Rep. Mike Lawler told ABC's This Week that his loyalty is to his constituents, not to former President Donald Trump, after Trump asked convention attendees to pledge allegiance to him. Lawler, who represents New York's 17th District and is running against Democrat Cait Conley, said he is courting Democrats and independents in a district that favored Kamala Harris in 2024. He declined to endorse or reject Trump's proposed $5,000 dividend outright, saying he supports putting money back into Americans' pockets but wants clarity on how it would be funded. Analysts estimate the plan could exceed $1.2 trillion, and it has drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans.
Lawler: 'I Pledge Allegiance To My Constituents,' Not To Trump
ABC News - George Stephanopoulos interviews Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., on "This Week."
Republican Rep. Mike Lawler said he pledges his loyalty to the people of New York's 17th District rather than to former President Donald Trump, after Trump invited attendees at the GOP midterm convention to pledge allegiance to him.
Appearing on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Lawler declined to take a similar pledge. "I pledge my allegiance to my constituents, which I always have," he told the host, stressing his focus on representing local voters as he campaigns for reelection.
District, Race And Strategy
Lawler represents New York's 17th Congressional District and faces Democrat Cait Conley, an Army veteran, in November. He said he has been reaching out to Democratic and independent voters in a district that supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.
'The truth is that the president and I don't always agree,' Lawler said in Dallas. 'And that's OK.'
On Trump's $5,000 Dividend Proposal
Trump's convention pitch to offer a $5,000 dividend to American adults if Republicans win in November has drawn both enthusiasm and skepticism. When asked whether he would back the plan, Lawler did not reject it outright. Instead, he said he supports returning money to hardworking Americans but pressed for specifics on funding and legislative mechanics.
'I support putting money back in the pockets of hardworking Americans,' Lawler said. 'The question is, how do you pay for it?'
Independent analysts have raised concerns about the proposal's cost. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated the plan would exceed $1.2 trillion, noting that this would be larger than the combined cost of the three COVID-era stimulus payments.
Political Reactions
Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, criticized the dividend idea as an attempt to 'bribe the American people for their votes.' Some Republicans also voiced reservations. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine questioned the plan's feasibility; Collins called it 'extraordinarily costly' and warned that tax and spending choices should be driven by need and economic conditions, not election timing.
ABC News provided the interview footage of Lawler on This Week.
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