History of Mike Lawler in Timeline

Michael Vincent Lawler is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 17th congressional district since 2023. Prior to his role in Congress, Lawler served as a Republican member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 97th district in Rockland County from 2021 to 2022. His career has been focused on public service and representing his constituents at both the state and federal levels.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 9, 1986: Michael Lawler's Birth

On September 9, 1986, Michael Vincent Lawler was born.

2005: Attended Michael Jackson's trial

In 2005, Michael Jackson biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli helped get Lawler, then a high school senior, into the courtroom for Jackson's trial.

2006: Wore blackface costume at Halloween party

In 2006, Michael Lawler wore a Michael Jackson costume that included blackface at a Manhattan College Halloween party.

2009: Graduated from Manhattan College

In 2009, Michael Lawler earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from Manhattan College and was named valedictorian of his graduating class.

2016: Served as Republican convention delegate

In 2016, Michael Lawler served as a Republican convention delegate for Donald Trump.

2018: Co-founded Checkmate Strategies

In 2018, Michael Lawler co-founded the political communications firm Checkmate Strategies.

2020: Elected to New York State Assembly

In 2020, Michael Lawler was elected to the New York State Assembly for a two-year term, defeating Democratic incumbent Ellen Jaffee.

August 2022: Won Primary for Congressional District 17

In August 2022, Michael Lawler won the primary to become the Republican nominee in the 2022 general election in New York's 17th congressional district.

January 4, 2023: Called out George Santos's conduct

On January 4, 2023, Michael Lawler called then-newly sworn Representative George Santos's conduct "embarrassing and unbecoming" and "certainly a distraction".

March 2023: Voted against the Parents' Bill of Rights

In March 2023, Michael Lawler was one of five Republicans to vote against the Parents' Bill of Rights.

May 2023: Introduced legislation expanding anti-boycott laws

In May 2023, Michael Lawler along with Democrat Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced legislation expanding anti-boycott laws to include blocking boycotts organized by international governmental organizations.

July 6, 2023: Introduced H.R.4493

On July 6, 2023, Michael Lawler introduced H.R.4493, the District of Columbia One Vote One Choice Act, to prohibit Washington, D.C., from adopting ranked-choice voting.

August 2023: Signed letter opposing the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act

In August 2023, Michael Lawler was a signatory on a letter to the House Agriculture Committee opposing the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act.

2023: Banned TV news cameras from town halls

For much of 2023, Michael Lawler had a policy of banning television news cameras from his town hall meetings.

2023: Opposed Manhattan congestion pricing plan

In 2023, Michael Lawler opposed a plan by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to enact congestion pricing in Manhattan, New York City.

2023: Voted for Kevin McCarthy for Speaker

In 2023, Michael Lawler voted for Kevin McCarthy in the 2023 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election.

2023: Signed letter opposing EATS Act

In October 5, 2023 Michael Lawler signed a letter to the House Agriculture Committee opposing the inclusion of the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act in the 2023 farm bill.

March 2024: Signed letter opposing EATS Act

In March 2024, Michael Lawler was one of 10 House Republicans who signed a letter to the House Agriculture Committee opposing the inclusion of the Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression (EATS) Act in the 2024 farm bill.

September 2024: Signed a letter requesting analysis of Chinese biotechnology

In September 2024, Michael Lawler was one of 11 House Republicans who signed a letter to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines requesting an analysis of Chinese biotechnology and slaughter-free cultivated meat developments.

September 2024: Considered a potential candidate for governor

In September 2024, The New York Times reported that Michael Lawler was seen as a potential candidate for governor of New York in 2026.

October 2024: Blackface costume controversy

In October 2024, The New York Times discovered resurfaced photos of Lawler wearing a Michael Jackson costume that included blackface in 2006 at a Manhattan College Halloween party.

November 5, 2024: Re-elected to the House of Representatives

On November 5, 2024, Michael Lawler was re-elected to the United States House of Representatives in the 17th congressional district of New York, defeating his opponent, Democratic nominee Mondaire Jones.

2024: Asked Trump to kill Manhattan congestion pricing plan

In 2024, Michael Lawler asked president-elect Donald Trump to kill the congestion pricing plan for Manhattan once he gets into office.

2024: Voted for Trump in Republican primary

In 2024, Michael Lawler voted for Donald Trump in the Republican primary in New York.

2024: Pledged to respect election results

In 2024, Michael Lawler was one of six Republicans to sign a bipartisan letter in which they pledged to respect the results of the 2024 presidential election.

2024: Rated as a bipartisan member of the House

In 2024, Michael Lawler was rated as the fourth most bipartisan member of the U.S. House during the 118th United States Congress in the Bipartisan Index created by The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy.

2024: Rescinded ban on TV news cameras

In early 2024, Michael Lawler rescinded the ban on television news cameras from his town hall meetings.

May 2025: Criticized by Marjorie Taylor Greene and confronted by Trump

In May 2025, Michael Lawler's support for increasing the SALT deduction drew criticism from Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). President Trump encouraged House Republicans to pass a spending bill that boosts the SALT cap to $30,000. Trump singled out Lawler in a May 2025 meeting, saying "End it, Mike, just end it." in reference to Lawler's push for a higher SALT deduction.

May 2025: House Republican leadership scrapped a vote on the anti-boycott bill

In May 2025, the House Republican leadership scrapped a vote on the bill expanding anti-boycott laws that Michael Lawler co-sponsored.

July 2025: Announced reelection campaign for the House

In July 2025, Michael Lawler announced he would seek reelection to the House in 2026 instead of running for governor.

July 2025: Voted to defund Planned Parenthood

In July 2025, Michael Lawler voted to prohibit clinics from receiving Medicaid dollars for any health service if they also perform abortions, a provision which was effectively meant to defund Planned Parenthood.

2025: Voted in favor of the HR 1 of the 119th Congress

In 2025, Michael Lawler voted in favor of the HR 1 of the 119th Congress.

2026: Possible run for governor of New York

In September 2024, it was reported that Michael Lawler was considered a potential candidate for governor of New York in 2026, but by July 2025, he had announced that he would seek reelection to the House instead.