Saturday, October 3, 2026
Individuals from organizations across Long Island gathered on the boardwalk in Long Beach last Friday on the ninth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy to voice their concerns on two major pieces of legislation being proposed by President Biden, and Rep. Kathleen Rice’s position on them.
About 28 people from organizations such as the New York State Alliance for Retired Americans, Nassau County Democratic Socialists of America and Metro New York Health Care for All rallied for about an hour on the boardwalk at National Boulevard.
The organizations and speakers ranged on topics from health care and drug prices to housing and citizenship. They all revolved around two bills: Biden’s Build Back Better Plan and his bipartisan infrastructure bill.
The Build Back Better Plan’s framework is aimed at meeting climate goals, creating jobs and growing the economy. The bipartisan infrastructure bill seeks to improve bridges and roads and water and energy systems.
Mark Hannay, a member of Metro NY Health Care for All, raised his concerns regarding the Build Back Better Plan, highlighting health care.
“We need to direct the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices,” Hannay said. “We pay three-times higher than any other country. We also need to add paid family leave and an improved Medicare to the bill.”
Jeremy Joseph, a member of the Nassau County Democratic Socialists of America, talked about housing.
“Nationwide, we have a housing deficit of over five million homes,” Joseph said. “The fact that we have any homeless in the richest country in the world is a testament to the obscene levels of greed inherent to a capitalist society.”
The people who showed up aimed their demands at Rice, a South Shore Democrat. Marjorie Harrison, a member of the NYS Alliance for Retired Americans, was critical of the congresswoman.
“This district was ground zero for Superstorm Sandy,” said Harrison. “But we have the opposite of a thank you for Kathleen Rice.”
Harrison also said Rice had changed her stance on supporting seniors in the bills.
“Being a moderate is not an excuse for flip-flopping when needed to support seniors’ health care,” Harrison said. “Don’t be the grinch who stole Christmas for seniors in this district Kathleen Rice.”
Stuart Malec, the communications director for Rice, said in a statement that the congresswoman “has supported holding a vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill since its passage in the Senate, and she has been working with her colleagues in the House, Senate and Biden Administration to craft Build Back Better legislation that will address the pressing needs of American families,” Malec said.
“She is disappointed the House has still not passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill, but she is encouraged by the Build Back Better framework. She hopes both bills can be sent to the President’s desk as soon as possible.”
