Calls for town hall meeting with Congressmember Malliotakis

In Staten Island, the local Democratic Party is pushing for a town hall meeting with Congressmember Nicole Malliotakis. They believe it would help promote accountability and transparency regarding her recent votes. The party's chair, Laura LoBianco Sword, expressed concerns about the lack of communication from the Congressmember. Sword pointed out that Malliotakis has faced criticism for her voting decisions, particularly related to a six-month Continuing Resolution and budget cuts impacting vital programs. Constituents want to understand her reasoning behind these votes. The call for a town hall isn't about conflict, according to Sword, but about giving the public a chance to ask questions directly. She mentioned that other politicians, like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have publicly explained their votes. If Schumer can do it, she questions why Malliotakis cannot. Sword emphasized the importance of constituents being heard in a representative democracy. She echoed a historical precedent, noting that former representatives regularly held meetings with their communities. She insists that this tradition should continue, urging Malliotakis to engage with her constituents in a similar way.