Highlights: Josh Gottheimer and Tom Reed on bipartisanship today

ROBIN HUANG: Representatives Josh Gotteheimer (NJ-5) and Tom Reed (NY-23) sat down for a virtual conversation about the Problem Solvers caucus in the House of Representatives with GU Politics on February 10.

The event was streamed on Facebook Live and Punchbowl News by the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service. Moderated by GU Politics Executive Director Mo Elleithee along with Founder of Punchbowl News and Spring 2017 GU Politics Fellow Anna Palmer, the representatives discussed what bipartisanship looks like on Capitol Hill today in the face of deep polarization.

“It’s a lot easier to say no and blow things up than to fix it,” Gottheimer said to underscore the importance of cross-party cooperation. “How can we solve [issues] and move things forward?”

Founded in January 2017, the Problem Solvers Caucus is a bipartisan group in the House of Representatives composed of 50 members, with equal representation of Democrats and Republicans. Republican Representative Tom Reed and Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer are co-chairs of the caucus. Caucus members seek cooperation on key issues including infrastructure, immigration and police reform. 

“When you get the power of the people behind you, it’s surprising how much you can get done,” Reed commented in response to skepticism of bipartisan groups’ efficacy in Washington D.C. The panelists highlighted how the Problem Solvers caucus introduced the $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill in December 2020. “[People] are sick and tired of yelling at each other...People actually want you to move the ball forward,” added Gottheimer, emphasizing that despite media portrayal of a polarized America, constituents really look for cooperation and results from their representatives.

The representatives also discussed the reality of political polarization in the United States today, especially after the January 6 attack on Congress. Both congressmen reflected the deep fear and anger they felt while in the Capitol during the storming. The insurrection was led by hardline Trump supporters who supported false conspiracies that the 2020 election was rigged against President Trump, misinformation which was promoted by some members of Congress. “I wasn’t pleased with some of my colleagues,” admitted Gottheimer in reference to the role several Problem Solvers caucus-members played in peddling election fraud theories.

Nonetheless, the panelists urged for cooperation for the future and challenged students to re-engage with individuals on the opposite side of the political aisle. “You don’t give up faith and you don’t judge people,” said Reed in regard to interacting with individuals of opposing political beliefs. “When you judge people, you repel people.”

Reed and Gottheimer closed their conversation advocating for cross-party dialogue. In order to prevent another Capitol insurrection, Reed reminded students: “Democracy is but one generation from being lost—that’s why it’s incumbent on you [to engage].”

Robin Huang is a sophomore in the School of Foreign Service and the Director of Design for On the Record.

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