Republican Rep. Buddy Carter Proposes MAMDANI Act to Block Federal Funds to NYC Amid Zohran Mamdani’s Mayoral Victory
NEW YORK CITY — House GOP Rep. Buddy Carter has introduced the MAMDANI Act, a two-page bill aimed at halting federal funds for New York City while socialist Zohran Mamdani, a newly elected mayor, remains in office. The legislation, which is not yet scheduled for a vote, calls for rescinding any unobligated federal funds available for the city during Mamdani’s tenure as mayor and prohibits the obligation or expenditure of federal funds to the city for any purpose. While the bill is largely symbolic and unlikely to pass, it has sparked significant debate over its political implications and the broader context of New York’s governance.
Carter, a Republican from Georgia, has framed the legislation as a response to the perceived threat of socialist policies taking hold in a city traditionally aligned with Democratic governance. The MAMDANI Act was introduced in the wake of Mamdani’s landslide victory in the New York City mayoral race, which saw him defeat former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who had run as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani’s win was not a surprise to political analysts, as the city has not elected a Republican mayor since Michael Bloomberg’s term ended in 2005.
The bill has drawn criticism from Democrats, who argue that it is a partisan attack on the city and its governing institutions. Many view the legislation as more of a political statement than a serious policy proposal, given the city’s long history of receiving federal funds. However, the act has highlighted the GOP’s growing focus on Mamdani’s political rise, with some party leaders suggesting that his policies and leadership style could influence vulnerable Republicans in other states.
Carter, who is running for U.S. Senate in Georgia, has made the issue of federal funding a central theme of his campaign. In a statement, he said, “If New Yorkers want communism, we should let them have their wish and not artificially prop them up with our successful capitalist system. Any New Yorker with common sense is welcome to move to the great, FREE state of Georgia.” The statement has been widely seen as a veiled criticism of Mamdani’s socialist policies and a direct endorsement of Trump’s political rhetoric.
The political implications of the MAMDANI Act extend beyond New York City. With Mamdani’s victory, the GOP has positioned him as a potential leader for the Democratic Party, with some House Republicans suggesting that his policies and influence could become a liability for vulnerable Democrats in other states. The act appears to be a part of a broader strategy to tie Democrats to Mamdani’s platform and undermine their credibility in upcoming elections. The GOP’s focus on the mayoral election has also led to a surge in media attention and political maneuvering, further shaping the discourse around New York’s governance.
The MAMDANI Act, while unlikely to pass, has sparked a broader conversation about the role of federal funding in urban governance and the political dynamics of New York City. It reflects the deepening divide between the two major parties and the increasing use of symbolic legislation to frame political narratives. As Mamdani prepares to take office, the debate over New York’s political future continues to shape the national conversation on urban governance and the role of federal funds in shaping local policies.