Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., has accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., of hypocrisy regarding voter identification laws. Malliotakis, the sole Republican representing New York City in Congress, urged the Senate to pass the Safeguard America’s Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, a bill that would mandate proof of U.S. citizenship for voters.
Malliotakis stated that Democrats exhibit a double standard, telling constituents they support voter ID in their districts while voting against such measures in Washington. "They go to their district, they tell their constituents that they support voter ID, and then they turn around to go to Washington and vote against it," she said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
She specifically called out Schumer for blocking the SAVE Act, which has passed the House four times. "These Senators keep going to their district saying that they support the SAVE America act, or at least they're telling their constituents that they support voter ID, and then they go to Washington and they vote against it, and so citizens need to hold those senators accountable," Malliotakis asserted.
She further criticized Mayor Mamdani, highlighting his administration's requirement of photo identification for city programs, such as municipal grocery stores and a snow shoveling initiative. "Sadly, you see the hypocrisy when you see programs like Mayor Mamdani wanting to require photo ID to utilize a government-run supermarket or when he wanted you to use a photo ID, not just one, but multiple IDs for a snow shoveling program," Malliotakis said. She contrasted this with the opposition to voter ID for elections, the "most important thing you do as a United States citizen."
Malliotakis also referenced an incident in her Staten Island district where Mamdani was reportedly booed at an event supporting law enforcement. According to Malliotakis, constituents were protesting Mamdani's past support for the "defund the police" movement and what she described as his "communist agenda." She noted that Staten Island was the only borough in New York City that did not vote for Mamdani.
Malliotakis expressed a belief that a significant majority of Americans support voter ID, stating, "Over 80% of America wants it." She argued that the opposition comes primarily from Democrats in Congress who, she contends, are not representing the wishes of their constituents. "Regardless of political affiliation, regardless of race, they are saying that they want a voter ID and the Senate Democrats should vote for it," she added. Malliotakis concluded by emphasizing the importance of voter ID for election integrity, calling it "the most common-sense step that we should be taking as a body." Mamdani and Schumer's offices were contacted for comment by Fox News Digital.