Nick LaLota has prioritized government transparency, accountability, and ethical contract practices throughout his career, proposing measures for public review of major contracts and advocating for rules to disclose political contributions and limit conflicts of interest (Amityville Record, TBR News Media).
LaLota has focused on securing funding and legislating for Long Island, delivering over $150 million in community project funds, supporting veterans, and public infrastructure improvements, while introducing bipartisan bills targeting the fentanyl crisis, water infrastructure, and small business opportunities (Suffolk Times, Patch, Newsday).
As an advocate for law enforcement reforms, LaLota faced criticism for proposals to abolish the Amityville Police Department, reduce police wages, and decrease staffing, but also worked to provide new tools for law enforcement to combat drug trafficking (DCCC, Suffolk Times).
In Congress, LaLota supported fiscal responsibility and efforts to cut federal wasteful spending, such as backing the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Limit, Save, Grow Act, while defending select local grants on alignment with national priorities (Statesman: SUNY, Stony Brook, Newsday Online).
LaLota has championed bipartisan small business legislation, such as bills to expand opportunities for women-owned and veteran-owned firms, encourage federal research partnerships, and increase protections against fraud in small business contracting (Long Island Business News).
Potential vulnerabilities include criticism from Democrats regarding LaLota’s past actions affecting police departments and voting access, as well as accusations from the New York Times editorial board that he’s supported far-right legislative measures that could negatively impact local residents (DCCC, New York Times).
Nick LaLota Proposed Abolishing Amityville Police Department and Cutting Police Wages According to a press release from the DCCC, "He has a long history of attacking law enforcement, even making the case for ‘abolishing the Amityville Police Department’ and cutting police wages to save money." [Press Release - DCCC, 8/24/22]
Nick LaLota Championed Plan That Reduced Police Overtime Wages According to a press release from the DCCC, "LaLota even championed a plan that violated the police union’s contract and stole $123,000 in overtime wages from police officers." [Press Release - DCCC, 8/24/22]
Nick LaLota Championed Policies That Decreased Police Staffing According to a press release from the DCCC, "The union also called LaLota out for understaffing the department to ‘its lowest levels since [1975.’]" [Press Release - DCCC, 8/24/22]
Nick LaLota Prioritized Border Security And Combating Drug Trafficking In Campaign According to Suffolk Times, "He said his main priorities for a second term in Congress are to 'secure the border, tackle inflation and always put Long Island first.' [...] He pointed to his support of the Halt Fentanyl Act and his success in introducing and passing the DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act, which he said will 'provide law enforcement with new tools to detect dangerous substances and impose tougher penalties on traffickers.'" [Suffolk Times, 10/21/24]
Nick LaLota Ended Walk-In Absentee Voting Program as Elections Commissioner According to a press release from the DCCC, "As elections commissioner, LaLaota was accused of disenfranchising voters when he ended a walk-in absentee voting program, and his efforts prompted a voter to sue the Suffolk County Board of Elections." [Press Release - DCCC, 8/24/22]
Nick LaLota Ordered Absentee Ballot Processing Favoring Mail-Ins Over Walk-Ins According to a press release from the DCCC, "Under LaLota, GOP election workers were ordered to process absentee requests on a first-come, first-serve basis, even if that means those who show up in person have to wait hours or return the next day while workers sort through hundreds of mailed-in requests. It was only after the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County and other county officials got involved that the order was reversed." [Press Release - DCCC, 8/24/22]
LaLota Maintained A Focus On Election Integrity As Suffolk County Board Of Elections Commissioner According to Dans Papers, “Serving as the influential and high-profile commissioner of the Suffolk County Board of Elections, he assisted in streamlining access and securing election integrity.” [Dans Papers, 1/8/23]
Nick LaLota Was Commissioner Of Suffolk County Board Of Elections And Youngest To Hold Post In 30 Years According to NRCC.org, "Prior to being the County Legislature’s Chief of Staff, Nick served as Commissioner of the Suffolk County Board of Elections where he worked diligently to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat in our democratic process. When appointed, Nick became the youngest person to hold the post in three decades." [NRCC.org, 1/20/23]
LaLota Supported Election Integrity As Election Commissioner According to Islip Bulletin (New York), "Whereas as Elections Commissioner I actively worked to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat." [Islip Bulletin (New York), 8/4/22]
October 2023: Nick LaLota Filed Motion To Expel George Santos According to The Daily Beast, "The move to New York’s 1st District will pit him against incumbent GOP Rep. Nick LaLota—one of Santos’ chief antagonists, who in October filed a motion to expel him." [The Daily Beast, 3/8/24]
Nick LaLota Claimed Strong Commitment To Transparency And Accountability In Congress According to TBR News Media, "LaLota claims his approach to governance includes a strong commitment to transparency and accountability. He has highlighted his record of engaging with local leaders and constituents to provide services effectively while maintaining affordability." [TBR News Media, 10/31/24]
January 2018: Nick LaLota Submitted A Transparency Resolution On Public Review Before Employee Raises According to Amityville Record, "Specifically, the resolution stated: 'In order to promote a transparent and open government, prior to voting on said changes, the Village Administration is committed to give adequate notice to the press and public to appear before to the Board to hear its insight on the issue and present questions relating to it,' and that the board should consider postponing the question until its first meeting in February." [Amityville Record (New York), 1/31/18]
Nick LaLota Defended His Call For Transparency As Consistent With Prior Efforts According to Amityville Record, "Following the meeting on Monday, however, LaLota responded to criticism that his actions were politically motivated saying that the Wandell administration had taken steps toward transparency, opening up workshop meetings to the public and bring forward an improved website and social media site. 'By no means was our work complete,' he said. 'As a trustee my recent proposal was consistent with the strides we made over the last four years and in keeping with my commitment to make Amityville more inclusive.'" [Amityville Record (New York), 1/31/18]
2018: Nick LaLota Introduced Responsible Contracting And Disclosure Law Proposals In Amityville According to Amityville Record, "For the second time in two weeks, Amityville Village Trustee Nick LaLota has brought forward proposals for new local laws. He's hoping his latest will be discussed at the Village's workshop meeting on Thursday. The local law is designed, he said, to bring responsible contracting and disclosure on all Village contracts of $1 million or more." [Amityville Record, 2/7/18]
2018: LaLota Proposed Law To Limit Duration Of Village Contracts Beyond Incumbent Mayor’s Term According to Amityville Record, "Under the terms of the proposal, if passed, the Village board would be required to limit these contracts to no more than a year beyond the term of office of the mayor in office at the time the contract is signed." [Amityville Record, 2/7/18]
2018: LaLota Sought Public Disclosure Of Contract Contributions In Amityville According to Amityville Record, "Along with the contract, the Village would be required to disclose any contributions of $250 or more made by any of the individuals or groups affected by the contract. While that information is available through other sources, LaLota said he wants to make it available to the full board and have it posted on the Village website." [Amityville Record, 2/7/18]
2018: LaLota Proposed Public Comment Period For Mayoral Administrative Pay Raises According to Amityville Record, "LaLota proposed another local law two weeks ago that would have required, if passed, a period of public comment on Mayoral motions for pay raises for administrative staff. [...] The board said they would consider such a change, but approved the raises under the old policy." [Amityville Record, 2/7/18]
February 2018: Nick LaLota Presented Proposed Contract Law To Amityville Village Board According to Amityville Record (New York), "A proposed law, presented to the Amityville Village Board by Trustee Nick LaLota, was tabled after the majority of the members agreed to review it with an effort toward reaching a compromise." [Amityville Record (New York), 2/21/18]
2018: Nick LaLota Sought To Mandate Village Board Contract Transparency For Deals Over $1 Million According to Amityville Record (New York), "The measure, if enacted, would mandate that the Village Board take certain measures related to any contracts it signs in excess of $1 million. It was written to address the police and highway department contracts specifically, said LaLota." [Amityville Record (New York), 2/21/18]
2018: Nick LaLota's Proposed Law Included Five Contract Requirements According to Amityville Record (New York), "The measure has five requirements including: ·prohibiting the board from signing any contract that exceeds the Mayor's term on the board by more than 12 months; ·all contracts in their final form must be put on the Village website for at least seven days before they come before the board for a vote. ·the office of mayor and treasurer must supply a financial impact statement on the contract before it is approved. ·on the night of the vote of the contract, donations in excess of $250 to any member of the board must be publicly disclosed. ·establishment of financial penalties for noncompliance by individual board members." [Amityville Record (New York), 2/21/18]
February 2018: Amityville Village Board Tabled Nick LaLota's Contract Law Proposal For Further Discussion According to Amityville Record (New York), "Following that the board agreed to table the measure and discuss it further." [Amityville Record (New York), 2/21/18]
March 2018: Nick LaLota Raised Potential Conflict Of Interest Regarding Mayor’s Vote On Harris Beach According to Newsday, "LaLota said Siry should have recused himself from the vote because the village last March received a letter from Harris Beach stating that the firm was representing Siry in the mayoral election." [Newsday (New York), 3/2/18]
March 2023: Nick LaLota Advocated For Government Transparency And Accountability According to Long Island Press, "I ran on restoring transparency and accountability to our government because I believe that our constituents should be able to trust their representatives and know that we are fighting for them every day. Helping make our country a better, safer, and more prosperous place, not trying to land a deal with Netflix." [Long Island Press (New York), 3/7/23]
March 2023: Nick LaLota Emphasized Restoring Transparency And Accountability In Government According to Oyster Bay Guardian, "I ran on restoring transparency and accountability to our government because I believe that our constituents should be able to trust their representatives and know that we are fighting for them every day - helping make our country a better, safer, and more prosperous place. Not trying to land a deal with Netflix." [Oyster Bay Guardian, 3/17/23]
July 2023: LaLota Voted Against Restricting FAA DEI Funds According to Newsday (New York), "the measure failed in a 254-181 vote - defeated by Democrats and 42 Republicans, including Long Island's GOP congressmen: Nick LaLota of Amityville, Anthony D'Esposito of Island Park and Andrew Garbarino of Bayport." [Newsday (New York), 7/25/23]
July 2023: LaLota Joined Moderates To Defeat Hard-Right FAA Amendments According to Newsday (New York), "That measure was one of a dozen amendments to the FAA reauthorization bill offered by ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus members and allies that the Long Islanders and other moderate Republicans helped defeat by voting with minority Democrats." [Newsday (New York), 7/25/23]
2023: LaLota Described Approach To Policy Amendments According to Newsday (New York), 'LaLota agreed. He said his default position is to vote no on amendments that propose important policy initiatives. Those matters, he said, should go through the committee process, with public hearings and constituent feedback instead of amendments tacked onto a bill.' [Newsday (New York), 7/25/23]
2024: New York Times Editorial Board Criticized Nick LaLota for Supporting Far-Right Measures According to an editorial published in New York Times, "A closer look at his record shows that he has supported far-right measures that would hurt Suffolk County residents of all backgrounds. In one example, Mr. LaLota voted for legislation that would prevent noncitizens from being counted in the census, the kind of measure that could have led to less federal aid reaching his own district." [Editorial - New York Times, 8/17/24]
September 2024: Nick LaLota Said He Would Vote 'Yes' On The CR-SAVE Act Bill According to CBS - 11 WJHL, "LaLota later told The Hill he would vote 'yes' on the CR-SAVE Act bill." [CBS - 11 WJHL, 9/5/24]
September 2024: LaLota Committed To Voting 'Yes' On CR-SAVE Act Bill According to CBS - 3 WREG, "LaLota later told The Hill he would vote 'yes' on the CR-SAVE Act bill." [CBS - 3 WREG, 9/5/24]
2023: Nick LaLota Introduced Resolution To Expel George Santos From Congress According to a press release from the LaLota office, "Today, New York First Congressional District Representative Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) helped introduce a privileged resolution to expel George Santos from the House of Representatives for his endless list of lies and defrauding of voters and donors." [Press Release - LaLota Office, 10/26/23]
2023: Nick LaLota Stated Santos Deserved Expulsion And Imprisonment According to a press release from the LaLota office, "George Santos deserves to be in prison, not in Congress. He lied to voters, donors, and party leaders to get to this point, committing numerous acts of fraud," said LaLota. "He has had plenty of time to do the right thing and resign. Since he hasn’t shown any ounce of integrity or a moral compass, the only logical step is to expel him from Congress. New York and the House will be better off when he is behind bars." [Press Release - LaLota Office, 10/26/23]
December 2022: Nick LaLota Called For A Full House Ethics Committee Investigation Into George Santos According to Newsday (New York), "LaLota, who is part of the freshman class of legislators set to be sworn in with Santos on Jan. 3, said in a statement to Newsday that he believes a 'full investigation by the House Ethics Committee and, if necessary, law enforcement is required.' 'New Yorkers deserve the truth and House Republicans deserve an opportunity to govern without this distraction,' LaLota said." [Newsday (New York), 12/28/22]
March 2023: Nick LaLota Called George Santos A 'Scam Artist' And Supported Legislation Against House Members Profiting Off Fraud According to CBS - 11 WJHL, 'George Santos is a scam artist and we New York Republicans are here to stop him,' Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) said. [CBS - 11 WJHL, 3/7/23]
March 2023: Nick LaLota Stated New York Republicans Opposed George Santos's Alleged Scam According to CBS - 11 WJHL, 'And we New York Republicans can smell a scam from a mile away and George Santos's scam absolutely stinks,' LaLota said. [CBS - 11 WJHL, 3/7/23]
March 2023: Nick LaLota Labeled George Santos A 'Scam Artist' At Press Conference According to Bedford Daily Voice (New York), "'George Santos is a scam artist, and we New York Republicans are here to stop him,' 1st District Rep. Nick LaLota added." [Bedford Daily Voice (New York), 3/11/23]
March 2023: Nick LaLota Co-Sponsored Legislation To Block Convicted Members From Profiting Off Crimes According to Bedford Daily Voice (New York), "The bill is being co-sponsored by New York Reps. Nick LaLota, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro, Nick Langworthy, and Brandon Williams." [Bedford Daily Voice (New York), 3/11/23]
March 2023: Nick LaLota Joined A Press Conference On Legislation Targeting George Santos According to Bedford Daily Voice (New York), "New York Reps. Nick LaLota, Anthony D'Esposito, and Brandon Williams hold a press conference outside the US Capitol on Tuesday, March 7, on new legislation that would bar members of Congress from profiting off crimes." [Bedford Daily Voice (New York), 3/11/23]
March 2023: Nick LaLota Joined D'Esposito's Legislative Proposal To Prevent Congress Members From Profiting Off Crimes According to Oyster Bay Guardian, "Joining D'Esposito on his bill are Republicans Nick LaLota, Brandon Williams, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro and Nick Langworthy." [Oyster Bay Guardian, 3/17/23]
March 2023: Nick LaLota Stated Congress Members Should Not Profit Off Crimes Or Lies According to Oyster Bay Guardian, "LaLota said no House member, regardless of what side of the aisle they stand on, should be able to 'profit off their crimes, lies, indictments or fraud.' 'Liars and cheats should not reap any reward from their deception,' LaLota said, in a release." [Oyster Bay Guardian, 3/17/23]
June 2023: LaLota Voted To Refer Santos' Case To House Ethics Committee Instead Of Immediate Expulsion According to Herald Citizen, "But they have now decided to refer him to the House Ethics Committee instead [...] LaLota and D'Esposito agreed that referring Santos to the Ethics Committee is a much better way of handling the matter because the votes needed for expulsion are lacking." [Herald Citizen (New York), 6/11/23]
June 2023: LaLota Expected Ethics Committee To Remove Santos Within 60 Days According to Herald Citizen, "LaLota openly backed D'Esposito after the vote had passed, and said that the Ethics Committee should have Santos gone within 60 days. [...] 'We expect a result within 60 days for the terrible liar to be gone, by resignation or expulsion, before August recess,' LaLota said in a statement." [Herald Citizen (New York), 6/11/23]
Nick LaLota Secured Over $150 Million For Community Projects During First Term According to Suffolk Times, "He pointed to his success in securing more than '$150 million in critical funding for our communities' during his first term and pledged to build on that success by 'lowering taxes, creating good-paying jobs and addressing the unique needs of Long Island.'" [Suffolk Times, 10/21/24]
Nick LaLota Supported Bipartisan Legislation On Fentanyl, Veterans, Environment In Congress According to Patch, "I passed more bills than 95 percent of Congress, including bipartisan legislation to combat the fentanyl crisis, support veterans, and reauthorize programs like the Long Island Sound Program — all with bipartisan support." [Patch, 10/23/24]
Nick LaLota Expressed Policy Priorities Including Respecting Freedoms, National Security, And Slashing Federal Spending According to Suffolk County News, 'The issues Congress faces today require strong leaders. Lee Zeldin's successor must respect Americans' freedoms, understand the impact of national security decisions, and have the courage to slash federal spending that is causing inflation-the hidden tax.' [Suffolk County News, 8/4/22]
Nick LaLota Supported Congressional Measures To Cut Wasteful Spending, Including The Fiscal Responsibility Act And The Limit, Save, Grow Act Of 2023 According to Statesman: SUNY, Stony Brook, "He also went further on to discuss how he has supported measures in Congress to cut wasteful spending by helping to pass the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023." [Statesman: SUNY, Stony Brook, 10/31/24]
2024: Nick LaLota Described The Purpose Of His WOSB Certification And Opportunity Expansion Act According to Long Island Business News, 'Finally, my WOSB Certification and Opportunity Expansion Act will help women-owned small businesses stay free from fraud.' [Long Island Business News, 3/1/24]
2023: GOP Chair Jesse Garcia Described Nick LaLota As An Advocate For Long Island Regional Issues According to Newsday, "Garcia described LaLota as 'a fighter for Long Island' who has advocated for regional issues including the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and lifting the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions." [Newsday (New York), 12/6/23]
2024: Nick LaLota Championed Three Small Business Bills In The House According to Long Island Business News, "The chair of the Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, Rep. Nick LaLota, R-Amityville, championed the bills, introducing them with bipartisan support." [Long Island Business News, 3/1/24]
February 2024: Nick LaLota Passed His First Three Bills In The House According to Long Island Business News, 'Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I am proud to see my first three bills pass the House today,' LaLota said on the House floor on Wednesday. [Long Island Business News, 3/1/24]
May 2023: Nick LaLota Introduced The Service-Disabled Veteran Opportunities In Small Business Act According to Long Island Business News, 'LaLota introduced the Service-Disabled Veteran Opportunities in Small Business Act in May 2023 with Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY). The bill would amend the Small Business Act to require training for agencies on increasing the number of contracts awarded to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.' [Long Island Business News, 3/1/24]
July 2023: Nick LaLota Introduced The DOE And SBA Research Act According to Long Island Business News, 'He introduced the DOE and SBA Research Act in July 2023 with Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.). The bill would support increased joint research and development activities between the DOE, National Laboratories, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the Small Business Administration.' [Long Island Business News, 3/1/24]
January 2024: Nick LaLota Introduced The WOSB Certification and Opportunity Expansion Act According to Long Island Business News, 'He introduced the WOSB Certification and Opportunity Expansion Act in January 2024 with Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), the ranking member of the Small Business Committee. The bill would remove self-certified women-owned small business firms from inclusion in the SBA small business contracting scorecard.' [Long Island Business News, 3/1/24]
2024: Nick LaLota Described The Purpose Of His Service-Disabled Veteran Opportunities In Small Business Act According to Long Island Business News, 'My Service-Disabled Veteran Opportunities in Small Business Act will increase opportunities and capital access for our nation’s heroes,' LaLota said. [Long Island Business News, 3/1/24]
2024: Nick LaLota Described The Purpose Of His DOE And SBA Research Act According to Long Island Business News, 'My DOE and SBA Research Act allows facilities like Brookhaven National Laboratory to improve their already successful projects by participating in joint research and development activities,' he said. [Long Island Business News, 3/1/24]
April 2025: Nick LaLota Supported Eliminating Wasteful Spending But Defended Stony Brook Grant According to Newsday Online, "In his letter, LaLota wrote that he supports eliminating 'truly wasteful spending,' but he wrote that the Stony Brook project 'aligns with both fiscal responsibility and our national security mission.'" [Newsday Online (New York), 4/30/25]
Nick LaLota Reported Delivering Over $150 Million In Funding In First Congressional Term According to Patch, "I have a record of delivering results — securing over $150 million in funding for our district [...]." [Patch, 10/23/24]
2024: Nick LaLota Secured $14.1 Million In Federal Earmarks For Long Island Projects According to Newsday, "LaLota's 13 granted requests totaled $14.1 million, and most involved sewer-related projects, water mains and stormwater infrastructure. He won $3 million for the Mitchell Park bulkhead replacement in Greenport and $1.5 million for Port Jefferson harbor dredging and a wall to break waves and protect the port." [Newsday (New York), 4/1/24]
2024: Nick LaLota Helped Fund Water Main Extension In Riverhead According to Newsday, "LaLota said a request he won for $1 million will help pay to extend Riverhead's public water main 37,000 feet to allow it to connect to 90 homes near the former Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant at Calverton that do not have access to clean drinking water." [Newsday (New York), 4/1/24]