By Rockland News Staff
PEARL RIVER, NY – As the debate over federal spending continues to reverberate across the nation, local Congressman Mike Lawler is unexpectedly emerging as a vocal and forceful advocate for health and childcare benefit—aiming to shore up Rockland County residents’ needs. Lawler, who represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, has taken a firm public stance in support of preserving Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and unfreezing critical childcare funding – currently being withheld by the federal government.
At stake are programs that directly affect working-class families across Rockland. With health insurance premiums climbing after the expiration of enhanced tax credits at the end of 2025, many local residents are now facing increased financial strain. At the same time, the federal government’s decision to suspend $10 billion in funding for childcare and social services has left numerous families in serious crisis mode.
Lawler: “Unacceptable” to Let ACA Subsidies Expire
Lawler, typically a voice within the current congressional majority, has not shied away from breaking away from party lines occasionally to represent the interests of his district. Lately in both public statements and private meetings, he has made clear his outrage over the congressional leadership’s unwillingness to extend ACA subsidies.
In a December interview with NPR’s Morning Edition, Lawler called it “unacceptable” to allow the subsidies to lapse, emphasizing that more than 20 million Americans rely on them to afford healthcare. “Just ending the subsidy without changes in place is idiotic,” he said, acknowledging that the current system is flawed but cautioning against pulling support without a viable replacement.
“Speaker Johnson is correct that the system is not working, and just throwing money at the insurance companies is not going to make it more affordable,” Lawler said. “But you have to have a plan in place. You have to have reforms in place.”
His comments echoed those he made to reporters following a contentious closed-door meeting with congressional leadership, where he decried the refusal to hold a simple up-or-down vote on extending the subsidies. “It is political malpractice,” he said.
Lawler was among a small group of nine House Republicans who joined with the congressional Democrats to advance a “discharge petition”, forcing a vote on a three-year extension. While that legislation passed the House, it faces steep odds in the Senate, where bipartisan negotiations are ongoing.
For residents of Rockland County, the consequences of inaction are personal. Without these subsidies, insurance premiums are projected to surge, putting further strain on working families, seniors, and small business owners already grappling with inflation and economic uncertainty.
Addressing Childcare Crisis in Rockland
In addition to health care, Lawler has turned his focus to another looming threat: the freezing of childcare and social services funding by the federal government. The freeze affects New York and four other states, where officials say the abrupt withdrawal of funding has disrupted essential programs for low-income families.
Lawler has condemned the federal action, calling it a “broad brush” punishment that unfairly impacts families in Rockland and beyond. “Any fraud uncovered across the country, including in New York, should be investigated and prosecuted,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean we should pull all funding for these critical programs that families depend on.”
The freeze, triggered by fraud investigations in Minnesota, has not yet yielded evidence of widespread abuse in New York. Still, it has jeopardized funding for child care subsidies and other services that directly benefit Rockland’s most vulnerable residents.
In a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Lawler urged immediate reconsideration of the funding hold, warning that program shutdowns could force parents out of the workforce and destabilize early childhood education providers.
Bridging Partisan Divides for Local Solutions
Lawler’s actions underscore a broader approach to governance—one rooted in pragmatism and responsiveness to local needs. Representing a politically mixed district, he has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to buck national party narratives in order to serve his community.
In both the ACA and childcare debates, Lawler has advocated for balanced solutions: extend subsidies while pursuing long-term reform, and address fraud without undermining legitimate programs. His efforts reflect an understanding that for Rockland families, ideological victories matter far less than results.
“These are not abstract policy fights,” said a local health administrator. “They’re kitchen-table issues. And right now, our tables are under pressure.”