Cornell names Kotlikoff its 15th president, removing interim tag

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ITHACA, N.Y. — The Cornell University board of trustees on March 21 voted to appoint Michael Kotlikoff as Cornell’s 15th president, effective immediately. Kotlikoff has served as the school’s interim president since July 2024, following the retirement of Martha Pollack. “Over the last eight months as interim president — and his 25 years on Cornell’s […]

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ITHACA, N.Y. — The Cornell University board of trustees on March 21 voted to appoint Michael Kotlikoff as Cornell’s 15th president, effective immediately.

Kotlikoff has served as the school’s interim president since July 2024, following the retirement of Martha Pollack.

“Over the last eight months as interim president — and his 25 years on Cornell’s faculty — Mike has demonstrated the leadership and vision that the university needs right now,” Kraig Kayser, chair of the Cornell University board of trustees, said in the school’s announcement. “His institutional knowledge, expertise and passion for our shared mission will continue to help him lead Cornell through a period of great uncertainty and provide much-needed continuity at a critical time.”

As interim president, Kotlikoff has sought to foster connection and dialogue on campus and to “highlight the unique attributes” of Cornell — including its history and its ethos, the Ivy League school noted.

“I’ve spent 25 wonderful years at Cornell, and serving this university is an honor and a privilege,” Kotlikoff said. “I’m committed to finishing my career here, leading an institution I love through these challenging times. As higher education across the U.S. navigates difficult political, financial and societal headwinds, I hope to guide Cornell in ways that reflect our core principles as an institution committed to doing ‘the greatest good.’”

Kotlikoff was Cornell’s longest-serving provost and served as chief budget officer in addition to chief academic officer, per the school’s announcement. As provost, he helped steward many large and complicated projects, such as the creation of the SC Johnson College of Business and the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy; the Radical Collaboration initiative; the North Campus Residential Expansion; and the university’s COVID-19 response.

A professor of molecular physiology, Kotlikoff arrived at Cornell in 2000 to build a new department in biomedical sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). He also launched and led the university’s Mammalian Genomics Life Science Initiative. He was named dean of CVM in 2007, and he became university provost in 2015, Cornell said.

Previously, Kotlikoff was professor and chair of the department of animal biology at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1973 and VMD (veterinary medical doctor) degree in 1981, with a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, in 1984.

By the time he was hired at Cornell in 2000, his research interests had expanded from studying ion channel proteins that control muscle excitability to using genetics to understand the fundamental processes that underlie and limit repair of the damaged mammalian heart.

Kotlikoff’s arrival opened new opportunities for studying mouse genetics at the university, Cornell said. His lab’s breakthroughs included developing optogenetic signaling molecules that can be expressed in mice to explore cell function, ways to use cell therapy to treat cardiac arrythmias in injured hearts, and an understanding of the limits of precursor cells in heart repair.

Kotlikoff has published 152 papers and his lab, which he closed in 2021, was continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since he began his research career. He has served in numerous roles at the NIH, including chairing the board of scientific counselors at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and serving on the NIH Council of Councils, Cornell said.

Syracuse business launches industrial smart motor

Manufacturing & Engineering, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Small Business, Subscriber Only, Technology

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A new company based in Syracuse is hoping to help industrial companies reduce their costs and emissions, increase equipment lifespan, and gain other benefits from its new type of “smart” motor that includes variable-speed intelligence. VIDAR, a new venture of ITT, Inc. (NYSE: ITT), has just brought this innovative technology to market

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VIDAR, a new venture of ITT, Inc. (NYSE: ITT), has just brought this innovative technology to market and is ready to ramp things up, according to Dan Kernan, VP and general manager.

“The idea really came out of Goulds Pumps in Seneca Falls,” he says. Goulds is another ITT brand that sells industrial pumps.

Pumps and fans are industry’s unsung heroes, Kernan says, and they help move materials — such as fuel — that we rely on.

Industry spends about $300 billion annually on pumps and fans, he adds. The vast majority of them — about 85 percent — have fixed-speed motors.

The problem with that, Kernan explains, is that fixed-speed motors don’t allow for much flow control, which forces companies to use mechanical controls such as valves or dampers.

Kernan likens the process to driving a car with two feet — one pressing the gas pedal to the floor and the other using the brake to control the speed. It’s inefficient and causes a lot of wear and tear leading to increased maintenance.

That’s where a variable-speed motor can help, controlling the flow right at the motor and reducing the need for mechanical interventions, he says.

The result? An average 50-percent reduction in energy consumption and longer equipment lifespan.

To create the motor, VIDAR partnered with the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. The technology already existed in a much larger version called an AC-to-DC-AC Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that wasn’t practical for many users, Kernan says.

“We came up with a way to shrink the VFD by about 60 percent,” he says. That meant it could go directly in a motor instead of being a separate unwieldy component.

The other problem with the large VFDs is that they are not suited for use everywhere, particularly in harsh industrial environments, Kernan explains.

VIDAR took all those factors into consideration when creating its product, which can cost anywhere from 30 percent to 50 percent less than a traditional VFD conversion and can be used in the harshest of environments. Its motor uses less energy, increases reliability, and is even quieter.

“We’re focused on that unserved market,” Kernan says. “Energy efficiency is one of the best investments out there for industrial manufacturers.” In pilot testing, VIDAR’s motor provided a return on investment in about two years. The company’s target is a ROI of one to three years.

The entire development process took several years. ITT created the VIDAR venture in January 2022. In March 2023, VIDAR set up an office in Syracuse where it has 14 employees, and earlier this year, the firm finally brought the product to market. VIDAR is currently taking pre-orders with anticipated product shipment in the third quarter.

VIDAR will utilize its connections through ITT and Goulds Pumps to reach out to potential customers.

“We’ve done over a dozen customer pilots,” Kernan says. From those, a number of customers have already placed orders.

VIDAR is also getting the word out through the trade media and recently launched both a website and a LinkedIn page.

VIEWPOINT: AI and Long Term Care: Solving an Age-Old Challenge

Business Mentors, Subscriber Only, Technology

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Long-term care (LTC) planning has long been one of the most complex and emotionally charged areas of financial advisory services. As the aging population grows and care costs continue to escalate, advisors and clients alike face a daunting set of challenges. Traditional planning tools often rely on broad averages and generic simulations such as Monte Carlo that fail to capture the nuances of an individual’s future care needs nor the effectiveness to motivate families to plan for LTC. However, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are beginning to transform this landscape: offering more precise, personalized, and proactive approaches to LTC planning.

The Complexity of Long-Term Care Planning

For many years, LTC planning has been approached with methods that fail to reflect the intricacies of each family’s situation. Conventional tools tend to use national averages and basic models, which can lead to several recurring issues:

• Delayed engagement: Many clients postpone LTC discussions until a crisis occurs, leaving little time to develop a thoughtful strategy.

• Impersonal data: Generic statistics and broad-based simulations do little to illustrate the true financial impact of LTC on an individual family.

• Lost opportunities: Without a tailored planning tool, advisors often struggle to convert early LTC discussions into concrete strategies, whether that means guiding a family toward an appropriate insurance policy or structuring a comprehensive financial plan.

These challenges highlight why LTC remains one of the few unsolved wildcard scenarios in retirement planning. Its unpredictable nature forces both advisors and clients to contend with significant uncertainty. Yet, it is precisely this uncertainty that offers a last-mile opportunity for advisors to differentiate themselves by providing uniquely tailored, high-value solutions.

The AI Advantage in LTC Planning

AI is emerging as a game-changer in addressing these long-standing challenges. Unlike traditional methods, AI-driven platforms can analyze a vast array of data, from regional cost variations and health-care inflation to individual health status and family dynamics, to generate a personalized projection of a client’s LTC journey.

Enhancing Advisor-Client Interactions

The precision of AI-generated projections fundamentally changes how advisors engage with clients on the topic of long-term care. With clear, individualized data at hand, advisors are better positioned to:

• Initiate rich conversations: Instead of relying on broad averages, advisors can discuss specific care projections tailored to the client’s circumstances. This not only demystifies the planning process, but also helps clients understand the real implications of their choices.

• Accelerate decision‑making: When clients are presented with a clear, actionable plan that outlines expected timelines and costs, they are more likely to take proactive steps. This clarity shortens the time from initial inquiry to concrete decisions, such as purchasing an appropriate policy or annuity.

• Unlock premium growth: Personal-

ized planning helps overcome the emotional barriers that often hinder LTC discussions. By converting these conversations into high‑value, concrete action plans, advisors can capture opportunities that might otherwise be lost.

These capabilities tackle key challenges in traditional LTC planning by promoting early client engagement and fostering stronger, data-driven advisor relationships. Further, LTC planning isn’t just about traditional LTC insurance. Innovative options like life-with-rider policies, hybrid solutions, annuities, and even short-term care are energizing the market and offering clients potentially more competitive choices than ever before. When used effectively, AI makes it easier to build a holistic strategy that educates, motivates, and covers every aspect of a client’s long-term care needs and wants.

Balancing Technology with the Human Touch

While AI is undeniably powerful, its greatest strength lies in complementing, not replacing, the human expertise that financial advisors bring to the table. The nuanced and emotionally charged nature of LTC planning demands empathy, active listening, and the ability to navigate complex family dynamics. AI provides the detailed, data-driven insights that can inform these discussions, but it is the advisor who translates this information into a personalized plan that aligns with the client’s overall financial goals and emotional needs.

In this evolving landscape, the role of the advisor remains as crucial as ever. By integrating AI-driven insights into their practice, advisors can offer a more holistic service that not only anticipates future expenses, but also supports clients through one of the most challenging aspects of retirement planning.

Looking Ahead: The Future of LTC Planning for Advisors

As we move further into the era of digital transformation, the integration of AI into LTC planning is likely to become a standard practice in the insurance brokerage community. The ability to provide detailed, personalized care projections will not only help families prepare more effectively but will also drive new opportunities for advisors to convert early, meaningful discussions into robust financial strategies.

Is adopting AI solely about staying on the cutting edge of technology, or can it fundamentally enhance the quality of advice delivered to clients?

At least for our rapidly aging society on the cusp of navigating long-term care with limited funds and family support, the potential impact of AI is significant. With more accurate projections and a personalized approach, advisors can help families navigate the uncertainties of aging with confidence. By combining technological innovation with the irreplaceable human touch, the insurance brokerage community is poised to turn one of the most challenging aspects of financial planning into a proactive, engaging, and ultimately more secure experience for everyone involved.

In a field where the stakes are incredibly high, leveraging AI to craft clear, personalized LTC plans can be transformative. Advisors have the opportunity to remain enduring pillars in the insurance and financial services landscape by ensuring that families are not only financially secure but also emotionally supported as they navigate the future.

Lily Vittayarukskul is co-founder and CEO of Waterlily, a health-care innovation firm.

Two Lewis County firms to use $60K in grants to boost operations

Small Business, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Nonprofits, North Country, Subscriber Only

LOWVILLE, N.Y. — Two Lewis County businesses will use grants totaling $60,000 that were awarded through the Launch Lewis County program. Naturally Lewis awarded the funding on behalf of the Lewis County Development Corporation (LCDC). Rags & Rivers, of Lyons Falls, will use its $30,000 grant for machinery to expand its services, increase efficiency, and

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LOWVILLE, N.Y. — Two Lewis County businesses will use grants totaling $60,000 that were awarded through the Launch Lewis County program.

Naturally Lewis awarded the funding on behalf of the Lewis County Development Corporation (LCDC).

Rags & Rivers, of Lyons Falls, will use its $30,000 grant for machinery to expand its services, increase efficiency, and support community needs more effectively.

New Life Construction, of Port Leyden, was also awarded $30,000 for equipment and machinery to increase capacity and efficiency.

Based on state requirements, Launch Lewis County is a microenterprise grant program for low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs or for those creating a new, full-time position, per the March 24 announcement.

Launch Lewis County is a partnership between the LCDC and Lewis County. It is made possible through a grant from the community development block grant program of New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

“As we are working to develop an entrepreneur-led economy, programs like Launch Lewis County are driving us forward,” Brittany Davis, executive director of Naturally Lewis, said in the announcement. “Our partnership with Lewis County to administer the Launch Lewis County program has allowed small businesses and entrepreneurs to start and expand products and services, which in turn creates and retains jobs, creates unique experiences for residents and tourists, and ultimately enhances the tax base of Lewis County.”

Rags & Rivers and New Life Construction now join Hartley’s Meat Market and Coffee & Clay Café, both of Port Leyden, as local companies awarded 2025 Launch Lewis County funding.

Qualifying

In order to qualify for the Launch Lewis County microenterprise grant program, interested companies must have a small-business idea or a desire to innovate their existing small business.

They must also be considered low-to-moderate income based on 2023 income-tax returns or create a new full-time job that will be made available to low-to-moderate income persons.

In addition, applicants must also contribute at least 10 percent of total project costs and must complete their project by December of this year.

Naturally Lewis says it’s currently seeking additional applicants for the Launch Lewis County grant program with $145,000 in funding remaining available.

For more information on the program and application process, those interested can visit: https://naturallylewis.com/support/funding-opportunities

NNYCF’s Maxine M. Quigg Women in Business Fund supports five North Country professionals

North Country, Featured, Health Care, New York News, Nonprofits, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

WATERTOWN, N.Y. — A pair of entrepreneurs, two health care professionals, and a county government official are among the third group of women awarded grant funding from the Maxine M. Quigg Women in Business Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation. The funding amounts ranged from about $1,000 to $1,500, Kenneth Eysaman, director of

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The funding amounts ranged from about $1,000 to $1,500, Kenneth Eysaman, director of communications for the Northern New York Community Foundation, told CNYBJ in an email.

Grant recipients

The recipients include Mary Chiappone-Filson, owner of Treating the Root Acupuncture and Massage Therapy of Watertown. She was awarded funding to complete coursework required for lymphedema certification to more effectively treat patients who are undergoing cancer treatments. The grant funding will also help with online continuing education courses, per the March 17 announcement.

They also include Emily Green, who serves as the manager and COO of The Scrub Hub. It’s a women-owned and operated business that Green opened with her mother, Bonnie Herman, in 2013, to serve the region’s medical community. She was awarded funding to complete coursework to help expand her knowledge of marketing, advertising, and social media.

The group also includes Gabriella (Gabi) Haycock, who is a pediatric doctor of physical therapy for Exceptional Kids and Family Therapies in Evans Mills. She was awarded funding to enable her participation in the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce Jefferson Leadership Institute, a year-long program focused on developing professionals in the greater Watertown area.

Another recipient, Barb Perez, is a longtime nonprofit professional and a Strengths Finder coach, helping people to reach their full potential through her consulting business Another Point of View. She was awarded funding to complete the Gallup course Successful Strength Coaching, the Foundation said.

Anna Platz is the deputy director of Lewis County Community Services in Lowville. She was awarded funding to complete the Appreciative Inquiry certificate program at the Champlain College Cooperrider Center. A leadership development program, it employs a strengths-based approach to focus on what’s working well instead of fixing what’s broken, the Community Foundation said.

About the Fund

Kimberley Horrill, Maxine’s sister-in-law, established the fund at the Community Foundation in July 2021 with a goal to increase local mentorship, volunteerism, civic and community engagement, and investment.

Its mission is to perpetuate the life and legacy of Maxine Quigg by supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties to succeed in their pursuits and realize their full potential, the Foundation said.

“This is the third year of the Maxine Quigg Women in Business fund grants. I am overwhelmed at times by the interesting and community-forward work the successful recipients are doing,” Horrill said in the announcement. “As the network of women who have received support has grown, I am thrilled to see the interaction between past and present recipients. Maxine would love you all and would be so proud of the work you are doing. Congratulations.”

Maxine Quigg was a successful real-estate broker and a community and business leader in Jefferson County who died unexpectedly in April 2021. At the time of her passing, Quigg was serving on the Community Foundation’s board of directors.

“It is always a pleasure and an honor to reward women in the North Country who are starting or growing their own business. Year after year, I walk away inspired by each recipient’s dedication and passion for what they do — it is people like these who make Northern New York a better place to live,” Kennedy Quigg, Maxine’s daughter, said. “Congratulations to our 2024 award recipients; you embody the qualities my Mom sought

to embellish, and we are excited to see you carry our mission forward in your life and business endeavors.”

Applying

Applications for 2025 funding through the Maxine Quigg Women in Business Fund of the Community Foundation are now open.

Applications for support must be received by May 23 of this year. Contact Emily Pfeil, Community Foundation philanthropy associate, emily@nnycf.org, or (315) 782-7110, to obtain an application for this opportunity and learn more.

New franchise business aims at nuisance animals across CNY

Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Small Business, Subscriber Only

Central New York has a new option for getting rid of nuisance animals with Critter Control of Syracuse, a local franchise of a national wildlife removal company operated by Janet Pettaway and her husband, Eric. Pettaway, a native of Botswana, had experience running a fertilizer company there. When she came to the United States, she

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Pettaway, a native of Botswana, had experience running a fertilizer company there. When she came to the United States, she was interested in having her own business and thought wildlife control would be a natural progression from insect control.

She began looking into franchise ideas and it wasn’t long before she found Critter Control.

“The rest is history,” Pettaway says. She became an official franchisee in February and is ready to get the business after completing her final training in early April.

Critter Control provides removal services for nuisance wildlife like raccoons, squirrels, rats, mice, opossums, bats, and birds.

Now that winter is ending, animal activity is already picking up, Pettaway notes. “A lot of people have been calling us,” she notes. “We have some clients that we’re lining up.”

Her franchise covers communities across seven counties — Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga, and Tompkins.

While people may be tempted to try to remove a nuisance animal on their own, Pettaway says training allows Critter Control to do so safely and according to any laws or regulations.

“It’s about safety and protecting yourself,” Pettaway says.

Currently, Pettaway and her husband staff the business on their own, but she hopes to soon add other employees. She also hopes to expand the franchise territory into Pennsylvania and add on both mosquito and pest-control services.

Founded in 1983, Critter Control is part of Rollins, Inc., whose other subsidiaries include Orkin, Orkin Canada, HomeTeam Pest Defense, Safeguard, and more. Rollins and its subsidiaries serve customers in the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Asia.

Atlanta–based Critter Control says it operates franchises and corporate-owned locations in more than 100 markets throughout the U.S. and Canada.

2025 Woman-Owned Business Directory

News, Small Business, Subscriber Only

Welcome to The Central New York Business Journal’s 2025 Women-Owned Business Enterprise Directory. The directory is an alphabetical listing of Central New York firms that have earned New York State’s WBE certification. The information for these entries was supplied by the companies themselves, their websites, and the New York State Certified MWBE Directory. More information

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WISE to use $10K donation for financial-management program

Insurance & Financial Services, Education & Training, Nonprofits, Small Business, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WISE) Women’s Business Center at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University (SU) is getting some financial help for a financial-management program. WISE is a Women’s Business Center dedicated to empowering Central New York’s entrepreneurs in all stages of business through training

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WISE is a Women’s Business Center dedicated to empowering Central New York’s entrepreneurs in all stages of business through training programs, counseling, and connections.

Community Bank, N.A. says it has donated $10,000 to directly support WISE’s Accelerate Financial Management program, a hands-on initiative that equips entrepreneurs with essential financial skills to build and sustain successful businesses.

It covers topics like budgeting, cash flow, financial statements and profitability strategies, and the program ensures participants gain practical financial-management skills tailored to their needs, the bank said.

Community Bank also notes that it made the donation in recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8, per its March 7 announcement.

“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize the importance of empowering women through financial literacy and economic opportunity,” Pam Brunet, director of community & corporate relations at Community Financial System Inc., said in the announcement. “Women make up a significant percentage of our workforce, and we are deeply committed to investing in initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for women in our communities.”

DeWitt–based Community Financial System (NYSE: CBU) is the parent company of Community Bank.

Community Financial also used its announcement to highlight the percentage of women who work in its companies. They include Community Financial System (71 percent overall and 51 percent corporate); Community Bank, N.A. (79 percent); Community Bank Wealth Management (46 percent); Benefit Plans Administration Services (BPAS)(59 percent); and OneGroup NY Inc. (72 percent).

“At WISE, we believe in the economic power of women entrepreneurs,” Meghan Florkowski, director of the WISE Women’s Business Center, said. “This generous donation from Community Bank will directly support our local business owners, providing the essential financial tools and resources they need to succeed. By working together, we are empowering women to strengthen their financial management skills and build more sustainable businesses, ultimately contributing to the growth and vitality of our community.”

OPINION: Solutions to Move NYS in Right Direction Blocked by Democrats

Subscriber Only, Opinion

The Assembly Majority Conference [recently] blocked more than a dozen common-sense bills aimed at preventing gun violence, animal cruelty, antisemitism, violence against correctional officers, and punishing violent criminals who murder first responders. All told, nearly 20 proposals sponsored by members of the Assembly Minority Conference were summarily rejected and held in their respective committees, and

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All told, nearly 20 proposals sponsored by members of the Assembly Minority Conference were summarily rejected and held in their respective committees, and none of the measures will see a vote by the full Assembly.

Among the measures blocked by the Assembly Majority Conference are “Laken’s Law,” which would bolster collaboration between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a repeal of the “green light law” allowing illegal immigrants to obtain a driver’s license.

Violent crime and an ongoing migrant crisis that has drained enormous resources have impacted every region of our state and nearly every facet of our daily lives. It is astonishingly clear what we are doing is not working. Our conference offered a list of meaningful reforms rooted in pragmatism and public sentiment, yet the bills we proposed, as has become tradition in Albany, get little more than perfunctory, blanket “no” votes along committee party lines.

The list of Assembly Minority Conference-sponsored proposals blocked in Assembly committees also includes the following:

• Ensure Punishment for Gun Crimes: Remove all gun crimes from the no-bail list of offenses established in 2019.A.632Barclay

• Life without Parole for Killing an Officer: Make life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first or second degree if the victim is a police officer, specified peace officer, first responder or correctional officer. A.1480 Angelino

• Life Imprisonment for Killing a Minor: Make life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first or second degree if the victim is a minor (under 18 years old). A.1578 Mikulin

• Increased Penalties on Youth Gun Crimes: Prohibit the removal of an adolescent offender to Family Court when the defendant possessed a loaded firearm. A.4161 Reilly

• Dangerousness Standard: Allow judges to consider the safety of any person or the community when determining pre-trial release for a criminal suspect. Also, designate stalking in the second and third degree as bail-eligible qualifying offenses. A.4206 Reilly

• HALT Repeal: Repeal the HALT Act, which severely limits/eliminates the ability to place dangerous inmates in special housing units separated from the general population. A.3217 Simpson

• Voter ID: Require that someone voting in person presents a valid government-issued photo identification.A.1927 Slater

• State Agency Emergency Regulations: Ensure any agency that re-adopts an emergency regulation beyond the initial 90-day period must have legislative authority for such action. A.2411 Ra

• Dismantling Student Antisemitism (DSA) Act: Implement mandated training, require reporting on antisemitic incidents and prohibit state funding to institutions failing to comply. A.2376 Ra

• Tax Revenue for Closed Prisons: Require the state to pay taxes on the assessed value of properties of closed state prisons. A.3252 Simpson

State government is not upholding its end of the bargain, and New Yorkers suffer because of it. The bills listed above represent our best efforts to address problems directly affecting New Yorkers and cover a broad spectrum of public-safety policies that would greatly enhance the security of every community in our state. We will keep fighting to reverse our troubling trajectory, and we will continue to submit legislation aimed at making our state safer and more prosperous, no matter how stubbornly our Assembly colleagues resist doing what’s necessary.

William (Will) A. Barclay, 56, Republican, is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses all of Oswego County, as well as parts of Jefferson and Cayuga counties.

OPINION: Why Congress Should Assert Itself

Opinion, Subscriber Only

After weeks of being mostly sidelined by the Trump Administration, Congress made its way back into the public eye as a mid-March funding deadline approached. Among other things, this sparked two headlines that captured in a few words the new political world we live in. The first, from CNN, read: “Over texts and ‘eyeball to

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The first, from CNN, read: “Over texts and ‘eyeball to eyeball,’ Republicans succeed in persuading Musk. But Democrats hit dead ends.” The second came from Forbes: “Why the Financial Markets Are the Only Real Check on Trump.”

Over the decades I have written this column, I’ve made no secret of my belief that Congress, as the government institution closest to the American people, should be active and forceful in shaping the federal budget, overseeing the executive branch, and helping to craft policy in a way that reflects Americans’ priorities — not merely the beliefs of whoever holds power. Similarly, I have also argued that, second only to its duty to represent the American people, Congress needs to put its institutional integrity, effectiveness, and respect for our political differences above other concerns.

As those headlines suggest, however, that’s not where we are now. And I have no illusion that we’re going to get there anytime soon. It’s likely that, for the foreseeable future, Congress will play not even second fiddle — maybe somewhere back in the third or fourth row — to President Trump, Elon Musk, and the administration.

But let’s imagine for a moment that this wasn’t so — that in the face of this administration’s efforts to rewrite more than 230 years of precedent and democratic evolution, Congress behaved the way it should. Or to put it another way, what are we missing because it’s chosen not to do so?

For starters, there is the power of the purse. Our founders were smart about this: They saw that giving it to Congress — and in particular to the House of Representatives, the body most representative of ordinary Americans — would give the federal government a fighting chance of addressing those Americans’ concerns. So in a functional Congress —as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cancels spending Congress approved, administration lawyers try to give the White House and Elon Musk power over spending, and the head of the Office of Management and Budget says he can simply rescind congressionally mandated spending he doesn’t like — Congress would be protecting its constitutional turf and the many Americans of both parties whose lives and savings are being upended would have someone with power to turn to for help.

Similarly, Congress should be exercising its constitutional right, through the oversight process, to ask hard questions of administration officials. For instance, the administration has taken control of tariff policy even though Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution gives that power to Congress. The result, it’s fair to say, has been economic uncertainty and damage to our relations with long-term trading partners and allies. In a functional Congress, committee chairs would be pressing cabinet officials and other administration leaders for details on where they’re headed and why, acting on behalf of Americans who are being buffeted by events. I can think of a long list of issues that Congress — on behalf of the American people — should similarly be shedding light on. They range from the turnaround in U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine, to the administration’s dismantling of decades of U.S. leadership in research and development, to analyzing the impact of cuts made by DOGE on our health, safety, security, and economy.

You may like what this administration is doing, or you may hate it. But either way, our long history as a nation tells us that whichever party is in the ascendant, the other will eventually come to the fore. In other words, regardless of your politics you have an interest in a Congress that always adheres to its guardrails and functions on all cylinders, because that’s how your voice and concerns get heard — regardless of who’s in charge.

Lee Hamilton, 93, is a senior advisor for the Indiana University (IU) Center on Representative Government, distinguished scholar at the IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, and professor of practice at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Hamilton, a Democrat, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years (1965-1999), representing a district in south-central Indiana.

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