Two extreme House of Representatives candidates, Darializa Avila-Chevalier and Claire Valdez, supported by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, are planning an unprecedented move in Washington.
The two, members of the Democratic Socialists of America, intend to vote against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget next year. This plan could trigger a cut of over $215 million in essential counterterrorism funding for New York City.
1+The planned cut would affect the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), established in 2003 in direct response to the September 11 attacks. The initiative provides nearly $600 million in grants to high-risk urban areas to prevent terrorist attacks. Mayor Mamdani, along with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Tish James, previously complained about delays in transferring these funds.
Mamdani emphasized the importance of the funding on Sunday, September 1: “We are not talking about reports or studies or abstract security proposals. We are talking about the money needed to fund 12 bomb squads across New York fully.” He added that the funds are essential for effective communication among fire departments in the event of a catastrophic attack, and for ensuring equipment and response capabilities for a radiological threat.
1+According to sources, candidates Avila-Chevalier and Valdez—expected to win the November elections—are operating with the help of “Squad” members in Congress, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.
Their goal is to create a strong socialist bloc in Washington and “send a message” to the Department of Homeland Security, even at the cost of compromising the city’s security. “They are trying to find a way to hurt DHS even if it costs New York millions of dollars,” a source said.The plan is being kept relatively secret, out of fear it will cause “drama” with officials in the Mamdani administration, including Tasha Van Auken, the head of the mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement. “These two incoming members know they are putting together a plan that will hurt New York financially, the safety of first responders, and their constituents—they just do not care. It is the exact opposite of ‘Never Forget,'” a federal lawmaker concluded.