As Republicans prepare to take control of the House in the new Congress, rising star Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) is urging party unity and a focus on substantive policy issues like immigration reform, rather than internal leadership battles. In an interview on ABC’s “This Week”, Lawler called on his colleagues to rally behind current Speaker Mike Johnson and avoid a “nonsensical intramural food fight” over the powerful position.
The comments come amid reports of brewing discontent among some far-right members over Johnson’s handling of recent budget negotiations. But Lawler, who notched an impressive victory in November to claim a pivotal New York seat, warned that ousting the Speaker would be “equally as stupid” as the earlier removal of Johnson’s predecessor Kevin McCarthy.
Mike Johnson inherited a disaster… Removing him would equally be as stupid. These folks are playing with fire.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY)
Push for Immigration System That “Works”
Beyond the leadership question, Lawler highlighted immigration as a critical priority for the incoming Republican majority. Calling the current system “fundamentally broken,” he advocated for a more “merit-based” approach focused on the country’s economic needs.
“We need immigration,” Lawler emphasized, noting that his own wife is an immigrant. “We need an immigration system that works, that is legal.” The New York congressman pointed to programs like H-1B visas, which bring in skilled foreign workers, as “critical to our economy.” Lawler aligned himself with the pro-immigration views voiced recently by tech leaders like Elon Musk, even as some far-right Republicans have railed against so-called “third-world invaders.”
Democrats: Immigration Key to US Innovation
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats like Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) argue that welcoming diverse talent has been central to America’s economic dominance. “If there was some problem with our culture, we wouldn’t be the world’s greatest economy,” Khanna said on Fox News. He noted that the US leads the world in Nobel prizes across scientific fields thanks in large part to its openness to skilled immigrants.
However, Khanna acknowledged issues with the H-1B system, saying it can disadvantage foreign workers and hurt labor conditions. “It needs major reform,” he stated. “And if you don’t see that, you don’t understand what’s happening, or you’re not being truthful.”
Charting Path Forward on Reform
As the immigration debate heats up, stakeholders on all sides are staking out their positions. Republicans like Lawler seem to be charting a middle path between the party’s business-friendly wing and its more restrictionist elements. “We’re better off when we have competition and top talent,” argued California Governor Gavin Newsom, “from farmworkers and construction workers to CEOs and beyond.”
But crafting reforms that thread the political needle won’t be easy. While there is growing consensus that the immigration system is broken and outdated, deep divisions remain over how to fix it. For now, leaders like Lawler are preaching unity and incremental progress, rather than perfect solutions.
The fact is, we can’t get anything done unless we have a Speaker… To waste time over a joke of a food fight? Please.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY)
As the 126th Congress gets underway, all eyes will be on the Republican majority to see if they can overcome internal divisions and make meaningful headway on this complex but crucial issue. The future of America’s economic competitiveness—and its identity as a nation of immigrants—may well hang in the balance.
