Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Daniel Goldman for US Congress NY-10
Candidate Name: Daniel Goldman
Office Seeking Election for: US Congress NY-10
Website: https://www.dangoldmanforny.com/
Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
Many elected officials and candidates say the right things and take on the right fights, but very few actually deliver on what they say and win the fights they take on. I do.
I have used the skills and experience I learned as a former prosecutor and lead counsel for the first impeachment investigation to confront this administration, and would be in a position to lead those efforts when we take the majority in November. I have also used a creative and different approach to policy issues, identifying the problems plaguing working families and New Yorkers, and providing thoughtful and practical solutions that can address those problems.
During my two terms in the minority, I played a significant role in passing an expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to double affordable housing, helped to secure the largest federal grant ever given to NYCEDC, reopened the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project, closed 7,000 constituent cases and secured an additional $194,392,948 million for the district.
Right now, the most pressing issue we face is an authoritarian federal government led by a president who is hellbent on undermining our democracy to concentrate power and money for himself and the ultrawealthy. We need a bold vision for the future that will not only hold this
criminal administration accountable, but level the playing field and revitalize our democracy and the American Dream for the next generation.
We need an agenda that will massively expand the social safety net so working families aren’t forced to choose between paying their bills and putting food on the table. That means fighting for Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, and universal childcare, and it also means addressing the crisis of wealth inequality in this country. That’s why I introduced the ROBINHOOD Act, which would force the ultrawealthy to pay their fair share and generate enough revenue to fund many of these programs.
When the Trump administration weaponized the Department of Homeland Security and turned ICE into a masked militia that tears immigrant families apart, my team and I immediately sprang into action with a lot more than sternly worded Tweets and performative activism. We converted my Manhattan district office, right across the street from 26 Federal Plaza, into a rapid response triage center for impacted immigrant families. Working with incredible organizations like Make the Road, the New York Immigration Coalition, and NYLAG, my office has been able to assist families whose loved ones were arrested with food, shelter, and medical care; provide assistance on their immigration cases; and coordinate with attorneys to quickly file habeas corpus petitions to release those wrongfully detained. We have already helped to release 26 New Yorkers from ICE detention, and have now become the first stop for any individual impacted by this cruel immigration dragnet in New York.
When the Trump administration illegally attempted to block Congressional oversight of ICE detention facilities, I identified a legal claim and organized 11 of my colleagues to file a lawsuit against DHS to force them to allow us to conduct unannounced oversight. We won that lawsuit and I now make at least one oversight visit per week to the detention facilities in my district.
What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
As a member of the Equality Caucus, I have worked with various LGBTQIA+ organizations supporting young people and elders in the LGBTQIA+ community. Just last year, I held a LGBTQIA+ policy roundtable at my district office with organizations such as Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, the Door, the Hetrick-Martin Institute, the Latino Commission on AIDS, GRIOT Circle, SAGE USA, APICHA, and others. I worked with local advocacy organizations to lead Congress’s effort to combat the mpox epidemic.
What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ+ issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump and his policies?
Recently, when the Trump Administration ordered that the National Parks Service remove the pride flag from the Stonewall monument, I partnered with BP Holyman-Sigal and other elected officials and LGBTQIA+ organizations to fight back and re-raise the flag. In addition, I lead a bill
to authorize the pride flag as one of the flags permitted to fly over units of the National Park Service, along with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and I also previously led a letter with the Chair of the Equality Caucus, Rep. Mark Takano, calling for the administration to reverse its erasure of trans Americans at the displays at the Stonewall national monument.
I have also supported New York State campaigns such as pushing for the passage of Elder Parole and Fair and Timely Parole. I have also led letters with NYC Delegation members to call for the end to solitary confinement in our New York City jails.
In light of the Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
I am proud of the creative, aggressive, and effective ways my office has fought the devastating policies of this administration affecting SNAP, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other critical programs. In particular, I believe our response to the administration’s immigration dragnet best captures my 360-degree approach to standing up to Trump.
In May, after encountering masked ICE agents arresting immigrants leaving court, I directly confronted them to demand answers. I then introduced the No Secret Police Act to ban agents from wearing masks, which now has more than half of the Democratic caucus as co-sponsors. Shortly thereafter, after hearing from constituents and advocates about the horrific conditions at the makeshift ICE facility at 26 Federal Plaza, I attempted to visit the facility as part of my oversight responsibilities but was denied entry. I developed a legal theory to challenge this policy and joined 11 of my colleagues in filing a lawsuit that we recently won.
Based on my frequent visits to 26 Federal Plaza—which advocates have credited with reducing the number of arrests—I also introduced additional legislation to: (a) prohibit ICE from arresting immigrants attending court hearings or check-ins; (b) ensure that children have access to legal counsel and are not forced to pay prohibitive fees to apply for lawful residency; and (c) soon I will introduce a bill allowing lawsuits against the ICE officer who shot and killed Renee Good.
Most of my work, however, has focused on the immigrants and families directly suffering under this un-American, authoritarian dragnet. With the assistance and coordination of court watchers, advocacy organizations, clergy, and community-based organizations—including Make the Road New York, the New York Immigration Coalition, and NYLAG—I have turned my Manhattan office into a triage center for families of New Yorkers detained by ICE. My office connects families to critical resources and works directly with attorneys to file habeas petitions to reunite families torn apart by detention. So far, we have helped secure the release of 25 New Yorkers from ICE custody.
Finally, I have been coordinating with numerous advocacy groups, Hands Off New York, and others to pursue an inside–outside strategy, recognizing that community advocacy is essential to successfully opposing ICE’s draconian tactics.
While there are many other examples, this work captures my holistic approach to both navigating the inside game and maximizing the use of outside pressure.
Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
No
Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes
Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
Unfortunately, the Majority does not allow funding from Members of Congress to support LGBTQIA+ programming, however, once we take back the House I certainly cannot wait to fund programs like Drag Story Hours and other programs. I would most certainly welcome the chance to host one.
Do you support right-wing attempts to ban the teaching of “critical race theory”?
No
How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a Sanctuary City?
I have taken a comprehensive approach to protecting immigrants and defending New York’s role as a sanctuary city by combining legislation, oversight, legal action, and direct support for affected families.
After encountering masked ICE agents arresting immigrants leaving court, I confronted them directly and introduced the No Secret Police Act, which would prohibit federal agents from wearing masks while carrying out enforcement actions. The bill now has support from more than half of the Democratic caucus. I also challenged the denial of congressional oversight at the makeshift ICE detention facility at 26 Federal Plaza. Working with 11 colleagues, I filed a lawsuit to assert our right to conduct oversight and ultimately won, allowing us to inspect the facility.
Based on what I have seen and heard from advocates and constituents, I introduced legislation to prohibit ICE from arresting immigrants attending court hearings or check-ins and to ensure children have access to legal counsel without prohibitive application fees for lawful residency. I have also used my platform to raise concerns about enforcement practices and urged local authorities to be prepared to respond if federal officers act outside their legal authority.
Equally important has been supporting families directly affected by detention. With the help of court watchers, clergy, and community organizations—including Make the Road New York, the New York Immigration Coalition, and NYLAG—I have turned my Manhattan office into a rapid response triage center for families of New Yorkers detained by ICE. My office connects families with legal and social services and works with attorneys to file habeas petitions. So far, these efforts have helped secure the release of 25 New Yorkers from ICE custody.
As for protecting immigrants, I continue to coordinate closely with advocacy groups and community partners to pursue an “inside–outside” strategy that combines legislative action with community organizing. Protecting immigrants requires both strong policies and strong partnerships with the communities most affected.
As to sanctuary laws, I have used my platform to shift the conversation away from whether the NYPD was supporting ICE’s dragnet and towards ICE’s lawless conduct. I wrote to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch urging the department to ensure officers are trained and prepared to arrest ICE agents if they act outside their official duties or use excessive force. When asked about this idea, President Trump called me “stupid,” but did not address the issue itself.
I have also aggressively combatted misinformation promoted by Republicans about sanctuary laws, explaining that there is cooperation with convicted criminals but not charged defendants who deserve due process.
Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
Yes, I do. I am outraged and disgusted about the Republicans' attacks on trans kids, some of the most vulnerable people in the country. I believe it is essential that we safeguard access to gender affirming care for trans individuals, especially as the trans community is under attack from conservatives across the country. People should be empowered to live as their true selves and deserve the right to access medically necessary care, no individual should be deprived of that right simply because of who they are.
If elected, will you commit to supporting legislation that raises taxes on the richest New Yorkers and large corporations in order to fund the services and investments our communities need?
Yes, at a time of dramatically escalating wealth inequality, wealthy Americans must pay their fair share. That is why I introduced the ROBINHOOD Act. When the 25 richest Americans pay an effective tax rate of just 3.4 percent, it is clear that our tax system is failing. The super wealthy like Elon Musk (3.3% effective tax rate), Jeff Bezos (1%), and Warren Buffett (.1%) are able to avoid taxes by borrowing against their assets instead of selling them and paying capital gains taxes.
My bill – the ROBINHOOD Act – would close that loophole by imposing a 20% excise tax on loans and lines of credit backed by capital assets, matching the capital gains tax rate. This approach would generate at least $276 billion in revenue over 10 years.
That revenue could fund universal pre-K for all 4-year-olds, provide universal childcare for all children under five, or fully restore the American Rescue Plan’s childcare investments. Instead of rewarding tax avoidance for billionaires, we should invest in children, working families, and the future of this country.
I have also previously cosponsored bills to institute a billionaire minimum tax, in addition to taxing excessive CEO pay, and I have advocated for raising the corporate tax rate back to previous levels.
How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
In Congress, I have consistently supported robust investments into our public housing system, and have advocated for policies that would directly provide resources to help individuals experiencing homelessness, including Rep. Jayapal’s Housing is a Human Right Act, which seeks to end homelessness by providing hundreds of millions of dollars in new resources for housing infrastructure, while also ending the criminalization of homelessness. In addition, I fully support funding for HUD’s continuum of care, which is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness by providing funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, while also supporting programs like Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) which are essential to addressing the root causes of homelessness. I believe that having a safe and affordable place to call home is a basic and fundamental need that the government should help provide for all New Yorkers.
In light of the pervasive existence of mental health issues among the homeless population, I have written and introduced two bills that would dramatically expand mental health care for Medicaid recipients. My Michelle Alyssa Go Act would more than double the number of long-term care beds for those suffering from acute mental illness, and the Strengthening Medicaid for Serious Mental Illness Act would expand community-based mental health treatment for Medicaid recipients.
As a member of the Committee on Homeland Security and the Judiciary Committee, immigration reform has become a central focus of my work, particularly efforts to strengthen and modernize our asylum system. As the Trump administration launched a direct assault on that system, I intensified my efforts to protect immigrants and those seeking to lawfully enter our country.
In July, 11 of my Democratic colleagues and I filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after we were unlawfully barred from entering immigration detention facilities as part of our oversight responsibilities. On December 17, a federal court ruled in favor of the Members of Congress and halted ICE’s unlawful policy of blocking unannounced oversight visits. The following day, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat and I visited the ICE detention facility at 26 Federal Plaza to conduct oversight, and I have continued to conduct unannounced visits at least once a week since then. This ruling represents a major victory for the rule of law and for immigrant communities that have endured relentless attacks under the Trump administration.
I am also a proud cosponsor of the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 (H.R. 1589), the SHIELD Act (H.R. 3101), the Neighbors Not Enemies Act (H.R. 630), and the Born in the USA
Act of 2025 (H.R. 3368). Together, these bills would deliver meaningful reforms and critical protections to our broken immigration system.
Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes
Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes
Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated? Will you work to secure the release of individuals who have demonstrated sincere remorse, worked toward rehabilitation and are not deemed a threat to society?
My office has been in contact by individuals who are incarcerated and advocated for clemency. I believe in programs that help people rehabilitate and help steer people away from further incarceration. This is why I fund programs from organizations like Avenues for Justice, who work with formerly incarcerated young people and connect them to jobs and safety nets. I was proud to fund Aves for Justice with a $250,000 grant to go towards their HIRE UP program. I also secured federal funding for other programs that assist troubled youth and reentry programs, including an excellent program with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
Do you commit to make applications for clemencies available to your constituency including a link to an application in a constituent newsletter? Will you submit it to our club?
Every constituent has the ability to reach out to my office, including those seeking support for clemency. Our website is available to submit congressional casework requests so that my team can review it with the relevant team members and follow up. I would be happy to work with Jim Owles membership to share that application widely.
Did you rank Andrew Cuomo on your Democratic primary ballot in 2025? Who did you support for mayor in the 2025 Democratic primary and general election?
I endorsed Zellnor Myrie in the primary and did not vote for Andrew Cuomo in the general election.
In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of scores of people with AIDS, excused city council members who voted against the gay rights bill and was blatantly racist, would you support renaming the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes
Do you support naming the soon to be reconstructed 42nd street bus terminal the Bella Abzug Port Authority?
Yes
If an incumbent, how did you vote on House Res. 719 “Honoring the Life and Legacy of Charles Kirk”? If not an incumbent, how would you have voted?
I voted present on the matter. At the time, I had cosponsored a separate resolution which condemned political violence in all forms, which I believe would have been more appropriate for a vote in the House of Representatives. I believe political violence is abhorrent and must be condemned so I could not vote no, but I could not in good conscience vote to honor the life of a man who had so frequently spread hatred and bigotry in his public remarks.
Do you support the immediate impeachment of Trump and other administration officials? If yes, which?
Yes, but I believe we cannot simply file articles of impeachment for the sake of doing so. The critical first step is a series of sprawling investigations to thoroughly expose the blatant corruption and criminality of Trump and convince the broader American public of the necessity of conviction. It is important that the American people can see and be convinced of the case against him in order to garner the widespread public support that is required to ensure impeachment results in conviction by the Senate. Impeachment is as much a political process as it is a constitutional and legal one, which requires a dedicated persuasion campaign through investigation and evidence gathering.
When Democrats regain power, do you favor Justice Department prosecutions to hold Trump’s administration officials accountable for criminal offenses?
I support the Justice Department opening criminal investigations against anyone in the Trump Administration who may have committed crimes. However, I will not prejudge any case without knowing the evidence and the specifics of the laws potentially charged in order to say I would support charges against individuals.
Would you vote to defund ICE?
Yes, ICE cannot exist in its current form and must be abolished.
If an incumbent, how did you vote on House Resolution to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib? If not an incumbent, how would you have voted?
The First Amendment protects free speech - including speech many find offensive - for all Americans, including members of Congress. But it is my view that elected officials are entrusted with a higher responsibility because our words carry weight and consequences. We must not promote hate speech or inflame violence with our rhetoric.
Before the censure resolution was introduced, I reached out privately to Representative Tlaib to communicate the hurt and concern her comments caused for many in the Jewish community and urged her to issue a public clarification that simply acknowledged the hurt that many people feel from the term “from the river to the sea.” Unfortunately, she declined to do so.
Just as we cannot tolerate racist statements against any group or rhetoric that incites violence, we cannot accept discriminatory speech directed at Jewish Americans.
For these reasons, I voted to censure Representative Tlaib. I would support similar action in the future against any member of Congress who uses discriminatory rhetoric against any group - including the Muslim community - or spreads misinformation that inflames violence.
That being said, I believe there are better alternative ways of addressing these hurtful comments than censure, and I would pursue those pathways if this situation arose again.
If an incumbent, how have you voted on allowing NSA to conduct warrantless searches? If not an incumbent, how would you vote?
In April 2024, I voted yes on the H.R.7888, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act. I based my vote on significant reforms included in the bill, including narrowing searches to counterterrorism and counterintelligence, and more layers of approval, among others. It is important to remember that any searches of information connected to American citizens would only pertain to the small universe of information legally obtained through the targeting of foreign individuals; it is not a blanket search warrant of all communications of that person. Because that universe of information only pertains to counterterrorism and counterintelligence issues, additional investigation is often necessary in an urgent manner to interdict potential terrorist attacks. Obtaining a search warrant in those cases would be impractical to meet the urgency of the matter. While there remain issues with FISA, it is an essential law enforcement tool that has helped thwart countless terror attacks throughout its existence.
With that in mind, President Trump’s blatant weaponization of law enforcement raises serious questions about how this tool is deployed in practice by his administration. In the upcoming FISA reauthorization process, I fully intend to hold this Administration’s feet to the fire as a new member of the Judiciary Committee. If I am not satisfied with their answers, my vote on reauthorization will be different.
If an incumbent, how did you vote on House Res 58 “Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism”? If not an incumbent, how would you have voted?
I voted no on the resolution.
If an incumbent, how did you house on a resolution directing the removal of all troops in foreign nations not authorized by Congress?
I voted yes on the resolution. It is essential Congress reclaim authority over the authorization of use of military force.
Do you support allowing DC to fund its own government, including the criminal justice system, without oversight by Congress?
I support Del. Holmes-Norton’s Washington, DC. Admission Act, which would grant statehood to Washington, DC which would enact such provisions. I am also a proud signatory of the DC Statehood Pledge. In addition, I have voted against every Republican bill that would undermine Home Rule or otherwise prevent the people of DC from governing themselves.
What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
During my time in Congress, I played a significant role in expanding access to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), which can double the number of affordable units in New York. I also support extending the life of these tax credits to keep properties affordable for longer.
I am also a strong advocate of supporting and developing additional federal programs to expand affordable housing. I am currently a co-sponsor of the Housing Is a Human Right Act of 2025, the Home of Your Own Act of 2025, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025.
And last Congress, I co-led the Public Housing Emergency Response Act with Rep. Velasquez, which would provide more than $70 billion for capital improvements for public housing authorities around the country.
Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
I do not take a dime of corporate PAC money, from any source. No individual donation or aggregation of individual donations influences my decision-making in Congress.
Do you support removing criminal penalties for consensual commercial sex work between adults?
While I generally do not support criminal penalties for consensual sex work between adults, it is very important to be wary of the “consensual” aspect of that question. Many sex workers may appear to be engaging in it consensually but are actually doing it under force or duress. That often requires more investigation and potential criminal charges.
What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
None
If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all appropriate literature and electronic materials?
Yes