POLITICS 2020: Q&A Part 2 With Congresswoman Jaime Hererra Beutler

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This is Part 2 of a 2-part interview with Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, a Republican who represents Washington’s 3rd Congressional District. Herrera Beutler answered our first four questions in Part 1, and the remaining questions are here:

Question 5: What do you like most about your job?

The fact that every single day is different. I love history. This is the greatest country on the face of this Earth. I get to do this in Congress. Being able to communicate with constituents, and we are able to engage with them to help them. I have a single dad who has been waiting since July to have his unemployment case resolved. He has spent hours on the phone, and I engaged and got that payment coming. It’s rewarding to make a difference in someone’s life. 

When I engage it happens. When I get a call back from them, I am overjoyed.

Question 6: You are criticized for being out of touch with voters. How do you respond to that?

Well, I am in contact with constituents of the 3rd District often. Most of my time is doing meetings in person every single day. I do town halls, telephone conferences, etc. I will continue to do those. The people in this district continue to be heard from and are connected to me. They feel like I’m hearing them and acting on their wishes. The way I do it is how can I best facilitate a back and forth. I think my opponent talks about how she will do this differently. Just holding events doesn’t mean you are hearing people. 

Question 7: Who will get your vote for President?

I didn’t vote for him in 2016. I joined with him to support the Jobs Act. Our voters send us back to DC on their behalf, so I work for them. I wrote in another candidate in 2016, I didn’t vote for Hillary Clinton. 

Yes, I will vote for Trump this go around. The problem for me in this one is Joe Biden. The policies he supports make economic recovery long and painful. Within a year we saw the unemployment situation stagnate with Obama-Biden. We saw actual wages rise very quickly with Trump. I think Joe Biden is an affable guy but this election is about getting through this disaster and i don’t want to see a long recovery.

Question 8: What do you think of President Trump? 

I like his willingness to not take no for answer. It helps to be willing to compromise, sometimes you have to take a yes when an opportunity is presented. He’s gonna do what he thinks is right. In person, Trump is not bombastic. 

Speaker Pelosi is not gonna be inappropriate in public, but Donald Trump is very direct and open. Nancy Pelosi will do the same thing but she won’t let you know she’s doing it. I don’t like that, just be upfront with me. It’s not happenstance that AOC was able to take some power from her. She has the ability to maintain an iron hand on that caucus.