Coindesk
By Mike Lawler

On Jan. 20, 2025, the United States will start a new chapter in more ways than one. While the nation will be focused on President Trump’s inauguration as our 47th President, the U.S. financial sector will be celebrating the resignation of Joe Biden’s Securities and Exchange Commission Chair, Gary Gensler.

As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I am well aware of Gensler’s heavy-handed approach in stifling innovation and shackling the American economy’s engine. His punitive stance was particularly damaging in the burgeoning field of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

While touting his actions as measures to protect investors, Gensler leveraged contrived ambiguity to undermine the growth and technological advancements that make U.S. markets competitive and drive promising projects offshore, including the development of the next generation of the internet.Under Gensler’s leadership, the SEC’s enforcement-focused agenda frequently did more harm than good, and “regulatory uncertainty” was used to attack American crypto exchanges like Bittrex, Kraken, and Coinbase, with Bittrex explicitly citing the effects of Gensler’s approach when it exitedthe U.S. market.

The question isn’t whether cryptocurrency requires regulation — it unquestionably does. Cryptocurrency, by its very design, challenges traditional financial systems and demands an entirely different regulatory framework — one that balances consumer protection with the need to foster innovation. With the price of bitcoin recently breaking the $100,000 threshold, digital assets have demonstrated their staying power, and investors have already embraced their potential.

Last year, I was proud to help the House pass the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, a bill championed by our incoming Financial Services Chair French Hill. FIT 21 represents a groundbreaking shift in the legislative landscape and would establish a responsible new regulatory framework that clearly defines the role of the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. This would offer much-needed clarity to a rapidly evolving market and, unlike the SEC’s enforcement-heavy playbook, FIT 21 both fosters transparency and innovation and protects consumers without stifling creativity. I applaud Rep. Hill for his work on this, and look forward to his ongoing efforts in tandem with President Trump in this arena.

President Trump demonstrated a keen understanding of cryptocurrency’s transformative potential during his historic campaign. Polling demonstrates that his embrace of these issues helped him earn broad support from younger and more diverse voters for whom cryptocurrency is a staple of daily life.

During his first administration, President Trump’s SEC worked collaboratively with the crypto industry to enforce securities laws without alienating innovators, offering clear guidance through landmark initiatives like the DAO Report and the Framework for Investment Contract Analysisof Digital Assets.

These resources provided critical insights to help entrepreneurs navigate compliance while building groundbreaking technologies.

Beyond the Biden administration’s hostility to crypto, Chuck Schumer and Democrats in the Senate refused to consider FIT 21 after it passed the House with overwhelming, bipartisan support. Moreover, in New York, the courts thwarted Governor Hochul’s attempt to shutter bitcoin miners by deploying the state’s radical climate law.

In anticipation of President Trump’s return and Republican majorities in the House and Senate, the crypto market is booming, with the price of bitcoin increasing by up to 33% since Election Day. Moreover, President Trump’s new cabinet and the Department of Governmental Efficiency could revolutionize the way federal agencies operate and save taxpayers billions by integrating blockchain technology across government.

With President Trump’s appointment of Paul Atkins as the next SEC Chair, we can expect a more thoughtful and transparent approach to governance and policies that encourage innovation while safeguarding investors — setting the stage for the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector to thrive and the creation of high-paying new American jobs. We will be able to move beyond the opportunities missed during the Biden administration and build a framework that positions the U.S. as a leader in the global digital economy.

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Pearl River, NY, 11/16/2024… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign released the following statement after unveiling CongestionPricingSucks.com, a website that highlights Governor Kathy Hochul’s disastrous congestion pricing scheme.

Concurrently, the Lawler for Congress campaign released a video highlighting how Hochul and the MTA’s mismanagement has led to this mess in the first place.“Governor Hochul is the worst Governor in America,” said Congressman Mike Lawler. “And her obscene congestion pricing cash grab is just the latest example of how inept and incompetent she really is.“Rather than forcing the MTA to operate within their means, including enforcing the $700 million in lost fares on buses and in the subway, reducing spending on high-priced consultants that cost more than actually boring tunnels, and cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse, Governor Hochul seems content sticking working families with the bill,” continued Lawler. “That’s appalling and shows a complete lack of leadership from the Governor’s Mansion.”

“New Yorkers deserve so much better than what Governor Hochul has to offer the great state of New York,” concluded Lawler. “It is my sincere hope that it will become a reality in 2026 when the people of this state fire Kathy Hochul once and for all.”

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Congressman Mike Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of the 118th Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District in the Lower Hudson Valley. He has won two consecutive elections in a “Toss-Up” seat, winning in 2024 by over 6% in a district Joe Biden carried by 10 points in 2020.

Pearl River, NY – 10/24/2024… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler slammed Mondaire Jones for his call for Israel to return to pre-1967 borders and cede land to Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in order to achieve a lasting peace – a stark reversal of his previously stated “strong support” for the State of Israel.

“Mondaire Jones’ statement during the debate calling for Israel to return to its pre-1967 borders is outrageous and exposes him for the anti-Israel radical that he really is,” said Congressman Mike Lawler. “The fact that Mondaire Jones believes that Israel must cede land to Hamas and the Palestinian Authority — as they seek to kill Jews and eradicate the state of Israel — in order to achieve a lasting peace is not only nuts, it’s disqualifying in New York’s 17th Congressional District.”

“This totally undermines Mondaire Jones’ supposedly ‘strong’ support for Israel and should cause alarm to all those who believe in Israel’s right to exist,” concluded Congressman Lawler. “To call for Israel to return to pre-1967 borders, which would result in the loss of a significant portion of Israel’s current land, is a radical position held by a radical politician in Mondaire Jones.”

Mondaire Jones’ position that Israel must make land concessions to Hamas and the Palestinian Authority – in addition to his prior votes against Iron Dome – is radical and out-of-touch and puts the existence of the state of Israel at risk.

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Pearl River, NY – 10/16/2024… Tonight, the Lawler for Congress campaign declared victory in the first debate of the 2024 cycle, where Congressman Lawler summarily dispatched opponent Mondaire Jones on the substance of the issues. Mondaire Jones repeatedly attempted to interrupt Congressman Lawler to claim his past statements and votes were “lies” despite Mondaire Jones himself saying he has not changed his policy positions since 2020 on the Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC yesterday.

The Lawler campaign was joined by elected officials, local political activists, small business owners, and moms from across the 17th District in noting Congressman Lawler’s victory in the debate and in calling out Mondaire Jones’ extremism.

“Mike Lawler once again showed Hudson Valley families why he deserves another term with a resounding win in tonight’s debate on News12,” said Chris Russell, spokesman for the Lawler campaign. “He came across as the reasonable, bipartisan member of Congress residents of New York’s 17th Congressional District know him to be.”

“Mondaire Jones, on the other hand, was exactly what you would expect: abrasive, rude, and radical,” concluded Russell. “His refusal to own up to his extreme rhetoric and explain his votes against the Hudson Valley, and against Israel, show just how out-of-touch he is with the residents of the 17th Congressional District.”

“Congressman Mike Lawler made a strong and clear case for why he should continue to represent Hudson Valley families tonight,” said Assemblyman Matt Slater. “His level-headed leadership is what we need in Washington and he showed that time and again on the debate stage.”

“Mike Lawler rightly held Mondaire Jones to task in tonight’s debate, highlighting his radical and dangerous rhetoric about cops, law enforcement, and ICE and Border Patrol agents,” stated Town of Carmel Supervisor and former cop Michael Cazzari. “Mondaire Jones’ strong support for cashless bail, defunding the police, and letting cop-killers and rapists vote from prison tells voters in the 17th District all they need to know about Jones – he’s nuts!”

“Mondaire Jones rejected the chance to say he doesn’t support abortions up until the moment of birth, and said he now supports parental notification in the case of a minor getting an abortion which directly conflicts with his support for Prop 1, which would not require parental notification,” said Mount Pleasant GOP Chairwoman Helen Keating. “Mike Lawler rightly called him out for his lies and flip-flopping on this issue, and is the clear winner of this debate and only choice for those who want a commonsense leader in Congress.”

“Mondaire Jones doubled down on his radical tax-and-spend agenda at tonight’s debate, repeatedly touting legislation that raised government spending by over 5 trillion dollars and lying about his past support for congestion pricing,” stated NY-17 small business owners Tim Hauser, Teyena Cowan, Rob Chiapperino, and Nick Sfraga, all small business owners in the 17th Congressional District. “That spending spree by Mondaire Jones hurt local small businesses and their employees like ours right here in Rockland County and across the Hudson Valley – we must reject extremist Mondaire Jones at the ballot box this November and send commonsense problem solver Mike Lawler back to Congress.”

“For Mondaire Jones to come out in full-throated support of Prop 1, which would unfairly allow biological males to compete in girls sports in high school is alarming and disqualifying,” said Elizabeth Dynan, Gabbi Smith, and Desiree Deems, all moms in the 17th Congressional District. “It rolls back decades of progress for women, and puts girls like our daughters at risk of injury.”

Mondaire Jones’ disastrous debate performance will be sure to raise eyebrows amongst Democrats keenly watching the race for the 17th Congressional District, and may negatively impact outside spending for him in the final weeks of the race.

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Pearl River, NY – 10/16/2024… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign calls out Mondaire Jones for confirming what voters in New York’s 17th District have long suspected.

While on a radio interview with WNYC, Mondaire was asked, “Have your views changed on anything since you won in 2020?” 

Mondaire responded, “I would challenge somebody to point to a reversal on my positions on any number of issues.” 

“Mondaire Jones has attempted to distance himself from his radical positions since running for Congress in 2020 and his failed attempt to run for Congress in Brooklyn in 2022,” said Ciro Riccardi, Lawler for Congress Campaign Manager. “At a time when Hudson Valley families are concerned about the crushing affordability crisis, Mondaire Jones has doubled down and fully embraced his extreme and out-of-touch socialist, tax-and-spend ideology.”

The Lawler for Congress campaign highlighted some of Mondaire Jones’ most radical positions:

• “I do see myself sharing many of the same views as the democratic socialists. I think that’s demonstrably true.”
• Jones Praised AOC Noting “We Need More People In Congress Like Her”
• Jones advocated to expand the Supreme Court
• Jones sponsored, argued in favor, and voted for legislation to allow rapists and cop killers vote from prison
• Jones supported legislation to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants with criminal histories
• In 2021, one of Jones’ first acts in Congress was to co-sponsor legislation to establish a commission to study and consider a proposal for Reparations
• In 2020, Jones called for mandatory gun buybacks
• In 2020, Jones called for eliminating all student debt
• In 2020, Jones praised AOC for “leading the way on a #GreenNewDeal”
• In 2019, Jones noted his support for Medicare For All on his campaign website
• In 2019, Jones criticized members of his own party for funding ICE
• In 2020, Jones’ campaign website called for increasing the US Refugee cap
• In 2020, Jones pushed to eliminate mandatory minimums, weakening penalties for violent criminals
• In 2020, Jones called on Congress to abolish cash bail
• In 2019, Jones spoke at a protest to celebrate cashless bail taking effect in NY
• In 2020, Jones noted “Of course we need to… defund the police.”
• In 2022, Jones noted his support of Congestion Pricing, and claimed it was “Long Overdue”

“Mondaire Jones’ extreme beliefs are wildly out of step with Hudson Valley families. On November 5th, voters of New York’s 17th District will send Mondaire packing—likely off to search for yet another district to run in,” concluded Ciro Riccardi.

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LAWLER CAMPAIGN CALLS OUT ELECTION-DENIALISM FROM MONDAIRE JONES AND HIS ALLIES

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Pearl River, NY – 10/8/2024… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign released a statement slamming a last-ditch effort to subvert democracy and kick an opponent of Mondaire Jones off the ballot. Allies of Mondaire Jones’ campaign have even gone so far as to claim that this opponent “stole” the election in June. This lawsuit comes weeks after voting has begun and threatens to disenfranchise thousands of absentee voters, including military and civilians overseas, who have already received ballots and returned them.

“Mondaire Jones and his allies know he can’t win on the issues, so they’re resorting to dirty tricks to try and kick a primary-winning candidate off the ballot,” said Chris Russell, spokesman for the Lawler campaign. “In this effort, they’ve turned to Democrats on the courts in an effort to salvage what has been a train-wreck of a campaign.”

“The argument they’re making would have catastrophic impacts on election law for New York State – if the judge rules in Jones’ favor, it would establish that any candidate, at any time, can sue any other candidate that has won a primary to kick them off the ballot,” concluded Russell. “If that’s not election denialism, I don’t know what is.”

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Pearl River, NY – 10/5/2024… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign released a letter from black elected officials and community activists along with a statement from Ramapo Deputy Town Supervisor Brendel Logan-Charles in support of Congressman Lawler.
 

“Congressman Lawler has been a model member of Congress during his time in office,” said Brendel Logan-Charles, Ramapo Deputy Town Supervisor. “He has conducted himself with integrity and has actually sought to get to know the communities he represents.”
 

“I’ve seen this firsthand in Rockland County, especially in the Village of Spring Valley, Town of Ramapo, Village of Nyack, and the Town of Haverstraw, where Mike Lawler has shown up and worked towards common sense solutions on behalf of his communities of color,” concluded Logan-Charles. “I know that the Congressman will continue to work with constituents in these communities of color and with organizations in Rockland County, and across the district to help uplift all communities through his work in Congress, as he has done the past two years.”
 

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Ratings shifts in favor of Congressman Mike Lawler indicate Mondaire Jones’ flailing campaign is rapidly losing steam.

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Pearl River, NY – 9/19/2024… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign released the following statement after Inside Elections and Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifted New York’s 17th Congressional District in Congressman Mike Lawler’s favor.

“Mondaire Jones’ campaign is starting to look a lot like the Titanic – an ill-fated ship doomed to sink in fantastic fashion,” said Lawler for Congress spokesman Chris Russell. “The ratings changes from Inside Elections and Sabato’s Crystal Ball confirm what everyone in the political world already knows – Mondaire Jones might just be the worst candidate for Congress in the country.”

“Between paying himself with small dollar donors’ cash, being caught supporting voting rights for imprisoned cop-killers and rapists, and failing to be able to produce a single poll that shows him winning, it’s clear that Mondaire’s campaign is on life support,” concluded Russell. “And in just 47 days, Mondaire Jones and his campaign will be relegated to the dust heap of history.”

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Three televised debates in October will allow voters to hear directly from Congressman Lawler and his opponent.

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Pearl River, NY – 8/23/2024… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign released the following statement after agreeing, in principle, to four debates for the 2024 campaign cycle. The four debates include 3 televised debates, hosted by News12, CBS2, and Pix11, which represent three more televised debates than the 2022 cycle, when former Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney’s campaign agreed to none. The fourth and final debate the Congressman will participate in is with the New City Jewish Center on October 27th.

“Today, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve agreed, in principle, to four debates for the 2024 campaign cycle,” said Lawler for Congress spokesman Chris Russell. “With four debates in total, three of them televised, Congressman Lawler will have ample opportunity to highlight his common-sense, bipartisan record and contrast it with Mondaire Jones’ radical, extreme one.”

“We call on Mondaire Jones to immediately accept all four of these debates,” continued Russell. “Voters deserve to hear from the candidates, and three televised debates will allow them to hear from both.”

“While Congressman Lawler was ranked the fourth-most bipartisan member of the 118th Congress, Mondaire Jones ranked 381st during his time in office – alongside the most radical members of 117th Congress,” concluded Russell. “It’s clear who the mainstream candidate is in the race for the 17th District, and it’s not Mondaire Jones – we look forward to reminding voters of that simple truth.”

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Stands in stark contrast to Congressman Lawler’s strong record of working with Republicans and Democrats to find common ground and get things done.

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Pearl River, NY – 8/15/2024… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign released the following statement after Mondaire Jones participated in a sham signing ceremony of a NYSUT document that his own radical record totally contradicts.

Mondaire Jones’ extreme record in the 117th Congress includes:

• Working to give cop-killers, rapists, and murderers the right to vote from behind bars in a push co-led by Rep. Cori Bush, a member of the “Squad”.
• Voting with the “Squad” 97% of the time, including 98% of the time with Jamaal Bowman and 96% of the time with Cori Bush, both of whom lost primaries for being too radical.
• Ranking 381st for bipartisanship and 209th out of 220 members of his own conference for writing bipartisan bills. Meanwhile, Congressman Lawler ranked the 4th-most bipartisan member of the 118th Congress and has introduced dozens of pieces of bipartisan legislation.
• Receiving one of the lowest Common Ground scores from the Common Ground Committee in the 117th Congress, in stark contrast with Congressman Lawler’s perfect score from the Common Ground Committee.
• Attacking police officers as “racists,” calling ICE a “racist institution,” working to allow criminals to receive amnesty, and accusing Border Patrol of inflicting “unimaginable cruelty” for doing their jobs and upholding immigration laws at the Southern Border.

“The sad rebrand attempt continues for extremist Mondaire Jones, this time with an effort to hide his radical record in Congress,” said Lawler for Congress spokesman Chris Russell. “During the 117th Congress, Mondaire Jones worked to give cop-killers the right to vote from prison, voted with the Squad 97% of the time, racked up the 3rd-most radical record, called cops racists, and routinely attacked Republicans, calling them ‘white supremacists.’ So much for common ground.”

“Congressman Lawler, meanwhile, has amassed an impressive record of building consensus, working with Republicans and Democrats to find common ground, receiving top marks from the Common Ground Committee as a ‘Common Ground Champion’, and being ranked the 4th-most bipartisan member of the 118th Congress,” continued Russell. “No number of sham pledges that Mondaire Jones signs can change this fundamental truth – he’s an out-of-touch, left wing extremist who wants to defund the police, can’t decide whether he wants to represent the Hudson Valley or New York City, and will say or do anything to try and return to office.”

“Hudson Valley voters will send him a clear message this November – pack your bags and skip town,” concluded Russell.

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