BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik says she expects a COVID-19 relief bill will pass before the end of the year, Donald Trump is the best choice for President and the Affordable Care Act needs to be repealed and replaced.

Stefanik, who has been a frequent visitor to St. Lawrence County in this election cycle, also touted her A+ National Rifle Association during a recent interview. During this campaign cycle Stefanik has visited local businesses to hear first-hand the problems they are facing as pandemic restrictions remain in place.

Stefanik is seeking her fourth term for her Congressional seat and is facing her Democratic opponent Tedra Cobb for the second time.

Stefanik says she’s in touch with the North Country and has a proven track record of delivering on issues facing her constituents.

COVID-19 relief

Stefanik acknowledged that Congress has been slow to move forward a COVID-19 relief bill which many people, small businesses, schools and local governments have been waiting to see.

Stefanik says she wants to see funding go to local governments, schools and small businesses to help offset the damage done by COVID-19, but said the federal government can’t solve all of New York’s economic problems.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has blamed much of the state’s $60,000 billion budget shortfall on a lack of federal support. But Stefanik says New York’s business climate was bad before COVID-19 and that the governor needs to address the state’s money management.

She said any federal relief bill will be focused on offsetting costs associated with COVID-19, but should not be expected to bailout New York State.

Stefanik blamed the delays in COVID relief on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who she says repeatedly walked away from negotiations.

Stefanik touted the success of the earlier payment protection program, which she says helped keep many businesses afloat during the pandemic and said she’d like to see another round included in the next bill. She’s also expressed support for a second round of stimulus checks to individuals.

Stefanik wants to see relief targeted toward schools and local governments that have incurred additional costs as they work through COVID-19 restrictions.

Stefanik has also been critical of Cuomo’s handling of the pandemic. She says the regulations enforced by the state have been crippling to many businesses.

Healthcare

Stefanik has been a longtime opponent of the Affordable Care Act and said she originally ran for Congress with hopes of seeing it repealed and replaced with something that insures more Americans at lower cost. The incumbent says the act, better known as “Obamacare” has caused insurance costs and deductibles to rise and while it’s touted as a measure to get more people insured, she says it’s done more harm than good.

She says the act resulted in increased costs and less coverage.

Stefanik said she fought to ensure the repeal of the auto-enrollment mandate, worked to ensure those with pre-existing conditions were protected and championed the repeal of the medical device tax and Cadillac insurance tax.

Stefanik said any future healthcare bill would need to include assurances of coverage for those who have pre-existing conditions.

Stefanik says she is open to a bi-partisan solution to reforming healthcare coverage in the United States but was firm that she does not want to see the existing healthcare legislation replaced with a single payer option.

Presidential choice

In a presidential election year, support for the candidates seeking the nation’s top office tends to trickle down into congressional, state and even local elections.

Stefanik said President Donald Trump is the clear choice for presidency and says he will win the 21st congressional district. Trump won the 21st Congressional District in his first bid for the chief’s seat.

Stefanik has supported the president throughout the campaign, despite criticism from some. She says the president has proven himself to be a strong leader that is focused on the U.S. economy and supporting the military.

Stefanik says Trump has also been an effective leader during the pandemic by moving legislation that allowed tests to be made at a fast rate and shutting down transportation from some countries in the early hours of the pandemics surge.

The record

Stefanik says she’s running this election on her record, and says she’s been a strong supporter of the district’s businesses, farmers, police and soldiers.

She said she worked to ensure the paycheck protection act was flexible for businesses allowing them to get the help they need when the pandemic struck. She said she worked to bring farmer’s relief though various programs that helped keep them running when milk was being dumped this past year. Stefanik said she helped ensure the future of Fort Drum by helping secure it as a missile defense site and supported police officers at ‘Back the Blue’ rallies.

Stefanik, who calls herself a constitutional conservative, says she’ll continue to vote to protect the Second Amendment, make healthcare more affordable and stay in touch with unique issues facing the North Country.