While working on developing a bipartisan voice, Tom Reed was criticized for not speaking out against some of President Donald Trump’s more controversial comments. His profile has gone up this term with his leadership of the “Problem Solvers” Caucus – while also not being a stranger inside the Trump White House. Reed successfully led a bill to the president’s desk to renew expanded funding for the West Valley Demonstration Project located in Western New York.

Editor's Note: The following statements and assertions are those of a political candidate and/or Congressional Office. Any statistics, data, or other information contained therein has not been independently verified or checked for accuracy as part of this project.

Statement by Rep. Tom Reed:

“We are proud of our record and efforts to deliver for the people of NY-23. Whether a member has introduced legislation that has passed the House or become law is only a small part of a member’s impact; critical work behind the scenes to build support for bipartisan legislation is often difficult to capture. In my work as co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, however, it is clear we have directly contributed to a tremendous volume of legislation passing the House and becoming law. In particular, our successful attempts to reform the rules that govern Congress have directly resulted in more bipartisanship and consensus building.”

Problem Solvers Caucus Victories

House Rules Reform

20/20 Rule – Amendments with 20Rs/20Ds would receive priority consideration with the Rules Committee for a vote on the floor

Consensus Calendar – Any legislation with 290 cosponsors receives access to the floor vote

Criminal Justice Reform - Working with a bipartisan coalition, including Van Jones, Jared Kushner, Grover Norquist, and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the PSC ensured Congress pass much-needed criminal justice reform to provide relief for those who earn and deserve a second chance

Immigration and Border Security – Caucus voted in a block to deliver aid to children and families at the border that would have been otherwise delayed due to partisan divides in the House and Senate

March to Common Ground – Released a bipartisan COVID relief proposal to jumpstart negotiations

Specific Problem Solvers Caucus Legislative Victories

H.Res. 246 - Anti BDS Resolution (Endorsed, Passed House)

H.R. 95 - Homeless Veteran Families Act (Passed House after hitting 290 cosponsors)

H.R. 550 - Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019 (Passed House through Consensus Calendar)

H.R. 553 - Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act (Passed House through Consensus Calendar, Became Law)

H.R. 647 - Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) (Passed House after hitting 290 cosponsors)

H.R. 693 - Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (Passed House through Consensus Calendar)

H.R. 724 - Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (Passed House through Consensus Calendar, Became Law)

H.R. 748 - Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act (Passed House through Consensus Calendar, Became Law)

H.R. 943 - Never Again Education Act (Endorsed, Passed House after hitting 290 cosponsors, Became Law)

H.R. 1044 - Fairness to High Skilled Immigrants Act (Passed House through Consensus Calendar)

H.R. 1327 - 9/11 Victims Compensation (Endorsed, Passed House after hitting 290 cosponsors, became Law)

H.R. 1379 - Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (Endorsed, Received Committee Markup due to Consensus Calendar)

H.R. 1773 - Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019 (Passed House through Consensus Calendar)

H.R. 1957 - Great American Outdoors Act (Endorsed, Became Law)

H.R. 1980 - Smithsonian Women’s History Museum Act (Endorsed, Passed House through Consensus Calendar)

H.R. 2382 - USPS Fairness Act (Endorsed, Passed through Consensus Calendar)

H.R. 3589 - Greg LeMond Congressional Gold Medal Act (Passed through Consensus Calendar)

H.R. 4305 - Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act (Endorsed, Passed House through Consensus Calendar)

H.R. 5038 - Farm Workforce Modernization Act (Endorsed, Passed House)

H.R. 7010 - Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (Endorsed, Became Law)

What the rankings mean:

Number of bills sponsored:

This metric measures the number of unique bills put forward by a Representative or a Senator. A Resolution usually expresses an opinion or addresses procedure in the House or Senate and doesn’t go to the President. An Amendment is a change to the language of legislation. Everything has to be voted on.

Number of bills passed out of one chamber:

Getting a bill passed through a chamber is tough. In order to pass a bill out of a chamber, a member of Congress must build consensus among his or her colleagues.

Number of bills signed into law:

If a bill from an opposite party is signed into law by a President, the achievement is a significant victory for that Member of Congress if the bill is significant. Many non-controversial bills are signed into law as a matter of routine.

Percentage a member votes with his or her party:

Source: ProPublica. Procedural votes count toward this score and it isn’t entirely indicative of a member’s loyalty, or disloyalty, to the party.

Lugar Center Bipartisan Index Score:

The Bipartisan Index is a joint project of The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. Scores above 1.0 are outstanding. Scores above .5 are very good. Scores below -.5 are poor. Scores below -1.0 are very poor.