Suozzi Hosts Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-03), Fellow Vice Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus

On Monday, Representatives Tom Suozzi (D-Long Island, Queens) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks County PA), Vice-Chairs of the Problem Solvers Caucus, spent the day together in Rep. Suozzi’s 3rd district in New York. Suozzi, a Democrat, and Fitzpatrick, a Republican, agree on the need to put aside party differences to work together for the people that they each represent.

In May, Suozzi visited Fitzpatrick’s suburban Philadelphia district where he met with local officials, small business owners, and union leadership to learn more about issues important to Fitzpatrick’s constituents. Fitzpatrick’s reciprocal visit today furthers their commitment to together for the common good.

While on Long Island, Reps. Suozzi and Fitzpatrick:

• Spoke at a press conference where Suozzi announced steps being taken to address recent aircraft traffic noise over Nassau and western Suffolk counties. Suozzi and Fitzpatrick discussed air traffic noise and how regions and groups across the county need to work together to get the attention of the FAA to address this issue;

• Met with Nassau County Police Commissioner Pat Ryder and members of the Nassau County Police Dept Opioid Task Force to discuss the ways they are addressing the opioid crisis. Congressman Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent, is head of the bipartisan Congressional Opioid Task Force and invited Commissioner Ryder down to DC to testify; and

• Toured parts of the New York’s Third Congressional District, including Suozzi’s hometown of Glen Cove, where he is a former mayor, and historic Sagamore Hill, the home of President Theodore Roosevelt.

“Washington is incredibly polarized. If we are ever going to get anything done, we need to listen to one another, find some common ground, and work together. America is remarkably different from place to place. Working side-by-side with our colleagues from across the aisle and listening to the needs of their constituents helps to foster an increased bipartisan process for the benefit of our nation. I want to thank Rep. Fitzpatrick for joining me to learn more about my community and I enjoyed meeting his constituents in May,” said Congressman Suozzi.

“As Vice-Chairs of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, Congressman Tom Suozzi and I are proud to show America the commitment of our caucus to build meaningful bipartisan relationships and to work together for the common good.  We visited each other’s districts to learn from each other’s constituents on common challenges facing both of our communities. We believe that diversity of thought must be viewed as a strength to be harnessed, not a weakness to be criticized. Tom and I respect each other’s opinions, we learn from each other, and we want to work together to get things done. That is exactly what our community and our country expect us to do. We hope this will serve as a model for our colleagues to follow,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick.

Suozzi and Fitzpatrick have much in common. They are Vice-Chairs of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and they are both a lawyer and a CPA. Their first jobs out of college were as auditors for Arthur Anderson and Company and they each clerked for federal judges right out of law school. They both represent suburban districts. Fitzpatrick was born in Levittown, Pennsylvania and Suozzi represented Levittown, NY as Nassau County Executive. Most importantly, both Members of Congress are committed to working together.