Lawler and Katz Clash Over Trump and Taxes on State of the Union

A heated debate on CNN's Sunday morning show highlighted partisan divides over the congressman's independence and impact on New York taxpayers.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A Sunday morning appearance on CNN's State of the Union turned into a sharp ideological battle as Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Democratic strategist Rebecca Katz sparred over the congressman's record, his alignment with the Trump administration, and the impact of economic policies on New York taxpayers.

Why it matters

The exchange highlighted the ongoing partisan divisions in Congress, with Katz accusing Lawler of being a "rubber stamp" for the president's agenda, while Lawler insisted he has pushed back against the administration on key issues like the Affordable Care Act and the SALT deduction.

The details

Katz opened by questioning Lawler's support for tariffs, arguing they have made life harder for people in his district. Lawler pushed back, citing his efforts to restore the SALT deduction and claiming he has "pushed back on numerous things." The debate grew more heated when discussing trade policy, with Lawler arguing that Congress has abdicated its role, while Katz directly linked his voting record to Trump's tariff agenda. Lawler denied this characterization, leading to a tense exchange where he told Katz to "be honest about what it was."

  • The confrontation took place on a Sunday morning appearance on CNN's State of the Union.

The players

Representative Mike Lawler

A Republican congressman from New York who has been accused of aligning too closely with the Trump administration's economic policies.

Rebecca Katz

A Democratic strategist who criticized Lawler's record and accused him of being a "rubber stamp" for the president.

President Donald J. Trump

The former president whose policies and influence were at the center of the debate between Lawler and Katz.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, congressman, didn't you vote for tariffs?”

— Rebecca Katz, Democratic strategist (CNN)

“Respectfully, I've pushed back on numerous things. New York state is going to see an average of $4,000 tax cut because I fought back against my own party.”

— Representative Mike Lawler (CNN)

“Be honest about what it was. I know that's very difficult.”

— Representative Mike Lawler (CNN)

The takeaway

The heated exchange between Lawler and Katz highlights the ongoing partisan divisions in Congress, with both sides accusing the other of prioritizing political allegiances over the interests of their constituents. The debate over Lawler's independence and the impact of economic policies on New York taxpayers is likely to continue as the 2024 election cycle approaches.