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First-Year Congressman Looks Back, Halfway Through Term

Carolyn Presutti

   (Editor's note: These are the final segments in our series [1]"Climbing
   the Hill," in which we followed two new members of Congress.
   [2]Democrat Katie Porter was featured Sunday. )
   WASHINGTON, D.C. -- First-term Republican House member Pete Stauber of
   Minnesota wears his religion on his sleeve.

   He begins every morning in Washington by attending Mass at a Catholic
   church near the U.S. Capitol. And, recently, he met a tour of 30
   students and a priest from Minnesota on the steps of the Capitol, where
   they finished their prayer for the nation by making the sign of the
   cross.

   "You just said the Lord's Prayer on the steps of the greatest country
   in the world, at our Capitol," the amiable Stauber explained in a brief
   lesson in religious freedom. "Isn't that that awesome?"

   Stauber, a former professional hockey player and retired police
   lieutenant, is not shy about showing his religion in a secular nation
   riven by partisanship and a historic impeachment inquiry targeting a
   Republican president.

   Stauber is a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump and vigorously
   opposes the Democrats' move toward impeachment. But he is also a firm
   believer in bipartisanship, and in less than a year has succeeded in
   passing two bills in the House with both Democratic and Republican
   support.

   "I've always been really successful being a member of a team and and
   being inclusive, having that voice for all," he said.

   Stauber arrived in Washington less than a year ago after winning
   election in the traditionally Democratic 8th congressional district in
   northern Minnesota. Stauber became only the second Republican in 71
   years to represent the district, which includes the Iron Range mining
   region. The victory gave him an element of political celebrity in the
   Republican Party.

   Playing for the minors

   When he ran for the House seat, Republicans controlled both the House
   and the Senate, an exciting time for a fledgling Republican candidate.

References

   1. https://www.voanews.com/climbing-hill
   2. https://www.voltron.voanews.com/usa/us-politics/porters-tough-questioning-earns-attention-during-her-first-year-congress

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