Congressman ken buck. Thank you. Joining after questioning is emma and sean, i appreciate your time as well. I want to begin as the beginning freshman republican you expect this funding issue to be a contentious debate . D50 any possibility that funding could be stalled i think it will be a contentious debate. I think what the president did was poorly designed. Whether it ends up in some sort agency shut down, i hope not. I hope we can work through the issue and make sure we defined the parts of the executive order that the present has issued. And move on, and make sure the other functions of the government are funded, the transition as smooth. The issue really is immigration. He expect both sides to come together on an immigration bill that would resend the executive order . Tthat would be my hope. Im not sure that that will happen in the next couple of mmonths. It is my guess that a guest worker program, beef up border security, and move forward in a way that the American People are satisfied. Two congressional reporters joining us for questioning. Hi. As an incoming freshmen in congress, how much impact you think you can make . Whitey think your fellow congressman elect a elected your class president s . You have to stop asking me to questions at once i can never remember. About influence, right . I have been amazed at how open leadership and others have been in congress to the thoughts, and plans, that the incoming freshmen have. I say that because i think folks who have been there in washington, d. C. For while fear is whether what the freshmen have heard. Weve been on the campaign trail and interacting with the public. Weve heard the concerns most recently and in an unvarnished way. As a result of that, there is a lot of input from the freshmen members of congress. I think that gives us more than just the one vote of influence. I have been very happy with the process of choosing committees and meeting the chairs the committees and talking to them about future legislature. Why do you think your fellow colleagues elected you as a representative . A concerns me a concerns me about their judgment. Probably no one else wanted the job so they are willing to give it a go. Did you run for the position . I did. Were you challenged . There may have been challenges beforehand. There was no one at the time. Chairman mcmorris ran the meeting. I have contacted all the other freshmen and talk to them about my desire and plans. At that point, nobody stood up. I do not know if any rails was interested. With lets turn to emma. As a present of your freshmen class you are representing a new class coming in to have some diversity concerning that the Republican Party is trying to expand to include women, men and women of color all of this is happening while the third ranking republican in the house is under some scrutiny for meetiing with a White Supremacist Organization in 2002. Are you concerned about the mixed messaging of wanting to create a big tent and the possibility of seeing a member in leadership being involved in activities in the past that theyve run against that . I think scalise is a great man. He has demonstrated over and over again that he is open to all americans who believe in strengthening this country. He has apologized for what happened. I think it was years ago. He has demonstrated through his career that that is not who he is. I think the Republican Party will continue to be a party that welcomes all americans, who was a Strong America both economically and as a world leader. He voted against mlk holiday. Was that a mistake . You have to last even if that was a mistake. It is not something i think the American People will focus on. We at 18 trillion in debt. The American People send us to washington, d. C. To solve problems. I do not think the issue involving Steve Scalise will be an issue after we get sworn in on january 6. I think we will roll up our sleeves and get to work and produce legislature and that is what the American People will be focused on. Congressman, i want to go back to what youre saying about immigration reform, and the possibility passing different pieces doing a piecemill approach. What can congress due to address the undocumented immigrants living in this country . Something that would have the effect of legalizing undocumented immigrants, without having to rely on the president s executive order. I think the key is to deal with the immigration issue in a different way. I think we need to focus first on a guest worker program. I think we need to focus on border security. Once we have fixed the immigration issue, or do with the problems that exist today in the law and the enforcement in the law, then we can start to address what do we do with the folks who either came into this country illegally, or have overstayed their visas. If we reverse the order we are going to be dealing with an emotional situation, and the situation of trust with the American People. This president has not earned the trust of americans on the issue of immigration. He has failed to enforce laws in so many areas. In order to have an effective system, we have to enforce the laws. We have to ensure that people coming into this country understand that we enforce the law. Once we do that, i think the issue of what to do with the folks who are here illegally is much less emotional. We can have a rational discussion on the subject. If we do exactly what you outline, what you personally think we should do with those here in this country . I would be glad to answer that, and have a discussion about that once we accomplish that. As i said, i think people are suspicious that were trying to create an amnesty program, and we passed laws about birds security, but we never really secure the border. I am not going to address the issue of the people who are in this country illegally until we have a system in place that gives the American Peoples certainty in immigration area. Congressman elect, you have been a long Time Favorite of tea party activists. This is a movement has for long time pressed republican lawmakers to not compromise. What is your view on this . Do you think it is okay for americans conservative americans to cover as with democrats on major issues . I think it is i think compromise as part of the legislature process. We need to compromise within the Republican Party, Work Together to achieve goals, and make sure we work with democrats to achieve goals on overall legislation. Where i will not compromise is on the fiscal issues that have dragged this country down. Im very concerned about our national debt. Im very concerned about the sense that the federal government can solve all problems. Im going to washington, d. C. To reduce the size and scope of the federal government. So the role of the federal government is as intended in our constitution, and in the framework of our government. An absence, i will not compromise my core values. Im absolutely willing to work with others on crafting legislation to make sure we have an immigration system that works, a way to protect her countrys interests overseas, that we have a Monetary System is effective. On and on, and think we have to Work Together. But, we cannot keep throwing money at problems, and hope that those problems get better. You may have heard a message from Tea Party Groups that ive heard theyve never told me, ken, goat there and do not work with other people. Your republican leader in the senate said that the u. S. Will not default on the debt. One of the big issues that you will ffaith in february march will be whether or not to increase the debt limit. I think we have to make substantial progress on balancing the budget. If we do that, i will take a serious look at voting to increase the debt limit. I am not at all i do not believe that the consequences of failing to raise the debt limit are what the president and others in congress have said. I think we have a lot of room to cut our spending. If we do that, we will in fact avoid the catastrophic consequences that others talk about. Do support the so called baynard rule dollar to dollar cuts for spending increases . I think that is a minimum threshold that we have to meet. In real cuts, not cuts that happened 10 years from now or 15 years from now that another congress will inevitably change. I think we have to have cuts that happen now, and they will unfortunately hurt. But, the pain is caused by a history of irresponsible spending in the United States, and by the United States government if not could we please default . I hope that we do not. I hope that congress and the present act responsibly, and balance our budget, or at least moved substantially in that direction. I want to ask you about compromise and bipartisanship we understand youve been selected to be part of the Reform Committee the committee that has been very partisan, and did not work particularly well with the democrats. There was a sense that in the 114 congress that the new chairman would want to take a different approach. Are you familiar with the collaborative approach that he wants to take . Or did you appreciate the very confrontational nature of the tenure . I have had not had a chance to talk to him about his plans. I can say i think it a combative role is not the method. The legislative branch will perform certain oversight functions. It is essential. Along with the media, it keeps the executive branch from becoming a monarchy. That we frankly do not want to live with in this country. I would imagine that eight or 10 years ago, when congress was doing with president bush, there was also some tension that existed between oversight functions and the bush demonstration. I think those are natural tensions. As much as possible, we had to keep those on a professional level, and not make it personal. The use of this president and his executive order, and other regulatory issues that are going on, i think a very important for congress to look into. Speaking of tensions you have certainly not been shied to criticize the obama administration. Even tweeting out recently saying that you lost your appetite after seeing the president walk into a pizza place where you were eating at. Now that republicans controlled both houses of congress do you think it is possible that congress can have a working relationship with the president . What you see another couple of or do you see a couple another years of gridlock . I think we will work closely with the present, and with democrats in congress. I want to clarify something you mentioned a tweet. I did not tweak that at all. I was sitting eating pizza, and we observed black suv after black suv come out. There were secret Service Agents and a dozen Police Officers all so that present obama could have a photo opportunity with hispanic students. I find that offensive. Im not suggesting that this president is the first to do that. Wasting taxpayer dollars has a long history in this country, specifically in the executive branch. I find it offensive that we spend that much money for a photo opportunity while we continue to pile up that. That is why id i lost my appetite. I respect the president. I will do the things that congressman should do to interact with a person in the office of the present them. I think he has enacted a law of policies, and put this country at risk in a number of areas, by will not at all this respect the office of the president. Do you respect president obama . I think he has made a number of mistakes. If you are asking me do i respect to policy decisions . No. Do i respect him as an individual . Do i as a christian respect him and his family . Absolutely. Another committee that youve been selected to serve on is a judiciary committee. Pairing out with your comments concerns about present obamas executive overreach do you think that republicans often consider impeaching the president . I do not. You are a longtime District Attorney, aalso a prosecutor. How do you think those jobs prepare you for life on capitol hill . I think while some would look at it and struggle to see the common skill sets, ip i think it has been great. The primary job of the District Attorney is to get into the community and solve problems. We have reduce crime in my district over the years. We do that by working with commissioners, Police Departments, and creating programs to reduce crime. By working with the community, i think the same skills are necessary in congress. I will not look at a party label when i sit down and talk to somebody about the need to vote yes or no on a piece of legislation. Ideas so important to approach his job as problem solvers. Im very excited by this job. I gave up my badge this morning. That is an emotional thing for someone who has had a badge for 25 years. I think it is very common there are a number of common skills that are involved in the district atty. And in legislating. I want to follow up with one of those problems and that is the budget. If you look at where spending is, two thirds goes to medicare and medicaid. Where do you cut . The same question is where do you spend. You spent everywhere and you need to cut everywhere. Not targeting a certain group, but targeting the problem as a whole. The initial places that we will examine and that we need to examine are the discretionary side of the budget. But ultimately, we need to find a way to address the entitlements. We need to make sure that we deal with the entitlement issue or we will never be able to balance the budget. Recognizing that we have made promises to seniors, we have to keep those promises. The way to deal with the entitlement issue is that expectations of those entering the workforce is not that they will be able to retire at 60 or 65. As Life Expectancy increases, we need to make changes. So you would argue raising retirement age long term . It would not balance Social Security or medicare. We have to look at other areas, aand work across the aisle. I do have every answer at this point. It is one of the reasons than going to congress with an open mind. The only real goal is we have to make sure Social Security and health care are available to americans 40 or 50 years from now. Republicans, now that they control both houses of congress, has said that they want to double down and tackle a reform of the nations tax goal. Do you think that is a viable goal . What would you hope to see out of the tax reform package . I think it is not only viable, i think it is absolutely necessary. Again, the key term is fairness that all americans recognize that what congress has proposed is fair. It cheats people at the lower end of the income scale fairly, as well as people to hide and of the income scale. I think it is necessary to flatten our tax code. We have to make sure that people have faith in our tax system, and that when they fill out the tax reform they are not missing an exemption. Or that someone has not gone to congress to give them an unfair advantage. It is essential that as i start to plan my expenditures for the year, i know how much money i will be paying at the end of the year because i know what the tax rate will be. The tax system is unfair. On tuesday, you will be sworn into the house of representatives. What will be going to your mind . Wow. You should probably asking a question on wednesday. I am thrilled and honored. I think it is a challenging time to be a congressman. I think those challenges present great opportunities. Im really honored that the people colorado have chosen me. Ken buck, republican from colorado and rep. Elect. Thank you for being with us. We continue the conversation was shone from the Washington Examiner and emma. What can we expect over the next two years . Im looking for opportunities or instances, like the congressman elect said weather could be compromised. Where we can see democrats and republicans were together. Or will we see a stonewalling . I think that is the question everyone is asking, aand one that no one has answered to. He ran as a conservative as a tea party favorite, did he ask your question on compromise . Not specifically. I get the impression that gridlock has not been good for either party. Particularly, the Republican Party. For many reasons, they have been taken more of a hit certainly the government shut down in 2013. Weather was fair or not, was largely blamed on republicans. I think republicans are very wary to be seen as the party of no. As far as optics are concerned, i think they do not want to follow that path again. He said all the right things, which suggests that he understands that. When we get the new congress, we will see what happens, it is a little too early to tell. There is a question ddoes the story have legs . You brought up the issue of Steve Scalise. He answered, but will we hear more of this . I think it will continue to be an issue for some members. I think it depends on if we get more information. They could depend on whether democrats see an opportunity to continue to make this a point, especially with republicans claiming to be a big tent party. And democrats, their point of pride is being a party of diversity, and republicans being a party for old white men. If democrats see an opportunity to continue harp on this it could be seen in the next cycle. A quick follow up on speaker baynard and compromising with democrats, working with the white house, and keeping his republican conscious at peace. That is the 64,000 question. Ive always said that speaker baynard has the second most difficult job in washington, after the president. He has weathered a lot of storms. The Tea Party Revolt within the house gop that some thought were coming never really came. He held control, and hold control now. If anybody can do it, he can. For your questions and insight, thank you. I appreciate you being with us. Happy new year. Thank you. The 114th congress galas in on tuesday at 12 noon eastern. Watch the house live on c span, and the senate on c span 2. Track the gop as it leads on capitol hill, aand have your say as events unfold on tv, rad