For three desperate months, Tom Suozzi battled his way back into Congress. Shortly after assuming office on Wednesday, Mr. Suozzi wasted no time in criticizing the establishment.
"Awaken!" Speaking to a full House chamber, Mr. Suozzi, an outspoken Democratic from New York who had just won a special election for a swing seat on Long Island, yelled at his new colleagues.
Speaking about issues like inflation and "the chaos at the border," he criticized both Republicans and Democrats for "letting ourselves be bullied by our base" and declared that "the people are sick and tired of finger-pointing and petty partisan politics."
After one of the least productive years in House history, Ryan pushed the chamber to get back into "the solutions business," first by voting on a bipartisan border package that Republicans had requested but had since abruptly abandoned.
In the face of impending government shutdown, Mr. Suozzi swiftly ascended to an extraordinary level of authority in the sharply split House. Following his oath of office to succeed the corrupt former congressman George Santos, Republicans can now only afford to lose two votes on any partisan measure.
However, Mr. Suozzi, a centrist former congressman, is determined to take advantage of a brief opportunity to transform his victory into a lesson about the political potential of bipartisanship, as seen by his confrontational re-entry address.
It's unlikely that Mr. Suozzi will have much influence over the Capitol, even after three terms. Nevertheless, as they get ready for a challenging election season, Democrats, starting with President Biden, have carefully examined his success in the face of formidable headwinds on inflation, crime, and the country's migrant problem.
Earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Suozzi stated over the phone that Democrats could adopt his strategy provided they were prepared to ignore "the sentiment of the bomb throwers" on the left side of the party.
Speaking about his win for the first time since election night, he stated, "My playbook is to try to meet the people where they are." "I just express my opinions."
While on the campaign road, he advocated for abortion rights and stricter gun control measures while defying party convention on matters of crime, taxation, and immigration in particular.
In the face of impending government shutdown, Mr. Suozzi swiftly ascended to an extraordinary level of authority in the sharply split House. Following his oath of office to succeed the corrupt former congressman George Santos, Republicans can now only afford to lose two votes on any partisan measure.
However, Mr. Suozzi, a centrist former congressman, is determined to take advantage of a brief opportunity to transform his victory into a lesson about the political potential of bipartisanship, as seen by his confrontational re-entry address.
It's unlikely that Mr. Suozzi will have much influence over the Capitol, even after three terms. Nevertheless, as they get ready for a challenging election season, Democrats, starting with President Biden, have carefully examined his success in the face of formidable headwinds on inflation, crime, and the country's migrant problem.
Earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Suozzi stated over the phone that Democrats could adopt his strategy provided they were prepared to ignore "the sentiment of the bomb throwers" on the left side of the party.
Speaking about his win for the first time since election night, he stated, "My playbook is to try to meet the people where they are." "I just express my opinions."
While on the campaign road, he advocated for abortion rights and stricter gun control measures while defying party convention on matters of crime, taxation, and immigration in particular.
Republicans attempted to connect Mr. Suozzi to Mr. Biden and blame him for the record number of unauthorized border crossings by airing advertisements costing millions of dollars. But instead of giving in to Republicans, Mr. Suozzi got right in the thick of the dispute, advocating for a lockdown on the border and criticizing his Republican opponent for speaking out against the bipartisan border agreement.
Mr. Suozzi contended in the interview that he was able to neutralize the issue just by bringing it up, not by speaking in a Republican manner.
Mr. Suozzi contended in the interview that he was able to neutralize the issue just by bringing it up, not by speaking in a Republican manner.
"Many people told me that Tom shouldn't be talking about immigration; it's a Republican issue," he remarked. "I don't accept that. This isn't a Republican problem. It's an American problem that requires attention.
The son of Italian immigrants, Mr. Suozzi made note of the fact that, among other things, he had long advocated for a route to citizenship for millions of undocumented inhabitants. Additionally, he identifies as a "dyed-in-the-wool Democrat."
He stated, "But just because I strongly believe in immigration doesn't mean I'm in favor of chaos," calling the current state of affairs "unfair" to both citizens of the United States and foreigners attempting to enter the nation. "This is stuff from real life."
The son of Italian immigrants, Mr. Suozzi made note of the fact that, among other things, he had long advocated for a route to citizenship for millions of undocumented inhabitants. Additionally, he identifies as a "dyed-in-the-wool Democrat."
He stated, "But just because I strongly believe in immigration doesn't mean I'm in favor of chaos," calling the current state of affairs "unfair" to both citizens of the United States and foreigners attempting to enter the nation. "This is stuff from real life."
Even a year after leaving office, Mr. Suozzi said he was surprised by how "discouraged" fellow House members sounded as he got back into his job this week. "They're all just really curious about your return. It's not working," he remarked.
For Mr. Suozzi, a lifetime politician whose career appeared to be ending just a year ago, it was a therapeutic return home. He had held positions as congressman, mayor, and executive of Nassau County until resigning from the House in 2022 out of ambition to run against the incumbent governor of New York. After a disastrous outcome, he witnessed Mr. Santos secure his former seat.
For Mr. Suozzi, a lifetime politician whose career appeared to be ending just a year ago, it was a therapeutic return home. He had held positions as congressman, mayor, and executive of Nassau County until resigning from the House in 2022 out of ambition to run against the incumbent governor of New York. After a disastrous outcome, he witnessed Mr. Santos secure his former seat.
When Mr. Santos was expelled in December, he was the Democratic leaders' first choice to run again, but even that process was humiliating since he had to drive to Albany to essentially beg for Gov. Kathy Hochul's support.
Mr. Suozzi saw his name rise again outside his congressional office last week. To further his cause, he had scheduled media breakfasts and interviews on cable TV with the center-left organization Third Way.
Mr. Suozzi saw his name rise again outside his congressional office last week. To further his cause, he had scheduled media breakfasts and interviews on cable TV with the center-left organization Third Way.
More good news came on Wednesday afternoon when New York Democrats approved a new House map that will better align his seat with their party in time for November's election.
Subsequently, during his floor speech, Mr. Suozzi acknowledged an additional power he claimed to be in his corner.
To cheers, he remarked, "Mr. Speaker, I never thought I'd be back here." "However, the Lord operates in mysterious ways, and God created a way when none existed."
Subsequently, during his floor speech, Mr. Suozzi acknowledged an additional power he claimed to be in his corner.
To cheers, he remarked, "Mr. Speaker, I never thought I'd be back here." "However, the Lord operates in mysterious ways, and God created a way when none existed."
