EXCLUSIVE: The sole Republican House member from New York City is pushing back against an effort from within her own party aimed at cutting off funding to the Big Apple because of Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory on Tuesday.
“These attempts by members of my own party to score easy political points by targeting New York City won’t be tolerated. We’re prepared to fight back,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., stated to Fox News Digital on Friday.
“I’m the only Republican representing our city in Washington. My constituents didn’t vote for Zohran Mamdani, and now you have people in Washington seeking to punish the entire city for the poor choices of a few.”
Her anger is in response to Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., who unveiled plans for new legislation called the Moving American Money Distant from Anti-National Interests Act, also known as the “MAMDANI Act.”
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The two-page bill stated, “Notwithstanding any other law, during any period in which Zohran Mamdani is mayor of New York, New York” that “any Federal funds not yet obligated” for the city “are hereby taken back,” and that “no Federal funds can be committed or spent for any reason in New York, New York.”
It is anticipated to be introduced Friday, Fox News Digital learned the day before.
Malliotakis specifically called out Carter, telling Fox News Digital, “Congressman Buddy Carter’s attempts to strip New York City of all its funding is ridiculous and an insult to the hardworking taxpayers of this city, half of whom didn’t even support Zohran Mamdani for mayor.”
She contended that New York City contributes “a significant amount of federal taxes” and that U.S. government funding was essential to supporting education, transportation, and national security priorities such as counter-terrorism efforts.
Malliotakis also highlighted that the city is a well-known destination for fellow Republicans to solicit large donations.
“Anyone who signs onto that bill, including Buddy, should not visit New York City to raise campaign funds,” she said. “If they’re going to support a bill that is hostile toward our city, then they shouldn’t be coming to raise money from our residents.”
Socialist Mamdani was elected as the next mayor of the nation’s largest city on Tuesday night, although it appears he only secured just over 50% of the vote, according to the most recent projections.
The 34-year-old secured significant portions of Brooklyn and sections of the Bronx and Queens.
However, a majority of neighborhoods in Malliotakis’ district, which encompasses all of Staten Island and parts of southern Brooklyn, voted in favor of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
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Malliotakis herself had endorsed Republican Curtis Sliwa, who received less than 10% of the vote following a last-minute attempt by the GOP to unite behind Cuomo.
“I completely agree, we don’t want any funds going to support a socialist or communist agenda or specific policies that we strongly oppose. That’s where we’re going to hold Zohran Mamdani accountable,” she said. “But to suggest that essential funding for things that everyone across America needs will be stopped is absurd.”
Carter responded to Malliotakis in a statement to Fox News Digital, “Nicole is New York City’s final defense against socialism. If everyone defended New York City the way Nicole does, it wouldn’t be in this terrible situation.”
“She and I are in agreement: Taxpayers shouldn’t be funding a socialist or communist agenda. New York’s new mayor supports it, and hardworking Americans shouldn’t have to pay for it. The MAMDANI Act makes that clear, plain and simple,” Carter said.
This internal House Republican conflict could be a sign of things to come as the socialist prepares to begin his term.
While the GOP has already indicated it intends to use Mamdani’s victory as a political weapon against the left, efforts by the right to penalize the city — and possibly the entire Empire State — could create tension with the Republicans who represent parts of it.
