Senator Zeldin Rallies Supporters at Fall Campaign Kickoff Rally

Press Release

On Monday, September 8, Senator-Soldier Lee Zeldin, the Republican and Conservative Party Candidate for Congress in New York's First Congressional District, highlighted his campaign platform in front of a crowd of veterans and over 500 supporters at his successful Fall Campaign Kickoff Rally at Centereach VFW Post 4927.

Senator Zeldin said to supporters tonight, "It's clear our country is headed in the wrong direction. Families here on Long Island are really struggling and sadly, the federal government is not making our quality of life any better. I'm sick and tired of the way our representatives in Washington are failing to represent us. The only way we can change Washington is by changing the people we send there to represent us. My opponent has been in office for far too long. After 12 years, it's time for new leadership, a stronger voice and a fresh perspective."

Senator Zeldin discussed his strong commitment to being a problem solver if elected to Congress. "When you have Republicans and Democrats sharing power, there is no way for either party to get things their way 100% of the time. I believe you can be liberal, moderate or conservative, and be reasonable and rational. Our elected officials must be willing to sit down with their colleagues on the other side of the aisle to try to find common ground to move our nation forward."

- Growing our economy and removing barriers that discourage American job creation and retention: "One of my main priorities in Congress will be to work hard to grow our economy and in turn create good paying private sector jobs by reducing burdensome tax rates and job killing regulations, eliminating wasteful spending, lowering our nation's deficit and controlling our nation's debt. As a State Senator, I successfully repealed the MTA Payroll Tax for 80% of employers, cut $13 billion from state budget deficits, cut middle-income taxes to the lowest level in 60 years and helped enact the nation's strongest property tax cap. As your Congressman, I will take this fight to Washington, working tirelessly to end the era of fiscal insanity."

- Fighting for those who have fought for us: "Our nation's veterans have raised their hands willing to lay down their lives in protection of our constitution, freedoms and liberties. For that sacrifice, they deserve a roof over their head, food on their tables, educational and occupational opportunities and a better, more accountable VA system. As a State Senator, protecting Veterans has always remained one of my top priorities. One of my proudest accomplishments in the State Senate was launching the PFC Joseph Dwyer Program; a peer support program for our veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It's also essential that we have more Veteran representation in Washington. 40 years ago, over 75% of Congress was made up of military veterans. Now, that number is less than 1 in five. I look forward to the opportunity to fight for my brothers and sisters who have served to protect and defend America."

- Securing America's interests at our border and abroad: "I believe America was built on the dreams of immigrants. We all have the immigrant story as to how our families came to America to pursue hope and opportunity. I fully support legal immigration. I also believe that our borders must be secured if we want to ever solve the challenges the US faces with illegal immigration. Unfortunately, Congress' partisan bickering is preventing any reform. Additionally, our nation's foreign policy must be stronger and more consistent. All across the Middle East and elsewhere, the world is burning while we wait for leadership to shine brightly from our nation's capital. I plan on being a stronger voice for Long Islanders in the First District frustrated at the vacuum of leadership in Washington."

- Repealing and replacing Obamacare: "Obamacare is resulting in higher premiums, higher deductibles, lost doctors, cancelled policies and longer wait times. As a country, we must work to repeal Obamacare and replace it with better solutions that increase access, without compromising quality of care or efficiency. There are now several alternative proposals being considered that would be far better solutions than Obamacare. I look forward to bringing a fresh perspective to this debate to improve health care for my constituents."

-Fighting for higher standards in our schools knowing that Common Core is not the answer: "I believe in higher standards, but Common Core is not the answer. We've all seen this through the poor implementation and the lack of communication and coordination in the development of the standards, testing and curriculum. As a State Senator, I led the fight against Common Core by introducing and sponsoring state legislation that would stop its implementation because I believe our children deserve better than a national, one-size-fits all learning approach. This is just another example of federal government overreach, bribing cash strapped states to sign on before there was even a plan to implement correctly."

Senator Zeldin also thanked his supporters and special guests, retired Army Lieutenant Colonels Allen West and Steve Russell.

Senator Zeldin concluded, "If we want to change Washington, we have to change the people we send there to represent us. 12 years is enough. It's time to term limit Tim."

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