General Election
U.S. House · New York - 16
Federal spending levels and energy policy separate the two NY-16 candidates
George Latimer won the seat in November 2024 after defeating incumbent Jamaal Bowman in the Democratic primary, and faces Republican attorney Joseph J. Cinquemani on Nov. 3. In the 2024 presidential race the district voted 66.2% for Kamala Harris and 33.1% for Donald Trump.
Issues
5 issues · 2 candidates · every claim sourced
Federal spending and taxes
Central to the raceCongress sets federal spending through full-year and stopgap funding bills and can cancel money it already approved. The dispute is whether to cut federal spending and taxes, and by how much, and how to treat large programs such as Medicare and Social Security.
Joseph J. Cinquemani
Pledges an across-the-board 10% cut in federal government spending. Proposes extending the federal income tax withholding exemption to cover all income up to the federal poverty line.
Cinquemani for Congress — Issues ↗
George S. Latimer
In coverageOpposes any attempt to privatize Medicare or Social Security. In the House, voted against the Rescissions Act of 2025 and the 2025 budget reconciliation bill, both now law, and against several 2025–2026 funding bills, while voting for the fiscal 2026 Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy-Water and Interior spending bill.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted no on the Rescissions Act (H.R. 4), which passed the House 214-212 on June 12, 2025 and became Public Law 119-28. Voted no on H.R. 1, the budget reconciliation bill, on House passage on May 22, 2025 and when the House agreed to the Senate's changes 218-214 on July 3, 2025; it became Public Law 119-21. Voted no on the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (H.R. 1968), which passed the House 217-213 on March 11, 2025; on H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, on Sept. 19, 2025 and when the House agreed to the Senate's changes 222-209 on Nov. 12, 2025; and on H.R. 7147, which passed the House 220-207 on Jan. 22, 2026 and became the Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-86). Voted yes on House passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148) on Jan. 22, 2026, then no on agreeing to the Senate's amendments on Feb. 3, 2026. Voted yes on H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, which passed the House 397-28 on Jan. 8, 2026 and became Public Law 119-74. Voted no on H.J.Res. 142, disapproving the District of Columbia Council's D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025; it passed the House 215-210 on Feb. 4, 2026.
U.S. Representative: voted no on H.R. 4, H.R. 1, H.R. 1968, H.R. 5371, H.R. 7147 and H.J.Res. 142; voted yes and then no on H.R. 7148; voted yes on H.R. 6938 · 2025-03-11 to 2026-02-04 · H.R. 4 enacted as Public Law 119-28; H.R. 1 enacted as Public Law 119-21; H.R. 7147 enacted as Public Law 119-86; H.R. 6938 enacted as Public Law 119-74; H.R. 1968 (217-213), H.R. 5371 (222-209, final House vote) and H.J.Res. 142 (215-210) passed the House; H.R. 7148 passed the House on Jan. 22, 2026 and the House voted on the Senate's amendments on Feb. 3, 2026
Energy and climate
Central to the raceA House member votes on federal energy and climate law and funding. The question is which sources of power to expand and how Washington should cut pollution and emissions, whether through federal programs and spending or through market incentives such as environmental taxes and tax credits.
Joseph J. Cinquemani
Proposes recommissioning the Indian Point Energy Center as a facility for small modular nuclear reactors, and supports permitting natural gas drilling in New York's Marcellus Shale formation.
Cinquemani for Congress — Issues ↗George S. Latimer
Supports passing a Green New Deal to address climate change and transition away from fossil fuels. His campaign also cites the authorization of more than $20 million toward expanding electric-vehicle charging infrastructure.
George Latimer for Congress — Priorities ↗Jobs, small business and the economy
Also in playCongress writes the rules for federal small-business programs and for consumer lending, and could change the Federal Reserve's role in setting interest rates. The question is how much Washington should shape credit, interest rates and support for small businesses and workers.
Joseph J. Cinquemani
Wants to strip the Federal Reserve of its unilateral decision-making power, make it an adviser to the Secretary of the Treasury and let free markets set interest rates. Supports aggressively promoting union membership as an alternative to a four-year degree, describing apprenticeships as a way to earn while learning and start work debt-free.
Cinquemani for Congress — campaign home page ↗George S. Latimer
In coverageSponsors small-business bills, including one requiring the Small Business Administration to issue rules for disclosing canceled federal contract solicitations that small businesses were eligible for, which passed the House. Voted against overturning the federal consumer financial bureau's rule on overdraft lending at very large financial institutions.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Introduced the Transparency and Predictability in Small Business Opportunities Act (H.R. 789) on Jan. 28, 2025; it passed the House by voice vote on June 3, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship on June 4, 2025. Sponsors the SBIR Administrative Funding Act (H.R. 7217), introduced Jan. 22, 2026 and referred that day to the House Committee on Small Business and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Introduced the Bridges not Bumpers Act of 2025 (H.R. 6531) on Dec. 9, 2025; its latest action, as of Feb. 2, 2026, was referral to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. Introduced the Incentivizing Small Business Employee Retention Act of 2026 (H.R. 10446) on Sept. 16, 2026; it was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee that day and has two cosponsors. Introduced the Senior Accessible Housing Tax Credit Act of 2026 (H.R. 9554), referred to the Ways and Means and Financial Services committees, and the Home Mortgage Interest Credit Act of 2026 (H.R. 9555), referred to Ways and Means, both on June 30, 2026. Voted no on S.J.Res. 18, disapproving the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection's rule on overdraft lending at very large financial institutions; it passed the House 217-211 on April 9, 2025 and became Public Law 119-10.
U.S. Representative: sponsor of H.R. 789, H.R. 7217, H.R. 6531, H.R. 10446, H.R. 9554 and H.R. 9555; voted no on S.J.Res. 18 · 2025-01-28 to 2026-09-16 · H.R. 789 passed the House June 3, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship June 4, 2025; H.R. 7217, H.R. 10446, H.R. 9554 and H.R. 9555 referred to House committees; H.R. 6531 referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit (latest action Feb. 2, 2026); S.J.Res. 18 enacted as Public Law 119-10
Foreign policy and alliances
Also in playA House member votes on the annual defense authorization bill and on foreign aid. The question is where U.S. aid and support abroad should go, and whether international bodies such as the United Nations should be restructured or relocated.
Joseph J. Cinquemani
Proposes moving the United Nations out of New York and reconstituting the U.N. Security Council to include 15 members.
Cinquemani for Congress — Issues ↗George S. Latimer
In coverageSupports more aid to Ukraine and backing NATO, and supports Israel's right to exist and to self-defense while advocating a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. Voted for the fiscal 2026 defense authorization, now law, and against the fiscal 2027 defense authorization bill.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on S. 1071, enacted as the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Public Law 119-60), on its House passage on Dec. 10, 2025. Voted no on H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, which passed the House 216-212 on July 22, 2026.
U.S. Representative: voted yes on S. 1071 and no on H.R. 8800 · 2025-12-10 to 2026-07-22 · S. 1071 enacted as Public Law 119-60 (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026); H.R. 8800 passed the House 216-212 on July 22, 2026
Guns and law enforcement
Also in playCongress can write national firearm rules such as background-check requirements and weapons bans. Also in dispute is how closely state and local police should work with federal law enforcement.
George S. Latimer
Supports an assault weapons ban and universal background checks, and supports Extreme Risk Protection Orders to temporarily restrict firearm access for people in crisis.
George Latimer for Congress — Priorities ↗Joseph J. Cinquemani
Supports state and local law enforcement cooperating with federal law enforcement officers.
Cinquemani for Congress — Issues ↗