Rep. Seth Magaziner has represented Rhode Island’s Second District since first winning election in 2022.
With the Nov. 3 midterm election less than a month away in reliably blue Rhode Island and with polls showing Democrats have an edge in retaking the U.S. House, Magaziner is favored to win a third term. But many Americans remain dissatisfied with both parties, and he’s facing an energetic GOP challenge from Victor Mellor – a MAGA-style supporter of President Trump who made headlines for registering as a foreign agent for Cuba and for attending the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Magaziner sat down with Ocean State Media political reporter Ian Donnis to discuss the priorities of a Democratic Congress, how he sees Democrats as a counter-balance to President Trump, and Americans’ dim view of Congress.
Interview highlights
On what he thinks Democrats should do if they retake the U.S. House Majority
Rep. Seth Magaziner: When Democrats take the majority, which I believe we will, we are going to push immediately to bring down the cost of living, make life more affordable by ending the war in Iran, ending the tariffs, and restoring the funding that was cut from healthcare last year – funding that the Republicans cut from healthcare in order to pay for tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations. By doing those three things, we can bring immediate relief to people.
Then beyond that, I have assurances from our leadership, from (current Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries) that my bill to ban members of Congress from trading stocks will be on the agenda as part of a larger ethics reform agenda.
On how Democrats plan to oversee President Trump if they retake the House
Magaziner: First, it comes with exposing the corruption and showing the American people what's happening. Where did that ($2.2 billion in income, according to reporting by The New York Times) come from? Well, we know that a lot of it came from him selling cryptocurrency to people, but we don't know to whom. Is it organized crime figures? Is it people looking for pardons? Is it foreign dictators?...
We start with using our subpoena power to expose what is going on. Then beyond that, there has to be accountability. We have to say clearly that no one, including the President of the United States, is above the law. And if there is illegal activity, then there have to be consequences. And there's a range of different options. Once again, we can refer these matters to prosecutors at the federal or state level. Impeachment is something people talk about. That's also a tool in the toolbox if it is warranted.
On whether prediction markets like Kalshi should be regulated like gambling entities
Magaziner: Yes, absolutely.
I mean, gambling in general is a very highly regulated industry for a good reason. I think that we have a real societal problem right now, where these unregulated prediction markets – which include things like sports betting – have become so addictive and are so unregulated that people are actually becoming addicted to this, and there are no guardrails. It's crazy that all of these requirements and restrictions are in place around gambling at Twin River (Bally’s casino), but not on Kalshi or on the other prediction markets.
