Upstate NY lawmakers split on Trump’s influence

WAER | By Scott Willis

Published February 14, 2025 at 4:44 PM EST

The flag of the united states of America flying. — The American flag blows in the wind.

Two Upstate New York members of Congress are taking starkly different positions on former President Trump, reflecting a divide in priorities.

Democrat John Mannion criticized Trump’s proposal to fire thousands of federal workers, including those at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He argues it would weaken government efficiency and harm essential services in Central New York.

Meanwhile, Republican Claudia Tenney introduced legislation to make Trump’s birthday, June 14—also Flag Day—a federal holiday. She calls Trump the most consequential president in modern history.

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Scott Willis

Scott Willis covers politics, local government, transportation, and arts and culture for WAER. He came to Syracuse from Detroit in 2001, where he began his career in radio as an intern and freelance reporter. Scott is honored and privileged to bring the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. You can find him on twitter @swillisWAER and email him at srwillis@syr.edu.

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