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Issue record

Defense and foreign policy

In short

Cait Conley's campaign backs diplomacy over military escalation with Iran, restoring USAID, checks on presidential military action, a two-state solution and support for Ukraine. Mike Lawler's campaign backs Israel, Ukraine and sanctions on Iranian oil, and cites a yes vote on every defense bill. On the record, he voted for each year's defense bill from 2023 to 2026. His two Iran oil sanctions bills became law inside a larger foreign aid package.

Campaign positions

What each campaign says.

Cait Conley

Would end military escalation with Iran in favour of diplomacy, restore USAID, check presidential military action, support a two-state solution, and back Ukraine.

Mike Lawler

Calls for peace through strength: steady support for Israel, which he says he has never wavered on, support for Ukraine against his own party's critics, sanctions on Iranian oil, and a yes vote on every defense authorization.

Evidence timeline

What the record shows.

  1. official action

    Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

    He voted for House passage of each year's defense bill from 2023 to 2026 and for the final House votes on the 2024, 2025 and 2026 acts.

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    His campaign says he has always voted for the National Defense Authorization Act. He voted Yea or Aye on House passage of each year's defense bill since he took office: July 2023, June 2024, September 2025 and July 2026. He voted Yea on the final House votes for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 acts. Limit: These are the passage and final votes. Votes on amendments and procedure were not counted.

  2. official action

    Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

    Lawler introduced H.R. 867 with Gottheimer as an original cosponsor, and it is still in committee. A separate earlier bill, H.R. 3016, passed the House by voice vote in 2024.

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    Lawler named the IGO Anti-Boycott Act among legislation he had led with Josh Gottheimer. Lawler introduced H.R. 867 in 2025, with Gottheimer as an original cosponsor. It proposes to extend Anti-Boycott Act language to international governmental organizations and require an annual report. Its complete captured history shows introduction and referral; the current bill remains in committee. The distinct predecessor H.R. 3016 in the 118th Congress passed the House by voice vote February 13, 2024 and then reached the Senate; that is a different bill and Congress. Limit: The comparison verifies sponsorship, joint introduction and proposed content, not enactment or effectiveness. Prior House passage of H.R. 3016 is not House passage of the current H.R. 867. Purpose language about confronting antisemitism does not establish its elimination. Debate wording is paraphrased from native captions.

  3. official action

    Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

    He sponsored both bills, and both became law in April 2024 inside a larger foreign aid package he voted for.

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    His campaign says he introduced and passed into law bills against Iran's illicit oil trade, including the SHIP Act and the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act. He sponsored both: the SHIP Act (H.R. 3774) and the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023 (H.R. 5923). Both went into the House package H.R. 8038, which he voted for on April 20, 2024 (360-58), and both became law as divisions J and S of Public Law 118-50 on April 24, 2024. Limit: Both became law inside a much larger foreign aid package, not as stand-alone bills.

  4. official action

    Mike Lawler: Matches stated direction

    His bill passed the House but not the Senate; the 2024 defense law he voted for created a broader office headed by an Abraham Accords envoy.

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    His campaign says he passed into law the Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act. His bill, H.R. 3099, passed the House 413-13 on June 13, 2023, but not the Senate. Section 6407 of the 2024 defense act, which he voted for, adds a section 64 at the same place in the State Department's basic law: a Regional Integration Office headed by a Senate-confirmed envoy for the Abraham Accords, the Negev Forum and related agreements, with the rank of ambassador. It became law on December 22, 2023. Limit: The law creates a broader version of the office his bill proposed, with a longer title and different duties. Neither chamber's version of the defense bill had it; it was added in conference, and while his office credited it to him and Rep. Torres, the conference report does not say where it came from.

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Sources28 source records

How we use sources

  1. Policyhttps://caitconley.com/policy/

    Cait for New York · Reviewed Oct 7, 2026

    Twelve policy sections. Undated; read October 1, 2026.

    candidate statement

    For: Cait Conley: campaign position

  2. Issueshttps://www.lawlerforcongress.com/issues/

    Lawler for Congress, Inc. · Reviewed Oct 7, 2026

    Fifteen issue sections, most of them lists of bills and votes he names. Undated; read October 1, 2026.

    candidate statement

    For: Mike Lawler: campaign position; Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim; Mike Lawler: Matches stated direction

  3. House Roll Call 328, 2023: H.R. 2670, FY2024 NDAA, on passagehttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023328

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    July 14, 2023. Carried 219-210. Lawler is recorded Yea.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  4. House Roll Call 723, 2023: H.R. 2670, FY2024 NDAA conference reporthttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023723

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    December 14, 2023. Carried 310-118. Lawler is recorded Yea.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim; Mike Lawler: Matches stated direction

  5. House Roll Call 279, 2024: H.R. 8070, FY2025 NDAA, on passagehttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024279

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    June 14, 2024. Carried 217-199. Lawler is recorded Aye.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  6. House Roll Call 500, 2024: H.R. 5009, FY2025 NDAA, final House votehttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024500

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    December 11, 2024. Carried 281-140. Lawler is recorded Yea.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  7. House Roll Call 262, 2025: H.R. 3838, FY2026 NDAA, on passagehttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025262

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    September 10, 2025. Carried 231-196. Lawler is recorded Aye.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  8. House Roll Call 320, 2025: S. 1071, FY2026 NDAA, House passage of the final texthttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025320

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    December 10, 2025. Carried 312-112. Lawler is recorded Yea.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  9. House Roll Call 278, 2026: H.R. 8800, FY2027 NDAA, on passagehttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2026278

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    July 22, 2026. Carried 216-212. Lawler is recorded Yea.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  10. Public Law 118-31, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-118publ31/html/PLAW-118publ31.htm

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Published Dec 22, 2023 · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Signed December 22, 2023. Sec. 6407 adds a section 64 to the State Department Basic Authorities Act creating a Regional Integration Office headed by a Special Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords, Negev Forum and related agreements, Senate-confirmed, with the rank and status of ambassador.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim; Mike Lawler: Matches stated direction

  11. Public Law 118-159, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-118publ159/html/PLAW-118publ159.htm

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Published Dec 23, 2024 · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Signed December 23, 2024 (H.R. 5009).

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  12. S. 1071 (119th Congress), National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1071

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    The vehicle for the 2026 defense act. Became Public Law 119-60 on December 18, 2025.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  13. H.R. 8800 (119th Congress), National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8800

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Passed the House 216-212 on July 22, 2026. Not yet law.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  14. News 12 NY17 debate: lawler antisemitism igo (28:40)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIU9kcsAldc&t=1720s

    News 12 · Published Sep 28, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 7, 2026

    September 28, 2026 debate. Statement paraphrased from retained native captions. One transcript is available, so no verbatim quotation is certified; neighboring opponent assertions are excluded.

    candidate statement

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  15. News 12 NY-17 debate, September 28, 2026https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIU9kcsAldc&t=1726s

    News 12 · Published Sep 28, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 7, 2026

    Timestamped native-caption paraphrase of Lawler's own statement in the September 28 debate. The legislative role is checked separately against official bill records; opponent allegations are outside this comparison.

    candidate statement

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  16. H.R. 867 (119th Congress), IGO Anti-Boycott Acthttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/867

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 7, 2026

    Official bill history identifies formal sponsorship and recorded actions; the separate text source provides the operative proposal. Introduction and referral do not establish enactment.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  17. H.R. 867 introduced text (119th Congress)https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr867ih/html/BILLS-119hr867ih.htm

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Reviewed Oct 7, 2026

    Introduced text for this exact bill and Congress. It states the proposed provisions, which are distinct from enacted law.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  18. H.R. 3016 (118th Congress), IGO Anti-Boycott Acthttps://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3016

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 7, 2026

    Official bill history identifies formal sponsorship and recorded actions; the separate text source provides the operative proposal. Introduction and referral do not establish enactment.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  19. H.R. 3016 introduced text (118th Congress)https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-118hr3016ih/html/BILLS-118hr3016ih.htm

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Reviewed Oct 7, 2026

    Introduced text for this exact bill and Congress. It states the proposed provisions, which are distinct from enacted law.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  20. H.R. 3774 (118th Congress), SHIP Acthttps://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3774

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 7, 2026

    Sponsor Lawler. Introduced May 31, 2023.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  21. H.R. 5923 (118th Congress), Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5923

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 7, 2026

    Sponsor Lawler. Introduced October 11, 2023.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  22. H.R. 8038 (118th Congress), 21st Century Peace through Strength Act, as introducedhttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-118hr8038ih/html/BILLS-118hr8038ih.htm

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    The House package of April 2024. Division F is the SHIP Act; it also carries the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  23. House Roll Call 145, 2024: H.R. 8038, on passagehttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024145

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    April 20, 2024. Carried 360-58. Lawler is recorded Yea.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  24. Public Law 118-50, national security supplemental (H.R. 815)https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-118publ50/html/PLAW-118publ50.htm

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Published Apr 24, 2024 · Reviewed Oct 7, 2026

    Signed April 24, 2024. Division J is the SHIP Act and division S the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated record claim

  25. H.R. 3099 (118th Congress), Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Acthttps://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3099

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Sponsor Lawler. Passed the House 413-13 on June 13, 2023; not taken up by the Senate.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated direction

  26. H.R. 3099 (118th Congress), as passed by the Househttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-118hr3099eh/html/BILLS-118hr3099eh.htm

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Adds a section 64 to the State Department Basic Authorities Act creating a Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords, Senate-confirmed, with the rank and status of ambassador.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated direction

  27. House Roll Call 251, 2023: H.R. 3099, Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Acthttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023251

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    June 13, 2023. Carried 413-13. Lawler is recorded Yea.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated direction

  28. H. Rept. 118-301, conference report on the FY2024 defense act (document)

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Published Dec 6, 2023 · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    The joint explanatory statement says division F, the Department of State Authorization Act of 2023, came from the Senate amendment and the House bill had no similar division; the House receded with amendments. It does not say where sec. 6407 came from. Neither the House-passed bill nor the Senate amendment (H.R. 2670, EH and EAS) has an Abraham Accords envoy, so the section was added in conference.

    official legislative record

    For: Mike Lawler: Matches stated direction