A New Jersey representative is breaking away from the strictly partisan politics of Washington, co-chairing a caucus of congressional moderates from both parties who are intent on collaborating, not competing. They call themselves the Problem Solvers. NJTV News Correspondent Michael Hill spoke with freshman Congressman Josh Gottheimer.
Hill: Congressman, the newly formed Problem Solvers Caucus — Republicans and Democrats working across the aisle as you say there in Washington. What have you accomplished so far?
Gottheimer: Well it’s great to be here so thanks for having me. The Problem Solvers Caucus is 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans. We get together every week when we’re in Washington and we’re very focused on a few big areas — tax reform, infrastructure and in the last couple weeks very focused on the continuing resolution, which is really about keeping the lights on in government and making sure that everything in government is funded and doesn’t shut down. As you know, when we shut the government down, it costs the economy a fortune, it costs a lot of jobs, so we’ve been sitting down and trying to figure out a way to do this without it being filled up with a lot of ideological riders, which is basically bills that have nothing to do with keeping the lights on in government.
Hill: Well you’ve done that temporarily so it seems. No government shutdown at midnight tonight. What was the caucus’ role in this? You have funding now until May 5, Friday night at midnight next week. What was the caucus’ role in getting this accomplished?
Gottheimer: What we did this week was, we punted, basically, until next week and said we think we’ve come to an agreement together, a bipartisan agreement, to keep the lights on in government and now when we come back next week, we’ll do it officially for a longer period of time. We still haven’t figured out any long-term solutions, which is frankly what we should do, and how we’re going to run the government. But at least we agree temporarily to keep the lights on.
Hill: You mentioned tax reform. The White House is talking about a 15 percent business tax, but ending deductions for state taxes. Analysts say that would amount to a tax increase for states like New Jersey, New York and California. Do you support this White House tax plan?
Gottheimer: So the tax plan we got is just a piece of paper — one page or so. The details are really thin. And I’m all for reducing taxes. Taxes in New Jersey are way too expensive on businesses small and large and individuals. So I believe in reducing the tax rates. But my concern here, basically just what I read on their initial proposal, as you know, as you mentioned, is getting rid of the state tax deduction, local tax reduction, which would be devastating for a state like New Jersey where we’re one of the highest taxes in the country — state and local taxes. And if you can’t deduct them, it would actually, this would turn out to be a tax increase on us of thousands of dollars. So that’s something that I’m going to fight very hard with a lot of members in the caucus and frankly there are a lot of states who are in our boat, who we’re going to ban together and fight this on. I want tax reform. I’m a huge believer in tax reform. But it’s got to be done the right way that’s actually good for us at home in Jersey.
Hill: Congressman, at some point the White House is going to ask once again for funding for the border wall. What’s your position on that and what’s the caucus’ position on that?
Gottheimer: The caucus hasn’t taken a position on the border wall, but I’ll tell you my position. And I’ve had a lot of conversations with Republicans and Democrats on this issue. We all believe in tougher borders and tougher security at the borders. I think it’s essential. There’s plenty of ways to get there. The question is how. And so, we have not seen here legislation either with how we’re going to do it. Everything’s in the details. I mean, you can’t solve these issues with a tweet. You actually need to see the policy details because that’s when rubber meets the road. I’m eager to see that bill. I think that’s a really good subject of conversation and debate we should have of how we’re going to protect our borders and keep them secure. So I’m eager to see that and see the details.
Hill: What will be the caucus’ role in this attempt, still attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare?
Gottheimer: Well whereas in things like border security where I think there’s going to be healthy debate, one where I think the caucus can get involved, and it’s already talking about it, just like we did on the continuing resolution on tax reform. So far, the way health care’s been approached is very partisan as you know. There’s not been any attempt to talk to anybody on my side of the aisle, which I think it is a mistake because there’s plenty of us who believe we need to fix the ACA and think things like the medical device tax and the Cadillac tax and other provisions aren’t doing what they need to do so we’ve got to fix them. But the answer is not just to go to one room and not invite anyone else into the discussion. And we saw the initial plan would’ve been devastating for New Jersey — amounted to a $4,000 tax increase per family, given how they want to change the law. Obviously it would also have a really devastating impact on seniors, raising prescription drugs by thousands of dollars because they want to blow open what they call the doughnut hole. Prescription drugs, it would hurt a lot of our seniors. So I’m eager, and I’ve said this to a lot of my Republican colleagues, bring me to the table. Let’s sit down and talk about this, have a real discussion because there’s plenty we want to fix. But just doing it in hiding and then expecting us to just vote on it at the last second without any details is not the way to run government.
Hill: Congressman, we have just a few seconds left, but I have to ask you this. It seems right now we’re in this buildup to some kind of military kind of conflict, maybe even a war with North Korea. What are your concerns with the direction it appears that we are going right now?
Gottheimer: You know, I had a briefing, a confidential, classified briefing this week as did all members of Congress from the National Security team. And it was, obviously I can’t discuss a lot of the details, but the stuff that has been said publicly as we all know, we’ve got an escalation situation there. It’s deeply concerning. The information I learned, the two big things I took away were one, we have to be vigilant, incredibly vigilant with actions being taken by leadership in North Korea and secondly, we are taking, I believe, based on what I was briefed on, the right steps to head this off. And I think what was clear from the administration is we do not want to get into a conflict here. We need to make sure we take all the steps — diplomatically and otherwise — to prevent that using, leaning all of our allies around the world. I’m confident that what I learned is the right direction. Now we just have to watch this and make sure that we continue to rely on the best military in the entire world to keep us safe.