Is the GOP shooting itself in the foot with a reckless plan to punish New York City?
On November 7, 2025, a fierce internal battle erupted within House Republicans over a proposed bill by Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., dubbed the "MAMDANI Act," which seeks to strip all federal funding from NYC during Zohran Mamdani's tenure as mayor—a move fiercely opposed by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., the city’s lone GOP congresswoman, highlighting party friction as Mamdani, who won over 50% of the vote, prepares to take office, as Fox News reports.
Malliotakis unleashed sharp criticism against her party’s effort to defund the city following Mamdani’s victory, which saw strong support in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, while her own district covering Staten Island and southern Brooklyn largely backed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Labeling the bill "ludicrous" and a betrayal of hardworking taxpayers, Malliotakis underscored that NYC contributes heavily in federal taxes and relies on federal funds for critical needs like education, transportation, and national security.
“These attempts by those within my party to score cheap political points by going after New York City are not going to be met lightly. We're going to fight back,” Malliotakis declared on November 7, 2025. A gutsy stand for her constituents, and from a conservative lens, a reminder that blanket punishment over policy disagreements often backfires—why alienate an entire city for the choices of some?
She didn’t hold back, adding, “Anyone who signs onto that bill, including Buddy, should not come to New York City to raise a dollar for their campaign,” as reported on that Friday. A pointed jab at GOP opportunists—conservatives might cheer her for defending local interests over petty partisan stunts, though the tension risks fracturing party unity.
Carter’s legislation, formally the Moving American Money Distant from Anti-National Interests Act, explicitly states that while Mamdani serves as mayor, all unobligated federal funds to NYC are rescinded, and no new funds can be allocated for any purpose, a drastic measure unveiled on November 7, 2025.
“She and I agree: Taxpayers shouldn’t bankroll a socialist or communist agenda. New York’s new mayor embraces it, and hardworking Americans shouldn’t have to subsidize it,” Carter responded, defending his bill. A fair concern for conservative fiscal hawks wary of progressive policies, but targeting an entire city’s lifeline seems more like grandstanding than principled governance—why not focus on policy reform instead?
Malliotakis, who supported Republican Curtis Sliwa—earning less than 10% of the vote—made clear her opposition to Mamdani’s agenda but called slashing basic federal funding “ridiculous,” a nuanced stance balancing critique with practicality.
The internal House GOP clash points to brewing discord as Mamdani gears up to assume his role, with potential rifts emerging among party members representing New York areas.
While the GOP might see Mamdani’s win as a cudgel against leftist policies, punitive actions like Carter’s bill risk estranging Republicans tied to the city, a strategic misstep in a diverse political landscape.
From a conservative viewpoint, Carter’s intent to curb funding for what he sees as a radical agenda resonates with a base tired of taxpayer dollars fueling progressive experiments, yet empathy must extend to NYC residents caught in the crossfire of this political chess game.
Malliotakis’ defiance underscores a deeper conservative dilemma—how to oppose controversial policies without overreaching into measures that punish entire communities, especially when federal funds support essential services unrelated to ideology.
The "MAMDANI Act" may fire up certain GOP factions, but it risks painting the party as spiteful rather than solution-driven, a perception conservatives can ill afford when unity and pragmatism are needed to counterbalance left-leaning shifts.
As this intra-party feud unfolds, the broader lesson for the right might be to target policies, not places—channel the energy into legislative wins rather than symbolic slaps that could backfire, though navigating this divide will test GOP resolve in the face of Mamdani’s looming tenure.
