Rep. Tom Suozzi, a moderate Democrat from New York, is asking politicians in both parties to stop trying to please the loudest and most extreme people in their base. He said this behavior only hurts the country and keeps Congress from getting anything done.
Suozzi told Fox News Digital that the far-left and far-right are actually small groups. They are just very active and very vocal. He said these groups have gained too much influence and have pushed both parties away from compromise. Suozzi said Congress has turned into a place where each side only wants its own way and no one tries to meet in the middle. He said people may have good intentions, but this approach never lasts and does not help the country move forward.
Suozzi represents parts of Long Island and Queens. His district is not as progressive as other areas in New York. He has spoken out several times against Zohran Mamdani, the socialist mayor-elect in New York City. Suozzi did not directly say whether Mamdani will affect his own 2026 race. But he pointed out that Mamdani lost badly in Suozzi’s part of Queens, and Republicans won major races there in 2025. In the Long Island area of his district, Mamdani was used in Republican campaigns and they also won everything.
Suozzi said he has always had to work harder because his district leans Republican. Trump won the district by nineteen thousand votes. Suozzi won his own race by eleven thousand votes. That means thousands of Trump voters also voted for him. He said that has not changed. While Democrats did well nationwide, his district still voted in a very Republican way.
He said he wins by listening to people on both sides. He highlighted that he was endorsed by the police and has been clear about wanting stronger border security. He said he focuses on affordability because people in his district are struggling. Suozzi said both Trump and Mamdani are right about one thing. People are worried about money and their economic security. But he said socialism is the wrong answer. He believes it has never worked anywhere and will not work now.
Suozzi said Democrats should focus more on helping people with the rising cost of living. One example he gave was the federal minimum wage, which has stayed at seven dollars and twenty five cents since 2009. He said this is absurd and should be raised.
In the end, Suozzi said Democrats must be a party that stays away from extremes. He said the party should support capitalism, not socialism. He said Democrats must focus on safety, real reform, and pride in the country instead of anger and division.