The Big Beautiful Bill: Delivering for Long Island and America

When history looks back, it will mark the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill as a crucial victory for working Americans, middle-class families, and local communities from coast to coast. Nowhere is this truer than right here on Long Island, and we have leaders like Congressmen Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota to thank for it. But none of this would have been possible without the bold vision and fearless leadership of President Donald J. Trump.

From the beginning, President Trump understood the fundamental struggles facing American families: rising taxes, open, dangerous borders, and burdensome regulations crushing the middle class. While others made excuses, he set a clear course: put America first, put working families first, and never back down from a fight. While some in Washington continue to play political games, our New York Republicans, backed by Trump’s agenda, stayed laser-focused on delivering real results. They understood that families are tired of empty promises and skyrocketing costs. They heard from homeowners crushed by the unfair state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, from workers burdened by endless taxes on their hard-earned overtime and tips, and from every American frustrated by our chaotic southern border. It’s no secret that in the 118th Congress, we laid the groundwork for a new era of fiscal sanity and border security, even with Biden and Schumer in our way. We fought to protect taxpayers, support law enforcement, and defend working families. But the Big Beautiful Bill took those efforts to the next level—and delivered the comprehensive solutions we promised.

Perhaps the most significant victory for Long Islanders is the quadrupling of the SALT deduction. The original $10,000 cap punished suburban homeowners in high-tax states like New York. It wasn’t just a financial squeeze, it was a direct attack on our way of life, our communities, and our ability to stay in the places we love. Thanks to New York Republicans, under the Big Beautiful Bill, the deduction limit was increased to $40,000, providing a critical lifeline to countless middle-class families who have struggled for years. Congressmen Garbarino and LaLota were instrumental in making this happen. They knew that Long Island families couldn’t wait any longer. While Democrats like Laura Gillen talked endlessly about “fixing SALT,” they failed to deliver. And when it truly counted, they turned their backs and voted NO.

President Trump also played a crucial role. At the Nassau Coliseum rally, he publicly called me out and reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to restoring SALT relief for Long Island families. President Trump recognized that the initial SALT cap was a mistake and took ownership of it, something we rarely see from politicians today. Rather than double down on flawed policies like Gov. Hochul does, he listened to the people, admitted the misstep, and took decisive action to correct it. That’s real leadership: recognizing when something doesn’t work and fixing it for the good of the American people. Thanks to President Trump’s commitment and the tireless work of Garbarino, LaLota, and New York Republicans, Long Islanders finally got the relief they deserve.

The Big Beautiful Bill doesn’t stop at tax relief. It also provides historic funding to secure our southern border—a promise President Trump made from day one and one he has consistently fought to keep. Under President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Senator Chuck Schumer, Americans have watched in horror as millions of illegal migrants poured across, overwhelming law enforcement, driving up crime, and putting enormous strain on local resources. This bill finally provides the resources our border agents need to do their jobs: it invests in new physical barriers, technology upgrades, increased personnel, and enhanced deportation efforts to remove dangerous criminals from our communities. A secure border means safer neighborhoods, fewer drugs flooding into our schools, and more opportunities for American workers. President Trump’s steadfast commitment to a secure border set the stage for these new investments. From building miles of new walls to strengthening ICE and border patrol operations, he showed America what it means to prioritize national security over political correctness. The Big Beautiful Bill builds directly on that foundation, proving once again that real leadership gets results. Meanwhile, Long Island Democrats who claim to support a “secure border” once again showed their true colors. They voted NO, proving that their campaign promises were nothing but hollow slogans. We all remember Laura Gillen’s bogus campaign ad at the Nassau County “border” where she promised to secure this Nation, fund law enforcement and technology, and work with U.S. Border Patrol, but her no vote shows otherwise. These are the same politicians who supported sanctuary policies, opposed cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and put the interests of illegal migrants ahead of law-abiding American citizens.

Another revolutionary component of the Big Beautiful Bill is its elimination of federal taxes on tips and overtime pay—an idea championed by President Trump as part of his America First economic agenda. For far too long, servers, bartenders, hospitality workers, tradesmen, and countless others have had to fork over a chunk of their hard-earned extra income to Washington. These are the men and women who go the extra mile, who stay late, pick up extra shifts, and hustle to provide for their families. Thanks to the leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump’s vision to empower workers, tips and overtime pay will now stay where they belong: in workers’ pockets. This change isn’t just a tax cut; it’s a recognition that the American spirit is built on grit, determination, and sweat equity. We should be encouraging people to work more and earn more, not punishing them for it. Yet once again, Long Island Democrats voted NO. The same politicians who claim to “stand with working families” opposed a measure that puts more money directly into workers’ wallets. They would rather play partisan games than support policies that benefit servers, tradesmen, and other blue-collar workers who power our economy. President Trump’s economic philosophy has always centered on unleashing American potential: cutting taxes, slashing red tape, and creating opportunities for every worker. This victory on tips and overtime is a perfect example of that vision coming to life.

The contrast couldn’t be clearer. While Republicans from New York backed by Trump’s America First agenda, delivered tangible, measurable results, Long Island Democrats chose the path of obstruction. These are the same Democrats who, during every election season, talk endlessly about lowering taxes, fighting for the middle class, and supporting border security. But when the votes were cast, they chose to oppose the largest tax relief package in a generation and the strongest border security funding in decades. Let’s not forget it was these same Democrats who also supported a plan that would have resulted in the largest tax increase in American history. Higher taxes on families, small businesses, and job creators is their true agenda. And this is no surprise coming from Laura Gillen. As Town of Hempstead Supervisor, she voted NO on a budget that would have decreased taxes for residents. She had the chance to deliver relief, and she failed—just as she failed Long Islanders again with her NO vote on the Big Beautiful Bill.

In addition to tax cuts and border security, the Big Beautiful Bill also includes critical provisions to encourage able-bodied Americans to return to the workforce. The bill tightens eligibility for social programs, requiring that those who can work do so rather than rely indefinitely on government handouts. This is not about punishing people; it’s about restoring dignity, encouraging self-reliance, and building a stronger economy. President Trump has always believed in the power and dignity of work. He has said repeatedly that Americans don’t want endless checks from Washington: they want a fair shot, a level playing field, and a chance to build a better life. The Big Beautiful Bill honors that belief and ensures that public assistance programs are reserved for those truly in need, while empowering millions to rejoin the workforce. The Democrats, predictably, opposed these reforms. They would rather keep people dependent on government checks than empower them to stand on their own two feet. This dependency trap might serve their political interests, but it’s a betrayal of the American dream. We want Americans to work, to succeed, to take pride in providing for their families, and the Big Beautiful Bill delivers on that vision.

In the days and weeks to come, you can expect Democrats to roll out their tired, dishonest talking points. They will try to convince you that they somehow support tax relief, border security, and working families, despite voting against every measure that accomplishes these goals. They will gaslight you into thinking they care about affordability, even as they vote to raise your taxes and oppose measures that would lower your bills. They will insist they stand with workers, even as they oppose keeping tips and overtime tax-free.

But the record is clear. When it mattered most, they voted NO.

The Big Beautiful Bill is more than just a legislative package—it’s a statement of values. It says that Americans deserve to keep more of what they earn. It says our borders should be secure, our communities safe, and our citizens protected. It says that able-bodied Americans should be empowered to work and succeed, not become trapped in a cycle of government dependence. This bill lays the foundation for a stronger, safer, and more prosperous America. And it wouldn’t have happened without the courage and commitment of leaders like Elise Stefanik, Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota, Mike Lawler, Nick Langworthy, Claudia Tenney and Nicole Malliotakis—and the clear, unwavering vision of President Trump. While Democrats chose politics over people, our Empire State Republicans chose progress over partisanship. They delivered what they promised, and Long Islanders are already feeling the benefits.

As we look to future elections, voters will have a clear choice. Do we want leaders who talk a big game but fail when it counts, or do we want proven fighters who deliver results? On Long Island, the answer is obvious. Garbarino and LaLota have shown us what real leadership looks like. They fought for SALT relief, for secure borders, for working families—and they won. Meanwhile, Democrats like Laura Gillen chose to side with Washington elites and radical activists rather than the hardworking people of Long Island. They opposed tax relief, border security, and the common-sense reforms to get Americans back to work.

May G-d Bless these United States of America. n

Congressman Anthony D’Esposito was recently nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as Inspector General of the Department of Labor. Previously, he served in Congress, representing New York’s 4th Congressional District. Anthony served as a Councilman in the Town of Hempstead after retiring from the NYPD as a highly decorated Detective. He also served as Chief of the Island Park Fire Department and helped lead the all-volunteer organization’s response to Super-Storm Sandy. The Congressman appears frequently on Fox News, Newsmax, ABC National News, and 77 WABC Sid and Friends in the Morning. To contact, email [email protected].