By Bridget Seelinger | For The Duquesne Duke
In a tide of Republican victories on Election Day 2014, the GOP strengthened their hold on the House and took back the Senate from Democratic control.
Keith Rothfus, District 12 Congressman in Pennsylvania, was part of this tide as he kept his seat in an overwhelming majority.
Family, friends, and volunteers all crowded around TV monitors as the election results rolled in at Rothfus’ election party at the Rochester Inn in Ross on Tuesday night.
“I am happy to report tonight that Nancy Pelosi will be nowhere nearer the Speaker’s gavel, then she has been over the last 4 years.” Rothfus said.
In his victory speech, Rothfus spoke about where he came from and how thankful he is for this new opportunity to serve the American people.
“In 2010, I [first] became your employee,” Rothfus said. “We can find everything that is great about America in Pennsylvania 12…The bosses gave me a performance report and I am happy to report that I am going to be your employee for the next two years.”
Rothfus mentioned the difficulties he faced when serving while the Democrats controlled the Senate, saying that they were a “roadblock to the solutions of the people’s House.”.
“Tonight there is a chance that that road jam will break,” he said. “It is time for an America that booms for every American.”
In an interview with The Duke, Rothfus talked about his goals for the upcoming term including a Medicare bill that would benefit seniors, a Congressional Performance Act that says Congress won’t get paid unless they do their job on time and regulatory reform to get the economy moving again.
“This is a great opportunity to put legislation on the president’s desk and see if he’s willing to move the country ahead,” Rothfus said.
Rothfus summed up in his acceptance speech his vision for the future.
“There may be policy differences between us, that is what elections are about, but do not hesitate to reach out to me if we can be of service…we will honor the republic as a government of the people by the people, and for the people. and not of the government, by the government, and for the government,” he said.
