New York State Assembly Following a string of attacks on New York police using water buckets, LiPetri introduced a bill to make it a felony to assault a police officer with water or any other liquid, such as seminal fluid. This followed concerns that these attacks could escalate to include the use of gasoline or acid. LiPetri participated in a ride-along with
ICE officers on Long Island. LiPetri has criticized
New York's bail reform law, which eliminates cash bail for certain misdemeanors and allows people charged with nonviolent crimes to be released without bail pending a court appearance. LiPetri was one of two assemblymen to sponsor a bill to increase penalties for sex crimes involving a minor. LiPetri sponsored a bill in the Assembly to ban the usage of products that contain 1,4-dioxane: a carcinogen found in tap water on Long Island. LiPetri voted in favor of the bill in the Environmental Conservation Committee. The bill was passed and signed into law. LiPetri also cosponsored and voted for a bill to make it easier for public water suppliers to sue polluters for contaminating water supplies. This bill was also passed and signed into law. LiPetri cosponsored legislation to let college students deduct college supplies—including textbooks—from their taxes. LiPetri also cosponsored the "Learning for Work" Act to establish a youth apprenticeship program and incentivize businesses to participate for occupations which do not require a college education. During the
COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Governor
Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health ordered nursing homes to accept patients who tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, over 4,500 COVID-19 patients were sent to New York nursing homes. LiPetri called for New York Health Commissioner Howard Zucker to be fired as a result of this policy, and called for a federal investigation of this policy, alleging that it resulted in New York's higher levels of COVID-19 cases and deaths. LiPetri was a member of the Committee on Environmental Conservation, Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions, Committee on Housing, Committee on Racing and Wagering, and the Committee on Social Services.
2020 congressional election Following the announcement that 14-term U.S. Representative
Peter T. King would not be running for re-election in 2020, LiPetri announced his intention to run for Congress in
New York's 2nd congressional district. He ran against Assemblyman
Andrew Garbarino in the Republican primary. Garbarino defeated LiPetri, 65% to 35%. The district was a top target for the
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2020.
2024 congressional election LiPetri was chosen by the Nassau County GOP to be their candidate for
New York's 3rd congressional district in the 2024 election cycle, a decision made amidst notable competition from within the party. The primary was set for June 25, 2024, but was cancelled when LiPetri was the only person slated to be on the ballot. LiPetri's early selection by the Nassau County GOP leaders positioned him favorably against his challengers, avoiding the typical petitioning process required for candidacy. In the general election, LiPetri was defeated by
Thomas Suozzi by a margin of 51.7% to 48.1%. ==Personal life==