Episode 85: Ritchie Torres, New York Congressman

On this episode, Suzanne Miller interviews Congressman Ritchie Torres. Born and raised in the Bronx, Ritchie shares his journey from public housing to the U.S. Congress. The discussion covers a variety of pressing issues including New York's housing shortage, the city's regulatory challenges, and the migrant crisis. Ritchie proposes solutions such as tax abatements to incentivize landlords to bring offline units back onto the market and emphasizes a balanced approach towards immigration, advocating for the deportation of violent criminals while protecting law-abiding undocumented residents. The conversation also dives into the complexities of U.S. support for Israel, tackling anti-Semitism, and touching on the controversial hostage deal involving Hamas. In the realm of local politics, Ritchie addresses public safety concerns, bail reform, and the potential influence of foreign funding on U.S. educational institutions. The episode concludes with a discussion on the possibility of Ritchie Torres running for Governor of New York and his perspectives on current political leadership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices