Socialist House hopefuls plan to block $215 million in NYC anti-terror funding

Ahead of the November elections, Democratic Socialists of America candidates Darializa Avila-Chevalier and Claire Valdez, both endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, are working with Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib to vote against the Department of Homeland Security budget in the upcoming fiscal year. Their effort targets the Urban Areas Security Initiative, a program created after 9/11 that allocates almost $600 million in grants to high-risk cities, including more than $215 million for New York City’s anti-terrorism projects.

City leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Tish James, have repeatedly warned that losing this money would cripple bomb squads, FDNY communications, and radiological-threat preparedness. Insiders say the candidates are trying to conceal the plan to avoid conflict with Mamdani’s inner circle, notably Tascha Van Auken, who runs the mayor’s office of mass engagement. Critics argue the move sacrifices public safety for ideological signaling, while supporters view it as a challenge to federal security spending.