In a deeply divided Congress, Long Island’s lawmakers are defying the odds—but are their efforts enough? While the nation’s political landscape remains bitterly polarized, Long Island’s delegation in the U.S. House has managed to showcase an unusual degree of bipartisanship. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite introducing over six dozen bills on critical issues like flood insurance, access to in vitro fertilization, and even renaming post offices, only five of their nearly 80 non-ceremonial bills have passed the House. And this is the part most people miss—none have become law or even secured Senate approval. So, is this a testament to their collaborative spirit, or a stark reminder of the gridlock plaguing Washington? Let’s dive in.
As this two-year Congress hits its midpoint, Long Island’s four representatives—two Republicans and two Democrats—have been busy drafting legislation. Yet, in a system where Republicans control both chambers, analysts argue it’s increasingly difficult for individual lawmakers to push consequential bills through. But why? It’s not just about partisan divides; it’s also about the sheer complexity of the issues and the competitive nature of lawmaking, where good ideas can be absorbed into someone else’s bill. As Donald Nieman, a history professor at Binghamton University, puts it, ‘Sad to say, lawmaking—solving problems in a pragmatic, realistic way—isn’t high on the list of legislators’ priorities.’ Ouch. But is he right?
WHAT THE NUMBERS REVEAL
- Bills Introduced: Over 60 bills on topics ranging from reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program to protecting access to in vitro fertilization.
- Bills Passed in the House: Just 5 out of nearly 80 non-ceremonial bills.
- Bills Signed into Law: Zero. None have even cleared the Senate.
These figures might seem underwhelming, but they’re not entirely out of the ordinary. In fact, of the nearly 7,000 bills introduced by all 435 House members since January, only about 40 have passed both chambers. So, while Long Island’s delegation may not be breaking records, they’re far from alone in facing legislative hurdles.
But here’s the twist: Despite the low passage rates, Long Island’s lawmakers are standing out for their bipartisan efforts. Craig Volden, a professor at the University of Virginia and co-director of the Center for Effective Lawmaking, notes, ‘All four tend to be in the bipartisan space more so than we see for Congress as a whole. That’s been fascinating to see.’ But does bipartisanship alone translate to effectiveness? Let’s break down their individual performances.
Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville):
- Bills Introduced: 23
- Bills Passed in House: 4
LaLota is the delegation’s ‘highest performer’ this session, with four of the five non-ceremonial bills passed by the delegation bearing his name. More than half of his bills focus on defense or government operations, hinting at specialization. He’s also managed to attract bipartisan co-sponsors, including bills with more Democratic backers than Republicans. But here’s the question: Is passing bills enough, or should we also consider the impact of his work on securing a state and local tax (SALT) cap increase?
Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport):
- Bills Introduced: 29
- Bills Passed in House: 1
Garbarino’s legislative effectiveness is on the rise, particularly after his appointment as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. His Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act, a bipartisan bill supporting law enforcement in Washington, D.C., passed the House in June. But is one bill enough to measure his impact, especially when considering his role in guiding 14 bipartisan homeland security bills through the House after the government shutdown?
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove):
- Bills Introduced: 16
- Bills Passed in House: 1 (commemorative)
Suozzi, co-chair of the Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, has passed only one bill—a ceremonial resolution allowing a medal ceremony in the U.S. Capitol. Volden and the Center for Effective Lawmaking don’t give much weight to such bills, focusing instead on legislation that can become law. But does Suozzi’s role in shaping debates on SALT, immigration, and healthcare count for something, even if his bills aren’t passing?
Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre):
- Bills Introduced: 8
- Bills Passed in House: 0
As a freshman lawmaker, Gillen has introduced fewer bills than the average Democrat in the last Congress, but she’s showing promise. Two of her bills focus on transportation, aligning with her committee assignment. She’s also co-sponsored a bipartisan bill to protect access to in vitro fertilization with 71 co-sponsors. But with no bills passed yet, is she doing enough, or is she simply navigating the steep learning curve of a first-term representative?
The Bigger Picture
Long Island’s delegation is undeniably working across party lines, but their legislative success remains limited. This raises a critical question: In a system designed for gridlock, should we judge lawmakers solely by the number of bills they pass, or should we also consider their efforts to build coalitions and shape policy debates?
As Volden explains, the Center for Effective Lawmaking uses up to 15 metrics to evaluate legislative effectiveness, including the substantiveness of bills, the ability to attract bipartisan co-sponsors, and specialization. By these measures, Long Island’s representatives are performing better than many of their colleagues—but is that enough?
Final Thought
Long Island’s lawmakers are trying to make a difference in a broken system. But as voters, should we demand more? Should we push for structural reforms to make Congress more functional, or is this the best we can hope for? Let us know in the comments—do you think bipartisanship is enough, or do we need to rethink how we measure legislative success?
