SCOTUS Stop Redistricting Case For The 11th Congressional District

0:00 Speaker 1 Sunday Morning with us today is congress Woman Nicole Mariotacis, and well, she had a great week. And then Nicole tell us about it.

0:12 Speaker 2 Yeah, Look, the Supreme Court did the right thing and they stopped our maps from being a racially gerrymander, which is unconstitutional according to federal law. And we’re glad that they stepped in because this was a frivolous attempt, meritless attempt by the Democrats to change our map, to tilt the scale, to give themselves an advantage. And they tried

0:35 to claim that it was about race, when really it was about politics and trying to steal this seat from the people of Staten Island in Brooklyn. And I’ve always said whether I serve another term should be up to the people of Staten Island in Brooklyn. It should not be up to these map makers that are politically connected

0:52 or Democrat high powered attorneys working to, you know, set up a system where only the Democrat can win election. And as you know, John, my district is the only district that is competitive in the City of New York.

1:05 It was represented by a Democrat until I defeated that incumbent in twenty twenty and that was the people’s choice. And this is a good win. You know, it’s not for me. It’s a good win for the people of Staten Island in southern Brooklyn, who will now be able to go to the ballot box and select the person

1:22 of their choice, not have the Democrat Party jam somebody down their throws that they did not elect. And they were trying to tilt again the scale to move this district into Manhattan to achieve that, and we were able to defeat them.

1:36 Speaker 1 That is wonderful news. And you know why. It’s fair, you know, fair and justice. I mean, I don’t understand how some of these lawyers are given a legal degree. You know. It’s just we’re so happy for you and Nicole.

1:53 You know, it’s good that New York City has at least one Republican representing it. And thank you so much for everything you’d do.

2:02 Speaker 2 And this is the third time, John, that we’ve had to fight them in court to protect this district map. In twenty twenty two, they tried to egregiously gerrymanner us. We sued back then and they threw out the entire state map and it was redrawn by an independent master appointed by the court. In twenty twenty four, we had

2:20 this battle again, and then finally the Democrats chose to not change the map from the independently drawn maps, so we were successful there and then here we had this third legal fight. But the reality is, like I said, most competitive district, the only competitive district in the City of New York. As a matter of fact, Democrats have

2:37 a double digit voter registration advantage. So they should try actually putting forward good policies and winning on merit instead of trying to change the line to rig the system so they can try to get elected without having any competition.

2:54 Speaker 1 Understood, Now, what else is on your mind on a Sunday Moody.

2:58 Speaker 2 Well, obviously this week there was a court ruling that we were unhappy with, which was the one from the Federal Court saying that President Trump could not stop congestion pricing. I believe otherwise, and this decision is going to be appealed.

3:15 As you know, President Trump on his within his first thirty days, rescinded the approval Joe Biden gave New York City to implement that congestion tax. And they never they never did a full and thorough economic impact statement required by federal law, and so there’s multiple lawsuits. But I received word this week that the administration is going to

3:40 appeal that decision, and so this fight is not over, and we’re going to continue to fight for the hard working, tax paying commuters who shouldn’t have to pay another fee to enter the city center in the city in which they live. And in addition to that, on Staten Island, I’m joining with my colleagues to fight the mayor’s at

4:00 hems to place a new shelter in the south shore of Staten Island. We were told by the city. We were always skeptical, but we were told that this was going to be a hotel. Obviously, this is the reason why we oppose these hotels popping up in our community, because they tell us one thing and then they turn

4:19 it into a shelter. So they’re closing a shelter in Manhattan and then wanting to open a shelter on Staten Island. That makes zero sense, and so we’re going to fight this. I’m working with Frank Morano and my other colleagues, Mike Riley to News Is, those who represent that area on the south Shore to push back on the city because

4:38 the city did not get community input here. That has to be part of the conversation. In fact, there was a state law that said that they needed to do that. So they’re trying to really hurt again neighborhoods and communities and the quality of life once again. And that’s not a surprise coming from this mayor, who also, by the way,

4:58 wants to increase proper taxes, which is another fight we have John. You know, on the federal level, we work very closely with President Trump to deliver salt relief so New Yorkers could write off their local state and property taxes.

5:12 And here comes the mayor now trying to raise property taxes and take more money from hardworking New Yorkers and making it less affordable to live in New York City.

5:21 Speaker 1 Well, Niccole, Mayor Taxes, thank you so much for everything you do for all in New York City, for Staten Island, for Brooklyn, for Manhattan, because we’re suffering with congestion pricing in Manhattan and the stores are suffering, and let’s hope common sense prevails.

5:39 Speaker 2 Yes, well, thank you John for having me on as always, and we appreciate you getting the truth out there.