N.Y. deserves better than Schumer’s negligence
Pearl River, N.Y.: Re “GOP Rep. Lawler boasts of securing $32M for district, then votes not to use cash” (April 1): In 2024, I, alongside many of my congressional colleagues, including Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan, announced the funding we had secured for our districts with the passage of the House-led appropriation bills. They included critical projects to support local municipalities on clean water, sewer extensions and law enforcement.
As we made clear at the time, the bills still needed to pass the Senate and be finalized. Yet, Sen. Chuck Schumer as Senate majority leader failed to act, leaving us stuck with stopgap continuing resolutions (CRs) to keep the government funded. All of these projects that we previously announced are being resubmitted as part of Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations, and I have confidence they will be approved as we move forward.
As one of the most effective and the fourth-most bipartisan lawmaker of the 118th Congress, I am committed to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass common-sense legislation. Last Congress, I was proud to pass and get signed into law the SHIP Act, the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act, the Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act, the Enhanced Presidential Security Act of 2024 and the Undetectable Firearms Act. As we look ahead, I’m focused on enacting legislation critical for New York, including lifting the cap on SALT, passing the Antisemitism Awareness Act, and securing New York and my district the funds they need.
New Yorkers can continue to count on me to deliver common-sense results. Mike Lawler
Stand-up guy
Swarthmore, Pa.: At approximately 7:20 p.m. on Tuesday night, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey broke a long-standing record for continuous speaking in the hallowed halls of the U.S. Senate. He spoke about the dangers posed by the current president, who favors billionaires and his own avarice over the interests of you, me and the rest of our fellow Americans. Sen. Booker, we heard you, we respect you and we need more powerful people in high places to put themselves on the line and to stand up and speak up for the voiceless. Thank you, senator, you are a true patriot. In my tribe, we’d call you a true mensch — a good and decent person. Ken Derow
Executioners for the rich
Union, N.J.: Re “Feds aim to kill Luigi” (April 2): Since when does the U.S. attorney general get involved in local crimes? A man is shot on the streets of NYC almost every day — unless he’s a big-bucks CEO donor to the GOP, then it’s a federal case! Cars all over America are torched on a regular basis, but when it’s the brand of an even bigger-bucks GOP donor, then it’s a federal case? Worst of all, President Trump accuses everyone else of weaponizing and politicizing the judiciary! If I jaywalk or park in front of Trump Tower, can I expect Pammie to come after me? Lou Alt
Playing with firepower
Jersey City: If anyone can get through the circle of sycophants around our barely reelected president, someone needs to warn him that many of our allies take their treaty obligations more seriously than he does. If he pursues the military threats he has been making and recently reaffirmed against fellow NATO member Denmark over Greenland (which can’t help but remind any literate person of a certain German chancellor’s actions against Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland), not only will he not be supported by his own country, most of which has not been taking his bluster seriously, but he may find that he has placed us in an actual war with all of Europe except for his patron, Vladimir Putin. Trump may have the nuclear codes, but would any officer actually obey an order to use them against our allies over Greenland? Perhaps one of our NATO allies should quietly warn him. John Esche
Sins of ignorance
Roosevelt, L.I.: President Trump, keep your foul mouth — dripping with the words of the evil trinity of racism, classism and sexism — off of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture. Remember that you were elected to be president of all the American people regardless of race, color or creed, and not president of filthy-rich white males only. Diversity, equity and inclusion is an asset to America, not a liability. You must learn that a Black man, Crispus Attucks, was the first American to give his life in the American Revolution. You must learn that Black lives built the White House, the Capitol Building and America. Your outright hatred of Black lives is un-American, unpatriotic and undemocratic. In the Old Testament, Hosea 4:6, God states: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge.” Arthur L. Mackey Jr.
Just job cuts
Massapequa, L.I.: I don’t know why the left is up in arms about Trump’s 240,000 government layoffs. They had no problem when Bill Clinton laid off 400,000 or when Barack Obama laid off 650,000. The hypocrisy is too much to bear. Tom Ascher
Scales-tipping attempt
Staten Island: To Voicer Robert W. Lobenstein: We can all agree that wealthy individuals spend money to influence political outcomes. The right often calls out George Soros’ support for Democrats as if it’s unique, but figures like Peter Thiel and the Koch brothers have long funded conservative causes. However, what sets Elon Musk’s recent actions apart is the blatant and direct nature of his attempt to buy votes in Wisconsin. That’s why there’s outrage. But of course I understand that for some, defending this as normal is simply part of the cult mindset. Gina Ottrando
Rugged terrain
Brooklyn: On his recent visit to Greenland, Vice President JD Vance criticized Denmark for not developing Greenland’s infrastructure and complained that there were no roads connecting the scattered towns there. Apparently, this genius believes that roads can be constructed over hundreds of miles of rugged glaciers. Dennis Middlebrooks
Unsolicited advice
White Plains, N.Y.: To Voicer Paul Matthews: I believe that when JD Vance visited Greenland, the residents wore MAGA hats — Make America Go Away! Randi Bernstein Feigenbaum
Cost-prohibitive proposal
Holliswood: Voicer Josef Lazer urges passing the NY Heat Act and frames it as important to saving Democratic votes in the Electoral College, while also saying it will save New Yorkers money. But strategically, he doesn’t offer one example as to how it will save us money — he just rambles on as to how it will ensure that New York stays “blue.” I’ll tell you what the act will do if passed: It will mandate costly retrofits for homes and businesses to switch to electric heating, burdening homeowners and businesses with significant expenses. It will limit consumer choice in how they heat their homes, potentially forcing people to switch to electric heating even if they prefer natural gas. The NY HEAT Act is an unrealistic energy policy that New York residents and businesses can’t afford. It is unachievable, cost-prohibitive and unsustainable. Gregory W. Chupa
Original reds
Somerset, N.J.: What is all this nonsense about red states and blue states? I’m 78 and I’ve been a socialist since I was 17. We want our color red back. We had it first. Morris D. Fried
Photo boss
Upper Nyack, N.Y.: Mike Lipack, your late photo desk chief (“Michael Lipack, old-school boss of News photo desk, dies at 72,” April 3) has signed the 30 equivalent for a lensman, but his apparent “Front page” and “Gimme rewrite!” flavor will remain deep in the city room walls, just like the famous deadline clock and memories of air thick with cigarette smoke while a tabloid reports with fervor on Gotham. Ain’t nowhere else like it, the newsroom, and Mike’s exacting standards for a photo news sheet coupled with his reported pussy-cat-purring interior for newbies will not be forgotten. Hope he enjoys the f-stops in Heaven. Art Gunther
An icon lost
Hallandale Beach, Fla.: Val Kilmer was the total package (” ‘Batman’ and ‘Top Gun’ star Kilmer dies at 65,” April 3), a poet and world-class actor who could do comedy as perfectly as drama. “Top Gun,” “Top Secret,” “Tombstone,” “Real Genius,” “Heat,” “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” “Batman Forever” and “The Doors” are formidable films. This one stings. Val Kilmer, RIP. Paul Bacon
