Fact Check: Zeldin's "Accomplishments"

October 11,2020 — In a world where facts matter, it’s clear that Rep. Lee Zeldin’s key accomplishment is pulling the wool over our eyes and renaming two post offices. Here are some of his self-proclaimed "accomplishments" in which he exaggerates or, at times, lies about his role in enacting legislation—learn more about Zeldin's Record.

#1
ZELDIN SAYS: He's “fighting to drive down the cost of prescription drugs.”(Zeldin.house.gov)
THE TRUTH: Zeldin voted against letting the government negotiate prices with drug companies. Negotiation would lower costs whether you receive healthcare through Medicare or your employer. (HR 3, Vote 682, 12/12/19)

#2
ZELDIN SAYS: He’s “protecting healthcare for individuals with pre-existing conditions.”
THE TRUTH: Zeldin is still lying about his votes to dismantle protections for those with pre-existing conditions. But lies don't change facts: Thanks to the ACA, insurers are prohibited from turning people down, charging them more, or amending coverage to exclude their pre-existing conditions. If the ACA is repealed—or overturned by the Supreme Cour in November—those protections will disappear (Trump’s Executive Order won't help—it's like a "pinky promise.")

#3
ZELDIN SAYS: He's“advocating for expectant mothers’ access to quality and affordable maternity care…”
THE TRUTH: Zeldin voted to repeal the ACA and replace it with a plan that would let states waive the ACA’s 10 essential benefits—including maternity, pregnancy and newborn care. Premiums for women would skyrocket. His votes would also open the door for insurers to once again classify pregnancy or C-sections as pre-existing conditions.

#4
ZELDIN SAYS: He “tripled funding for the LI Sound Study to $12 million despite calls to cut or eliminate the program.”
THE TRUTH: Huh? Funding for the LI Sound Study was increased by $4 million from the prior year thanks to a bi-partisan budget bill Zeldin voted AGAINST. And the only want who wanted to eliminate it was Zeldin's patron, Donald Trump. (HR 1625, Vote #127, 3/22/18)

#5
ZELDIN SAYS: He is “one of the most accessible reps...in the country, holding hundreds of one-on-one and small group meetings as well as public forums across NY-01.”
THE TRUTH: Not only false, but ridiculous. Zeldin’s last public town hall—more than 3 1/2 years ago—was a tightly controlled event with no direct Q&A with the audience. Since then, he’s been inaccessible to the general public, available only for screened, invitation-only, “tele-town halls” and small gatherings

#6
ZELDIN SAYS: He “helped lead the fight to reauthorize the Zadroga Act and 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.”
THE TRUTH: There was no fight to lead. This was one of the few bills to sail through both House and Senate quickly without opposition. Zeldin merely joined the 402 other representatives who voted for it.(HR, 1327, Vote #427, 7/12/19)

#7
ZELDIN SAYS: He “authored and secured into law dozens of legislative proposals.”
THE TRUTH: Only two of the 76 bills Zeldin has written in Congress became law. Both renamed local post offices. Nothing to brag about after 6 years in Congress. (HR 829, 828, 8-21-19)