Bridging Beyond Party Lines

In this episode, we sit down with Congressman Mike Lawler, the Republican representative for New York’s 17th District. We explore his journey from growing up in Rockland County to becoming a "straight-shooting" moderate leader in Washington. Lawler discusses how his local roots in the Hudson Valley fuel his commitment to his constituents, even as he navigates the national spotlight. ​Lawler’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. After a high-stakes victory over the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the 39-year-old lawmaker quickly secured influential roles on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, where he chairs the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. We discuss how he balances these heavy-hitting global responsibilities with being a regular, bipartisan voice on major networks like Fox News and CNN. ​We also dive into a landmark victory for the Hudson Valley: Lawler’s successful work with the Trump administration on the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He breaks down how he fought to quadruple the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap to $40,000, delivering on a key promise to provide long-term tax relief for families in high-cost districts. Join us for an engaging look at a leader navigating the highest levels of government while remaining deeply rooted in his hometown.