Ahead of House Republicans’ passage of their budget framework, Lawler claimed, “we’re not going to cut Medicaid benefits to our constituents.” Then, he voted for the budget framework, which directed the House Energy and Commerce Committee to make $880 billion in cuts. It has been widely reported that House Republicans cannot meet that goal without significant cuts to Medicaid. More than 145,000 New Yorkers, or 23 percent of Lawler’s district relied on Medicaid or CHIP for their health insurance.
Lawler previously voted in 2023 for a House Republican debt limit package, which would have expanded work requirements for Medicaid recipients between the ages of 19 and 55. KFF found the proposal would have resulted in nearly two million Americans being unenrolled in Medicaid and shifting some costs to the states. Before Lawler was a member of Congress, in 2013, he also called the Affordable Care Act, which allowed states to expand Medicaid, “an absolute disaster” and exclaimed on Twitter that “it sucks!”
Lawler has repeatedly defended Trump’s tariffs, at one point even claiming that when paired with House Republicans’ plans to extend Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy, it would cause the economy to “take off.” Lawler has defended the tariffs despite acknowledging that they would cause “pain” for New Yorkers. New York small businesses were already bracing for the “pain.” One business said they would go out of business if they remained at a certain level, a pizza restaurant said it was experiencing supply chain disruptions, and a clothing store owner said they might have to raise prices to keep the business afloat.
Lawler has also defended the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), claiming it was “necessary” and finding “significant savings.” He defended DOGE even though the Trump administration’s cuts have resulted in layoffs, longer wait times, and frequent website outages at the Social Security Administration. More than 142,000 New Yorkers in Lawler’s district relied on Social Security benefits.
When Lawler was in college he was photographed wearing blackface as part of a Michael Jackson costume. He attended Manhattan College where only three percent of the students were Black and reportedly used bronzer to darken his face for the costume. Lawler apologized but claimed his actions were the “sincerest form of flattery” and a “genuine homage to [his] musical hero.” Lawler had a strong obsession with Michael Jackson. It was reported that in 2005 he flew to California to attend part of Michael Jackson’s criminal trial over accusations Jackson molested a young boy. Lawler was reportedly “so disgusted” by the testimony against Jackson that he “couldn’t help but mutter something derogatory under his breath” and was removed from the courtroom.
Lawler Voted For The Largest Medicaid Cut In History
Lawler Defended Trump's Tariffs At New Yorkers' Expense
Lawler Supported Cuts At Social Security
Lawler Defended Wearing Blackface