In an interview with Chris Ryan, the Representative from New Hampshire’s First Congressional District, Chris Pappas, discusses the possibility of an infrastructure bill being passed; talks about how projects should be chosen and funded; answers the question about his political future—will he run for governor in 2022; and weighs in on the possible changes in redistricting of the First Congressional District by the Republican controlled State Legislature.
Congressman Pappas is hopeful that negotiations which have been going on between the White House and Senate Republicans will produce the necessary investments in our roads, bridges, and the extension of broadband access.
There has been some give and take on an infrastructure bill, but the Congressman believes that the process could take several months. The two parties are far apart, summer recesses are on the horizon, and there will be negotiations between the House and the Senate.
September 30th is a significant date which could bring everyone together, according to Congressman Pappas. That is day when the federal transportation aid program for highways expires.
Congressman Pappas explains that by using the current spending formula, some states, like New Hampshire and Texas, get less funding for highways than others, like Vermont. He has called for a change in that formula.
When he was asked if he is considering a run for governor, if Chris Sununu decides to run for senate against Maggie Hassan, Chris Pappas said, “I am really focused on the work that we are doing right now, and I hope to serve the people of New Hampshire in this capacity. That’s not something that I anticipate being in the cards.”
As a result off the 2020 census, the New Hampshire State Legislature is in the process of redrawing election district lines. It is likely that the Republican controlled legislature will create a First Congressional District which will have more registered members of the GOP than of the Democratic party.
Chris Pappas, who is a Democrat, welcomes the challenge, “That’s an opportunity to talk about the work that we are doing in Washington with a new group of voters and with voters who might be of a different political persuasion.”
The Congressman concluded that he hopes that the election districts which will be created in such a way as to produce fair elections. Congressman Pappas firmly believes that there would be less polarization in Washington and in our country if politicians had to appeal to a broader group of voters, rather than only having to appeal to the people in their political base.