Thursday, October 1, 2026
It has been a fast-moving start to my new term in Congress. In my New Year’s Day essay in The New York Times, I promised to “try something different in how we deal with Trump,” and to find common ground on issues that impact our communities.
I was sworn in on Jan. 3, and soon thereafter was reappointed to my seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee and selected to serve as co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus by my Democratic colleagues. I attended President Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, and it’s been a whirlwind ever since.
Some of my constituents are increasingly concerned about some of the president’s executive actions, Elon Musk’s role in his administration, the Jan 6 pardons, and more. Others are encouraging me to continue my efforts to foster bipartisan cooperation.
I will do both.
We have to both find common ground when we can, and fight back when we must.
To that end, I am honored to have been selected by my colleagues to serve as Democratic co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus this Congress. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican, will serve as co-chair. The caucus is a bipartisan group of 50 members of Congress, Republicans and Democrats, committed to advancing common-sense solutions to the most pressing issues facing the nation. Each week, members meet to debate, exchange ideas and find common ground on those issues.
I have a long history with the Problem Solvers Caucus. Just days after being sworn into Congress in 2017, I joined as a founding member and soon became vice chair. Joining the caucus at its founding was a natural continuation of my long-held philosophy of public service: For over 30 years, from my time as mayor of Glen Cove, to Nassau County executive, to serving in Congress, I have believed that progress comes through bipartisan cooperation and problem-solving, no matter how difficult.
Americans are frustrated by partisan bickering, legislative gridlock, and politicians who prioritize scoring political points over delivering real solutions. They want action, and it is our duty to deliver.
This Congress is narrowly divided, with Republicans holding a razor-thin majority. To get things done, bipartisan cooperation will be essential, and the Problem Solvers Caucus has the experience and commitment to make that happen.
While I have and always will champion working together, we must still be vigilant in guarding against constitutional overreach. When I learned that Elon Musk and a handful of unvetted college-aged kids had gained access to sensitive taxpayer data, I called on my Ways and Means Committee colleagues to speak out, to demand transparency and answers as to how the administration plans to keep your information safe.
When I learned that chaotic funding freezes had prevented the Great Neck/Manhasset Head Start program from accessing funding critical to its daily operations, I convened the leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services. Thankfully, we were able to ensure that funding was made available for Head Start programs in our district and prevent an imminent closure of the Great Neck/Manhasset program.
When I learned that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had taken down information on disease treatment as well as vaping, alcohol and other drugs, I met with the Levittown Community Action Coalition to combat the chaos and confusion caused by the president’s executive order.
When I learned that Musk was targeting National Institutes of Health funding, jeopardizing critical scientific research at labs across my district, including Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, I made sure to voice my concerns. These cuts would threaten America’s global leadership in scientific research and discovery, and hurt lifesaving progress on novel treatments and innovative models used by doctors and scientists worldwide.
My philosophy is simple: I will work with anyone who genuinely wants to solve problems and improve the lives of the American people, but I will never abandon my values. I will work hard to represent all my constituents as I endeavor to seek common ground, using common sense, for the common good, while opposing any efforts that undermine our Constitution.
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
