5 minPolitics
Lawler, Conley Clash Over Immigration in Heated New York House Debate
Rep. Mike Lawler and Democrat Cait Conley traded sharp accusations on immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies in a contentious debate in New York's 17th Congressional District, a key battleground for House control.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., and Democratic challenger Cait Conley clashed repeatedly over immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies Wednesday night in a fiery one-hour debate marked by interruptions and accusations, less than three weeks before Election Day.
The candidates are competing for New York's 17th Congressional District, a politically moderate area in the New York City suburbs that could help determine which party controls the House of Representatives for the final years of President Donald Trump's term. Lawler is seeking a third term.
The most heated exchanges came when the moderator referenced the recent shooting of an undocumented immigrant by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in New York City last week while the man's 5-year-old child was in the car. Conley said she supports border security and immigration enforcement to keep violent criminals, drug cartels, human traffickers and terrorist organizations out of communities, but she criticized ICE's conduct as a public safety hazard. She said that as a law enforcement officer, shooting into a car with a child inside is not permitted.
Lawler countered that the man had a lengthy criminal record and was seen by some as a danger to his community. He argued the shooting would not have happened if local law enforcement had not been barred by New York's sanctuary laws from handing him over to ICE. He said Conley supports making New York a sanctuary state and prohibiting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials.
Lawler then pivoted to Sheridan Gorman, a college student from his district who was killed while out with friends near her campus in Chicago earlier this year. The undocumented immigrant accused of killing her had previously been charged with shoplifting, but Chicago sanctuary laws prevented local law enforcement from handing him over to ICE. Conley called Gorman's death an atrocious crime while repeatedly noting it took place in Chicago. Lawler tried multiple times to interject that it was preventable, prompting an irritated Conley to ask, «Can I finish?» She said she supports federal immigration enforcement and deporting violent criminals.
Lawler argued that Conley's support for sanctuary policies contradicts that position. «If you think he should have been deported when he was arrested for shoplifting, he should have been turned over to ICE. Under the new law that you support, he will not be turned over to ICE, and he will be released under cashless bail,» Lawler said. The moderator stepped in to tell Lawler there was no cross-examination round.
Earlier, Lawler accused Conley of having «literally just lied» when she said he voted with Trump 100% of the time. He said he has been rated the third most independent member of his conference and has taken on the president on issues including lifting the cap on SALT, extending Haitian TPS, and passing an extension for the ACA enhanced premium tax credit despite Trump's objections.
Conley also accused Lawler of supporting tax breaks for companies that build data centers as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Lawler shot back that Conley had just moved from Virginia and did not understand local communities. He said the provision she referenced in the Working Families Tax Cut Act provides $80 billion for 100% expensing for every business in America to expense plant, property and equipment. He asked whether she opposed small businesses in the Hudson Valley being able to expense equipment and hire more people, adding that her attack rang hollow and that she does not pay property taxes.
Despite the drama, there were moments of civility. Both candidates shook hands after the debate and thanked each other for appearing. Lawler also thanked Conley for her military service.
The district is pivotal for control of the House next year. Lawler is one of three House Republicans who won a district that former Vice President Kamala Harris also carried in 2024. With an election expected to be brutal for the GOP, both sides are pouring millions of dollars into the fight.
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