Congressman Anthony D'Esposito has settled in Washington, but loves coming home

It’s been a fast eight months for Congressman Anthony D’Esposito into his first term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The former New York Police Department detective and longtime volunteer firefighter who would work his way to being elected a Hempstead town councilman is well known for commitment to being anywhere and everywhere in his community.

In fact, it’s like having someone who has their “boots to the ground,” as he might say.

Now, D’Esposito’s boots are in Washington, nearly 300 miles away from Long Island. But that doesn’t mean home isn’t on his mind. In fact, the congressman thinks about the part of Nassau County he represents a lot.

So, what’s the work-life balance been for the congressman?

“It’s early days into late nights,” D’Esposito said. “Whether it’s having committee hearings, markups for legislation, voting on the floor, having meetings with groups and organizations and concerns to deliver, it’s really a nonstop job.”

D’Esposito is the first Republican since Dan Frisa — who won the seat back in 1995 — to represent the congressional district. He defeated Laura Gillen in what had become a Long Island “red wave” last year, flipping the seat to the GOP after Democratic congresswoman Kathleen Rice retired. Before her, Carolyn McCarthy kept the district blue.

The Island Park native takes pride in being involved in his community — an involvement he has since brought to Washington.

In his first month, D’Esposito joined three committees. With the House Committee on  Homeland Security, he’s tasked with safeguarding national security from threats both foreign and domestic, The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is tasked with overseeing the nation’s air, rail, road and transportation networks as well as the country’s infrastructure. And lastly, the House Committee on House Administration is tasked with operations of the congressional lower chamber, as well as federal elections and Capitol complex security.

But being a congressman is more than just Joining committees. D’Esposito recently hopped onto a long flight to Israel as part of a 20-person bipartisan congressional delegation formed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Israel’s independence.

“It was a historic visit,” D’Esposito said.

Now, D’Esposito is committed with other members of Congress to work on continuing peace efforts in the Middle East, expanding on the Abraham Accords — which seeks to find peace among the three major Abrahamic religions of Christianity, Islam and Judaism — as well as visits to Israel, or their government leaders coming to the United States.

Most recently, the spike in crime to fentanyl overdoses has pushed for the creation of a congressional task force aimed at combating Mexican cartels. The congressman — tapping into his former police experience — was named to the group to share his expertise.

Still, being so far away from home is not something D’Esposito looks forward to. But good communication helps, something the congressman praises his staff for maintaining, so he can remain in touch with the concerns, questions and needs of his constituents while the House is in session.

“We make ourselves very accessible on social media platforms and emails to ensure that we’re meeting all their needs,” D’Esposito said. “I’m usually on the first flight out right after our final vote. And as soon as I land, we’re heading into the district.”

That means meeting with local leaders, members of village boards, and even spending time working with Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

Now back on Long Island as part of an August break, D’Esposito has kept himself busy. In Wantagh, he joined the celebration of 40 years of the family-owned Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall. He also has community events and meetings lined up with local elected officials on the state and village level.

“It’s making sure that every inch of this district — whether it’s in the west closest to the city, or in the east in Seaford and Wantagh, or down along the Barrier Island or up in Garden City and everywhere in between — making sure that they understand that they have somebody who has their boots on the ground,” D’Eposito said, “their ears open, and want to be representing their communities as best they can.”