Central Massachusetts Members Look Forward to 111th Congress
NEWPRES
Worcester Telegram and Gazette
Rachel Kolokoff
Boston University Washington News Service
November 5, 2008
WASHINGTON – With a new, Democratic president and an increased Democratic congressional majority, the newly reelected House members from Central Massachusetts are optimistic about the legislative playing field.
U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, said he expects President Barack Obama to practice bipartisanship, even with an overwhelmingly Democratic Congress.
“I think his speech reflected that he understands he’s not just president of the Democrats, but of everyone in this country,” Mr. McGovern said. “I think there will be a bipartisan cabinet and that he will work in a bipartisan way.”
Mr. McGovern said he has every reason to believe the new Congress will work well with Mr. Obama and does not expect much contention within the Democratic Party.
“Maybe that’s wishful thinking, but I just don’t,” Mr. McGovern said.
U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst, said in a statement that he is also very excited about Capitol Hill’s new dynamic.
With Mr. Obama as president, he said, Congress has a chance to take the country in a new direction by restoring market regulations, passing another economic stimulus package and bringing an end to the Iraq war.
“The time has come for us to put in place and execute a plan to safely disengage our troops from Iraq and bring our soldiers home,” Mr. Olver said. “That policy shift is long overdue.”
Mr. Olver said Congress must also mandate emissions reductions for greenhouse gases and enact health care reform.
“Looking forward, the 111th Congress must also get serious about finally providing health care coverage to the 46 million Americans who have no health insurance,” he said.
Health care reform is also a big concern for U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, she said in a statement on Tuesday.
“I will work to give all Americans, especially our children, access to quality, affordable health care because we can do so much better than the system we have today,” Ms. Tsongas said.
Ms. Tsongas said in an interview that while the Democrats are a diverse lot, they embrace the same fundamental values on economic and energy policies.
“Where you have some differences of opinion are when you get down into the details, and those are things we can work out through the legislative process,” Ms. Tsongas said.
Ms. Tsongas also said it will be interesting to see if Mr. Obama appoints a bipartisan cabinet.
“I think clearly President-elect Obama brings a very measured approach, is clearly focused on creating an atmosphere that brings people together, and if that includes reaching out to and appointing some cabinet members from across the aisle, that is a good thing,” Ms. Tsongas said.
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