Pennsylvania US Representative District 1 Choose 1
Description of office: The US Constitution requires that the House of Representatives be composed of Representatives from each state, elected in proportion to population. There are 435 members of the House of Representatives, with 17 Representatives allotted to Pennsylvania after the 2020 census. A US Representative must be at least 25 years old, have been a citizen of the United States for the past seven years, and be a resident of the state they seek to represent at the time of the election (though not necessarily the same district). The House of Representatives is responsible for introducing and voting on bills, resolutions and amendments, and for approving the budget. Representatives also serve on various policy committees. The House may send Articles of Impeachment of elected officials to the Senate and elects the President if there is a tie in the Electoral College.Term: 2 yearsSalary: $174,000Vote for ONE.Note: Flint Hill Rd is on the border of two districts. If you live in Lehigh County on Flint Hill Rd, you should be seeing US Representative District 7 and State Representative District 131, rather than US Representative District 1 or State Representative District 145. To see US Representative District 7 and State Representative District 131, use the following address: 2006 Flint Hill Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036.
Biographical Information
County
Bucks
Occupation
Bucks County Commissioner
Education
Bristol HS 1989, George Washington University 1993, Holy Family University M.E.d 2000,
Qualifications
Current Bucks County Commissioner (2019-present), former Falls Township Supervisor (2003-2019, and public school Social Studies teacher for 26 years
Campaign Website
http://bobharvieforcongress.com
Facebook URL
http://facebook.com/BobHarviePA
X Handle
@Bobharvie_PA01
Instagram URL
http://www.instagram.com/bobharvie_pa/
What are the most pressing issues facing your district and our country, and how would you address them?
The working families of PA-01 are being squeezed by rising costs, an unstable economy driven by Trump's reckless tariffs and expensive war in Iran, and a Congress that answers to billionaires and corporate donors instead of the people. As County Commissioner, I've passed balanced budgets, invested in mental health care and public safety, and protected clean drinking water all with an over 90% bipartisan voting record. In Congress, I'll fight to lower costs, protect Social Security and Medicare, restore ACA tax credits, and hold this administration accountable. Brian Fitzpatrick has had 10 years in office. He's chosen his wealthy donors, corporations, and Trump over you. I work for you. I’m running for Congress to fight for working families.
What do you see as the role of Congress in oversight of the executive branch?
The Founders were clear: Congress is a co-equal branch of government, & its duty to check executive power is not optional, it is constitutional. It is unconscionable that Donald Trump launched a war with no Congressional vote, no debate, and no accountability, and that Brian Fitzpatrick has done nothing to stop it. Donald Trump’s disastrous economic policies are hurting families and businesses in this district. Congress has the power to roll back tariffs and should. In Congress, I will demand transparency, use every oversight tool available, and never rubber-stamp any president's agenda because I will serve the working families of this district first. Oversight shouldn’t be partisan. It's the job and Brian Fitzpatrick has failed us.
What role should Congress play regarding foreign policy and international relations?
The Constitution gives Congress, not the president alone, the power to declare war and authorize military force. I am appalled that American troops have been put in harm's way without a single Congressional vote. In Congress, I will demand that any military engagement receive proper authorization, that diplomacy be prioritized, and that working families here at home are not forced to pay at the pump and everywhere else for foreign policy conducted without accountability. PA-01 deserves a representative who takes that responsibility seriously.
What legislative changes, if any, are needed to make healthcare more accessible and affordable?
Healthcare is a crucial issue for every family in PA-01. First, we must immediately restore the ACA tax credits that expired this year; credits that kept premiums affordable for thousands of working families. We must allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies, which will lower costs for everyone. We must protect Medicaid from the cuts that have already been put in place and are being pushed by Trump and Fitzpatrick. And we must invest in mental health care, which remains chronically underfunded. Reproductive healthcare decisions should be made between a patient and her healthcare professional, not the government. In Congress, I'll fight every day to put people over profits.
Biographical Information
County
Bucks
Occupation
U.S. Congressman
Education
B.S. Business Administration, LaSalle University; J.D., Penn State Dickinson School of Law; M.B.A., Penn State
Qualifications
Former FBI Special Agent & Federal Prosecutor. Certified Public Accountant and EMT
Campaign Website
http://brianfitzpatrick.com
Facebook URL
http://facebook.com/BrianFitzUSA
X Handle
@BrianFitzUS
Instagram URL
http://www.instagram.com/brianfitzusa
What are the most pressing issues facing your district and our country, and how would you address them?
Affordability is the most pressing issue. My Problem Solvers Caucus’ affordability agenda tackles root causes of high prices so that we can create lasting progress to address the deeper structural pressures that continue to put upward pressure on prices. The plan includes lowering health care and out-of-pocket costs through PBM reform. In housing, we must increase housing supply and expand access to affordable financing and rental options through targeted incentives. To reduce the cost of energy, the plan aims to expand the domestic energy supply by modernizing the federal permitting system. For child care, we can expand the child care workforce and reduce out-of-pocket costs for working families by strengthening tax provisions that work.
What do you see as the role of Congress in oversight of the executive branch?
Congress should call balls and strikes and stand up to the executive branch through nonpartisan oversight, no matter who is in power. No one should prejudge or pursue any predetermined outcome based on partisan politics. As a former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, I understand that any oversight must follow the facts wherever they lead, leave no stone unturned, and must report those facts with unimpeachable integrity. I am proud to be the number one, most independent Congressman in America. My voting record is reflective of my commitment to independence and willingness to stand up to congressional leadership in both parties, including my own on major issues, and to Presidents of either party.
What role should Congress play regarding foreign policy and international relations?
Our national security posture must always be matched by fidelity to our Constitution. Any sustained or expanded military engagement should be done with the advice and consent of Congress. The American people deserve clarity of mission, defined objectives, and disciplined oversight. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, I served in several Middle East war zones as an Al-Qaeda Interrogator, where I became keenly aware of the incredible necessity of our Iranian counter-terrorism, counterintelligence and cyber security programs in order to protect our troops stationed in the region. America should always pursue peace. Peace is preserved not by weakening our defenses, but by keeping them strong enough to protect the people we are sworn to serve.
What legislative changes, if any, are needed to make healthcare more accessible and affordable?
Every man, woman, and child should have affordable health insurance. I am fighting for a health care system that increases access and competition, and lowers the cost of prescription drugs. I voted for legislation to establish a fair price negotiation program, protect the Medicare program from excessive price increases and establish an out-of-pocket maximum for Medicare part D enrollees. And I will continue to protect Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. We need to proceed in fixing our healthcare system in a responsible, deliberate manner. That means any changes to our current system must ensure both the continuity of coverage and the continuity of patient protection provisions for those with preexisting conditions.