Transcripts For CSPAN2 Problem 20240705 : vimarsana.com

More from the u. S. Conference of mayors meeting now. Problem covs contest, carcass chair congress with costs, and for president of the get the focus onopportunitio manage. Good morning, mayors. Topic of bipartisan opportunities in the 118th congress. ■ secret thal polarization is increasing in our communities and in our congress. ■h democrats and republicans in congress are further apart, ideologically, today than in any time in the last 50 years. At a time of increasing tension, it is more crucial than ever before to find avenues forromisn across the aisle. Joining me is the United States representative from new jerseys fifth congressionaltr the cochair of the Problem Solvers Caucus in congress. Which was founded in 2017 to find Common Ground between democrats and republicans and advocate for ideas that appeal to a wide range a representatie josh gottheimer. [applause] welcome. Were also pleased to introduce the United States representative who serves new yos 19th congressional district, hes a former fivetime mayor, he the youngest mayor elected in mayor when he was elected before going ton a career as a duchess county executive and new york state legislator. He gets us. Republican, a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, along gottheimer, please welcome congressman mike molinaro. [applause] didnt know he was te youngest. Not anymore. Its great to have you both. A couple of key thing we like to ■ he u. S. Conference of mayors as a bipartisan, pragmatic organization, its oftentimes said there are three types of folks in america, republicans, democrats, and mayors. Theres not a republican or democratic way to pick up trash, plow the streets, create our neighborhoods. So were really leaning in here and think this is a great opport■ it caucus to push for bipartisanship. First of all, we want to thank you publicly for your support of keeping the cities dont shut down and neither should our government. So first of all, we want to your leadership in helping to get that done. But talk to us a little bit about the Problem Solvers Caucus. How it came to be. And why you think bipartisanship is more important than ever before based on the environment that were in. Mr. Gottheimer thank you for having us. And mark as a former mayor guess this as well. Were sick and tired of people screaming and yelling and tweeting nasty things and we came here for one purpose. To get stuff done. The only way done, especially in a divided government is to talk to each other, to build relationship, build trust, like you all do when you come down here and talk to each other, best practice, best ideas. Theres 32 democrats now, 32 republicans. We get together every one purpo. Which is to actually get to yes, to figure out how we can agree, figure out h t solution, not insist on 100 . I the this sounds nuts, we talk to each o, don yuer, we dont n against each other. Its hard to work with somebody if you think theyre trying to kill you. So thats thesome of the biggess come out of congress in the last few years is because we sit down and talk to one another and work it out with our fends in the senate too. Mr. Molinaro i appreciate being here, i know the work that americas mayors do. I appreciate it. The saying we used to have in the village of kibbelee, you struggled with the italian name i noticed, the guy from ohio expect we used to say is when te roof leakser it leaks on republicans and democrats. The job of local you go to congress and theres a number of people who talk about why the roof is leak, who made the roof leak, and kick the can down the road about fixing the roof. The problem solvers, in a our point is, in a very government, divided nation, to have the conversations and move the needle toward consensus. I would say as a former m make have real impacts on real people instantly. And when you live through that for 12 years, when you are the point of cta about everything from potholes to criminal justice, and all things in between, you recognize that the decisions you when you are so far removed in congress too often you think that your decisions dont. The minute you lose thatmanity t makes it easy to be partisan. Our job is to find consensus. I even argue, its not about bipartisanship. Finding the right answer, to solve the right problem, at the right time. Tibbol snirvetion i clearly need one more cup of coffee. Mr. Molinaro 1,300 people, nobody else heard of it anyway. You couldnt go anywhere without having mayors in the congress and in the u. S. Senate and working in government because they get us and understand us. Help us understand and give us advice since youve sat in both seat, how mayors can work morupm solvers caucus, whrorn youre from ohio or not, we want to support the work of the caucus and work more closely together. Ta about how your experience as a mayor and member of congress can be leveraged in mr. Molinaro i served in a state legislature, a county mayor, representing 1 million budget. A1 argument. You can sign as many form letters as you want. Im sure josh reads every one of the message, i see my friend from the city of poughkeepsie, if you tell me how my decision affects the north■ of poughkeepsie, i want to know it. I want to hear how theyre going to be impacted by our choices. Second, you have to push back i tell people this all the time. As a republican county executive i was told dont work with that democrat. When that democrat comes to town, done invite theatm back. You as democrats and republicans have to do the same thing. You have to say, when i have an elected official doing the right thing for me im going to pat him on the back. When he or she, irrespective of party, isnt, im going to tell them so. I worked very well with chuck schumer. Schumer comes to town, everybody pats him on the back. I used to whisper too chuck, the river front needs this. Its important to humanize that message in a way that keeps them on their toes. If they feel comfortable and co to work for your support, they wont. Were in the same boat. Josh is very difficult to work ard for his support. But bipartisanship, nonpartisanship, consensus is hard. You should be making it hard for the folks in your party d welcoming those across the aisle who stand with you when they do. Mr. Gottheimer i think thats spot on. I think the other thing, weve got a bunch of mayors from jersey here who are phenomenal. What helps us a lot and when were working on doingk on veterans, our work on environmental issues, the best, i have found some of the best idn have come from mayors actually calling and saying hey, were doing this here and its working. You should try this. Legislation. Or this bill youre about to propose, it sounds great but you dont understand the unintended on my city. Its really, really important, you know, mark gets this especially, we hear this as mayors, our job is to work for you. If you have a good idea or see something that count makee sens, when you tell us, it speaks volumes. Youre also getting feedback all day long from people. The more you call and have a relationship, and theres republican mayors here todayemoc mayors. I talk to all of them. Its not partisan. Theres nothing partisan about picking up the trash, as you pointed ou nothing partisan about that. Youre on the ground with the best ideas. It helps us solve problems, a lot of whats in the infrastructure bill we passed right, the most important infrastructure b years, came from im telling you, because i helped rate it. It came from mayors in my district. Im very proud about that. Got to. I want to thank the mayors, some great, great mayors. So how do we get here in the polarization, the division, probably more important for the conversation, where do we go from here . What role do mayors play in what looks like a rematch. 50 , regardless of what happens this year, 50 of the country will not accept the results. How do we as mayors help to lead us through this critically important time focused on bipartisanship, integrity, and cooperation, collaboration . Mr. Gottheimer thanks for putting that one on me. You all know this pause youre elected officials. Its not nearly as bad here as cnn and fox will have you believe. The reality is, youve got 64 of us who sit down together every week and theres more people like that who actually want to get things done. We pass things all the time that are bipartisan. This year we were very involved in getting this debt ceiling deal done, keeping the government open. Were working right now on the package that has ukraine funding with Border Security and Immigration Reform in it. Support for israel and taiwan. Thats weve been very involved in that mind the scenes working. So its still it still really functions. The noise is loud and gets louder. Thats what sells on tv and social media. We get that. One, its not as bad. Two, you have to make sure you just what you do, youve got to get stuff done. Got to pass your budgets. So do we. Which means the two of us and those involved in problem solvers have to keep, no matter what the noise is, no matter whats going on nationally, we have to get our jobs done. Im not worried about us being able to do what we need to do. We have to focus on that and ignore all the noise. Mr. Molinaro im a new member, josh has been here longer. Mr. Gottheimer i was taller than you. Mr. Molinaro thats right. The big dispoint disappointmentment i have, that while 85 or more of the members Work Together well. Im on the train structure committee. We are nonpartisan. We want passengers to be safe. We to deal with growing Mental Health and sub stabs a i abuse crisis and we do it in a bipartisan way. And with all due respect not often do you point to those things. I get it. The model doesnt support what we do. Its a Business Model that perpetuates itself. Where and how do we break through it . I think time will allow, i think were getting to the point where the country recognize this is just isnt working. This constant 5050 battle, although we have to get through probably that over the course of the next eight months. Time will provide that opportunity. I would just say keep doing the work youre doing. I dont want to be corny about it. Listen. Most people trust their local government. If you look, i think it was Pew Institute did a poll some years ago basically said the closer you are the more trust there is. Dont break that trust. I mean it. You are our best ambassadors. Meaning you are governments best ambassadors. You are the ones who get the work done. You are the ones who fill the potholes. When moms or dads are crying because their kid is stuck in a crappy criminal Justice System or they cant find their way to a Social Security check or theyre looking for their passport, they may call us but theyre likely to start with you. Mr. Gottheimer they always start with you. Mr. Molinaro they you need to be the conduit, the extension. You give us a good face too. They see government functioning. Then ill end by going back to where i started and say, dont miss the opportunities, despite the whisper in your ear from your party, despite the whisper in your ear from councilmember os whoever, to say dont partner with them. Therell be moments where reefing aacross the aisle makes sense. Dont miss that moment. Common ground is elusive but we can find it. Mr. Gottheimer thats important. Dont be afraid to pick up the phone and call us, and to say, for people who say its just a mess there. Actually, you know, i work with them all the time. Theres plenty of stuff were getting done working together. I think people need, youre asking what do we need to repair things . Pem need to have faith. We live in the greatest country in the world. People need to know the system works, and it does work. Think about what we didding to, the Problem Solvers Caucus and beyond in the last two years, not just infrastructure. Big support for veterans. Support for cops. And first responders. Building chips in the United States. Instead of our number one enemy and adversary in the government of china. All this stuff we did working together. And we got to tell more of the good news because if were negative, the people we represent are going to be negative. Weve got to remind them, got to put the country first. I think if we do that, itll start to lift everyone back up that way. [applause] mayor, congressman, im going to give you the last word. Give these mayors, some inspiration. As we head into these try, trying times. Where is the Problem Solvers Caucus in americas mayors in january of 2025 . Mr. Molinaro you are americas Problem Solvers Caucus. Please understand that. I just would say to you, i do believe this nonpartisan consensus oriented effort, call it problem solvers because that what we associate as, call it whatever you want, theres a place in america for that. Its where most people live. Its where the work gets done. Its where the problems get solved. Its where the challenges get overcome. Do not shrink from your responsibility to be americas problem solvers. I will offer to you that when you said mayor, executive when i die the only title i want on whatever little plaque my kids leave for me is mayor. Once a mayor, always a mayor. We understand the challenges. Itll be a small plaque. I deal with county executives and town supervisors all the time. I tell them i love all my children equally i just happen to love mayors more. Please thank these incredible members of congress. Thank you guys for all you do. [applause] average of the u. S. Conference of mayors meeting continues with transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg former m