Guinta: Congress Needs to Find Common Ground

Regardless of who wins the Nov. 6 general election, U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, R-NH, hopes good Democrats and Republicans will be elected who will work together to address the nation's most pressing issues.

Guinta delivered this message to Portsmouth Rotarians on Thursday just 12 days before the general election. He continues to be in a tight race with Democratic First District Congressional candidate Carol Shea-Porter.

On Thursday, Guinta struck a conciliatory tone where he said he will continue to reach across the aisle in the U.S. House of Representatives as much as possible to support policies that will help the middle class and New Hampshire residents.

"I would like to keep this job. I actually like this job," Guinta said.

Guinta said he has been just as a frustrated as his New Hampshire constituents with gridlock in Congress that has prevented the country from reducing the nation deficit, the unemployment rate and improving the economy.

Guinta said Congress continues to face extremely difficult challenges that include reducing the $1.1 trillion deficit and the $16 trillion debt. He said the national unemployment rate has stayed at 8 percent or higher for 43 consecutive months, which he called "unacceptable."

He said expenses are going up by 24 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product while revenues are decreasing by 17 percent. "Those numbers have to match" before the country can reduce the national debt, Guinta said.

Finding ways to help small business overcome the excessive regulations they face now and dealing with the Affordable Care Act are also big challenges, Guinta said. This is why Guinta said it is critical for Congress to achieve bi-partisanship.

"There has to be a responsibility and obligation to those who are elected to find the common ground," Guinta said.

During his time as Manchester mayor, Guinta said he enjoyed very good relationships with Republican and Democratic Aldermen. "I would like to see that spirit amplified in Washington and that's the biggest frustration that it is not there like it is here in New Hampshire."

Guinta blamed the media for making so much out of the partisan politics that exist in Washington while ignoring the cooperation and collaboration that also takes place.

For example, Guinta said he regularly reaches out to Masschusetts Democratic Congressman Barney Frank and Maine Democratic Congressman Michael Michaud to work on issues that affect New England's fishing industry. He said he has reached out to Vermont Democratic Congressman Peter Welch to work on transportation issues that also affect New Hampshire.

At the end of the day regardless if the issue involves sequestration, reducing the national debt or education funding, Guinta said, "All I can do is control my vote."