Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. has announced he’ll be joining the House of Representatives’ Problem Solvers Caucus group within the 118th Congress.
The 54-year-old lawmaker will join 24 new members within the bipartisan group of lawmakers, including co-founder Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), both continuing in their roles as co-chairs within the group. The caucus’ profile has risen in the last two terms due to the slim margin each party has had in the majority.
Established in January 2017, the selected group of lawmakers has played an important role in finding common ground between both parties in moving forward significant legislation. Both Gottheimer and Fitzpatrick have close relationships with their party’s leaders in the House—Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) for Fitzpatrick and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) for Gottheimer.
Bipartisan Caucus
Kean said he is joining the bipartisan group, whose membership has grown to over 60 members, to help find solutions for families and businesses in New Jersey.
“Every day of gridlock in Washington is another day that issues impacting my constituents at home go unaddressed,” said the freshman lawmaker. “This Congress needs to lead in a time when partisan gridlock often derails progress.”
24 New House Members
The group is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, committed to eliminating partisan politics on critical key issues facing the nation and finding common ground and hopefully resolving those issues within a bipartisan framework that appeals to a broad spectrum of the American public.
Gottheimer welcomed in the new members as they look to build on the caucus’ legislative accomplishments from last term.
“Last Congress, from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the CHIPs Act to historic gun safety legislation, the Problem Solvers Caucus helped enact meaningful legislation to move the nation forward,” said Gottheimer. “As the size and strength of the new (caucus) class shows, it’s clear that there is growing enthusiasm to break through the gridlock and get things done. This is all about putting commonsense over extremism.”
Finding Common Ground
Some of the key issues that the Problem Solvers Caucus said is on their agenda during this session of the 118th Congress includes:
- Broadband Expansion: Millions of Americans do not have access to reliable high-speed broadband, leaving ranchers, farmers, students, lower-income and rural communities, and other hard-working Americans at a disadvantage. Given the modern importance of connectivity, expanding access to high-speed internet will ensure all Americans can participate in the digital economy and utilize critical tele-health services.
- Debt & Deficit: While in a crisis, it is necessary to borrow to safeguard against deeper economic turmoil. However, the U.S. debt has now exceeded a hundred percent of GDP. Though recovery remains the priority, getting the country’s fiscal house in order long-term and managing the deficit.
- Energy & Climate: The caucus will continue to work to promote clean energy innovation and an-all-of the above energy policy .
- Election Security: Safe, accurate and fair elections are the cornerstone of American democracy, and the stability of our government depends on robust security of our election infrastructure to protect against tampering or attack.
Kean is the third consecutive congressman from New Jersey’s 7th district to join the caucus, following Republican Leonard Lance and Democrat Tom Malinowski. Besides Kean and Gottheimer, New Jersey lawmakers in the caucus are Republican Chris Smith and Democrat Donald Norcross.
“I look forward to working with the Problem Solvers Caucus to find common sense solutions to cut inflation, build a 21st Century economy that promotes innovation, and keep our communities safe,” said Kean.
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