Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, (AOC), in Yonkers for Congressman Jamaal Bowman’s reelection kickoff
“But you know what we got to say to AIPAC? Bring it on y’all.”
–Congressman Jamaal Bowman
By Dan Murphy
On Jan 24, Congressman Jamaal Bowman officially kicked off his reelection campaign in his hometown of Yonkers, at the Red Hook restaurant. Joining Bowman at the event were his volunteers and supporters, several Westchester elected officials and Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, (AOC).
Rep. Bowman is running for reelection to a third term. He is being challenged in a democratic primary in June by Westchester County Executive George Latimer in the 16th District-NY, which includes parts of the Bronx, and all of Yonkers, Mt. Vernon New Rochelle, White Plains, the Sound Shore and most of mid-lower Westchester.
“Westchester County cannot be bought, it’s not for sale. Not in Yonkers, or the Bronx or Ossining. No part of this district is for sale. It belongs to the people and kids and teachers and families in the district. It belongs to us all and it belongs to Jamaal Bowman. When you stand up to power, power fights back. You can’t stand up against AIPAC and get reelected. You can get in the door, but the question now is can you survive?” said AOC.
“They’re trying to make an example of Jamaal Bowman. You see what happens when you stand up for working people. That’s what the establishment and money interests are trying to do- If they go after you -it means you are making a difference—but when you are actually shaking the table and moving the needle that is when they come after you,” said AOC, who graduated from Yorktown High School.
Local Westchester electeds supporting Bowman include Hastings-on-Hudson Mayor Niki Armacost, Mamaroneck Trustee Leilani Yizar-Reid, Sonja Dixon of SEIU 1199, Tyler Hack of Sunrise Westchester, Nada Khader of WESPAC and Reverend Dr. Stephen Pogue.
Rep. Bowman said, “We’re constantly being attacked. AIPAC is one of the most powerful lobbies in America,” Bowman said. “But you know what we got to say to AIPAC? Bring it on y’all.”
Several Jewish and Israeli organizations, including AIPAC, have gotten involved in this primary because of Bowman’s comment and stances on Israel, Gaza and the plight of refugees in Gaza, calling it “a human right violation and against international law,” Bowman urged the crown to “stand up for the people of Gaza.”
In an effort to push back against claims from some that Bowman has been “all talk and no action” in Congress, Bowman released a list of 2023 accomplishments including:
-Introducing 9 pieces of legislation
-Securing $20,408,590 in Community Project Funding for NY-16
-Pushing the White House to launch its first blueprint for a Renters’ Bill of Rights
-Responding to 163,128 pieces of constituent mail
-Solving 2562 casework issues
– And bringing $4,636,461 back into constituent’s pockets through that casework.
Bowman also informed the district that he submitted three requests to the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure for inclusion in the Water Resources and Development Act of 2024. The requests will help enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to use studies to address critical needs across NY-16 with regard to flood risk management, hurricane and storm risk reduction, wastewater and stormwater management, and environmental restoration.
I-Two years ago, Rep. Bowman successfully led a request for an updated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) feasibility study for flood risk management and ecosystem restoration on the Saw Mill River in Yonkers and Hasting-on-Hudson. This year, Rep. Bowman re-upped that request and requested to expand the study to cover flood risk management and hurricane and storm risk reduction across Yonkers, Hastings-on-Hudson, Elmsford, and Ardsley, all communities that have been hit hard by flooding in recent years.
II- A request for the Corps to conduct a new feasibility study for improvements related to flood risk management, hurricane and storm risk reduction, and environmental restoration in Bronxville, Tuckahoe, and Yonkers along the Bronx River and connecting small waterways. The Bronx River faces persistent and dangerous flooding issues during heavy rainfall, even resulting in recent emergency operations to rescue drivers from their cars on the Bronx River Parkway.
III-A request to expand authorities to allow the Corps to provide assistance in wastewater treatment issues related to sewers and wastewater treatment plants in the NYC Watershed and Bronx River watershed. In Mount Vernon, raw sewage is flowing into the nearby waterways and communities, posing a significant environmental and health justice issue in Mount Vernon and nearby communities. Rep. Bowman’s request would help enable the Corps to support infrastructure upgrades, repairs, or other remediation efforts to address storm and wastewater management needs and sewage contamination.
“Our communities have been deeply impacted by the increase in flooding and infrastructure challenges from climate change,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16). “That’s why I’m proud to announce the three requests to authorize work to be carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works to help address the struggles our communities face from flooding, impacts of major hurricanes and storms, environmental degradation, and more. If enacted, each of these requests will support work to create a better living environment for everyone across NY-16. Our roads, schools, and homes were not built to sustain the climate chaos we are now consistently experiencing. Storms should not devastate or wreak havoc on our communities, threaten the lives and livelihoods of our neighbors, or critically damage vital infrastructure and I will continue to fight to ensure more studies and federal aid come to our communities,” said Bowman.
AOC called Bowman “one of the most effective junior members of congress.”
