade–which has led Democrats in his state to threaten to do the same–and makes the case for banning partisan redistricting nationwide.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, The Tepper Foundation, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Pritzker Military Foundation.