Rockland Daily Gets to Know US Rep. Maloney (D-18)

By Yehudit Garmaise

After speaking to Assemblyman Mike Lawler (R-97), last week, now Rockland readers get to hear from US. Rep Sean Patrick Maloney (D-18), who is also running to represent Rockland County's 17th District in the US House of Representatives. 

Since 2013, US Rep Sean Patrick Maloney (D), who lives in Cold Spring, has represented New York’s 18th District in the US House of Representatives, but on June 28, he will be running in the Democratic primary that will determine the candidate who will run on Nov. 8 to represent Rockland County’s 17th District.

Rockland Daily (RD): For nine years, you have represented New York’s 18 District. Why do you want to now represent Rockland County’s 17th District?

U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (SPM):   I live in the 17th district. New York’s redistricting split the 18th into two districts, so three-quarters of the counties I represent currently in the 18th are now in the 17th.

RD: What are your proudest accomplishments as the US Rep for the 18th District?

SPM: Banning oil barge anchorages on the Hudson River, serving as a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to help to write and pass a major infrastructure law to rebuild our communities, delivering FEMA relief after major storms like Hurricane Ida, and delivering nearly $20 million for community projects.

RD: Can you please tell me about your relationship with the Orthodox Jewish community?

SPM: I developed ties with the Orthodox communities in Orange County by being available and focused on local concerns, which is the best way I’ve found to get to know different communities across the district.

RD: What are your ideas on how to address rising anti-Semitism and provide more public safety in general?

SPM: I support investing in our education system to ensure students are taught about the Holocaust, and I support and have voted to increase federal resources for combatting white supremacist terrorists, who often target Jews. For public safety broadly, I have delivered millions of dollars for local police departments to have what they need to keep our communities safe.

RD: What is your position on bail reform? 

SPM: I support changes to the bail reform law to ensure judges have the discretion to keep dangerous people off the street, however, no one should be stuck in jail before trial just because he or she can’t afford bail. 

RD: People in Rockland County often feel that the county does not receive enough federal funding for infrastructure needs, such as safer streets, wider streets, lighting, and easy transportation to and from New York City. 

SPM: I will use my seniority on the House Infrastructure committee to fight for our communities, improve Metro-North to provide better transportation to the city, and clean up and improve local water supplies so no parent has to worry about the water their kids are drinking.

Rockland Daily edited and condensed this interview for publication.