Politics & Government

Republican Candidates On How They Would Work Across Party Lines in Congress

To help readers make a choice in the Republican primary election on Tuesday, Patch asked the three candidates how they can work with Democrats in Congress.

By Susan Petroni
On Tuesday, Oct. 15 voters in the 5th Congressional District will decide which of three Republican candidates will face off against a Democratic challenger to be the district's newest U.S. Representative. The final election is in December.

The three Republican names on the Tuesday, Oct. 15 primary ballot are Frank Addivinola, of Malden, Mike Stoppa, of Holliston, and Tom Tierney of Framingham.

Patch asked each of the candidates a series of questions. The answers to those questions will be published now through Sunday, Oct. 13. 

Today's report focuses on working with Democrats and fellow representatives in Congress.

Currently, the federal government is shut down as the Democrats and Republicans can't work together.

This summer, a Wall Street Journal poll indicated 83 percent of Americans disapprove of Congress' job, which is an all-time high for that survey. 

Patch asked: "What can you do, if elected, do make Congress work. Give an example of where you are willing to work across party lines on an issue."

Stoppa: "I work at Harvard University. I am surrounded by people of the opposite political persuasion all the time. I find dialogue is critical to making progress on pressing issues. At the same time, I strongly support the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and I believe that where the health and longevity of our children is concerned there is a need to draw the line."

Tierney: "The Republicans are a big part of the problem down there and they’ll be my starting point for implementing my campaign motto “Tom will make Congress work”.  I plan to get into the Republican caucus and bring the following “across party lines” message to my fellow Republicans:   We’ve got to dead-stop any cuts to Social Security;  We’ve got to get rid of Obamacare (which they want) but we’ve got to replace it with Medicare for the currently uninsured;  and We’ve got to get rid of the Bush-Cheney tax cuts [which have never worked] and go back to the Clinton-Gringrich rates."

Addivinola: "In America, it is not only our right to question our government – it is our obligation.  I'm one of that 83% and that is why I'm running so I can work towards solutions as the American people expect from this branch of government. Congress continues to use failed policies to support failed programs. People see governmental waste in their everyday life and resent it. Then, congressmen continue to support the very ideas that create waste. How can an average person respect a group who tells them they can spend their way out of debt, when every family in the district has to save their way out of debt?  It's not a matter of simply "reaching across the aisle.” It's a matter of having working solutions to real problems.  People should ask 'does this make sense?'"


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