Rep. Tom Reed, a Republican from New York, likes to tell people that his district is far from New York City. In fact, when he is on the House floor in Washington, he is actually closer to the Big Apple than when he is in his district.
The congressman represents New York’s 23rd Congressional District, which is located in the western part of the state and includes cities such as Corning, Ithaca, and Amity.
Reed, 48 years old, took office in 2010 after winning a special election to replace Rep. Eric Massa, a Democrat, who resigned from office in March of that year because of a scandal involving a male aide.
The congressman was born in Joliet, Illinois, and was raised in Corning, New York. He became mayor of Corning in 2008. He held that office until 2010, when he became a congressman.
Reed now sits on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee and is co-chairman of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of lawmakers who seek to provide legislative answers that both parties can support.
As a young man, he attended Alfred University in Alfred, New York, and graduated in 1993 with a B.A. in political science. He then attended law school at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, and graduated with a J.D. in 1996.
Reed married his wife, Jean, in 1996, and they have two children. He spoke to the Washington Examiner to discuss an array of topics — from reopening his district’s economy to running for reelection.
Washington Examiner: Where is your district on reopening the economy?
Reed: They are itching to get back to work. The economic devastation that is going on in our district is mind-boggling. So there is a strong appetite to get back to work and do it safely — and that is what we are trying to push our governor to acknowledge and to do in his May 15 deadline.
As we go through reopening, one of the things I’m trying to bring to the table is we’ve learned so much over the last 60 to 90 days when it comes to the COVID-19 virus. … So when it comes to reopening, what I believe is appropriate is that we embrace the social distancing issue. We embrace the use of personal protective equipment where appropriate.
Washington Examiner: Where does testing fall on the scale?
Reed: Testing is a critical piece of reopening that I do support. … I think the lessons learned from the Swedish model [testing and quarantining infected] are very much appropriate and [should be taken] into consideration — so the susceptible population needs to be isolated as we go back to work so there is also an opportunity for us to build that herd immunity that we need to have as a population. And we do that in a way that is much safer given the learning curve that America has gone through in regards to social distancing and the other measures.
Washington Examiner: Do you think the House should return to the Capitol?
Reed: I’m a firm believer that if essential workers are such things as healthcare workers, our grocery store operators, and the folks working in our restaurants to deliver takeout and to take care of the takeout needs of America, we as legislators should easily be willing to go back to D.C. and perform our essential legislating functions.
Washington Examiner: Do you support legislating remotely?
Reed: If we’re not going to do it in person, I’m a firm believer that we should be able to debate these issues embracing technology: To have a remote debate as part of our opportunity to do our regular order is something I think is doable. If that means we debate the issues [remotely], have a transparent conversation with the American people, and then we go to D.C. to vote in person, I think that is a very reasonable compromise position for our leadership to embrace.
Washington Examiner: The House is reportedly looking to pass another coronavirus relief bill. There appears to be a dispute if aid to state and local governments should be included in the package. Where do you stand on the issue?
Reed: I am vigorously in support of direct aid to our local governments with the protection that our state governor and state capital cannot play budgetary shenanigan games with what I received as a mayor. … I’m not opposed to state aid as long as that aid has a formula that walls off any preexisting budgetary conditions from utilizing COVID-19-related taxpayer dollar relief.
Washington Examiner: You have worked with Sens. Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, and Robert Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, on a state and local bill. What are the three of you seeking to accomplish with it?
Reed: What we’re looking to do is to have the House bill take care of three issues that I see: direct local aid to our local governments, doing it in a way so the state capitals cannot play budget games with the commitment made to those local governments, … and making sure that any state aid formula recognizes that you can’t utilize the state aid for preexisting budgetary conditions. And so that is the goal.
Washington Examiner: What else would you like to see in the upcoming House coronavirus relief bill?
Reed: We gave an economic stimulus check of $1,200 to [every citizen] during this crisis. I think it is only prudent that we recognize that a $600 payment [should be sent] to each one of those workers who stayed in their work position during the COVID-19 crisis from the start. … They should be rewarded for their work ethic.
Washington Examiner: Would that payment go to workers who are not legal residents?
Reed: If you’re talking about folks who are working under the table or employed illegally, no. I am not interested in giving them a bonus.
Washington Examiner: What about a payroll tax holiday for workers and their employers?
Reed: I’m open to that. That could be part of the stimulus effort that we need in order to free up cash flow for our businesses. … I want to send a message to these workers: By you staying here, I hear your voice, and I want to make sure that you’re financially rewarded for your American work ethic that you display.
Washington Examiner: You reportedly said that you would limit your time in the House to six terms. You were elected in 2010, making the 2020 election the sixth term. Will this be your last run for Congress?
Reed: I have not thought about the campaign and where that is for at least 60 days, so right now, to discuss political future to me is not the priority. I’m just focused on 24-7 being a resource for our constituents.
Washington Examiner: Does that also go for running for governor of New York?
Reed: Yes, it does right now. That was something that people have asked us to consider previous to the COVID-19 situation and something we were taking into serious consideration, but really for the last 60 days. I have just focused all my efforts here, doing the work of the area.
