Georgia Republican Cites Newly Elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Policy Agenda As Grounds For Blocking Federal Support For The City
Saturday, November 8, 2025, 10:30 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Endependent News,
WASHINGTON, DC.- In an unprecedented move, Buddy Carter (R–Ga.) introduced legislation on Thursday targeting federal funding for New York City in response to the recent mayoral victory of Zohran Mamdani. The bill, officially titled the Moving American Money Distant from Anti-National Interests Act (commonly referred to as the “MAMDANI Act”), would rescind unobligated federal funds and prohibit future allocations to the city so long as Mamdani remains in office.
According to a two-page draft of the legislation obtained by reporters, the measure stipulates that “notwithstanding any other provision of law, during any period in which Zohran Mamdani is Mayor of New York, New York, any unobligated Federal funds available for the city are hereby rescinded and no Federal funds may be obligated or expended for any purpose to New York, New York.”
Carter, who is also running for U.S. Senate in Georgia, framed the proposal as a defense of taxpayer dollars. “Taxpayer dollars from states like Georgia should not be wasted on programs that will bankrupt the financial capital of the world,” he said, adding that if New Yorkers “want communism, we should let them have their wish and not artificially prop them up with our successful capitalist system.”
Supporters of the bill argue that Mamdani’s self-described democratic-socialist platform, featuring proposals for city-run grocery stores, free transit, major tax increases, and structural reform of the police, poses a risk to federal investment and fiscal stability.
Opponents, however, say the legislation is punitive and unprecedented. They warn that it could undermine federally funded social programs, infrastructure investments, and housing aid, all of which are critical to the city’s functioning. One New York Republican lawmaker called the bill “ludicrous,” arguing it punishes taxpayers in New York rather than focuses on policy disagreements.
The bill’s introduction coincides with broader Republican efforts to tie Mamdani’s win to a wider national strategy. According to GOP operatives, the funding-cut proposal is meant to send a message to Democrats nationwide about “radical socialist” agendas.
Legal experts caution that the legislation could face serious constitutional challenges, including arguments that Congress cannot selectively deny federal funds based on a local election outcome without violating the Equal Protection Clause or other constraints on spending power. Affected federal programs may already be legally obligated under prior commitments or matching-grant frameworks.
Moreover, analysts note that, regardless of gubernatorial or mayoral ideology, New York City remains deeply integrated with federal programs and revenue streams, making a complete cut-off difficult to implement and potentially disruptive to federal-state relations, transportation networks, and social safety nets.
What’s Next;
The bill was formally introduced in the United States House of Representatives and referred to the relevant appropriations and oversight committees. While it lacks broad bipartisan support at this time, its symbolic import is already being felt in media and political circles. The measure will likely stall in committee or be amended, but it sets a new tone for intergovernmental funding debates tied to ideological alignment.
Observers are also watching how Mayor-elect Mamdani and New York City respond politically and legally. His transition team has signalled readiness to fight any punitive federal funding moves in court and through public campaigning.
Editor’s Note;
This article was written by Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor, for the Englebrook Independent News. Information from reporters on the ground in Washington and New York contributed to sourcing and fact-checking.
