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Congressman-elect Calls For Bipartisanship In Washington

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Congressman-elect Tom Rooney speaks at a Highlands County Commission meeting on Tuesday in Sebring.

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By JIM KONKOLY

Highlands Today

Published: December 17, 2008

SEBRING - Lifting the country out of its economic woes won't be easy or quick, but it can be done with bipartisan cooperation in Washington, Congressman-elect Tom Rooney said as he visited the Highlands County commissioners meeting Tuesday morning.

"This can't be an us-versus-them world any more, it has to be working together because the people are expecting us to produce," Rooney said.

The 37-year-old Martin County lawyer, who has served as an Army captain, an assistant Florida attorney general and director of an orphanage for abused and neglected children, said economic recovery will require eliminating the easy credit that created bad debts.

"I am a Republican, I do believe in limited government, and I believe in responsible government," Rooney said. "And so I can tell you honestly, from the last three weeks of getting orientation, not only in Washington but also at Harvard, we're in for some very challenging times, as you know.

"But," he added, "the news from the experts is a lot worse than you're even seeing on the news and TV.

"The bailouts and the economic trends are going to continue for many years to come as we try to transition out of this credit world that we've all been accustomed to living in," he added. "And it's going to be challenging for all of us, all the way down to local government."

As a freshman legislator in the minority party, Rooney said, he won't be able to push through legislation, but he will concentrate on providing constituent services and fighting for grants in his district.

He also said he is lobbying for an appointment on the House Agriculture Committee, to give farming interests in his eight-county district a stronger voice, and also is seeking seats on the foreign affairs and judiciary committees.

On dealing with national issues, Rooney said, "I look forward to working with Democrats as well as Republicans. Obviously, if there's one thing we heard loud and clear over the course of the campaign, it was that with the congressional approval ratings averaging below 20 percent, they (voters) want to see things get done."

In an interview after he addressed the county commission, Rooney was asked if he's optimistic that the national economy will rebound.

"The United States of American can do anything it wants, if we just put our minds to it," he answered. "We just have to have the people in place who are willing to do it, even if it means making tough decisions in the near term.

"Hopefully," he added, "President Obama is willing to do that. He ran on a platform of change and change is exactly what we need for us to be able to continue as a super power."

Despite the big challenges, Rooney said, "I'm always optimistic. I think we can do the things we need to do, and if we get it done we'll be fine. But it's not going to be easy, and it's going to take bipartisanship, it's going to take strength from the very top, from President Obama."

Rooney said the federal government needs to stop easy credit that results in bad debt and prosecute unscrupulous lenders.

"Certainly, we can tighten the reins on things like what is allowed as far as the credit world goes, reining in sub-prime mortgage loans, and prosecuting predatory lenders," he said.

The freshman congressman, who defeated scandal plagued Democrat Tim Mahoney in the November election, promised to honor requests from the commissioners to stay in touch with local officials.

"I believe that local government is the most important, because it's the closest to the people," he said.

Highlands County Sheriff Susan Benton said an economic downturn usually causes crime to rise, and pointed out that federal funding for criminal justice issues has gone down over the past several years.

As a former Army and state prosecutor, Rooney said, he knows the importance of law enforcement.

"I've often said if the government could do only one thing, it would be public safety," Rooney said to the sheriff. "So I look forward to working with you and the sheriffs of the other eight counties (in his district)."

Rooney said he is committed to promoting energy independence.

"Absolutely, it is possible," he said. "The key is, like the old song goes, you need a little more action and a lot less talking." He pointed to Florida Power Light unveiling a new hybrid energy plant that incorporate solar panels, and the nuclear power plant in Port St., Lucie as positive steps toward less reliance on foreign oil.

"Even though gas prices have gone down," Rooney added, "I don't think it means that we can rest assured that gas prices aren't going to go back up, because they are. So, in the short term, we have a supply and demand issue that's not going to go away.

"And I do believe that's its incumbent upon us to figure out alternative fuels, because fossil fuels aren't going to be here forever."

Highlands Today reporter Jim Konkoly can be reached at 863-386-5855 or e-mail jkonkoly@highlandstoday.com

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