Friday, February 14, 2025
As I look back on my first few weeks as a congresswoman, I have been guided at every turn by the promise I made on the campaign trail: I will always put Long Island first. When I first decided to run for Congress, I knew the mission was simple: to listen to the concerns of my constituents and to work across the aisle whenever possible to deliver real results for Nassau County.
Long Islanders have made it clear that they want action on securing our borders and overhauling our broken immigration system. Its shortcomings are the results of decades of inaction, despite our congressional responsibility to fix these gaps. I said my Day One priority would be fixing immigration and keeping Americans safe, and I meant it.
That’s why my very first act in office was crossing party lines to vote for the Laken Riley Act, to prevent future tragedies, protect our communities and deter crime. This bill gives the Department of Homeland Security the ability to detain those who commit certain crimes while here without legal rights if they have not otherwise been detained. While we work on more comprehensive solutions to address immigration and the border crisis, we must give law enforcement officials the tools to deter crime and protect our communities.
I have been clear that these comprehensive solutions must start with securing our southern border, a priority shared by many of my constituents. We must hire more border patrol officers, erect physical barriers where necessary, and ensure that law enforcement has the resources to crack down on fentanyl trafficking. While we secure our southern border, we must also be focused on streamlining our asylum process and protecting pathways to legal immigration for hardworking, eligible people who will contribute to our economy.
Second, in every corner of the district, I’ve heard from hardworking Long Islanders of every background who are counting on Congress to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. That starts with giving the middle class a tax break by reinstating the deduction for state and local taxes and doing away with the unfair double taxation that is hurting so many of us. In my first week in office, I wrote to House and Senate leadership calling for immediate negotiations to reinstate the SALT deduction in any upcoming tax package. I’ve been clear: We must get this done for New Yorkers, and I look forward to working with my SALT Caucus colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver this much-needed middle-class tax relief.
I’ve always been guided by the principles of compromise and bipartisanship. As Hempstead town supervisor, I reached across the aisle to revitalize our infrastructure, reduce taxes and pass anti-corruption reforms. I worked every day with the Town Board’s Republican majority to deliver on the issues that mattered most, while taking aim at government waste and promoting transparency. I’ll bring that same mindset of bridging political differences and finding compromise to every day of my service representing the 4th District. With the pressing issues we face, it is more important than ever that we reject extremism and work to deliver results on the shared values and priorities that matter most.
Nassau County residents have been clear: They want problems solved, not partisanship. I’ll always prioritize effective governance and policies that directly enhance our communities over party loyalty or political extremism. I will work with anyone, from either party, to deliver what is best for Nassau County.
As I’ve met more of my new congressional colleagues of both parties, I’m hopeful that the productive relationships we’re building enable thoughtful legislation that advances our shared values. America is diverse in creed, thought and background, but we all strive for the same things: lower costs, access to health care, good jobs, and a better future for our children. There is so much more that unites us than divides us, and if Congress can focus on our shared priorities, we can deliver not only for our constituents, but for all Americans.
Laura Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
