Relationship Building Helps Schneider Legislate

Developing relationships with colleagues and listening to constituents are the ingredients Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield) is using to keep his election night promise of alleviating gridlock in Washington.

As Schneider marks his 100th day in office Friday, he has had the opportunity to meet all his fellow Democrats and approximately one third of the Republicans. He considers using those relationships when the time comes critical to representing the 10th District.

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“We’ve had the opportunity to build (relationships) on good things,” Schneider said. “We talk about our kids. We talk about what’s important (personally).” He is hopeful getting to know his colleagues on a personal level will help with legislative break throughs when the time comes.

At times the opportunity to meet people just presents itself like coming accross Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO) waiting in a security line at an airport. “I saw another guy with a member’s pin,” Schneider said. “I grew up in Colorado. We talked about living in Colorado. That’s what we talk about when I see him now.”

Those relationships will come in handy as Schneider tries to stake out a middle ground on the federal budget. He voted against all five ideas presented in the House of Representatives and spent Wednesday night reading the proposal from President Barack Obama introduced earlier in the day.

“They did not address the issue in a responsible way,” Schneider said about proposals authored both by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and the Democrat’s progressive caucus. “We have to rein in spending and indebtedness but not at the expense of the most vulnerable people in our society.”

Schneider was highly critical of Ryan’s proposal which he said would replace Medicare with a voucher system. “I will never support that,” he said.” Before the process is over, his new found relationships may be helpful. “When the issue arises you can reach out.”

When Schneider is not in Washington, he makes it a point to meet with constituents to learn what is important to them. A lot of that time has been spent touring businesses in the District.

“I want to know and understand the people I represent,” Schneider said. “I’ve visited 20 businesses since I’ve been in Washington.” Schneider came to Congress with a business background and sits on the Small Business Committee as well as the Foreign Affairs panel.

Opportunities to meet with constituents during his time spent working in the District give him the chance to know what is important so he can craft legislation like the America Works Act. The proposal is his first bill, a bipartisan proposal co-authored by Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA).

Though happy with his work, Schneider also recognizes legislating will be no easy task. “There are only 24 hours in a day and only seven days in a week,” he said. “I came with realistic expectations.

When the time comes, he plans to use the relationships he has developed to help do something productive for the citizens of the 10th District.