Lawler, Conley clash over Israel aid, economy in televised debate

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and his Democratic opponent, Cait Conley, clashed during a televised midterm debate Monday night, sparring over a range of issues including affordability, housing and foreign policy.

The News 12 debate featured questions from voters as well as the outlet’s senior political reporter Tara Rosenblum. Lawler largely touted his congressional record and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Republicans have branded as the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, while Conley focused on what she would prioritize if elected to Congress.

The debate, however, grew heated over a question on U.S. aid to Israel. Asked whether American taxpayers should continue funding Israel even if it tries to phase off of assistance, Lawler argued the aid remains in U.S. interest, particularly for American troops in the region.

“They have not committed a genocide. Let’s be very clear about that,” Lawler said, accusing some Democrats of wavering in their support for Israel because of what he called the “radical antisemitic base of support within their party.”

Lawler also invoked New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D), saying, “I don’t respect his position on Israel. I don’t respect where the Democratic Party is going when it comes to supporting our greatest ally in the region.”

In response, Conley said she condemns antisemitism happening “within both political parties,” prompting Lawler to repeatedly ask her whether she supports Mamdani. At one point, Conley threw the question back at Lawler by asking whether he’s denounced President Trump and claiming that he votes with Trump 100 percent of the time.

“I have not voted with Donald Trump 100 percent of the time. What I’ve done is actually do my job, which is to represent my constituents and actually work in a bipartisan way. Why do you think Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine, endorsed me? My best friend in Congress is Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat. We work collaboratively all the time… How are you going to engage in bipartisanship when you call Republicans the greatest threat to America?” Lawler responded.

The two also challenged each other over tariffs, with Conley attacking the Trump administration’s decision to implement them and Lawler’s support of the move. Conley argued that the administration has been “absolutely reckless in the administration of foreign tariffs that have jacked up prices on goods for the average household in the Hudson Valley by $4,200.”

“That means families in the Hudson Valley are paying $4,200 more today than they were before the tariffs. We are literally paying the harm of votes like Mike Lawler’s eight times in support of those tariffs, and families deserve better,” Conley said.

Lawler, meanwhile, said that he thinks “tariffs as a tool to force fair trade is critical.”

“When you look at Europe, for instance, and the American taxpayers subsidizing European prescription drug prices, tariffs actually forced change and brought down prescription drug prices by over 3 percent, the largest decline in 60 years,” Lawler said. “That was a positive thing, forcing China, a very bad actor when it comes to trade policy, to change its ways and actually invest in the United States is important.”

Lawler’s seat is rated as a toss up by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.