Congressman Latimer Comments on Tariffs and the U.S. Department of Education
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On February 7, 2025 Congressman George Latimer (NY-16) took to the House floor to denounce President Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on our allies Canada and Mexico. While the tariffs have been delayed by 30 days, the threat of a trade war with our allies and trading partners remains.
Here is what he said
“Mr. Speaker, this institution has a choice. To either be an independent, deliberative body, or to rubber stamp foolish policies. What man desires to punish our neighbors, to insult and intimidate our closest ally, Canada, when they have done nothing to warrant this action.
Levying a tariff is an economic tool to be used carefully and strategically, to deal with bad actors on the international scene, who willfully undercut American fair trade. The 25% tariff proposed on Canada is counterproductive and mean-spirited. It’s application to Mexico is equally devastating to us. It will raise prices for the everyday American. When they go to stores, over 1,200 goods will see prices rise with no rise in their paycheck. It will impact American goods sold in Canada and Mexico as they impose retaliatory tariffs to defend themselves.
American families, not foreign leaders, will bear the burden. And the President himself acknowledged that Americans will face some pain. Wall Street and Main Street alike know that agricultural products, cars, steel, gas. All of this is a self-inflicted wound and all unnecessary. This institution needs to listen to Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan eloquently warned American politicians not to do this. Thank you and I yield back.”
U.S> Department of Education
And on February 13, 2025, Congressman George Latimer (NY-16) released the following statement after President Donald Trump said the U.S. Department of Education is a “con job” and called for its immediate closure:
“President Trump just said he thinks the Department of Education is a ‘con job’ and should be closed immediately. This is a ridiculous and harmful statement. The Department of Education provides critical funding for low-income schools and resources for students with disabilities. A closure of the Department of Education won’t do anything to bring down costs and will create chaos for students, teachers and families. President Trump seems willing to abandon the public school students of Yonkers, Port Chester, Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle, the Bronx and White Plains.”
In Memoriam: Scarsdale Alum Jo Diamond Samuels
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Jo Diamond Samuels SHS 1963
Jo Diamond Samuels, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on January 31, 2025. She was the daughter of William and Blanche Diamond and sister of June Diamond. Jo was married to Alan Samuels, and together they raised four loving children: David, William, Elizabeth, and Barbara. She was the proud and loving grandmother of Zachary, Maya, Ethan, and Alex Jade and cherished family to Carolann Samuels, Corey, Bear and Eliana Davis, Stoli Stolnack, and Buji Ibrahim. She also held a special place in her heart for a community of treasured friends.
Jo lived a full and vibrant life. She spent her childhood in Scarsdale, NY, and throughout her life resided in New York City, Boston, Rochester, NY, Loudonville, NY, and most recently, Richmond, MA. She cultivated love, generosity, and care. To know Jo was to feel loved and cared for by her. Jo was passionate about giving back and volunteered for organizations that stood for the causes she believed in. She and Alan traveled the world together, visiting continents across the globe. Jo was an avid reader and lifelong learner, and there was rarely a topic that she wouldn't want to discuss, even with a stranger. She found enjoyment in puzzles, her sweet dogs Lily and Pickles, literature, theater, dance, art, fashion, and a well-set table surrounded by her family and friends.
A graduate of New York University, Jo was a dedicated educator, having taught English and later worked as a library aide. She was committed to her community, volunteered for numerous organizations, and was a lifelong supporter of progressive causes.
Jo will be remembered for her warm spirit and giving heart, her love of the arts, and her unwavering dedication to her family and community. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held in the spring.
Memorial contributions in Jo's honor may be made to a local or a national reproductive healthcare organization,
National Network of Abortion Funds or the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift
Kudos to Two Local Grads
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Izzy Motokoff and Alexis Chan developed SteadyScribTwo local graduates are making news this week. Read below about Edgemont's Alexis Chan who designed a new product and Rachelle Gage who published her fourth book:
Alexis Chan, a 2020 graduate of Edgemont High School and a 2024 graduate of Northwestern, has just released a new product. Chan majored in biomedical engineering and worked with another student at school to develop SteadyScrib. SteadyScrib is a comprehensive pen set that includes a magnetic pen, pairing clipboards, and two magnets to secure paper to help people with Parkinson’s to write.
It’s the first writing utensil designed for people with Parkinson’s Disease.
The product was inspired by Chan’s co-founder Izzy Mokotoff’s weekly letter exchanges with her grandfather Pops which were cut short by his Parkinson’s symptoms. Now, in his loving memory, Co-Founders Alexis Chan and Izzy Mokotoff have our sights set on helping millions of others with Parkinson’s disease.
SteadyScrib is available for purchase on the company’s website. The Co-Founders are actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with healthcare providers, support groups, and advocates to extend their impact and bring this innovative solution to more individuals in the Parkinson’s community.
The design is now officially patented. Izzy and Alexis were named to Forbes 30 under 30 Chicago and have been featured on many news channels including NBC News, ABC7, and recently Good Day Chicago.
Learn more at www.steadyscrib.com.
We're Not Ok
SHS 2012 grad Rachelle Gage recently published her fourth book, and her first that is out of the children’s book
Rachel Gage recently published her fourth book. world. The book is called We’re Not OK: Jewish and Ally Experiences Post 10/7 and brings together personal anecdotes, poems, and letters following the 10/7 attack on Israel. The words are taken from social media platforms and illustrated by Gage. Some of these voices are those of mothers sharing their fears for their visibly Jewish children, and students writing to their universities with concerns about the pro terror encampments.
Gage says, “As a proud Jew and granddaughter of an Auschwitz survivor, I was impacted firsthand by the rise of antisemitism in the silencing of Jewish voices. I knew I had to amplify these voices, and published my recent book, which includes submissions of various perspectives through personal anecdotes, poems, and letters. This collection and other similar projects are so important in this time where Jewish voices are being silenced, and our history erased. While the title states We’re Not OK, the takeaway message is that we’re not alone. I hope that my book not only raises the authors’ voices but provides comfort to others who have felt isolated for these past two years.”
Find your copy on Amazon or Barnes and Noble here:
Latimer and Mayer Vow to Fight Executive Order to Pause Federal Funds
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Newly elected Congressman George Latimer’s arrival in Washington has coincided with a crisis in government that threatens the well-being of the country and his constituents. In his first week in office, President Trump signed an executive order to pause payments of federal funds, jeopardizing Medicaid funding to the states, funding to non-profits, hospitals, meals on wheels and school lunches just to name a few of the programs that are affected.
We spoke to Latimer on the evening of January 28, 2025 when he expressed his determination to fight these efforts using whatever means are available. Latimer said, “The illegal action to halt funding that was legally approved by the Federal government is an attempt to impose an ideology on America. The pain and suffering will cause great hardship, raise prices, increase homelessness, hurt veterans, jeopardize education, and more. It’s indefensible.” He added, “The President does not have the power to freeze these payments. It is without just cause.”
Though Latimer acknowledges that Democrats are in the minority in Congress, he is determined to fight these orders with whatever tools are available.
Latimer reported that NY Attorney General Tish James had filed a lawsuit to challenge the order which was joined by additional states. On Tuesday, a federal judge enjoined the spending freeze until Monday February 3, 2025. 
Latimer was sworn in on January 26, 2025 in Rye.
On Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship, Latimer said, “Trump’s order is clearly illegal. Birthright citizenship is guaranteed in the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution.”
What to do? Latimer said, “I am not sitting here and saying woe is me. We are drawing public attention to the actions. We think that even pausing benefits and programs can interrupt and possibly stop these programs.”
Why is Trump taking such dramatic actions? Latimer explained, “Trump is intending to use this as leverage to get his deportation policy through – for those who won’t help him do his dirty work – he will force this by withholding their Medicaid money. He wants 12 million people to be deported.”
He added, “None of this is a surprise to me. People have seen him in New York for years and know his tactics.” Latimer said, “The only office in government Trump has held is President. He is a critic of government and want to deconstruct it.”
What can citizens do? Latimer urged residents to speak up. He said, “Trump is not impervious to public pressure. When enough people who are on his side hear concerns the pressure will come back on him. If you disagree, let people know. Use your voice.”
State Senator Shelley Mayer also expressed concern about the pause. On Tuesday January 28, 2025 she said , “I’m deeply disturbed by President 
Trump’s unauthorized ‘pause’ of appropriated federal funds. It is already causing distress, confusion, and havoc in New York State, as payments that flow through to New York institutions are impacted. So far we have heard that online systems through which Medicaid payments are received by New York State were blocked and that non-profits reimbursed through federal funds are at great risk of non-payment for services they provide. These include hospitals, Head Start programs, veterans’ programs and more – services New Yorkers depend on, and our Congressmembers and Senators fought for and were enacted into law.
“Credit to New York Attorney General Tish James and other state Attorneys General, who promptly filed suit challenging this order. It appears a federal judge briefly delayed the President’s order. We cannot stay silent in the face of such action by the President; I appeal to my Republican Federal colleagues to use every tool at their disposal to stop this effort.
“It’s unacceptable and cannot stand.”
County Executive George Latimer Sets Agenda for First Term as Congressman George Latimer
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Westchester’s newly elected Congressman George Latimer will go to Washington in January. But as a junior Congressman in the minority party, what can he hope to accomplish?
That was the subject of an interview on December 15 on The Point with Marcia Kramer where Latimer outlined his expectations for his first term.
He acknowledged that his lack of seniority and the fact that the Republicans hold the majority may make it difficult for him to achieve some of his goals. However, he does plan to address the needs of his constituents in Westchester by advocating for initiatives that will impact them.
Specifically he plans to work to re-establish at least some part of the SALT deduction which allowed New Yorkers to deduct state and local taxes from their federal tax bills. He says there may be support on both sides of the aisle for restoring SALT.
He also mentioned passing legislation to ensure clean water both in the Hudson and the LI Sound and working to bring more affordable housing to Westchester and the Bronx.
And though he will be a Democrat in a Republican led Congress, he vows to fight for issues that will affect public health, saying, “If Bobby Kennedy does become head of HHS and decides he want to get out of the vaccination business, there is going to be a battle. …Polio vaccines prevented the spread of a crippling disease…. This has been settled science for 50 plus years.”
And what about congestion pricing? He noted that while some might not favor it, there is no alternative to fund the MTA that badly needs funds for infrastructure maintenance and improvements.
Watch the entire interview here:
