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Casey: Cooperation vital to solve issues

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, feels bipartisanship to solve some of the pressing issues facing the nation is badly needed.

During a meeting with the Sun-Gazette on Wednesday, he spoke on a plethora of issues ranging from border security to tax reform.

Casey faces a challenge this year for his Senate seat from a number of Democrats and Republicans, although he did not refer to any one of them during the hourlong session.

He said he's helped bring about some positive policies since taking office in 2007, but conceded much work remains to be done.

Building the nation's infrastructure, he said, is an issue that both Democrats and Republicans should make happen. Not only would it mean rebuilding crumbling bridges and roads, but it would result in the creation of many jobs.

The sticky question, he said, may come down to how it would be funded.

"I really believe it can be bipartisanship," he said.

Casey noted that an opportunity to work out some agreement on the immigration issue was missed.

"I think we were so close last week," he said.

A Senate bill for increasing border security, while still preventing the deportation of children of illegal immigrants born in the U.S., failed to pass.

"Where does that leave us?" he asked. "I don't know. I would hope the president shows some support for Dreamers that he should. That would at least give Dreamers the peace of mind they won't be deported."

Casey noted that funding for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security continues to be a concern for people.

He does not, he said, support privatizing the programs, an idea in the past strongly supported by Republicans.

"It was a colossal stupid idea then," he said.

Casey criticized the recently passed bill on tax reform, noting that it rewards the very rich while failing to fund some programs that could sorely use those tax dollars.

He said some corporations would have been happy with a tax breaks of something less favorable than the 21 percent they were granted.

As it was, he said, tax reform was rammed through Congress with virtually no real discussion.

Casey said policies and legislation addressing the opioid epidemic have occurred, but more federal funding to communities to address the problem is needed.

The good news, he said, is that there has been much collaboration within communities to address the issue.

"People are doing heroic work," he said.

He applauded Lycoming County for the efforts it's made toward fighting the problem.

Congress also needs to act on the issue over mass shootings. Last week, 17 people were gunned down at a school by a single shooter in Parkland, Florida.

Without giving specific solutions of his own, he called for debate and legislative proposals.

"Where there is no action and no debate, people think you don't care," he said. "I think America is reaching a point where we are expected to take action. We are a great country. We are better than just throwing up our hands."