October 6, 2022
From The New York State Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs:
“Lyin’ Lee” Zeldin is at it again, making it his mission to mislead New Yorkers on his various policy positions in order to save his flailing campaign. This time, “Lyin’ Lee” is deceiving New Yorkers on supporting mental health services.
Claim: “We must strengthen access to mental health services” (Zeldin press conference, October 3)
Truth: In the past few months, Zeldin has failed multiple times to take action to boost mental health services. Last month, Zeldin pledged to “look at cutting back the Medicaid program as it exists presently” — Medicaid is the single largest payer for mental health services in the United States.
In Congress, Zeldin has failed to follow through on his own call to fund mental health services. Zeldin did not vote last week on the Mental Health Matters Act (H.R. 7780), which includes a series of critical solutions that would help students, educators, and families confront America’s ongoing mental health crisis. Earlier in June, Zeldin refused to vote on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938), which included historic funding for mental health support in schools.
Also in June, Zeldin couldn’t be bothered to vote on the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022 (H. R. 7666), which invests in crisis response and addresses community mental health and substance use disorder needs. The bipartisan measure passed with support from 184 Republicans.
“While Zeldin might try to paper over his lackluster record, New Yorkers won’t be fooled,” said New York State Democratic Party spokesperson James Martin. “Lyin’ Lee claims access to mental health services are a priority for his campaign, but after voters hired Lee Zeldin to address those issues in Congress, he has been asleep at the wheel. His inaction in Washington should tell New York voters everything they need to know about Lee Zeldin and why they should reject him at the ballot box this November.”
