AUDIO: On Press Call, Republican Candidate at Odds with Zeldin’s Opposition to Governor Hochul’s Micron Deal
NEW YORK – An Upstate New York Republican congressional candidate was at odds with Lee Zeldin on a press call today, saying he would have voted for the federal CHIPS and Science Act, which helped secure Governor Hochul’s historic $100 billion deal with Micron that will generate nearly 50,000 good-paying jobs in New York.
Zeldin voted against the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, which will make the United States more competitive with China, generate jobs, and, importantly, was critical to New York landing a deal with Micron, one of the largest makers of semiconductors in the world.
On the call, a reporter asked the Upstate congressional candidate about Zeldin’s vote: “So Congressman Zeldin is on this call, he voted against the CHIPS and Science Act which Micron is crediting with its investments… how would you have voted?”
The candidate responded, “I would have voted for it because it is critical infrastructure and manufacturing that we have to bring home to the United States.”
“It’s no surprise that Lee Zeldin hates job-creating projects, but it must be embarrassing that his far-right extremism is at odds even with his Republican colleagues,” said Campaign Spokesman Jerrel Harvey. “Zeldin’s voting record is based on an agenda of obstruction, and the Micron deal overwhelmingly benefits New York State. His stance against this historic investment shows he can’t be trusted to run New York State.”
Audio HERE. Transcript below:
Reporter: My question is for Mr. Williams. So Congressman Zeldin is on this call, he voted against the CHIPS and Science Act which Micron is crediting with its investments. Congressman Katko, whose seat you’re running to replace, he did vote for it. Katko will be with President Biden and Governor Hochul today. How would you have voted? Whose vote was right for this district?
Republican candidate: Well, you know, of course all of this was before the district, you know, Micron announcement. I would have voted for it because it is critical infrastructure and manufacturing that we have to bring home to the United States.