Bryant ‘Corky’ Messner
Running forUS Senate
in 2020
Running as Republican
Websitehttps://corkyforsenate.com
If elected or re-elected, please describe legislation you expect to sponsor or co-sponsor.
One of the first bills I would cosponsor is the Premium Reduction Act of 2019, a bi-partisan bill which protects individuals with pre-existing conditions through a Federal Insurance Guarantee, while bringing down the costs of insurance for everyone. Additionally, I would introduce legislation to strengthen HIPPA so that individuals moving from their employer’s insurance into the individual market have the same protections as they do now between employers’ insurance.
The Congress must finally address the national debt through legislation; that is an area of grave concern for me. Sending tax dollars to states as block grants for healthcare and education, funding for substance abuse treatments, funding of urban opportunity zones and urban police departments, expanding Broadband access and supporting legislation to amend in the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 so it is more effective to better serve our veterans are other priorities.
What are the most important concerns facing you’ve heard from Manchester residents and how can you address those concerns if elected or re-elected?
The answer is the homeless situation and the crime rates. This doesn’t just impact our citizens, but also our businesses and visitors to Manchester. These two issues must be addressed in conjunction with substance abuse assistance.
Supporting the President with immigration control and border security will help to keep the drugs out of our country. President Trump has been very supportive of sending funding to the states hardest hit by drug abuse and I will continue to support this assistance. The government can also help with access to mental health treatment by tackling the availability and costs of healthcare. There are numerous programs in HHS and HUD that address homelessness, and funding in the annual budgets go into many of these programs. I would assist Manchester, through my Senate office, in applications for available federal grants. However, not all of the solutions involve federal spending or oversight. Many successful services are delivered privately and locally. Policymakers need to support faith-based groups and private organizations in their work to help people off of the streets and into the workforce.
How much time does a member of Congress need to spend in Washington to do their job properly and how much time does a member of Congress need to spend in their home state to do their job properly?
When the Senate is not in session, I believe that returning to the state so that a Senator can be accessible to his constituents is the correct thing. Senator Ayotte came back regularly and she was able to meet with people at town halls or speak at events. I do not intend to make my home in Washington, D.C. but be back in New Hampshire regularly meeting with my fellow Granite Staters.
In your view, describe the atmosphere within Congress over the past two years. Do you believe this atmosphere will continue and how would that affect how you approach this position if elected or re-elected?
People all over this country, regardless of party affiliation, have expressed disgust over the acrimonious atmosphere in Congress. In order to do the work of the people, much like I learned in business, policymakers must work together for things to get done. On occasions, it requires the courage to break the lockstep of party affiliation to do what is best for your constituents. From the impeachment process to the judicial nominations, Americans have seen partisan attacks on display. I hope that after the election, the next Congress will have learned that this behavior is neither the way to model statesmanship nor earn the respect of the voters. My education at West Point, followed by my time in the military and eventually building my own business have all impressed upon me how important mutual respect, even for adversaries, is to working in a congenial manner to accomplish your goals.
What is the most significant issue facing Manchester at the municipal level and how can you, as a member of Congress aid the city government on that issue?
The substance abuse epidemic continues to present challenges to the city of Manchester. This is related to homelessness, crime and children’s welfare. As Senator, I will continue to support federal funding and programs to help the city address recovery, mental health, programs to end homelessness and grants to state and local police departments.
With the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 in the future, do you support the Congress meeting remotely?
I would carefully study any proposals for such a change because the give-and-take of in-person dialogue is critical. I believe that was the intention of our Founding Fathers. However, I would consider bi-annual sessions and budgets in order to lower costs incurred for taxpayers, reduce the need for Congress meeting in Washington, D.C., keep Congress closer to its constituents as well as potentially reduce the number of bills introduced.
In your opinion, what were the five most significant pieces of legislation in Congress introduced over the last two years? Please explain what made them significant.
- The most significant legislation that addressed the Covid-19 pandemic was the CARES Act. Congress passed and the President signed the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). The bill funded stipends to every taxpayer within a certain income bracket, an increase in unemployment insurance and duration, money to support healthcare facilities, increased testing for the virus and protective equipment, loans and grants to businesses, money for education and funding for state governments.
- The $3.2 trillion in tax cuts for American families in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Bill Act was the most consequential tax legislation in three decades. Among the changes, reduced tax rates for businesses and individuals, increased the standard deduction and family tax credits, made changes in the estate tax and eliminated the individual health insurance mandate under the Affordable Care Act.
- The Veterans Administration launched new health care options under the MISSION Act which took effect June 6, 2019. The new law, which replaces Veterans Choice, establishes a new Veterans Community Care Program. New Hampshire, without a full service VA hospital, relies heavily on community care for its veteran community.
- The PROTECT Our Children Act of 2017 amended the 2008 PROTECT Our Children Act and reauthorized the National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System and the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction. For families across this nation, doing everything government can to protect our youngest citizens from such exploitation and potential abuse is critical. This was an invaluable investment in crime prevention and family security.
- President Donald J. Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act into law, significantly funding national parks, wildlife refuges, and public lands which historically have been underfunded. The bill is one of the most significant measures for our public lands in history.