President Donald Trump (left) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s aides opened the door to working with moderate Democrats on health care and other issues while Senate Democratic leader and New York Senator Chuck Schumer quickly offered to find common ground with Trump for repairing former President Barack Obama’s health care law.

Schumer said Sunday that Trump must be willing to drop attempts to repeal his predecessor’s signature achievement, warning that Trump was destined to “lose again” on other parts of his agenda if he remained beholden to conservative Republicans.

Trump initially focused the blame for the failure on Democrats and predicted a dire future for the current law.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Americans are going to be living with Obamacare for the foreseeable future, after the Republican-sponsored American Health Care Act – which was designed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act – couldn’t make it to a vote on Friday in the House.

President-Elect Donald Trump

WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump and his team are battling back against charges of chaos and infighting as they race to set up an administration.

The incoming Republican administration even received an unlikely boost from outgoing Vice President Joe Biden, who said “no administration is ready on Day One.”

Trump stayed out of the public eye Wednesday, meeting with a stream of visitors at his New York skyscraper. But he took to his Twitter account to dispute reports of internal tension, declaring the transition operation was proceeding “so smoothly.”

Trump’s team said Wednesday night that it would be rolling out teams to interact with federal agencies during the transition, starting with national security advisers who would work with officials at the State, Justice, Defense and other national security departments.

REED SAYS TRANSITION IS TYPICAL OF NEW ADMINISTRATION TAKING OVER

Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23), who represents Chautauqua County in Washington, is also commenting on the Trump transition, saying it’s not uncommon for an incoming administration to hit a few rough spots when preparing to take over.

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

“I think a lot of what is being reported on is traditional, transition type of political reporting that is out there,” Reed said. “Obviously, every team goes through its own learning curves. It goes through its ups and downs and I think this team is going through that process as we speak. But I’m very confident, given Donald Trump’s business mindset, that he is executing and he will be ready on day one.”

Reed also said that he has heard concerns about Steve Bannon, Trump’s choice for chief strategist, but also said that he trusts that Trump is using his business experience to bring in people who can help the country. He said that people who are labelling Bannon an racist and white supremacist are using extreme and reckless rhetoric.

“I hear those concerns but I believe these conclusions, the rhetoric, the reckless type of labeling of him as a person, is something that I think is extreme and I don’t think is wise, in terms of putting a label on someone,” Reed said.

Bannon, the executive chairman of Breitbart News, a politically conservative website, served as chief executive officer of Trump’s presidential campaign.

His selection for chief strategist in the Trump administration has drawn criticism from civil rights groups and Democratic lawmakers. The Southern Poverty Law Center – which tracks hate groups in the country – labeled Breitbart part of the “extremist fringe of the conservative right. Racist ideas. Anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant ideas –– all key tenets making up an emerging racist ideology known as the ‘alt-right.’”

The Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and other white nationalist groups have also all praised Trump’s selection of Bannon. Former KKK leader David Duke said the choice was “excellent,” according to The Hill.

LEADERSHIP STABILITY IN CONGRESS BALANCES WHITE HOUSE TRANSITION

As the White House continues to deal with transition between now and January 20 when President-Elect Trump is sworn in as the next Commander in Chief, things are quite the opposite on Capitol Hill, where it appears the Republican Majority will maintain the same leadership in the next session.

Earlier this week House Speaker Paul Ryan was unanimously nominated to serve once again as Speaker when the new term begins in January. Much of the other house leadership positions will also stay in place.

Congressman Reed said that by having no other nominees besides Ryan, House Republicans are showing they are unified as they prepare for a new year in government.

“Obviously if there was a contest to be had, Tuesday was the day for members to step forth and put their hat in the ring,” Reed said. “That did not happen and I think that’s a testament to Ryan and his leadership and I also think that’s a testament to the president-elect. That was a good step forward and it allows us, as we move into the next administration, to executive and deliver to the American people.”

Reed also said that with both the President and Congress on the same page, Americans will likely to see a new culture, where representatives move past gridlock and get things accomplished.

“I think you’re going to see a culture of leadership. I think you’re going to a culture of putting the American people’s interests first and foremost in all of the decisions that are made,” Reed said. “And as we go forward, I think the opportunities exist when it comes to things like tax reform, the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, the border and immigration reform – you’re going to see visible concrete examples of us following through on what the American people, I believe, have asked us to do.”

Reed made his comments on Wednesday during his weekly conference call with regional medial.

Tom Reed (left) and Donald Trump

WASHINGTON – Chautauqua County’s representative in Congress says he will continue to stand by embattled Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) said during a conference call with media on Tuesday afternoon that he will not pull his endorsement of Trump, even as other members of the Republican Party have publicly stated they will no longer support the party’s candidate for president.

Trump has been in the spotlight in recent days due to a leaked 2005 video of him making lewd comments about a woman. Some have even claimed the comments refer to sexually assaulting another person because they involve groping without permission. Since the release of the video, Trump has been criticized by both sides of the political aisle. He also attempted to deflect criticism against him by pointing out Bill Clinton’s history of alleged sexual assault during Sunday’s presidential debate.

In the wake of recent denouncements from dozens of Republicans, including Paul Ryan, Trump announced via Twitter that “the shackles have been taken off me and I can now fight for America the way I want to.” In what is widely viewed as evidence of a widening rift in the Republican Party, Trump went on to bash Ryan as a “very weak and ineffective leader” and label Democrats—”with the exception of cheating Bernie”—as “far more loyal to each other” than Republicans.

Tuesday afternoon, Reed reaffirmed his stance that he is 100 percent against the comments, but also said that Trump is still the better option than Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

“I’m looking at a situation where we have to choose beween Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. I think overall, for the future of the Presidency, Donald Trump gives us the best chance to get the American people’s business done, get us back to work, and keep us secured for generations to come.”

Reed also told reporters that when the Trump story broke, he had a conversation with his wife and family, prior to making the decision to continue his endorsement of Trump.

“We absolutely did talk about this over the past 72 hours. My wife and I did spend a lot of time talking about this,” Reed said. “I am obviously disappointed in that rhetoric and in those statements. I always try to look at the silver lining in these situations and having this conversation, hopefully we can talk to other people and say that kind of talk is not acceptable, and we can start changing the tone of comments, such as that, which have been made.”

WASHINGTON – Republicans in Washington aren’t letting up on their criticism of Hillary Clinton following the FBI’s recommendation that she shouldn’t face criminal charges over her handling of classified emails. Instead, they’re expanding their criticism to include the FBI itself.

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

On Tuesday FBI Director James Comey announced that “no charges are appropriate” against the presumed Democratic Party presidential nominee, drawing a deluge of GOP criticism. While Comey said that charges would be filed, he also called Clinton “extremely careless” in her handling of highly sensitive information, and suggested she sent emails with information that was classified at the time, contrary to her previous claims.

The FBI is supposed to be insulated from partisanship, with directors appointed to serve 10-year terms under legislation passed in 1976. Comey is a Republican first nominated to a senior Justice Department post by George W. Bush, and tapped to lead the FBI in 2013 by President Obama.

In response to the announcement, GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump complained that the system is “rigged,” and that “it was no accident that charges were not recommended against Hillary the exact same day as President Obama campaigns with her for the first time.”

Meanwhile, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin said Comey’s recommendation to the Justice Department that Clinton should not face prosecution “defies explanation” and promised House hearings on the FBI investigation.

Chautauqua County’s representative in Washington, Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) – was also critical of the FBI decision not to file charges. In a conference call with local media on Tuesday afternoon, Reed says that he has grave concerns about the recommendations not to press charges, saying it’s an indication that the Washington DC establishment continues to receive preferential treatment.

“The message is clear. Hillary Clinton is part of the Washington, DC political establishment, an elite protected class that is above the law,” Reed said. “This double standard is unacceptable and unfair to the American people. We care about the American people, which is why we will continue to fight for changes within Washington, DC and are calling on the Department of Justice to bring charges against Hillary Clinton to ensure consequences for her dangerous behavior.”

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

WASHINGTON – Members of the GOP controlled house of representatives unveiled what they are calling their ‘anti-poverty’ agenda Tuesday in Washington.

Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23), provided some basic details of the plan on Monday during his weekly conference call with reporters, saying that the plan would help working families and those struggling in poverty.

Reed said the agenda will focus on three main initiatives, which include assessing the current welfare system to identify its effectiveness in various regions and community of the country, refine the social benefit system so that it no longer incentives people not to work, and improving education programs that help American learn new skills and trades so they can be work-ready.

Reed said the plan is a great start to getting solutions in place that will help create the opportunities for American’s on welfare so they can achieve financial stability and independence.

“We have not been able to move the needle on poverty across America and we need to do better. We need a system for the 21st century,” Reed said. “I’m excited to be part of the leadership team on this anti-poverty agenda coming out of the house. We’re going to do what we can to get these reforms proposed, put out there for debate, and ultimately enacted into law.”

The proposal is a result of a task force established by Speaker Paul Ryan in February.

On Tuesday the Senate voted 67-33 to end debate and move toward approving the so called Murray-Ryan Compromise, named after Senate Democrat Patty Murray of Washington and House Republican Paul Ryan of Wisconsin – the two lawmakers who crafted the spending plan.

In addition to all Senate Democrats, 12 Republicans also voted to move forward on the budget deal, including Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Orrin Hatch of Utah and John McCain of Arizona.

The bill’s framework would set top-line federal spending levels for the next two fiscal years, partially ease across-the-board cuts known as sequestration and offer some modest deficit reduction.

The Republican-controlled House had already overwhelmingly supported the bill last week and Chautauqua County’s Congressman Tom Reed, a Republican, was one of the many who approved the plan.

“I supported the budget agreement because as I have said repeatedly, I didn’t go to Washington to maintain the status quo,” Reed said on Monday. “If there are steps being made in the right direction, I will join with the efforts to take baby steps, if not large steps, to get our debt under control and get this economy going again.”

Reed said specifically, there were two specific reasons for his approval. He said first and foremost, the deal ends the process of Government by Crisis. Secondly, he said it’s a start in the reduction of mandatory federal spending, something he’s been pushing for all along in the House.

“By no means are these the large mandatory spending reforms that we are going to have to obtain in order to get the debt crisis under control, but at least it cracks the door and gets us into the realm of mandatory spending on the federal side. By doing that, is a step in the right direction, albeit a small step.”

Following Tuesday’s vote in the Senate to end debate, just one more hurdle remains to get the budget deal in place, and that is a final vote on the budget. Only 51 votes are needed for that to go forward.

President Obama has said he will sign it when it reaches his desk.