By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – Putting political differences aside and finding common ground is one Central Illinois lawmaker’s goal once the Biden Administration is sworn in; however, that depends on what issues the new administration focuses on out of the gate.
Recently re-elected to congress representing the 18th District, Congressman Darin LaHood told WJBC’s Scott Miller that if the Biden Administration focuses on transportation, COVID-relief, and immigration reform, issues could get passed on bipartisan support.
“I think it depends on what way the Biden Administration starts out. If they start out on issues where we can work together. For instance, a transportation bill, an infrastructure bill, we can work together. If it’s on another COVID-relief package or stimulus package that helps the American people, we can work together. If it’s on issues like legal immigration reform, I think we can get things done.
“So, it depends on what direction the Biden Administration goes and doesn’t have the tendency to go way far left with the AOC’s (U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) of the world and kind of the radical agenda.”
Ray LaHood, Darin’s’ father, served as the Transportation Secretary under the Obama Administration. Darin said he’s talked with his father about President-elect Joe Biden and what the administration will bring to the table.
“What he (my dad) stated and what others have too, Biden will surround himself with a good staff, smart, bright people that know Washington, D.C. and will be people to try to find common ground with…These are people that are old hands, people that know again how D.C. governs. Again, I think it will all depend on how Biden starts off out of the gate, what does he focus on. That will be a good indication of how he will govern.”
LISTEN: U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller about how common ground can be found once President-elect Joe Biden is sworn into office.
Darin LaHood added that he thinks the Biden Administration will find common ground on a second COVID-19 relief package once sworn into office.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
