Nicole Malliotakis: Voting and Legislative Record
Nicole Malliotakis's legislative record reflects her role as a Ways and Means Republican from a competitive New York City district, anchored by tax-relief and SALT work, district-focused infrastructure funding, and a series of high-profile votes that mix party loyalty with notable independence. This section examines her documented record, with citations to primary or strong secondary sources.
A note up front: Malliotakis's record combines reliably conservative votes with several prominent breaks from her party, including on infrastructure and marriage equality, alongside a sensitive early vote against certifying the 2020 electoral count. This section reports documented actions, distinguishes established facts from contested characterizations, and flags where her own materials are the source.
Ways and Means and tax legislation
The centerpiece of Malliotakis's record is her work on the Ways and Means Committee, where she has focused on tax policy 1. She has highlighted her role in 2025 tax legislation that, by her account, quadrupled the SALT deduction, made the standard deduction and child tax credit permanent, and provided relief on Social Security, tips, and overtime 2. This tax work is the substantive core of her legislative record.
SALT advocacy
Malliotakis has been a persistent advocate for raising the cap on the state and local tax deduction, a priority for her high-tax district, working with other New York-area members to secure a higher cap in major tax legislation 2. SALT relief is among the issues most associated with her legislative work and reflects her district-first orientation. Her advocacy has been a consistent theme of her tenure.
The 2021 infrastructure vote
A defining vote of Malliotakis's record was her support for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November 2021, when she was one of only 13 House Republicans to vote for the $1.2 trillion law 3. She has cited the vote for delivering more than $100 million to her district for bridges, dredging, and transit, framing it as a benefit to constituents despite opposition from most of her party 4. The vote exemplifies her willingness to break with her party for district priorities.
The Respect for Marriage Act
Malliotakis voted for the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022, joining a minority of Republicans to codify federal recognition of same-sex marriage, after having opposed same-sex marriage as an assemblywoman and later expressing regret for that position 5. The vote marked a notable evolution, though she also voted against the Equality Act in Congress, reflecting a partial rather than wholesale shift 5. Her record on the issue is detailed in the policy section of this series.
The 2021 electoral-count vote
One of the most consequential and sensitive votes of Malliotakis's tenure came in her first week in office. On January 6 and 7, 2021, she voted to object to certifying the electoral votes of Arizona and Pennsylvania, citing allegations of voter fraud and procedural changes; the House rejected both objections, by 121 to 303 for Arizona and 138 to 282 for Pennsylvania 6. The fraud allegations underlying the objections were not substantiated, and the vote drew significant criticism, detailed in the controversies section of this series 67. Malliotakis said she opposed certification to prompt an investigation rather than to overturn the result, and she stated that Vice President Pence was right to affirm Biden's win 7.
The Marjorie Taylor Greene committee vote
In February 2021, Malliotakis was one of a small number of Republicans who voted with Democrats to strip Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of her committee assignments over past statements, which Malliotakis described as offensive to 9/11 families, the Jewish community, and others in her district 8. The vote was another instance of her breaking with most of her party. It reflected her responsiveness to her district's concerns.
The 2026 Haitian TPS vote
In April 2026, Malliotakis was one of six Republicans who joined all Democrats to grant Temporary Protected Status to roughly 350,000 Haitian immigrants, against an effort by President Trump to terminate the program 9. The vote was a notable break from her party and from Trump on an immigration question. It is among her more recent instances of independence.
Voting profile and attendance
Malliotakis's overall voting record is conservative and generally supportive of President Trump, including co-sponsoring resolutions to expunge his impeachments, but it features recurring breaks from her party on district-salient issues like infrastructure and marriage 105. According to GovTrack, from January 2021 through mid-2026, she missed about 1.6 percent of roll-call votes, on par with the median for serving representatives 11. Her record is that of a reliable but not lockstep Republican.
Assessing the record
Malliotakis's legislative record is that of a Ways and Means Republican focused on tax relief and her district, distinguished by a willingness to break with her party on select high-profile votes. Her tax and SALT work form the substantive core, while her infrastructure and marriage-equality votes, and her Greene and Haitian-TPS votes, mark her independence; her 2021 electoral-count vote remains the most contested element of her record.
The honest summary is that Malliotakis has compiled a district-focused record that blends conservative tax and border priorities with notable breaks from her party, reflecting the cross-pressures of a competitive seat. Supporters point to her tax relief and her independence; critics on the left emphasize her electoral-count vote and Trump alignment, while some on the right criticize her party breaks. Both readings describe a legislator whose record is shaped by representing New York City's most competitive district.