By Tom Waring
Wire Staff Writer
Kevin Strouse, Democratic candidate in the 8th Congressional District, called on Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick to immediately disclose all meetings with lobbyists, and pledge never to work as a lobbyist once leaving Congress.
“The people of Bucks and Montgomery counties are tired of the Washington dysfunction perpetuated by Congressman Fitzpatrick, who looks out for his own self-interest while the middle-class struggles,” Strouse said.
In addition to criticizing Congressman Fitzpatrick for what he sees as close ties to special interests, Strouse pledged to publicly disclose all meetings with registered lobbyists once elected to Congress, and to never take a job as a lobbyist upon leaving Congress. Strouse also called on Fitzpatrick to join him in this pledge.
“The people of the 8th District deserve a representative who works for them,” Strouse said. “That’s why, when elected, I will disclose all meetings with registered lobbyists on my website so my constituents can easily see who I am talking to about important legislation. I also pledge that I will never take a job as a lobbyist upon leaving Congress, and I call on Congressman Fitzpatrick to do the same.
“Washington’s revolving door is one of the major causes of the constant dysfunction in Washington. Congressman Fitzpatrick has pledged that he will not seek an additional term in 2016, which begs the following question — is Congressman Fitzpatrick taking undisclosed meetings with lobbyists now in order to follow in the footsteps of so many of his colleagues and serve as a highly paid lobbyist for the same special interests that got him elected in the first place?”
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Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick is happy with the release of six Americans, including a Bucks County native, previously held in Honduras.
Devon Butler, a 27-year-old graduate of Central Bucks East High School, was a member of the crew of the Aqua Quest International ship. The men were arrested after their ship arrived in a Honduran coastal town in May for a work project. They were charged with smuggling because they brought guns for safety.
Fitzpatrick maintained they were wrongfully imprisoned, and a court in Honduras came to the same conclusion. The congressman and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio lobbied for their release. Last week, Fitzpatrick traveled to Honduras and met with administrative and judicial officials.
“I visited the Americans in captivity and witnessed the deplorable conditions in which they were wrongfully held for nearly two months. The strength and courage of these men in the face of uncertainty and danger in a faraway place is an inspiration to me and it was my duty (to) advocate for their rightful release,” he said.
Fitzpatrick wrote letters to the Honduran government and the U.S. Department of State, and he met with officials from the American and Honduran government. He credited Lisa Kubiske, the U.S. Ambassador to Honduras, and her staff for working to secure the release of the Americans.
Rosemary Carroll, Butler’s mother, said, “On behalf of the families of the Aqua Quest crew, we are grateful to all who have supported us through this lengthy and difficult ordeal. I especially would like to thank Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick and his staff for their relentless, diligent and ultimately successful effort to free six innocent Americans.”
Aqua Quest issued a statement that read, “It’s a great day for the United States of America, Aqua Quest International and Honduras. Aqua Quest International has had supreme confidence that at the end of the day, the appeals court in Honduras would look at the facts and rule in our favor, and that day has come.
“We give thanks to many for the unwavering support that we have gathered throughout this ordeal and in particular, Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick and his staff, who latched onto this like a pit bull for justice since day one. After returning to Tarpon Springs, Florida and spending some time with family and loved ones, we look forward to putting this unfortunate incident behind us and moving ahead with our many projects on deck with seemingly unlimited potential.”
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Fitzpatrick praised passage by the House of Representatives of the Lowering Gas Prices to Fuel an America that Works Act.
“H.R. 4899 proposes a drill smart, job creation plan that would require the administration to move forward with new offshore energy production in areas containing the most oil and natural gas resources — generating over $1 billion in new revenue over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office, and creating up to 1.2 million jobs long term,” he said.
“Additionally, the bill would modernize and streamline government process that block and delay onshore American energy production.” Fitzpatrick is serving his third term.
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In other news, Fitzpatrick applauded House passage of bipartisan legislation to expedite exports of American liquefied natural gas to allies abroad.
The congressman claimed that passage of the legislation would support more than 59,000 family-sustaining jobs.
“America needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes natural gas to improve our national security and lower domestic energy prices. We can also boost our economy through exports while supporting our objective of peace and prosperity in the world. This legislation is a commitment to both,” he said.
