Mannion and Buller clash over Trump administration, Iran and immigration in NY-22 race

Democratic Rep. John Mannion and Republican challenger Kailee Buller clashed Monday over President Trump, immigration, the war with Iran and the cost of living during a debate at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

The candidates, competing to represent New York’s 22nd Congressional District, used the Syracuse.com-hosted debate to draw contrasts over how they would represent more than 700,000 constituents across central New York and parts of the Mohawk Valley.

On immigration and the Trump administration’s enforcement policies, Buller defended the need for immigration enforcement but acknowledged problems with how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have handled some cases involving immigrants without criminal records. She also advocated for changes to temporary worker programs and a pathway to citizenship for some immigrants already living in the country.

Mannion criticized ICE tactics under the Trump administration and argued that comprehensive immigration reform could have been passed before the 2024 presidential election. He called for greater oversight of immigration agents, including identification requirements and independent review of enforcement actions.

The candidates also sparred over federal spending and affordability. Buller presented herself as a fiscal conservative and argued that both parties have contributed to excessive government spending. She said she would oppose tax increases and argued that New York’s taxes, regulations and energy policies have contributed to affordability problems facing residents.

Mannion argued that the federal tax system disproportionately benefits wealthy Americans and corporations. He defended his record of supporting middle-class tax cuts while calling for changes to the tax code and the restoration of Affordable Care Act tax credits.

The war with Iran produced another significant disagreement between the candidates.

Mannion strongly opposed the conflict in Iran and argued that Trump did not have the authority to begin military action without congressional approval. He pointed to his support for war powers resolutions intended to return decisions over military action to Congress.

Buller said following the debate she does not support a prolonged conflict with Iran and agreed that Congress should have a role in decisions about war. When asked whether Trump should have sought congressional authorization before launching military action, Buller said the president generally should have done so, while acknowledging he may have had access to information unavailable to the public.

“I would say, yes, but there could be information that he [Trump] had that we don’t know about as the public that made him do that,” Buller said. “But if there wasn’t, then yes, I do.”

The candidates also debated bipartisanship. Buller repeatedly criticized Mannion’s voting record and argued that his confrontational relationship with Trump makes it more difficult for him to deliver results for the district. She pointed to her own experience working in Washington and said she would work with members of either party.

Mannion defended his bipartisan credentials by pointing to his work in the New York State Senate and Congress. He also said constituent services, infrastructure funding and legislation benefiting the region demonstrate his ability to serve residents of the 22nd Congressional District.

Presidential power emerged again when the candidates discussed Trump’s business interests and cryptocurrency ventures. Mannion accused Trump of financially benefiting from his office and said he believes the president has committed impeachable offenses.

The possibility of impeachment could become more consequential if Democrats win control of the House in November, since the House has the constitutional authority to impeach a president. Asked whether he would support opening an impeachment inquiry under a Democratic-controlled House, Mannion stopped short of committing to one immediately.

“Impeachment is serious business, and impeachment of the president certainly is, and it should be taken seriously,” Mannion told reporters following the debate. “We should not advance unless we know enough, we have enough evidence to move forward, and we’ll see what those hearings show us.”

With multiple areas of interest covered in the debate, the candidates found occasional areas of agreement, including support for nuclear energy and a congressional role in war powers, but offered sharply different assessments of Trump and his administration.

With Election Day approaching, those disagreements gave residents of the 22nd Congressional District a clearer picture of how each candidate would approach Washington — and how each would balance working across party lines with standing against policies they oppose.

Mannion and Buller are scheduled to debate again on Oct. 22 in a televised debate hosted by NewsChannel 9 WSYR.