Rep. Nicole Malliotakis issued what she called a “stark warning” to Americans about the growing influence of democratic socialism in U.S. politics, stating that policies promoted by some Democrat candidates mirror those that led to economic collapse and political repression in countries such as Cuba and Venezuela.
The New York Republican said proposals by democratic socialists — including government-run supermarkets, abolishing private property rights, seizing the means of production, and expanding the Supreme Court — resemble policies implemented by communist and socialist governments abroad.
“This is a stark warning for the people of the United States of America,” Malliotakis said, arguing that the consequences of those policies are evident in countries that embraced socialism.
She pointed to Cuba as an example, saying communist rule resulted in chronic shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and a lack of basic necessities.
“They literally named those things that they want to do. It’s not me putting words in their mouth or speculating,” she said, referring to proposals she attributed to democratic socialist candidates.
Malliotakis also cited Venezuela, saying leaders there expanded the nation’s Supreme Court and consolidated political power while implementing socialist economic policies that she argued devastated one of South America’s wealthiest countries.
The congresswoman added that democratic socialist ideas are no longer confined to the political fringe but are becoming increasingly influential within the Democratic Party.
While noting that a democratic socialist-aligned candidate was defeated in an Arizona race, Malliotakis said the broader trend remains concerning because socialist candidates have continued winning elections in heavily Democrat districts.
“They’re starting off incrementally,” she said. “We’ve seen them in New York. There was only a couple of them in the New York City Council. Now they’re in the state legislature. Now they’re going to be sitting and voting members of Congress.”
Malliotakis warned that continued electoral gains could eventually give democratic socialists greater influence over congressional committees and legislation if Republicans lose control of the House.
“What’s stopping them from having control in Congress and actually being chairs of committee and having control over policy is the Republican majority right now,” she said. “That thin Republican majority we must preserve.”
She urged voters not to sit out the upcoming midterm elections, arguing that maintaining the GOP majority is essential to blocking what she described as a socialist policy agenda.
Malliotakis also highlighted a recent Capitol Hill roundtable featuring immigrants who fled communist governments in Cuba, Venezuela, China, and Russia. She said participants described how socialist systems begin with promises of free government benefits before evolving into economic hardship and restrictions on personal liberty.
“There is nothing free,” Malliotakis said. “You’re paying with your freedom at the end of the day.”
She encouraged Americans to study the experiences of countries that adopted socialist governments, arguing that history offers lessons that can help the U.S. avoid a similar path.
“We’re going to learn it either by reading history and seeing what has happened in other countries, or we’re going to learn it the hard way,” Malliotakis said, adding that several countries in Central and South America have since shifted back toward center-right governments after experiencing the failures of socialism.
