Cartwright, Meuser talk 118th Congress from opposite sides of the aisle

WILKES-BARRE — After taking several days and numerous votes, the U.S. House of Representatives finally elected a Speaker — U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California.

Now the House can get down to business, right?

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, and U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, recently took time to offer their thoughts on what’s ahead for the 118th Congress.

“The end of the 117th Congress wrapped up an incredible two years of bipartisan successes,” Cartwright said. “Major legislative highlights include the historic Inflation Reduction Act to lower prescription drug prices, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to reduce gun violence, the CHIPs and Science Act, to boost American manufacturing, and the PACT Act, which included my Camp Lejeune Justice Act, to allow veterans exposed to toxins to get the care they need.”

Cartwright said other Cartwright-sponsored bipartisan bills passed in 2022, including:

• The Military Spouse Job Continuity Act, to provide reimbursement to military spouses who are forced to pay fees to transfer a professional license or certification due to a Permanent Change of Station.

• The STREAM Act, to clean up Acid Mine Drainage in regional waterways.

• H.R.6364, to extend the use of U.S. Route 209 within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to light commercial vehicles while allowing emergency vehicles and school buses to use that section of highway toll-free.

• The Native Plant Species Pilot Program Act, to protect flora and fauna in National Parks and Recreation Areas like the Delaware Water Gap.

“Again, it’s been an incredible two years of bipartisan successes for our country and for our district,” Cartwright said. “After wasting an entire first week on just electing a speaker, I’m discouraged that this Congress won’t be nearly as productive. The American people deserve a Congress that works for them. We need to be united and ready to work together on lowering costs, creating better paying jobs and making our communities safer.”

But despite such a rocky start, Cartwright said he still remains optimistic.

“For one thing, I do remain a senior member of the House Appropriations, and I’m greatly heartened that House Republicans voted 3-to-1 to keep Community Project Funding intact. This presents a phenomenal opportunity for our area, and means I’ll continue to bring every penny of our fair share of tax dollars home to Northeast Pennsylvania.”

Meuser offers his outlook

Meuser had his take on what might be ahead and, specifically, what the approach can’t be in the Republican-controlled House.

“We can’t continue to spend and approve,” Meuser said. “If we do, we then would be another trillion and half in debt. The country was $19 trillion in debt when I came to Congress — we’re now at $31 trillion.”

And with all of those national issues needing to be addressed, Meuser said he will always keep his district and his constituents at the top of his list for services.

“We will continue to maintain a high level of constituent services,” Meuser said. “As well as a high level of responsiveness. We are very district-centric.”

Meuser said the Marcellus shale issue and energy independence are at the top of his to-do list. He said his appointment to the House Financial Services Committee is key and he will also keep his interest high on the U.S. southern border, which he called “another disgrace.”

“We will enforce the laws that exist and are not being enforced now,” Meuser said.

Meuser wants to see national security strengthened and he will work toward economic revitalization.

“We are committed to improving the quality of life,” Meuser said. “We want to see more jobs, more industry, and we have many projects that will make that happen.”

Meuser said Speaker McCarthy is “a person of integrity” and he is confident he will make a great Speaker of the House.

Meuser also said former President Trump “was an outstanding president, but not such a great ex-president.”

Meuser said when Trump was president, his policies put the country in “one of the greatest positions ever pre-COVID.”

“There was a feeling of optimism,” Meuser said of Trump’s one-term presidency. “There were no wars, national security was intact, and our borders were secure.”

Meuser said Trump is one who has proven what he can do, but he also said others can as well, mentioning former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“We’ll see what happens in 2024,” Meuser said. “I’ll support the most conservative candidate that can win. I’m for what is best for our country.”

Cartwright: ‘Drive the economy’

Cartwright said in Fiscal Year 2023, he brought home $52.68 million to the district. In Fiscal Year 2022, he said he brought home $19.6 million.

The total for both years includes almost $19 million for Luzerne County, alone.

“I’m more committed than ever to bringing this funding home to drive regional economic growth, create jobs, fight crime, and provide much-needed public works projects,” Cartwright said. Right now, both chambers of Congress are held by extremely thin margins. Without a doubt, both parties will have to find some common ground to enact our respective agendas for the next two years.”

Cartwright said essentially, the 118th Congress is going to be all about compromise.

“This is my wheelhouse,” Cartwright said. “Over the last 10 years, I have introduced more than 150 bipartisan bills, more than any other Democrat in the Congress. It’s how you get things done in Washington.”

Cartwright said his approach will remain the same.

“I’m committed to promoting bipartisanship and making connections with my colleagues across the aisle to uplift Northeast Pennsylvania, move our country forward, and put people over politics.”

Meuser: ‘GOP team working’

Meuser said as part of the new Republican majority in Congress, he and the GOP “team” will be working on an agenda to strengthen the country’s national security and economic growth.

“This consists of stopping and repealing the Biden Administration’s out of control spending, burdensome regulations, and anti-American energy policies,” Meuser said. “The Biden Administration still controls the White House, and the Democrats hold a majority in the Senate. This means the House Republican majority will serve as a bulwark against Democrat policies that brought us excessive spending, an open border, and record-high inflation and energy costs.”

Meuser said Republicans will be charged with passing very specific and targeted legislation to resolve these challenges “for the benefit of the American people.”

Meuser said the major agenda items will follow the blueprint laid out by Speaker McCarthy and House Republicans, called the “Commitment to America.”

He said House Republicans will work on securing the southern border, building a strong economy, fighting sky-high inflation, and unleashing American energy independence.