Stefanik touts bipartisanship

PLATTSBURGH — Congresswoman Elise Stefanik says that being named one of the most bipartisan members of Congress speaks volumes about her record serving the 21st District.

Noting she was recognized by the Lugar Center as one of the top 10 percent of bipartisan lawmakers, Stefanik (R-Willsboro) said she votes and advocates for what best serves the region overall, often reaching across party lines as an independent voice to put the area’s needs into action.

“That’s something we need more of in Washington,” Stefanik, 34, said, calling her history of bipartisan bill sponsorships and votes an established “asset for the region.”

BREAK GRIDLOCK

In October, the incumbent in the 21st District cosponsored a “Break the Gridlock” resolution aimed at changing House rules to break through legislative gridlock and promote common-sense governing.

“Hard-working families in my district and across the country are tired of endless partisan bickering that has become far too common in Congress,” Stefanik told the Press-Republican Editorial Board in a recent interview.

“If Congress is going to get important work done for constituents back home, the rules of the House must change.”

The resolution contains what she calls important institutional reforms, making House leadership more reflective of the legislative body, eliminating roadblocks to smart policy making and ensuring that members of both parties can offer amendments to major pieces of legislation.

FUNDING FOR REGION

Looking to secure her third term in office, Stefanik said her established rapport with voters and fellow members of Congress will only help her better serve the 12 counties in the sprawling 21st District.

“It’s been an interesting four years, and I think I’ve been effective since Day 1 … and I think that’s only going to grow,” she said.

As the youngest female congresswoman elected to office four years ago, Stefanik said, she had a unique challenge of being in the media spotlight while advocating for the region and working to earn respect in Washington.

“I was ready to hit the ground running Day 1,” she said, noting that she immediately starting working toward, and ultimately achieving, her early campaign promises.

“I worked really hard to earn the support of constituents and my colleagues.”

Stefanik said she has fiercely advocated for the region from the start, particularly by securing a range of funding, including the Northern Border Regional Commission, Town of Plattsburgh water projects and money to address ongoing collaboration regarding problematic areas for potentially devastating ice jams.

TAXES

Stefanik said she and her Democratic opponent, Tedra Cobb of Canton, have stark contrasts in terms of local taxes.

“She took 20 procedural and legislative votes to raise taxes on her constituents” while serving as a St. Lawrence County legislator, Stefanik said.

She cited St. Lawrence County’s “fiscal mismanagement” while Cobb was in office.

Though Stefanik acknowledged that representatives face difficult decisions, Cobb's support of tax hikes and related legislation “is a clear contrast for voters. She has voted to raise taxes, and I have not.

“And you need to be held accountable for your votes.”

COMMUNICATION

Confronting claims that she hasn’t regularly connected with constituents while in office, Stefanik said her work in Washington and the numbers reflect otherwise.

Since taking office, she said, she has made 825 outreach visits with constituents across the district, held 17 Coffee With Your Congresswoman events and 91 mobile-office stops and reached 565,560 households through teletownhalls.

Her office has fielded 36,957 calls, closed 5,002 constituent cases and sent nearly 200 news releases detailing her ongoing efforts in Congress.

Stefanik said she also helped recover $2.8 million in Veterans Administration benefits and more than $1.9 million in Social Security benefits.

HEALTH CARE

Cobb has accused Stefanik of voting to cut Medicaid, impacting roughly 40,000 qualifying residents in the 21st District.

Stefanik said she feels there should be a multi-year plan for Medicaid expansion to ensure states can appropriately adjust and accommodate.

“I’ve also advocated that we need a comprehensive replacement process” for the Affordable Care Act, known to many as "Obamacare," noting the impact it had for her family firsthand as small-business owners, who she aims to better protect.

She also sees opportunities to improve Medicaid in the expansion process, including by detecting abuses to the system.

“I think we can do better while improving the quality of care,” she said.

Stefanik said she recognizes the area’s underserved access to dental care regionally under Medicaid, something she says should be looked into.

The congresswoman said she was also lead sponsor for preventive-care changes, improving access to health care previously not covered.

RUNNING ON RECORD

She also touted progress in rural broadband efforts and trade relationships with northern trade partners and applauded the drop in unemployment in the district as a whole.

With the mid-term elections fast approaching, Stefanik said she senses an overall uptick in energy and voter involvement.

She said her campaign focuses on her accomplishments and established record serving the North Country.

“I’m running on my history,” she said.

Green Party candidate Lynn Kahn is also challenging Stefanik for the congressional seat.

CONGRESS RACE

For interviews with Tedra Cobb, Democratic candidate for the NY-21 seat, and Lynn Kahn, Green Party candidate, see Sunday's issue of the Press-Republican.