Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is seeking her sixth term representing the 21st Congressional District and says she remains the best choice for St. Lawrence County voters this fall.
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Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is seeking her sixth term representing the 21st Congressional District and says she remains the best choice for St. Lawrence County voters this fall.
Stefanik shares backing from Donald Trump supporters and was at one time on the short list as a potential vice presidential candidate. On the flipside she’s been widely criticized by Democrats locally who accuse her claiming credit for bringing funding to local projects she doesn’t deserve.
Stefanik says she is” focused on lowering inflation, securing the border including increasing resources for our Northern border, supporting local small businesses and agriculture, standing with law enforcement, and as the chief advocate for Fort Drum soldiers and military families as well as our local veterans.”
“As the House GOP Conference Chair and member of Congressional leadership, I am unapologetic about fighting each day to give my constituents a seat at the absolute highest levels of government” she said.
She says that if she’s elected she’ll continue down the same path.
“The hardworking families of St. Lawrence County deserve nothing less than someone who can successfully deliver results and stand up for our values in Washington DC, and I have been proud to do just that.”
Stefanik is facing off against Democrat Paula Collins, a former Brooklyn school teacher and New York City-based cannabis tax attorney who rents property in DeKalb.
Stefanik says she and Collins are very different candidates.
“I have returned over $800 million to our district and have proudly participated in thousands of local events with constituents. I have successfully solved tens of thousands of constituent cases, including reclaiming millions in Social Security and Medicare benefits for seniors, millions of dollars of VA benefits for our brave veterans, and significant local grants. I am the only candidate who was born, raised, and actually lives and votes in Upstate New York and I grew up in a small business family,” Stefanik said.
She says she continues to advocate for small businesses and enjoys a high rating from the National Rifle Association.
“I’m the only candidate in this race who supports the Second Amendment and has earned an A+ from the NRA. My opponent, who is a Far Left Downstate Democrat, has stated she believes my Trump-supporting constituents should be sent into forced reeducation camps,” she said.
On Border
In St. Lawrence County illegal border crossings have raised concerns among some voters as the Northern border has seen an exponential increase in apprehensions.
Stefanik says she’s frequently met with the Northern border law enforcement covering the Swanton sector and heard firsthand from families the tragic stories and burden put upon them by this wide open border. She blamed the current administration for the influx.
“Our Border Patrol officers are being handcuffed by the Biden-Harris Administration’s open border policies and the safety of our district has been compromised. As Chair of the Northern Border Caucus in Congress, I will work with President Trump on day one to provide our Border Patrol agents the resources they need to secure the Northern and Southern border and deport the millions of illegal immigrants invading our country,” she said.
She said she will also give border patrol officers “whatever they need to fully secure the northern border and we will work with Canada to ensure they do what is required to secure the border on their end as well.”
On healthcare
Many St. Lawrence County voters say healthcare is a major concern for them. Costs for insurance continue to climb, coverage continues to decline and wait times for procedures continues to increase.
Stefanik does not support a single-payer system or expanding Medicare. Although healthcare costs continue to increase, she says she’s tried to make it more affordable and accessible.
“I have voted to protect those with pre-existing conditions, allow families and businesses to shop for health insurance across state lines, reform torts, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and strengthen protections against fraud and abuse that cost the healthcare system billions each year,” she said.
Stefanik said emergency care is one of the major factors that is driving up healthcare costs. Patients in emergency care require more demanding treatment, more resources, and longer stays.
“By expanding access to primary care visits, these conditions can be diagnosed and treated before they escalate and worsen. Rural communities in NY-21 can benefit immensely from regular telehealth visits,” she said.
Stefanik is also the Co-Chair of the Community Health Centers Caucus.
She says that in Congress, she will continue to support free-market legislation that will foster innovation and give Americans greater choice in their health coverage.
“I support the right of small businesses to lower their healthcare expenses by pooling their risk in an association health plan and voted to pass the CHOICE Arrangement Act which gives employers more options to reimburse employees’ medical expenses via custom reimbursement arrangements and expands tax credits to offset healthcare costs.”
She says allowing Americans to shop for coverage across state lines is important as is reducing taxes on medical devices and novel treatments. She also called for transparency on drug prices.
On guns
When it comes to guns, Stefanik says that restricting Second Amendment rights will not address the root causes of the mental health and crime crises that are responsible for suicides and school shootings.
“I support legislation that incentivizes responsible gun ownership and makes firearm safety training more accessible. During my time in Congress, I’ve cosponsored legislation like the bipartisan STOP School Violence Act, which is now federal law. This legislation provides billions of dollars in annual grants to provide schools with specialized training on violence prevention and addressing mental health crises, developing intervention protocols, and implementing technology for community members to report threats anonymously. I’ve also introduced legislation like the Firearm Training and Proficiency Act which would provide tax breaks to gun owners who purchase gun safety equipment or take firearms training courses,” she said.
Stefanik says she’s also repeatedly voted to fund school resource officers to protect our students.
She also believes it’s time for tech corporations to take responsibility.
“I will continue pushing for accountability and transparency from big tech. For years, these companies have known about the harmful effects their products have on the mental health of our children and have fought to keep this hidden from parents, the public, and Congress. I am working to pass the Kids Online Safety Act to bring much-needed reform and protect our children growing up in an ever-more online world.”
In New York State, abortion remains legal, but some are calling for federal-level laws that would restrict or protect the medical procedure in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe V Wade. Where do you stand on this issue and do you think the decision belongs to the state?
On abortion rights
A controversial decision by the The Supreme Court overturned Roe V Wade, a ruling that had long guaranteed women’s right to terminate pregnancies. Stefanik says she believes it was the right decision.
“As a mother, I can attest to the miracle of new life and the joys of motherhood. I am proud to consistently be rated as a champion of the pro-life movement and this includes supporting access to fertility treatments like IVF. I oppose late-term abortion and, like the majority of Americans, support exceptions for life of the mother, rape, or incest. I also believe that state-level legislation would be the most effective way to translate voters’ opinions into public policy,” she said.
“What the Supreme Court did in overturning Roe v. Wade was return the power back to the people instead of allowing unelected judges to decide. When Democrats had control of the House, Senate, and Presidency, they did not try to codify Roe, instead they pushed the most radical legislation we’ve ever seen to fund abortion-on-demand up until and after birth nationwide paid for by taxpayers,” she said.
She compared their proposals with those used in North Korea and China. She said she opposes the use of federal dollars to fund abortions.
Cost of living
While wages have increased across the board in recent years, for many they have failed to keep up with the high-cost of everyday items like gasoline and groceries.
Stefanik pointed the finger squarely at the Biden Administration and says she has never voted for a tax hike. She says the presidential election is crucial to righting the ship.
“Under President Trump, the U.S. became the world’s number one producer of oil and natural gas—and we will soon be again by lifting restrictions on American energy production and terminating the Socialist Green New Deal. I will work to unleash energy production from all sources, which will immediately slash inflation,” she said.
She says that if Republicans win the majority the country will benefit.
“With a united Republican government, we will immediately stabilize the economy by slashing wasteful government spending and promoting economic growth. Republicans will reinstate President Trump’s deregulation agenda, which saved Americans $11,000 per household, and end Democrats’ big government burdensome regulatory agenda that disproportionately harms working-class families. Republicans will secure the Border, deport illegal immigrants, and reverse the wide open borders policies that have driven up the cost of housing, education, and healthcare for American families. Lastly, I will work with Republicans to end the global chaos and restore peace through strength, reducing geopolitical risks, which will in turn, lower commodity prices.”
Stefanik encouraged voters to turnout and vote.
“This is the most important election of our lifetime.”
Stefanik says Democrat policies have put “families at risk and overextended the limited resources of small towns all along the Northern Border.”
She said Gov. Kathy Hochul would rather use “taxpayer money to pay for the expenses of illegal immigrants than provide funding for our towns to have the emergency services they desperately need.”
Meanwhile, she says families and small businesses struggle with rampant inflation caused by “wasteful spending” and “crushing regulation.”
“We can end it all by delivering a unified Republican government to Washington,” she said.