Tribune-Democrat - Rothfus Expects GOP-Controlled Congress, Obama To Butt Heads

U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, anticipates entering a difficult political climate when he returns to Washington, D.C. in January.

He will once again be part of a Republican majority in the House when the 114th Congress gets underway. However, during the recent general election, control of the Senate flipped from the Democrats to the GOP.

That will put both chambers at political odds with President Barack Obama, a Democrat.

"It's going to be a tough environment because you have an administration that just views things fundamentally differently, so the challenge is to continue to look for opportunities to advance your initiatives in that environment," Rothfus said during a visit to Johnstown on Wednesday.

The 12th district's congressman chided Obama, saying, "You would hope that the president is going to be open to some new ideas. He has demonstrated a lack of willingness to engage the Republican side of the aisle.

"You go back to the debate over the health care act where it was his way or the highway. You look at his wanting to rule with a phone and a pen, as opposed to ruling in accordance with the Constitution, appreciating the separation of powers. Congress does have a say in things. My hope is that the president will take a look at what the people said in this election and start to make some changes."

Rothfus wants to address what he considers to be over-regulation across multiple industries and agencies.

"Seeing how all that works together; there are overriding, cross-cutting issues that affect every one of those. I go back to regulation," Rothfus said. "You look at the regulation of community banks that inhibit their ability to get capital out to small business. Certainly, in my position on the Financial Services Committee, we're going to be monitoring the way the federal government would be adopting regulations that limit access to capital."

Even with the major change to the political landscape, Rothfus views his role as being the same as it has been since he first joined the House in 2013.

"(I want to) continue the constituent services work that we've been very proud to do," Rothfus said. "It's a huge part of the job. It's great to see people's issues get resolved. On a policy level, (it's about) making sure that policies in Washington are not interfering with job growth and wage growth, looking to mitigate the harmful effects of the health care law."

He also plans to continue his outreach effort that has included holding dozens of "Coffee with Keith" events throughout the district.

"It's very important to be accessible and out there," he said.

Rothfus, a current freshman, retained his seat by defeating Democratic challenger Erin McClelland in the general election by an unofficial count of 127,047 votes to 87,287. He received at least 55 percent of the vote in every county within the 12th: Cambria, Somerset, Westmoreland, Beaver, Allegheny and Lawrence.

"We've worked hard across the district," Rothfus said.

He unofficially received 55.72 percent of the votes in Cambria County.

Rothfus' biggest edge came in Somerset where he racked up 69 percent of the vote.

Source