Mayor Zohran Mamdani accused Amazon and other opponents of spending heavily to scare New Yorkers about a proposed overhaul of the city's package delivery industry Tuesday, as he prepares to join national labor leaders in a push for the legislation's passage.

The remarks came amid a multimillion-dollar lobbying battle over the Delivery Protection Act , which would require certain last-mile delivery facilities to obtain city licenses and directly employ workers rather than relying on third-party contractors.

The bill has 34 City Council sponsors , well above the 26 votes needed for passage, but has remained in committee since April.

Asked at a press conference in Bushwick Tuesday about concerns that the legislation could disproportionately hurt smaller delivery businesses, Mamdani defended the proposal as a way to improve street safety and protect workers.

Mamdani also cited advertisements on streaming services, saying a high school friend had recently asked him about the legislation. “There's an incredible amount of money being spent by Amazon and other similar companies and entities looking to fear-monger about what this legislation would do,” Mamdani said. “I continue to be incredibly supportive of this legislation, and I think that it is important in providing workers with the protections that otherwise they do not have today.”

Asked whether the bill could lead to job losses, Mamdani did not directly answer. “I think that this is something that will lead to better protections for workers,” he said. The exchange followed a New York Post report Tuesday that a coalition including the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and American Consumer Institute had written to City Council Speaker Julie Menin urging lawmakers to reject the legislation.

According to the Post, the groups warned that the bill could increase costs for businesses, particularly those relying on contracted delivery workers, and ultimately raise prices for consumers. Some of Amazon's delivery contractors have raised similar concerns. In interviews with amNY's sister paper, the Bronx Times , last week, two Bronx-based delivery business owners warned that the proposed changes could jeopardize their operations and employees' jobs.

Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Sam Levine, NYC Central Labor Council President Brendan Griffith and Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union President Stuart Appelbaum are also expected to attend.

Speaker Menin, however, has not publicly committed to advancing the legislation. Asked whether the speaker supports the bill or intends to bring it to a vote, a Council spokesperson said, “This bill is going through the Council’s legislative process, which allows for thorough public engagement and input.”

The spokesperson did not address Menin's position or whether a vote is forthcoming. Mamdani's latest attack on Amazon follows his public endorsement of the Delivery Protection Act in August, when he accused the company of using subcontractors to avoid responsibility for working conditions. His administration had already testified in support of the bill at an April City Council hearing.

The Delivery Protection Act, sponsored by Cabán, would establish licensing, safety and training requirements for certain last-mile delivery facilities. It would also generally require operators to directly employ workers performing core warehouse and delivery services after a phase-in period.

Supporters argue that the changes would prevent major companies from using subcontractors to avoid responsibility for workers. Opponents warn that the requirements could threaten independent delivery businesses and their employees.

As amNewYork previously reported , state lobbying disclosures show Amazon contributed $5,001,377 to the Five Boroughs Jobs Campaign between February and May. The contributions were first reported by New York Focus.

The campaign reported more than $5 million in lobbying expenses during the first half of 2026 and identified the Delivery Protection Act as a target of its lobbying efforts. In a statement to amNewYork, Amazon defended its financial support for the campaign. “This bill would threaten many of the local small businesses that we work with to deliver packages across New York City, eliminating jobs while raising costs for New Yorkers who count on the service that these businesses provide,” an Amazon spokesperson said. “We think that’s wrong, so we’re proud to stand with our partners and oppose legislation that would hurt New York consumers, small businesses, and their employees.”

Amazon did not directly address Mamdani's accusation of fearmongering or questions about whether it had funded streaming advertisements opposing the legislation. The company has previously warned that the bill could affect more than 40 local delivery service partners and the jobs of more than 5,000 people they employ. A separate analysis commissioned by the Five Boroughs Jobs Campaign estimated that more than 10,000 jobs could be at risk.