All eyes were on the podium as Donald Norcross, a Democratic U.S. representative for New Jersey’s first congressional district, stopped by Rowan University for the latest Speaker Series hosted by Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC).
“An Evening with Donald Norcross,” held in the Chamberlain Student Center on Oct. 30, was open to the public, with the session centering around the congressman’s “Report from Washington, which many in the audience were eager to hear.
“I think Norcross and most of our local politicians want to stay local, to the public that they serve. They want to help the people. He’s a working guy, he’s been in the trenches,” said Barbara Capelli, the regional account manager for government affairs at Bestwork Industries.
Other audience members, such as Sean Fischer, the 43-year-old AVP of Rowan’s Division of University Research, echoed a similar sentiment.
“I think it’s always important to connect to our elected leaders. It’s our civic responsibility,” said Fischer.
Congressman Norcross spoke of the days when the United States Congress was composed of all working men, specifically farmers and writers. He also brought up yet another congressman who came from a working-class background, former State Senate President Steve Sweeney, who was recently sworn in to Rowan’s Board of Trustees.
“He and I grew up together in Pennsauken High School. He ended up becoming in the Ironworkers Union, so we’re not the typical cast of those elected officials,” said Congressman Norcross.
Congressman Norcross then turned to discussing the practices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
“I serve on the Education Labor Committee, and one of those areas is OSHA,” said Congressman Norcross. “We’re always getting hit in these hearings. We’re overregulating us. You’re making us do this or that. Come on, you’re killing us, safety.”
After that lighthearted moment, Congressman Norcross touched on his and the nation’s relationship with President Donald Trump.
“The government is being challenged like never before,” said Congressman Norcross. “I worked with the Donald Trump organization, building his casinos in Atlantic City. We have quite a bit of history. But now, things are different. This isn’t about red or blue; this is about who we are as a nation. So often, they talk about the idea that the government should be run as a business. Okay, partially true. But we’re not a business. We are humans. We are citizens, and that must be taken into account.”
The government shutdown was one of the most frequently discussed topics at the session. Congressman Norcross talked about what he believed the major cause of the shutdown to be: healthcare. Having had a major health event recently, Congressman Norcross believes he only survived thanks to the healthcare system.
“Last time they went on a bit longer, but it was considered a partial shutdown. This one is very different. What we’re experiencing is retribution,” Congressman Norcross said. “This is a big deal. It shouldn’t matter what zip code you were born in. The fact is that you should have access to the same healthcare. That’s why, fundamentally, one of the major issues of the shutdown is healthcare.”
The Democratic Party insists on reversing cuts to Medicare and extending the Affordable Care Act’s tax credits. These credits are set to expire at the end of 2025, and losing those credits would also mean losing healthcare benefits for millions of Americans. As a result, the people who rely on those credits will have to pay significantly more for the right to have coverage should they fall ill.
While the bill that shut down the American government passed in the House of Representatives, it failed to garner enough votes in the Senate to pass.
“And there it sits, because we wanted to make sure that healthcare was included,” said Congressman Norcross. “So, here we are. Call it an embarrassment. I have been in Washington each week. I still have meetings with constituents, or I’m doing some of the briefings, particularly from the military. Republicans have made the decision — the House, the Speaker — not to bring their members back to Washington.”
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