Interview may help voters to make decision
Dhiren Shah: Good afternoon, and welcome to this socially distanced interview with Congressman Payne, Jr. How are you and your family coping with the pandemic?
Donald M. Payne, Jr.: I’m well. Thank you. Like millions of Americans, it is not easy for us to adjust to the new normal. But we have learned to accept it and do whatever it takes to keep us and our neighbors safe. We wear masks and socially distance to be responsible and considerate of our health and the health of everyone around us. It is the best way to stay safe until we find the proper treatments for this disease.
DS: What safety measures are you and your staff employing to keep yourselves and others safe from COVID-19?
Rep. Payne, Jr.: I wear a mask constantly when I am out in public and social distance as much as possible. As far as my office, we are following the recommendations of health experts in every way. Right now, most of my staff works remotely. But I wanted to make my office available to constituents because I knew people would need our help during this public health crisis. So, I have staff members who take turns coming into the office to answer phones and e-mails to make sure constituents get the help they need. When they are in the office, everyone must wear a mask and socially distance. In addition, we have a very strict policy of wiping down door handles and common areas with cleansers and disinfectants to keep everything clean and safe.
DS: The Democrats and Republicans are locked in a stalemate about stimulus funding. Of all the issues on the table, what is one thing you must have, and one thing you can put to the side for now?
Rep. Payne, Jr.: I think we must have it all. Where do you cut? Americans are suffering. The states are struggling and there are several industries that are critical to the American economy that need immediate, emergency aid.
For example, our entire travel industry has been battered during this global pandemic. We need to provide aid to airline and rail workers to protect our transportation and make sure it will run smoothly when we reopen society safely and completely. I have written letters to House leadership and President Trump to focus on relief to the thousands of airline workers so they can stay on the job. In addition, I have joined several efforts to support NJ Transit and Amtrak for the same reason.
Another example is the food service industry. Hundreds of restaurants have closed for good and thousands of food service employees have lost their jobs. Also, our childcare industry is on life support. We must keep those facilities open, so working parents can work to put food on the table and pay for housing. When it comes to coronavirus aid, it is not one of those issues where you can simply pick and choose priorities. If you do that, Americans will suffer. Studies have shown that we need to support all these issues if we want to recover fully from this economic crisis.
DS: Since you became Congressman in 2012, has the quality of life in the 10th Congressional District improved?
Rep. Payne, Jr.: Yes, I really think it has improved. Granted, the coronavirus has affected it, but there are several positive trends that show improvement. For example, there are several new housing projects throughout the district with numerous affordable apartment dwellings. New schools have been constructed and opened in the district, which is a great sign of the health and vitality of a community.
I am always looking to help improve the quality of life in the Tenth District. This year, I have helped secure more than $220 million in federal grants for the district to help that improvement and support hospitals, colleges, and other district needs. When I am in the district, I see significant development in the Newark Downtown District as well as in other municipalities. In addition, there are quite a few initiatives to grow and develop small businesses across the area.
Recently, I visited a small business incubator in Jersey City called the Container Village. It is an old shipping container that has been cut it up to create small store fronts for start-up businesses. I was so impressed that I want to promote similar efforts throughout the district and the country. In addition, I visited a very well-run store that sold plants in a small business cooperative in Maplewood. These are all signs of growth in our district. So yes, I do think the quality of life in the Tenth District has improved and will continue to improve once we get a national policy to contain and cure the coronavirus.
DS: What is the most essential thing that New Jersey needs from Congress right now?
Rep. Payne, Jr.: The most essential thing New Jersey needs from Congress is more coronavirus aid. In the House, we passed the Heroes Act in May to provide more than $3 trillion to American states, businesses, and citizens to help the economy recover. The Senate refused to vote on it.
So, we passed a modified version of it in early October that would still provide $2.2 trillion to help the country, $8.7 billion to New Jersey, and almost $660 million to the Tenth District. The Senate has yet to vote on that one either. The bill has that money for communities as well as aid for schools, childcare, coronavirus testing, housing assistance, and another round of payments for American workers and families. It would help New Jersey and the country tremendously. I really hope the Senate votes on it soon to help the American public during this difficult time.
DS: Once life returns to normal, what is the first piece of legislation you would like to work on?
Rep. Payne, Jr.: It is a difficult question to answer because I want to get the country back to normal first. Right now, the only legislative priority must be coronavirus aid and assistance to all Americans. In addition, we must provide more health protections to our communities of color. African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans are far more likely to get infected and die from this coronavirus than white Americans.
Legislation that protects the health, safety and economic security is the only thing that my House Democratic colleagues and I are working on right now. We must lower infection rates, lower death rates to zero, and reopen the economy fully. Once we do that, then I want to push legislation to protect the Affordable Care Act, improve our roads and bridges, grow our small businesses, and increase educational opportunities for all students.
DS: Do you think that the Democrats will control both the House and Senate after next month’s election. If so, by how many seats?
Rep. Payne, Jr.: I do not like to speculate on elections. I know there are several polls that seem to indicate a strong showing for Democratic candidates in November, but they are just polls. Voters are the ones who determine elections. We will know the answer to that question after the votes are counted in November. I am much more focused on trying to get coronavirus resources and aid to the people and communities in New Jersey’s Tenth Congressional District.
DS: At the end of 2018, the House voted to impeach President Donald Trump. If Trump is re-elected, should House Speaker Nancy Pelosi step down from her post?
Rep. Payne, Jr.: Again, that is a question for voters to decide because they determine the political power in the U.S. House of Representatives. Personally, I have a great relationship with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and I think she has been a strong leader in the House as well as the Democratic Party.
DS: With all the election buzz going on right now, would you ever consider a run for the White House?
Rep. Payne, Jr.: No. I am a son of Newark and the Tenth Congressional District. I am proud to represent my hometown and district in Congress. I could not imagine a better or more rewarding job than the one I have right now.
DS: Do you have any message for your constituents?
Rep. Payne, Jr.: Yes, I want to tell them that we will defeat the coronavirus. But we need to be smart, considerate, and safe until that time. Please wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines. I have read about possible increases in infection rates around the country. I do not want that to happen in New Jersey. So, when you vote, make sure you do it through the mail, drop it off at a ballot box, or practice safe behavior when you go to the polls. Again, we will get through this public health crisis.
DS: Thank you very much for your valuable time. Best of luck in the upcoming election.
Rep. Payne, Jr.: Thank you and let me know if you need anything else.
