Michael Lawler
08/21/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/21/2026 09:16
ICYMI: Lawler Welcomes Labor Secretary Sonderling to NY-17 for Discussions with Building Trades and Law Enforcement
Valhalla, N.Y. - 8/21/26… This week, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) welcomed Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling to New York's 17th Congressional District for meetings with local building trades and law enforcement labor organizations, allowing union members to raise their priorities directly with the Administration.
Rep. Lawler and Secretary Sonderling first joined the Westchester-Putnam Building Trades Council general meeting, and then convened a roundtable with representatives from police benevolent associations and other law enforcement labor organizations from across the Hudson Valley.
"Today was about listening to the men and women who keep our communities running and keep our families safe. The building trades are providing people across the Hudson Valley with a pathway to a good-paying career without taking on a mountain of student debt, and we need to do everything we can to expand those opportunities. At the same time, our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and they deserve our support and respect," said Congressman Lawler.
"Having Secretary Sonderling here in the Hudson Valley gave our union members a direct opportunity to tell the Administration what they need from Washington. That means expanding apprenticeships, addressing workforce shortages, making sure projects actually get built, and protecting hardworking men and women on the job. Recruitment and retention, fair pay, strong pensions, safe working conditions, and respect for the profession all matter. I appreciate Secretary Sonderling for coming to NY-17 to listen directly to the people doing this work," concluded Congressman Lawler.
"I greatly appreciate Congressman Lawler's invitation to meet with local labor leaders and law enforcement. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump and champions for American workers like Congressman Lawler, the Working Families Tax Cuts are driving investment and job creation in the Hudson Valley. No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and pro-investment tax provisions are revitalizing local industries and creating more high-paying opportunities throughout the region," said Secretary Sonderling.
Rep. Lawler has been a strong advocate for workers and their families in Congress. He was an original cosponsor of the Protect America's Workforce Act, which would restore collective bargaining rights for federal employees. He was also the 218th member to sign the discharge petition for this bill and voted for it on the floor. He is also an original cosponsor of the Faster Labor Contracts Act and also signed the discharge petition to force this bill to a vote. Both of these key pieces of legislation are awaiting consideration in the Senate.
Rep. Lawler also co-led the introduction of the bipartisan Warehouse Worker Protection Act to promote transparency, safety, and basic protections for warehouse workers. He is a proud Davis-Bacon Republican and will continue to fight for our hardworking men and women in the halls of Congress.
Rep. Lawler has likewise made supporting law enforcement a priority, securing federal funding for Hudson Valley police departments, dispatch systems, and other public safety needs. He has supported legislation to expand housing and childcare opportunities for law enforcement officers and firefighters and has consistently opposed efforts to defund or weaken law enforcement.
PHOTOS: Pictures from this week's visit can be found HERE.
Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.
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Rep. Lawler and Secretary Sonderling first joined the Westchester-Putnam Building Trades Council general meeting, and then convened a roundtable with representatives from police benevolent associations and other law enforcement labor organizations from across the Hudson Valley.
"Today was about listening to the men and women who keep our communities running and keep our families safe. The building trades are providing people across the Hudson Valley with a pathway to a good-paying career without taking on a mountain of student debt, and we need to do everything we can to expand those opportunities. At the same time, our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and they deserve our support and respect," said Congressman Lawler.
"Having Secretary Sonderling here in the Hudson Valley gave our union members a direct opportunity to tell the Administration what they need from Washington. That means expanding apprenticeships, addressing workforce shortages, making sure projects actually get built, and protecting hardworking men and women on the job. Recruitment and retention, fair pay, strong pensions, safe working conditions, and respect for the profession all matter. I appreciate Secretary Sonderling for coming to NY-17 to listen directly to the people doing this work," concluded Congressman Lawler.
"I greatly appreciate Congressman Lawler's invitation to meet with local labor leaders and law enforcement. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump and champions for American workers like Congressman Lawler, the Working Families Tax Cuts are driving investment and job creation in the Hudson Valley. No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and pro-investment tax provisions are revitalizing local industries and creating more high-paying opportunities throughout the region," said Secretary Sonderling.
Rep. Lawler has been a strong advocate for workers and their families in Congress. He was an original cosponsor of the Protect America's Workforce Act, which would restore collective bargaining rights for federal employees. He was also the 218th member to sign the discharge petition for this bill and voted for it on the floor. He is also an original cosponsor of the Faster Labor Contracts Act and also signed the discharge petition to force this bill to a vote. Both of these key pieces of legislation are awaiting consideration in the Senate.
Rep. Lawler also co-led the introduction of the bipartisan Warehouse Worker Protection Act to promote transparency, safety, and basic protections for warehouse workers. He is a proud Davis-Bacon Republican and will continue to fight for our hardworking men and women in the halls of Congress.
Rep. Lawler has likewise made supporting law enforcement a priority, securing federal funding for Hudson Valley police departments, dispatch systems, and other public safety needs. He has supported legislation to expand housing and childcare opportunities for law enforcement officers and firefighters and has consistently opposed efforts to defund or weaken law enforcement.
PHOTOS: Pictures from this week's visit can be found HERE.
Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.
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Michael Lawler published this content on August 21, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 21, 2026 at 15:16 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]