Stefanik

PLATTSBURGH — Fresh off a convincing re-election win, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is looking forward to tackling many issues in the new term and working with the new president and a majority Republican Congress.

“I think we will be able to get a lot done,” Stefanik, R-Willsboro, said in a telephone interview with the Press-Republican.

“Tax reform, regulatory reform, replacing the Affordable Care Act, those are the issues that are high on the agenda, particularly in the first year, but I am also excited about issues in my committees.”

Replace Obamacare

Investing appropriately in national defense and eliminating sequestration of military funding for the long term are goals of hers as she sits on the House Armed Services Committee.

And getting the higher-education bill re-authorized this year will be a priority as Stefanik serves on the Education Committee.

Revamping the nation’s 85,000-page tax code is also top issue for her, too, she said.

“I’m hopeful, and as always, I will be an independent voice when I disagree,” she said.

Stefanik said there are parts of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, that she would like to keep, such as allowing children to stay on their parents’ insurance until the age of 26.

She has been part of the reforms that have already taken place, but other aspects still need to change, she said.

“I believe that we need to continue fixing it until there is a replacement,” she said.

“I wouldn’t have voted for the Affordable Care Act, and I support a replacement.”

“Will speak out”

Stefanik, 32, won re-election in the 21st District by collecting 63 percent of the vote against Democrat Mike Derrick of Peru, who drew 28 percent, and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello of Glens Falls who got 5 percent. The congresswoman won all 12 counties in the district.

During the campaign, she was often pressed by the media to explain her support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Trump’s win sparked protests across the nation among people who fear his policies.

Stefanik, who often touts her ability to work in a bipartisan manner, continues to maintain her support for Trump.

“I will continue to work with the administration, and I will speak out when I disagree,” she said.

Cabinet vetting

Several of Trump’s selections for his cabinet have raised eyebrows, namely Steve Bannon as chief strategist. He has been accused of being racist and anti-semitic.

Stefanik said she does not know Bannon personally but is willing to let the vetting and appointment process play out.

“I believe that President-elect Trump can put together his team, and for those who are Senate-appointed, they will go through the process,” she said.

That, she noted, includes stiff questioning from both parties on potential policy issues, and the answers will reveal much, Stefanik said.

Another controversial appointment is that of Betsy Devos as education secretary; she is seen by many as against public schools. Stefanik said Devos will go through the vetting process as well, and the congresswoman hopes to work with her as a member of the Education Committee to improve the affordability of higher education.

“It’s important to allow these appointees to go through the Senate confirmation process … to hear the appointees’ viewpoints on these issues,” Stefanik said.

Executive orders

She said she was not surprised at Trump’s win, especially in this district.

“He clearly appealed to voters who are frustrated with the status quo, and he clearly appealed across party lines, if you look at his outcome in our district,” she said.

In this region, Hillary Clinton won Clinton County and the city of Plattsburgh, but Trump prevailed in Essex and Franklin counties.

“I think his message on economic growth and on national security clearly resonated,” Stefanik said.

She said one of the frustrating aspects of President Barack Obama’s tenure has been how he has circumvented Congress in issuing executive orders. She hopes Trump does not do that.

“I am hopeful that President Trump will work with Congress because Congress is the closest to the people and should be in the position of writing law.”

Trump tweets

The president-elect has drawn attention since Election Day with some of his bombastic posts on Twitter, but Stefanik wouldn’t comment on specific Trump tweets, saying she is focusing on keeping her own Twitter account relative and informative.

“It certainly is going to be different in the way they use Twitter,” she said.

“I do think when the transition goes into place … I am not sure how the POTUS (President of the United States) feed is going to work, but I guess we’ll see.”

Seeking unity

Stefanik said that while working with the administration certainly is an important part of her duty, her main role in Congress is to focus more on what is most important to her constituents.

With a nation divided, she said, she will do her part in bringing people together.

“If you look at the outcome of the election, I believe that I have brought people together … and I think I’ve done that on pretty divisive issues,” she said.

“I think I’ve led by example of bringing people together, and that is what I am focusing on, bringing that type of mentality to Congress, reaching out to newly elected members and building those relationships so we can have a productive session.”

(Editor’s note: Four daily newspapers in the North Country — the Enterprise, Post-Star of Glens Falls, Watertown Daily Times and Press-Republican of Plattsburgh — are sharing content to better cover New York’s 21st Congressional District.)