Republican Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) was sworn in for his fourth and final term on Tuesday in Washington D.C.
The resident of Middletown Township’s Levittown section said being able to serve as the congressman for the Eighth District, which is composed of Bucks County and part of Montgomery County, was an “honor.”
Advertisements
“Each day I am inspired by the work ethic, determination, generosity and spirit of those who have elected me to serve as their voice on Capitol Hill,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement. “While we enter a time of divided government and partisan expectations, it is my constant goal to serve my constituents legislatively and as their federal advocate.”
Fitzpatrick is now part of the 114th Congress.
The new congress is one that will face an uphill battle on passing some legislation as both the House of Representatives and Senate have a Republican majority, but Democrat Barack Obama is president and can veto bills passed by both houses.
Advertisements
The House will have 246 Republicans and 188 Democrats. One seat is vacant following the resignation on Monday of Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., who pleaded guilty to a felony tax evasion charge.
The Senate will have 54 Republicans and 44 Democrats, plus two independents — Maine’s Angus King and Vermont’s Bernie Sanders. Both caucus with Democrats.
Rep. John Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, was elected to a third term as Speaker of the House of Representatives on the first day of the new congress. He became the Speaking following a floor vote that saw a sizable portion of his own party attempt to remove him. Fitzpatrick was not among the 25 Republican House members to vote against Boehner, according to the Daily Signal.
Advertisements
On Twitter, several users blasted Fiztpatrick for voting for for Boehner.
@RepFitzpatrick 60% of Republican voters is not enough to make you #FireBoehner. No? Now, we’ll #FireRepFitzpatrick!
— Barbara J Sudell (@BSudell) January 7, 2015
My Congressman (Mike Fitzpatrick, 8th Pennsylvania CD) voted for John Boehner as Speaker. My Congressman is worthless.
— Al Penwasser (@AlPenwasser) January 7, 2015
@RepFitzpatrick a vote for boehner was a vote for obama. We gave you the tools. Impeach, remove, expatriate do your job
— sniperforjesus (@sniperforjesus) January 6, 2015
Advertisements
Right out of the gate on Tuesday, Fitzpatrick announced some bill he plans to introduce.
Establish Term Limits for Members of Congress
- Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to limit the number of terms that a Member of the House may serve to four and members of the Senate to two.
Stop the ‘Revolving Door’ from Member of Congress to Lobbyist
- Extends to two years the “cooling off period” for members of the House who leave Congress before lobbying their former colleagues.
Freeze Pay for Members of Congress
- Prevents Members of the 114th Congress from receiving a pay raise
End Congressional ‘Pensions for Life’
- Terminates congressional pensions in order to put Members of Congress on par with private-sector workers. The bill would limit Members of Congress to investing in a 401k for retirement, like most Americans.
Advertisements
” As we enter a new era of divided government, these measures represent neither Republican nor Democrat favor, rather the belief that each Member owes respect, efficiency and transparency to those they represent,” Fitzpatrick stated in a press release.
Fitzpatrick also said he also plans to advocate for the Saracini Aviation Safety Act, Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act and Partnership to Build America Act.
