By Lauren Otis, Staff Writer
As a freshman in the minority party, Rep. Leonard Lance, R-7th, is among the least powerful of the 435 members of House of Representatives, but he intends to work with the incoming administration, his New Jersey delegation, and on both sides of the aisle, to effect his policy priorities.
”I am financially conservative, I am socially moderate, and I am a strong environmentalist, and I shall vote in that regard in Congress,” Rep. Lance said during a telephone press conference after being sworn in with other members of the 111th Congress on Tuesday.
In his comments during the telephone conference, Rep. Lance — a former state Senator who bested Assemblywoman Linda Stender in the November 2008 election for the seat vacated by Republican Mike Ferguson — made it clear that he is first and foremost a Republican, but one who will not shy away from bipartisan alliances if it suits his agenda.
”Obviously I voted for (House Minority Leader) John Boehner of Ohio for speaker, but I certainly look forward to working with (Democratic) Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi,” Rep. Lance said.
”I look forward to working with all members of Congress” as well as the administration of President-elect Barack Obama, Rep. Lance said. “The inauguration of a new Ppresident is always a time of optimism and hope,” despite the economic challenges currently facing the country, he said.
”America faces a great deal of challenges. Number one on our agenda will be the economy, it was the number one issue in the campaign,” Rep. Lance said.
Of the second stimulus package proposed by President-elect Obama, Rep. Lance said he is reviewing it and is pleased that it appears to include tax cut relief, one of his priorities.
”I don’t know yet whether I will be voting yes or no,” on the package, he said, adding “I will seek the guidance of John Boehner and the leadership team.”
In Congress, “the person I probably know best is Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th). I’ll undoubtedly seek his wise councilcounsel and advice,” Rep. Lance said. “I certainly know Rush Holt (D-12th), I know Chris Smith (R-4th)…I would imagine I could call as friends all of the members of the New Jersey delegation,” he said.
On Thursday, he announced that he has been appointed to the House Financial Services Committee.
“This assignment will allow me to work immediately as a member of the House Committee that will directly address the historic financial crisis facing our country,” Rep. Lance said. “I am extremely honored and pleased to be a new member of the House Financial Services Committee, and I look forward to using my experience to advocate for fiscal responsibility in Washington and deliver economic relief and reform to New Jersey’s working families and their counterparts across the country.”
Rep. Lance said he intends to be attentive to the needs and concerns of his district constituents.
”I think Mike (Ferguson) had an excellent constituent relations office and I hope to continue that,” he said.

