Rep. Ryan Commits to Addressing Affordability Challenges at Swearing-In Ceremony
HYDE PARK, N.Y.—In a crowded room at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum visitor center, Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) pledged to tackle cost-of-living issues during his upcoming second term.
Notable attendees at Ryan’s swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 18 included Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. Ryan, who has successfully contested a competitive Hudson Valley district twice against Republican challengers, played a role in the slim Republican majority in the House during the Trump era.
In the last election, Ryan secured victory over former New York City police commander and ex-lieutenant governor candidate Alison Esposito by a margin of 14 percent in a district comprising all of Orange County and parts of Ulster and Dutchess counties.
“Additionally, it is where President Franklin Delano Roosevelt guided us through some of our nation’s most challenging times nearly a century ago.”
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As the constituents in his district grapple with a tough economy and rising living costs, Ryan emphasized that affordability would be his top priority. He suggested shifting some tax burdens away from working and middle-class families to wealthier individuals and corporations.
In an interview with The Epoch Times, he also expressed intentions to reintroduce legislation aimed at reducing mortgage rates to boost housing availability, creating a national framework for addressing food costs through a detailed grocery price analysis, and improving access to generic prescription drugs by reforming patent laws.
“Our focus is on each aspect where people are feeling the pinch of affordability,” he told the media following the ceremony. “These issues transcend political lines, and there should be a collaborative bipartisan effort to tackle them.”
A fifth-generation native of the Hudson Valley and a Kingston High School alumnus, Ryan attended West Point and completed two combat tours in Iraq, where he earned two Bronze Star medals. He later worked in data analysis before founding a cybersecurity consulting firm.
After former Rep. Antonio Delgado was appointed lieutenant governor in May 2022, Ryan successfully ran in a special election for New York’s 19th Congressional District.
He later campaigned in the newly redrawn 18th Congressional District, narrowly defeating Republican candidate and former state Assemblyman Colin Schmitt by just 1 percent.
Other attendees at Ryan’s swearing-in included New York Attorney General Letitia James, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino, Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati, and officials from Orange and Ulster counties.
Ryan resides in Gardiner with his wife and two young sons.
