WILL REPRESENT THE HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY BLOWS A WERE IN SUSAN WILD, MADELEINE DEAN, CHRISSY HOULIHAN AND MARY GAY SCANLON.

>> DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, THAT YOU WILL BEAR TO FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME, THAT YOU TAKE THIS OBLIGATION >> I SENT THEM WITH THE NEW CONGRESS WOMEN AND ASKED THEM ABOUT THEIR PRIORITIES FOR PENNSYLVANIA.

WE WILL HAVE THAT FOR YOU LATER ON IN THE SHOW.

BACK TO YOU BRITNEY.

>>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT INTERVIEW.

THINKING.

AND DURING THIS 116th CONGRESS, DEMOCRATS HAVE CONTROL OF THE HOUSE AND PROMISED TO INVESTIGATE PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS ADMINISTRATION, WHICH HAVE BEEN THE FOCUS OF A SPECIAL COUNSEL INVESTIGATION.

REPUBLICANS HAVE TIGHTENED THEIR GRIP ON THE SENATE, AND THEY ARE POISED TO BACK THE PRESIDENT AND HIS PLEDGE TO BUILD A BORDER WALL.

THE BIG QUESTION, WHAT BIPARTISAN EFFORTS WILL BE BROKERED ON CRITICAL ISSUES LIKE IMMIGRATION, HEALTHCARE AND INFRASTRUCTURE?

WILL THIS BE A LAME DUCK SESSION?

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED ONCE THE HOUSE WAS GAMBLED INTO SESSION.

>> MADAM CLERK, IT IS WITH GREAT JOY THAT I RISE TODAY AS DIRECTED BY THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS TO PLACE THE NAME OF NANCY PELOSI AND NOMINATION TO BE THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> NANCY PELOSI RETURNED TODAY TO THE HOUSE SPEAKER OFFICE.

A POST SHE HELD FOR FOUR YEARS UNTIL JANUARY 2011.

IN THE 116th CONGRESS THAT IS NOW CONVENED, SHE ASSUMED THE GAVEL AND SWORE AND 235 DEMOCRATS AND 199 REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE.

WITH ONE VACANCY.

>> WILL YOU ALL PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND?

DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

SO HELP YOU GOD?

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE NOW ALL MEMBERS OF THE 116th CONGRESS.

>> THE DEMOCRATS PLAN TO QUICKLY PASS LEGISLATION TO REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT AND AND THE SHUTDOWN, NEARING THE START OF THE THIRD WEEK, BUT THEY'RE DOING SO WITHOUT THE FUNDING PRESIDENT TRUMP IS DEMANDED FOR HIS PROMISED BORDER WALL.

VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE SWORE IN NEWLY ELECTED SENATORS, BUT SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE THE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL HAD NO PLANS TO CONSIDER THE HOUSE BILLS TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT UNLESS TRUMP AGREES TO SIGN THEM INTO LAW.

THAT ENSURES THE GOVERNMENT FUNDING CRISIS WILL CONTINUE.

>> MR.

PRESIDENT, AS WE BEGIN THIS NEW CONGRESS TOGETHER, ONE FACT IS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TO WORK TOGETHER , TODAY ILLUSTRATES THAT VERY POINT.

LAST NOVEMBER, VOTERS EXPANDED OUR REPUBLICAN MAJORITY HERE IN THE SENATE, BUT ENSURE TO THAT 60 VOTES WILL ONLY BE ATTENDING BALL BY WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE.

AN ENCUMBER INCOMING SPEAKER PELOSI WILL BE LEADING A NEW DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE.

THIS IS THE LANDSCAPE IN WHICH WE WILL BE OPERATING.

AS YESTERDAY MARKED THE 12th DAY OF THIS ONGOING PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, OUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES SEEM LESS CONCERNED WITH THESE FACTS THEM WITH THEIR UNREASONABLE POLITICAL STANDOFF WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

SO FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL INVOLVED, LET ME RESTATE THE TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT.

IN OTHER WORDS, WHERE WE ARE.

WE NEED A BICAMERAL, BIPARTISAN, COMPROMISE SOLUTION.

WE NEED AN ARRANGEMENT THAT CAN CHECK THESE THREE BOXES.

PAST THE HOUSE, ACHIEVE THE SUPPORT OF AT LEAST 60 SENATORS, AND GET A PRESIDENTIAL SIGNATURE.

WHICH IS NOT COMPLICATED, THAT IS HOW YOU MADE A LAW.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE A RARE APPEARANCE IN THE WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING ROOM.

ACCOMPANIED BY BORDER PATROL AGENTS WHO SPOKE ON THE NEED FOR A WALL.

EARLIER, THE WHITE HOUSE HAD DUG IN ON THE PRESIDENT'S POSITION ON FUNDING FOR BORDER SECURITY.

>> HOW IN THE WORLD CAN WE TALK ABOUT FUNDING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OMIT HOMELAND SECURITY?

IT KEEPS US ALL SAFE.

>> TALKS BETWEEN THE CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND THE WHITE HOUSE ARE EXPECTED TO RESUME FRIDAY.

>> BUT THE PRESIDENT HAS GRACIOUSLY INVITED THEM BACK HERE TOMORROW, AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL COME RECOGNIZING THE BORDER SECURITY IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

>> WHILE PARTISANSHIP WAS STILL EVIDENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THE DAWNING OF A NEW CONGRESS BROUGHT HOPE AND THE PROSPECT OF A FRESH START.

ESPECIALLY FROM NEWCOMERS.

>> FOR ALL OF US AS A COUNTRY, THAT SHOWS THE CHANGING FACE OF CONGRESS.

IT'S A NEW GENERATION.

SO MANY MORE WOMEN THAN WE HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE, AND I THINK THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO TAKE US INTO THE FUTURE.

I THINK JUST TODAY WE ARE GOING TO SEE HOW IT AFFECTS CONGRESS CAN WORK AND WE WILL STRIKE THAT EXAMPLE IN THE YEARS TO COME.

>> FOR PBS39 TONIGHT I AM TRACY YATSKO.

>>> THE WOMEN OF THE NEW CONGRESS HAVE GOTTEN MUCH OF THE ATTENTION SINCE ELECTION DAY, BUT WHAT SHOULD VOTERS EXPECT WITH SO MANY NEW FACES AND A DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTY PATROLLING THE HOUSE?

THE COUPLE OF EXPERTS BROKEN DOWN FOR ME, HOW GENDER ROLES PLAYED THE GOVERNMENT AND WHAT THEY FEEL WILL OR WILL NOT GET ACCOMPLISHED IN THE NEW 116th CONGRESS.

LET'S SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> Reporter: ON NOVEMBER 7, 2018 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY, FOUR WOMEN, MORE THAN ANY AT ONE TIME, WERE VOTED INTO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> WHAT THIS MEANS FOR CONGRESS, THIS MOST RECENT MIDTERM ELECTION, IS NOW THERE ARE ONE IN FOUR WOMEN SERVING IN CONGRESS.

AND THAT'S A GREAT IMPROVEMENT, BUT IT STILL IS FAR FROM PARENT TO YOU.

>> Reporter: PROFESSOR OF COMMUNICATION, ARTS AND SCIENCES AT PENN STATE LEHIGH VALLEY BELIEVES THIS IS A START BUT USES THE EXAMPLE THAT THERE ARE ONLY EIGHT WOMEN GOVERNORS PLUS THE MAYOR OF WASHINGTON D.C.

AMONG THE 50 STATES TO SHOW HOW GENDER EQUALITY IN GOVERNMENT STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> SO WHEN I HEAR LABELS LIKE THE YEAR OF THE WOMAN, I DO WANT TO CALL IT OUT BECAUSE WE CALLED IN 1972 THE YEAR OF THE WOMAN.

RECALLED 1992 THE YEAR OF THE WOMAN, AND WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT MEDIA LABELS BECAUSE WE ARE FAR FROM EAGLE.

>> Reporter: AND SHE SAYS THE REFERENCE ALREADY SURROUNDING THE PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATS SUCH AS THE FAB FOUR ARE TO THEIR DISADVANTAGE.

>> THEY ARE FOCAL FABULOUS WOMEN, NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT, THEY HAVE RUN AND WON POLITICAL OFFICE, BUT AT THE END OF, THEY ARE THERE TO DO A JOB, GOOD TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED THEM.

>> Reporter: THE NEW SESSION BEGINS WITH STRIKING DIFFERENCES AS PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND DIRECTOR OF THE MUHLENBERG COLLEGE INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC OPINION IN ALLENTOWN SAYS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WHERE THIS DELEGATION OF FOUR WOMEN WILL BE GOING, A CHANGE OF POWER.

THESE WOMEN WILL BE IN THE MAJORITY PARTY, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE, MAJORITY STATUS ALLOWS YOU TO DO SO MUCH MORE.

>> Reporter: WITH THE CHANGE OF POWER, HE SAYS PREPARE TO SEE THE SHOWCASING OF LEGISLATION BOTH SIDES WANT VOTERS TO SEE AS WE MOVE TOWARDS THE NEXT ELECTION.

>> WHAT YOU WILL LIKELY SEE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE IS THE PASSING OF LEGISLATION THAT IN SOME WAYS IS SYMBOLIC BECAUSE IT'S A RECOGNITION THAT IT PROBABLY WON'T PAST THE OTHER HOUSE OR GET THE PRESIDENT'S SIGNATURE.

>> HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL INFLUENCE A 20/20 ELECTION?

>> IT IS SUCH A PRELUDE IF YOU WELL 220 20.

SO YOU MIGHT SEE LEGISLATION IN AREAS LIKE HEALTHCARE, THE ENVIRONMENT, IMMIGRATION POLICY.

ECONOMIC POLICY.

WHERE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE IDEAS THAT THEY WANT TO SHOWCASE, ESPECIALLY MOVING INTO 2020, THAT PROBABLY WILL PASS THE HOUSE AND NOT BE ABLE TO PASS THE SENATE AND IN ALL LIKELIHOOD NOT GET THE PRESIDENT'S SIGNATURE IF IT DID.

>> Reporter: BUT HE EXPLAINS NOT ALL IS LOST.

THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIPARTISANSHIP AND COMING TOGETHER.

>> I THINK THERE ARE SOME OPPORTUNITIES WHERE YOU MAY SEE SOME OVERLAP OF INTEREST BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND BOTH THE HOUSE AND DEMOCRATIC CONTROL AND THE SENATE AND REBECCA GOOD CONTROL, MAYBE AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP OF THE LAST FEW YEARS LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Reporter: COMPROMISE MAY BE TOUGH WITH THE EXIT OF WHAT MANY CALL THE MODERATE POLITICIANS WHO ARE EITHER VOTED OUT OR LEFT WASHINGTON ON THEIR OWN ACCORD.

>> IN MANY WAYS, THERE WAS A FURTHER GUTTING OF THE CENTER IN AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE POLITICS AT THE CONGRESSIONAL LEVEL, AND THAT IS GOING TO MAKE IT CHALLENGING I THINK TO FIND THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT COULD BROKER THE DEAL.

>> I THINK THEY HAVE TO BE VERY EARNEST ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE PLANNING TO WORK ON AND WORK VERY DILIGENTLY, AND THEN WE HAVE TO DO OUR PART AND I THINK THE MEDIA HAS TO DO ITS PART TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THE PUBLICITY THAT THEY DESERVE FOR THE WORK THEY ARE DOING.

>> Reporter: BOTH PROFESSORS AGREE THAT ALL EYES ARE NOW ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2020 AND THAT STRATEGIC MOVES WILL BE MADE FROM HERE ON OUT TO SET THAT STAGE OF THE DEMOCRATS HAVE THE ULTIMATE FOIL IF YOU WILL IN PRESIDENT TRUMP.

PRESIDENT TRUMP NOW HAVING DEMOCRATS CONTROL THE HOUSE WILL TRY TO USE THE HOUSE AS HIS FOIL TO SAY THIS IS WHAT'S BLOCKING OUR PATH FORWARD ON THINGS THAT HE WANTS.

>> I AM HOPING THAT THE PEOPLE WE ELECTED, LIKE I SAID, HAVE JUST THIS FRESH ENERGY THAT THEY SAY THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

WE HAVE TO DO WHAT OUR CONSTITUENTS WANT US TO DO, AND THAT IS TAKE ACTION AND MOVE THIS FORWARD.

>> POLITICS ASIDE, BECOMING A MEMBER OF CONGRESS TAKES A LOT OF GETTING USED TO.

CHARLIE DEN JOINED THE U.S.

HOUSE IN 2005.

THE ALLENTOWN REPUBLICAN WAS ELECTED TO SEVEN TERMS IN CONGRESS AND THEN IN 2017 HE ANNOUNCED HE WOULD NOT SEEK REELECTION IN A FEW MONTHS LATER HE DECLARED HE WOULD LEAVE WASHINGTON EARLY WITH MORE THAN SEVEN MONTHS BEFORE HIS TERM EXPIRED.

IN HIS FAREWELL SPEECH TO CONGRESS, HE SAID DISRUPTIVE POLITICAL INFLUENCES AND INCREASED POLARIZATION HAD PARALYZED CONGRESS, RENDERING IT INCAPABLE OF PERFORMING EVEN FUNDAMENTAL TASKS.

THESE DAYS YOU CAN FIND HIM ON TV WORKING IN HIS ROLE AS A CNN AND I LIST.

REPORTER MEGAN FRANK MET WITH AND RECENTLY AND HAS MORE NOW.

SHE JOINS US IN THE STUDIO.>> Reporter: SO FORMER CONGRESSMAN CHARLIE DENT SPENT 13 YEARS ON THE HILL SERVING THE HOUSE, SERVING ON THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, AND HE IS A FORMER CHAIR OF THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE.

IS A NEWLY RETIRED CONGRESSMAN, AND HE UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR THIS FRESHMAN CLASS.

I SAT DOWN WITH HIM AND POLICE DINER IN ALLENTOWN.

HERE IS OUR CONVERSATION.

>> YOU WERE IN CONGRESS FOR ABOUT 14 YEARS, WITH ALL THESE NEW INCUMBENTS COMING IN, WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO THEM AS A STEP FORWARD INTO THIS NEW ROLE FOR THE FIRST TIME?

>> WELL, MY ADVICE FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS I WOULD TELL THEM ACTUALLY TO BE A LITTLE QUIET.

WHEN I SHOULD BE QUIET, I MEAN LISTEN MORE THAN THEY SPEAK.

TRY TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE PLACE WORKS.

I WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND TO THEM THAT THEY TRY NOT TO FOLLOW THE HERDS TOO MUCH.

THERE TENDS TO BE A HERD MENTALITY IN WASHINGTON.

IT IS VERY EASY TO FOLLOW THE HERD AND SOMETIMES THE HERD IS NOT ALWAYS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MAYBE AS OUR NEW CONGRESS PEOPLE GO TO D.C.

THAT COULD HELP THEM NAVIGATE?

I KNOW THERE IS THIS TUNNEL TO GET TO THE CAPITOL BUILDING.

MAY BE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOOD.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS TO NAVIGATE THE SEA JUST ON THE FIRST DAY AND THE FIRST WEEK?

>> THE TUNNELS, THAT IS THE ONE THING.

ACTUALLY FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, CAPITOL PLEASE RECOMMEND MEMBERS USES TITLE TO GO TO THE CAPITOL.

FIRST FEW TERMS I ALWAYS WALK OUTSIDE, AND AFTER A WHILE THE POLICE KEPT INSISTING, PLEASE USE THE TUNNELS.

AND I STARTED USING THE TUNNELS MUCH MORE.

AS A FRESHMAN, I WOULD RECOMMEND USE THE MEMBERS GYM.

THE HOUSE MEMBERS TWO.

THAT IS WHERE YOU'LL MEET A LOT OF MEMBERS IN AN INFORMAL SETTING.

A LOT OF MEMBERS WORK OUT TOGETHER, MALE AND FEMALE.

USUALLY EARLY IN THE MORNING WHEN THEY GO IN GENERALLY START THEIR DAY.

IT IS HEALTHY TOO.

A GOOD WAY TO START TODAY, GET TO THE GYM ANYWHERE BETWEEN 6 AND 7:30 AM.

>> GO ON THE TREADMILL.

MAYBE SUSAN WILD CAN SPOT SOMEONE DOING A BENCHPRESS.

>> I TELL YOU WHAT, I HAVE PROBABLY GOTTEN MORE AGREEMENTS WITH MEMBERS AND THAT GYM THAN JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE ELSE.

>> SO THAT BEING SAID, JUST KINDA BUILDING SOME RELATIONSHIPS, NOT JUST ALL BUSINESS ALL THE TIME, BUT HOW IS YOUR FAMILY, WORKING OUT WITH PEOPLE.

>> YOU WORK OUT WITH THEM AND TALK TO THEM, WE WORKING ON THIS ISSUE, YOU WANT TO JOIN US ON THIS?

YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW OFTEN THAT HAPPENS.

I THINK SUSAN WILD IS GOING TO BE IN THE BUILDING WITH A NICE CAFETERIA ACTUALLY.

I FIND THE CAFETERIAS IN THE OFFICE BUILDINGS ARE REALLY NICE BUT IF I HAVE AN OCCASIONAL VISITOR, WE TAKE THEM TO THE MEMBERS DINING ROOM RIGHT IN THE CAPITOL.

IT IS QUITE NICE.

I GO IN THERE, BUT I MUCH PREFERRED JUST USING THE CAFETERIA IN THE OFFICE BUILDINGS.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU IN TERMS OF THE FRESHMAN CONGRESSPEOPLE, ARE THERE DISADVANTAGES TO BEING A FRESH MAN?

ARE THEY REALLY THE WORK IN THAT IS GOING TO STUMBLE A LOT?

IS THAT A REALITY?

>> I FELT LIKE MY FIRST TWO YEARS, I TRIED TO BE, I DON'T WANT TO USE THE TERM KEEP MY HEAD DOWN, BUT I TRIED TO LISTEN MORE THAN I SPOKE AND TRIED TO TAKE IT ALL IN, UNDERSTAND HOW THE PLACE WORKS.

I OFTEN FELT IT TOOK A GOOD, IT TOOK A GOOD 2 TO 4 YEARS TO FIGURE THE PLACE OUT.

BUT ONE THING I FELT THEY JUST A BETTER BETTER THAN A LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES IS TACTICS AND STRATEGY ON HOW TO MOVE A BILL IN THE HOUSE TO THE SENATE AND GET INTO THE PRESIDENT'S DESK.

I ALWAYS FELT THAT I HAD AN ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> WAS IN WHAT IS IT LIKE TO DEAL WITH SUCH HIGH STAKES ISSUES ON A DAY-TO-DAY, WEEK TO WEEK BASIS?

IS THE CHALLENGE KIND OF OVERWHELMING SOMETIMES?

>> I THINK WE ALWAYS UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY IN CONGRESS.

THE THINGS THAT WE WORK ON, THE ISSUES THAT WE DECIDE HAVE ENORMOUS IMPACT ON REAL PEOPLE.

EVERY DAY.

AND THE TYPES OF DOLLARS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ARE JUST ENORMOUS.

WE'RE TALKING TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

FEDERAL BUDGET OF $4 TRILLION.

AND IT WILL BE CHALLENGING FOR THOSE THE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO BE, THERE WILL BE ISSUES THAT HAVE TO PASS THE HOUSE WITH DEMOCRATIC VOTES, PASSED THE SENATE WITH REPUBLICAN VOTES, AND THEN BE SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

IS SO THEY ARE GOING TO BE AREAS WHERE THEY MUST AGREE.

>> HOW HARD IS IT TO STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF AND YOUR CAMPAIGN PROMISES?

>> I HAVE ALWAYS SAID A LOT OF FOLKS DON'T PROMISE TOO MUCH, BECAUSE YOU CAN GET CAUGHT UP PRETTY QUICKLY.

SOMETIMES YOU MIGHT LOOK FOR A BILL WITH A LOT OF THINGS IN IT THAT YOU TRULY LIKE, BUT THERE MIGHT BE ONE THING IN THERE THAT YOU DON'T LIKE AND YOU MAY HAVE SAID SOMETHING PUBLICLY ABOUT IT, AND SO YOU'RE KIND OF CAUGHT.

SO THAT IS ONE THING YOU HAVE TO WATCH AS A FRESHMAN.

DON'T HOPE THAT 70 ELSE WILL DO YOUR JOB FOR YOU.

>> AMERICANS ALWAYS SAY THEY WANT BIPARTISANSHIP.

AS YOUR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT WHEN THEY RUN FOR OFFICE.

I KNOW SUSAN WILD BROUGHT THAT UP.

I WILL BE A BIPARTISAN PERSON, THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO, IS IT REALLY REALISTIC?

DO DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ACTIVELY TRY TO WORK TOGETHER IN CONGRESS?

IS THAT YOUR EXPERIENCE?

>> I WOULD RECOMMEND TO SUSAN WILD AND ANY OTHER FRESHMAN WHO WANTS TO TRY TO GET RESULTS TO JOIN PROBLEM SOLVERS IN THE CAUCUS, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, SIT DOWN TOGETHER, IT'S ABOUT EVEN NUMBERS.

ABOUT 40 REPUBLICANS AND 40 DEMOCRATS.

THAT IS PROBABLY A GOOD PLACE TO GO.

VERY REAL REFORMS THAT WILL BE SUSTAINABLE WE NEED TO BE DONE ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS, IT IS THAT SIMPLE.

MY ADVICE IS TO SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS YOU CAN IN YOUR DISTRICT.

SO WHEN YOU'RE DONE VOTING, TRY TO GET HOME AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN, AND HEAR WHAT PEOPLE SAY.

THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

THE IN THE DISTRICT, HEAR WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY AND DO YOUR JOB.

RECOGNIZING THAT NOT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO AGREE WITH YOU ALL THE TIME AND YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT.

>> THANK YOU FOR MEETING WITH ME.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.>>> SOME GREAT ADVICE THERE.

THANK YOU.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT DAY IN WASHINGTON.

FOLKS BACK HERE AT HOME ARE RETURNING TO THEIR POST HOLIDAY ROUTINES.

THE HOLIDAYS MAY BE OVERCOME ALONG WITH THE HOLIDAY THEMED FOOD DRIVES THAT ARE POPULAR THIS TIME OF YEAR, BUT FOOD INSECURITY REMAINS AN ISSUE THROUGHOUT THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY.

THIS IS A CRITICAL TIME FOR FOOD BANKS AND PANTRIES.

TYPICALLY THE SLOWEST PERIOD OF THE YEAR.

KARISHMA DESAI VISIT A FOOD BANK IN PHILLIPSBURG NEW JERSEY úWHERE THE NEED IS GREAT.

>> Reporter: THE HOLIDAYS MAY BE OVER, BUT HUNGER NEVER STOPS.

AND THAT IS THE FACT THAT THE NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP STRESSES.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT FOOD AND FOOD INSECURITY DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND MANY, MANY CHURCHES, SCOUT TROOPS, BUSINESSES HOLD FOOD DRIVES DURING THE THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON.

BUT WHEN THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER, DONATIONS COME TO A SCREECHING HALT, AND UNFORTUNATELY, PEOPLE WHO ARE HUNGRY ARE HUNGRY ALL YEAR LONG, NOT JUST AT THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS.

SO THE NEED IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS, JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH, BECAUSE THOSE COLD WINTER MONTHS ARE WHEN PEOPLE REALLY NEED GOOD OLID FOOD TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE THE LOW INCOME POPULATION AND FIVE COUNTIES IN NEW JERSEY.

THE FOOD BANK SERVERS 120 DIFFERENT NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT FEED THE HUNGRY.

>> JANUARY AND FEBRUARY ARE REALLY SLOW MONTHS HISTORICALLY AT FOOD BANKS.

WE COULD GO WEEKS WITHOUT ANY INCOMING DONATIONS, SO THAT REALLY IS A CRITICAL ISSUE.

WE DO, FORTUNATELY, STILL HAVE SOME FOOD LEFT OVER FROM THE HOLIDAY BLITZ, AND WE WILL BE SORTING THROUGH THAT VERY QUICKLY, THOUGH.

THAT WILL BE GONE IN ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> Reporter: THE FOOD BANK HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1985.

FOOD BANKS LIKE THE NORWEST CAP IN PHILLIPSBURG SUPPLY FOOD DONATIONS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE FOOD TO THE HUNGRY SUCH AS FOOD PANTRIES AND SOUP KITCHENS.

>> WE ALSO PROVIDE PROGRAMS , HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES, WE PROVIDE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH ALL HER PRESCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOL PARTNERS, AND WE PROVIDE HOUSING PROGRAMS AND MANY OTHER THINGS THAT SERVE THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE STATE.

IF YOU LOOK BEHIND ME, WHILE THERE ARE LOTS OF DONATIONS AT A BEEN COLLECTED FROM SCHOOLS, FROM CORPORATIONS, FROM CHURCHES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, AND WHILE THAT LOOKS FULL, DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, YOU COULD BARELY SQUEEZE A PIECE OF PAPER THROUGH THOSE STACKS OVER THERE.

AND WE HAD SO MANY DONATIONS, SO MANY PEOPLE GAVE SO MUCH.

>> Reporter: AND THEY SAY EVERY DOLLAR HELPS.

>> FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT IS PROVIDED TO THE FOOD BANK, WE CAN PROVIDE OUR PARTNERS WITH SOMETHING LIKE 14 POUNDS OF FOOD.

SO A TWO DOLLAR DONATION, WHICH SOUNDS LIKE NOTHING, ACTUALLY CAN GO A REALLY LONG WAY TO SUPPORTING SOUP KITCHENS OR A FEW PANTRY.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL AREA GROCERY STORES DONATE MUCH OF THIS FOOD FROM A WAREHOUSE, A COMPANY THAT OWNED SHOPRITE, TO STOP & SHOP AND EVEN LOCAL GROCERY STORES.

THESE PRODUCTS OFTEN NOT BEING BOUGHT AS QUICKLY OFF THE SHELVES, AND WHILE THE HOLIDAYS MAY BE OVER, THERE ARE STILL CREATIVE WAYS TO HOLD FOOD DRIVES.

OF PEOPLE BEEN VERY CREATIVE ON THE TYPES OF DRIVES THEY DO IN THE WINTER MONTHS.

IT MIGHT HAVE A VALENTINE THEME.

IT MIGHT HAVE AN SUPER BOWL THEME.

>> Reporter: IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN HOLDING A FOOD DRIVE OR SENDING A MONETARY DONATION, YOU CAN VISIT THE NORWEST CAP WEBSITE OR YOU CAN CALL 908-454-4322.

>> PEOPLE CAN DONATE IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

THEY CAN HOLD A FOOD DRIVE CERTAINLY AT A SCHOOL, A SCOUT TROOP, A CHURCH, A BUSINESS, AND WE WILL HELP THEM WITH THAT.

WE WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH COLLECTION BARRELS, WE WILL GIVE THEM POSTERS AND FLYERS THAT LIST THE MOST NEEDED AND MOST WANTED FOODS IF THEY ARE NOT CERTAIN WHAT TO COLLECT.

MONETARY DONATIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT, AND MONETARY DONATIONS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE, NOT ONLY CAN WE MAKE THE DOLLAR STRETCH SO, SO FAR BECAUSE EVEN WHEN WE HAVE TO PURCHASE ITEMS, WE ARE USUALLY PURCHASING BY THE TRUCK LOADER BY THE PALLET LOAD, SO WE GET A MUCH DEEPER DISCOUNT AND BETTER PRICE POINT, BUT THE IMPORTANT THING WITH THAT IS, WE CAN GET EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED.

>> Reporter: IN PHILLIPSBURG, úKARISHMA DESAI.>>> STAYING HER AT HOME, WE SPENT TIME TODAY ASKING PEOPLE WHAT THEY EXPECT AND WANT OUT OF OUR GOVERNMENT LEADERS IN WASHINGTON.

CHLOE NOUVELLE WERE THERE AS THE HISTORIC CONGRESS CONVENED.

>> Reporter: WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM THIS NEW CONGRESS.

THEY ARE ALL BEING SWORN IN TODAY.

WHAT YOU HOPING FOR COME THING OUT OF THIS?

>> I HOPE AND WHAT I EXPECT ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

WOULD EXPECT IS TOTAL NONCOOPERATION WITH OUR PRESIDENT WHO WAS TRYING TO DO WHAT HE PROMISED, AND SO I'M AFRAID THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF GRIDLOCK.

>> WHAT I HOPE TO GET ACCOMPLISHED IS WHAT THE PRESIDENT WANTS WITH THE BORDER.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

IT'S SCARY RIGHT NOW THE WAY NANCY PELOSI IS TALKING AND CHUCK SCHUMER.

THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY 100% AGAINST THE WALL.

I HAVE A SUGGESTION, WHY DON'T THEY TALK TO SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAD THEIR EITHER HUSBAND OR CHILDREN KILLED BY ILLEGAL ALIENS, TALK TO THOSE FAMILIES AND ASKED THEM IF THEY WANT THE WALL.

WE NEED A WALL.

AND THEY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE REPUBLICANS, THEY HAVE TO COME AROUND.

I DON'T THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP IS GOING TO BACK DOWN.

I THINK IS GOING TO HOLD ON AS LONG AS HE WANTS, AND I BACK HIM UP 100%.

I HOPE WE GET BACK TO >> I HOPE WE GET BACK TO A POINT WHERE WE CAN START FOCUSING ON REAL FACTS AND NOT HYPERBOLE AND NOT FEAR MONGERING AND START, YOU KNOW, BEING A CONGRESS THAT WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE.

AND REALLY JUST BUILDING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH, NOT JUST OUR OWN COMMUNITY, BUT OTHER COUNTRIES AS WELL.

I THINK THE LAST TWO YEARS UNDER THE PREVIOUS CONGRESS, THEY LET THE PRESIDENT JUST GO ABOUT AND DO WHATEVER HE WANTS TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE COUNTRY.

AND OUR REPETITION AND STANDING WITHIN THE NATURE NATIONAL COMMUNITY.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE CONGRESS A START TO HELP REBUILD THOSE TIES AND STARTS DOING WITH THEIRS WAS THE NEW, WHICH IS WORKING FOR PEOPLE, NOT THE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS.

>> WE CAN HOPE WE WILL ALL GET ALONG A LITTLE BIT BETTER AND NOT BE SO HATEFUL AND SPITEFUL WITH SOME OF THE COMMENTS PEOPLE MAKE.

THEY HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER, THAT IS WHAT WE PUT AND THEREFORE.

HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE THERE TO HELP THE PEOPLE GET WHAT WE REALLY NEED.

>> Reporter: WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS AS FAR AS HER HOPES FOR THIS NEW SESSION OF CONGRESS?

>> WELL, I WAS VERY HAPPY THAT THE DEMOCRATS TOOK CONTROL OF THE HOUSE, BECAUSE I FEEL THAT WE NEED A REASONABLE, EFFECTIVE CHECK ON THIS PRESIDENT, AND I JUST DIDN'T SEE THE REPUBLICANS STANDING UP TO THIS PRESIDENT, EXERCISING WHAT I THINK IS THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT, AND I THINK THAT IS DANGEROUS.

SO I AM REALLY HAPPY THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TAKEN THE HOUSE.

NOW, WHETHER THEY CAN WORK TOGETHER TO GET ANYTHING DONE, I GUESS THAT IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY, BUT I AM HOPING THEY CAN PROVIDE REASONABLE OVERSIGHT LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO AND WORK TOGETHER WITH REPUBLICANS TO GET SOME THINGS DONE.

>> I AM OPTIMISTIC, I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET TOGETHER AND THEY WILL COME TO SOME COMPROMISE.

>> I WOULD HOPE AT SOME POINT THEY CAN START WORKING TOGETHER LIKE THEY USED TO.

IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE LAST 20 YEARS, EVEN THOUGH I WASN'T A BIG FAN OF PRESIDENT CLINTON, WHEN HE WAS THE PRESIDENT, I SAW THE TWO SIZE, PEOPLE CROSSING THE AISLE, SOCIALIZING WITH EACH OTHER, TALKING TO EACH OTHER AND WORKING THINGS OUT.

I NO LONGER SEE THAT.

I WISH WE COULD GET BACK TO THAT AGAIN.

>> OUR TEAM COVERAGE CONTINUES FROM WASHINGTON.

UP NEXT, WE WILL SIT DOWN WITH THE FOUR WOMEN WHO ARE NOW REPRESENTING PENNSYLVANIA IN CONGRESS.

>>> LATER ON, PARKING RATES ARE GOING UP IN JIM THORPE.

HOW MUCH THEY WANTED TO PAY AND REACTION FROM LOCALS.

START AS THE 116th CONGRESS THIS MORNING, THE PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CONTINUES INTO ITS 13th DAY.

WE WILL HAVE LIVE TEAM COVERAGE FROM WASHINGTON.>>> IF YOU HAVE A STORY PLEASE EMAIL US.

>>> PBS39 AN HISTORIC BETHLEHEM MUSEUMS AND SITES INVITE YOU TO CELEBRATE THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED RETURN OF VICTORIA.

ON JANUARY 9 FROM 3 PM TO 5 PM RIGHT HERE ON PBS39 HEADQUARTERS FOR AN EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW SCREENING OF SEASON THREE.

ENJOY ELEGANT BRITISH AFFAIR DRESSED IN COSTUME IF YOU WISH WITH FELLOW MASTERPIECE ENTHUSIASTS WILL HISTORIC BETHLEHEM SETS THE MOOD WITH THE SCENE.

A PROMENADE OF VICTORIAN EXHIBITION.

ADMISSION FOR TWO IS COMPLIMENTARY WITH YOUR ANNUAL DONATION OF $250 OR MORE.

SEATING IS LIMITED, SO ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

AS AN ADDED BONUS, THE FIRST OF THE PEOPLE 30 PEOPLE TO RSVP WILL RECEIVE A COMMEMORATIVE VICTORIA POSTER.

CALL 610-984-8222.

NOT A MEMBER?

NOT A PROBLEM.

VISIT WLVT.ORG.

VICTORIA SEASON THREE PREMIERES ON MASTERPIECE ON JANUARY 16 AT 8 PM ON PBS39.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO THE SPECIAL EDITION OF PBS39 NEWS TONIGHT.

WE ARE COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM HER STUDIOS IN BETHLEHEM PENNSYLVANIA AND HAVE TEAM COVERAGE WITH REPORTERS IN WASHINGTON D.C.

TOM MALINOWSKI PULLED UP WHAT MANY CONSIDERED AN UPSET WHEN VOTERS ELECTED HIM OVER FIVE TERM REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT LEONARD LANCE.

NEW JERSEY SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, THEY SAW, THEY FLIPPED REPUBLICAN TO DEMOCRAT, HELPING TO GIVE THE DEMOCRATS A NET GAIN OF 40 HOUSE SEATS IN THE MIDTERM ELECTION.

A FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, TOM MALINOWSKI REPRESENTS HUNTINGDON COUNTY AND FIVE OTHER COUNTIES.

HARRY SPOKE WITH HIM IN WASHINGTON TODAY JUST A LITTLE BEFORE HIS SWEARING-IN.

WHAT DID HE HAVE TO SAY?

STROKE >> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT BRITNEY AS THE GOVERNMENT DRAGS INTO HIS 13th DAY OF SHUTDOWN, HE SAYS HE IS NOT PLANNING A CELEBRATION AND ALREADY HAS HIS WORK CUT OUT FOR HIM.

IS JOINING 100 OTHER NEW REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE WERE TRYING TO PASS A FUNDING BILL TO REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW.

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST-ORDER BUSINESS.

>> FIRST-ORDER BUSINESS IS TO REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT.

SO THAT IT CAN WORK FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

WE WOULD LOVE TO BE CELEBRATING THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CONGRESS.

I AM NOT IN A CELEBRATORY MOOD.

WE HAVE PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE WORKING HARD TODAY, NOT GETTING A PAYCHECK, BILLS ARE PILING UP, GARBAGE IS PILING UP AT NATIONAL PARKS.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THINK THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

WE ARE DOING THIS BECAUSE OF THE PRESIDENT'S WINDS, NOT BECAUSE OF THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE, AND IT IS GOT TO END.

OUR FIRST ACT TODAY WILL BE TO PASS A BILL TO REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT.

>> Reporter: SEE ACTUALLY WON IN A FAIRLY SWING DISTRICT, HOW IS THAT GOING TO AFFECT YOUR CHOICES?

>> WELL, I DID NOT SENSE MUCH DISAGREEMENT AMONG PEOPLE WHO SENT ME HERE, REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS OR INDEPENDENTS.

EVERYBODY IN NEW JERSEY HATES GETTING STUCK ON THE TRAIN.

EVERYBODY NEEDS A GATEWAY TUNNEL AND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS.

NOBODY, WITH REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS, WAS HAPPY ABOUT LOSING OUR DEDUCTIONS AND WANTS THEM BACK.

AND I DON'T KNOW TOO MANY REPUBLICANS IN MY DISTRICT WHO ARE HAPPY TO SEE THE MAD KING IN THE WHITE HOUSE TWEETING AWAY, TURNING HER BACK, TURNING HIS BACK ON OUR ALLIES AROUND THE WORLD, SHUTTING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT OVER A WHIM, FIRING PEOPLE LIKE JIM MATTIS AND JEFF SESSIONS.

I THINK THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING DESIRE TO GET BACK TO DECENCY AND INTEGRITY AND HONESTY AND PRAGMATISM.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE HOPE TO DELIVER IN THE HOUSE.

>> Reporter: SPEAKING OF PRAGMATISM, WHAT COMMITTEES DO YOU THINK YOU CAN MAKE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON AND ALSO, AS A FRESHMAN CONGRESSMAN, AND WITH ALL YOUR BIG IDEAS, HOW DO YOU THINK THAT WILL WORK?

>> I WOULD LOVE TO BE ON ALL OF THE COMMITTEES.

THAT IS ALL I AM GOING TO SAY RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO, AND YES, WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF AMBITIONS.

THERE ARE BIG CHANGES AMERICA NEEDS IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, WE NEED TO TACKLE THE CRISIS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE A FRAGILE FOOTHOLD IN ONE HOUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND THEIR THINGS WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

I SEE THIS IS A TIME WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON PRESERVING AMERICA, NOT TRANSFORMING AMERICA.>> Reporter: TOM MALINOWSKI IS STILL IN THE HOUSE WITH REST OF CONGRESS.

THEY'RE STILL TRYING TO GET THAT FUNDING BILL THROUGH TO REOPEN THE REST OF THE GOVERNMENT.

MALINOWSKI SAYS THAT IS ONE OF MANY ISSUES HE HOPES TO ADDRESS THIS LEGISLATION SESSION.

IN WASHINGTON D.C., HARRY LEE.

BACK TO YOU BRITNEY.

>>> WE WILL HAVE MORE FROM YOU COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW.

BACK IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY REGION, THERE IS NEWS OUT OF CARBON COUNTY.

PARKING IS AN ISSUE IN MANY SMALL TOWNS.

THAT IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE IN SCENIC JIM THORPE WITH DRAWS THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS A YEAR.

VISITORS WILL BE PAYING MORE TO PARK IN 2019.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED RAISING RATES A COUNTY RUN METERS AND THE COUNTY OWN LOTS.

IT WILL NOW COST $10 TO PARK ON WEEKENDS AND FOR SPECIAL EVENTS.

AS HALEY O'BRIEN EXPLAINS, >> Reporter: WITH A NEW YEAR COMES CHANGE.

THE CARBON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED LAST WEEK TO RAISE COUNTY PARKING FEES.

ACCOUNTING PARKING METERS IN JIM THORPE, THE PRICE TO PARK WENT FROM $.50 PER HOUR TO ONE DOLLAR.

AND RIGHTS AT THE COUNTY LOT IN THE BOROUGH ARE GOING UP TOO.

PARKING RATES HERE IN THE COUNTY LOT ARE GOING TO GO FROM FIVE DOLLARS A DAY TO SIX DOLLARS A DAY ON THE WEEKDAYS AND FROM SIX DOLLARS A DAY TO $10 A DAY ON THE WEEKENDS.

THESE PRICES ARE ONLY GOING TO INCREASE IN THE MONTHS OF APRIL THROUGH DECEMBER.

>> THE TOURISTS TAKE OVER THIS TOWN.

NOBODY WOULD PROBABLY ARGUE WITH THAT.

NOBODY WOULD DISAGREE, AND PEOPLE ARE COMING IN HERE AND, YOU KNOW, USING A LOT OF OUR FACILITIES AND RESOURCES, AND WE JUST THINK IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

LET'S FACE IT, THE PEOPLE USE OUR PARKING LOT A WEEKENDS ARE MOSTLY TOURISTS WHO COME HERE, AND SO THEY ARE THE ONES WILL BE PAYING.

SO WE DON'T THINK IT IS AN UNDUE HARDSHIP ON OUR COUNTY RESIDENTS, ALTHOUGH IT IS WHAT IT IS.

THEY WANT TO PARK YOUR WEEKEND, THEY HAVE TO PAY THE NEW RATE.

>> Reporter: GARY MATSON WORKS FOR THE COUNTY PARKING AUTHORITY AND AGREES WITH COMMISSIONERS AND SAYS TOURISTS ARE REALLY WON'T MIND PAYING A LITTLE MORE PERSPECTIVE IT IS INEVITABLE.

AND PEOPLE, GUESTS THAT COME TO PARK YOUR, I DON'T THINK THEY CARE.

THEY'RE GOING TO PARK YOUR NO MATTER WHAT THE COST IS.

ESPECIALLY FOLKS FROM NEW YORK CITY OR NEW JERSEY.

THEY'RE USED TO PAYING WAY MORE THAN WE CHARGE HERE FOR PARKING.

SO I DON'T THINK IT'S A BIG ISSUE AT ALL.

>> Reporter: MAC MILLER AND HIS FAMILY ARE VISITING FROM HOUSTON TEXAS.

HE SAYS THE NEW PARKING RATES AREN'T BAD.

BECAUSE OF THIS IS EQUIVALENT FOR FREDERICKSBURG WHERE WE ARE FROM.

LIKE A SMALL LITTLE TOWN WHERE YOU HAVE ARTS AND STUFF AND NICE RESTAURANTS.

AND IN THOSE DOWN TO PAY ABOUT THE SAME AS A PEER.

SO FIVE DOLLARS DOLLARS DURING THE WEEK, AS YOU'RE COMING UP HERE FROM THE MOUNTAINS AND THE BEAUTY, IT IS NOT THAT BAD TO PAY A LITTLE EXTRA MONEY TO HAVE ACCESS TO PARKING CONTROL COUNTY OFFICIALS EXPECT THE CHANGES TO GENERATE AN EXTRA $200,000 PLUS AND COUNTY REVENUE.

HOWEVER, SOME BUSINESS OWNERS IN TOWN ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE INCREASES.

>> MY INITIAL REACTION IS WHAT IT WAS A COUPLE YEARS BACK WHEN THEY DID THE SAME THING, I DON'T THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA.

I DON'T DISPUTE THAT THEY NEED THE MONEY.

THAT IS NO ARGUMENT, BUT THE PROBLEM IS RAISING IT TO THIS EXTENT THAT THEY RAISED IT WITHOUT CONSULTING 45 BUSINESSES HERE IN A COUPLE HUNDRED WORKERS THAT USE THAT LOT.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL AND HIS WIFE HAVE OWNED RAINBOWS AND CANDY STORE FOR 20 YEARS.

HE SAYS 35% TO 40% OF HIS CUSTOMERS ARE LOCALS FROM HAZETON, SCHOOL COLE COUNTY AND FROM THE SCRANTON WILKES- BARRE AREA.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF LOCAL PEOPLE SO TO SPEAK, AND I'M TALKING LOCAL PEOPLE WITHIN 30 TO 40 MILES THE COME HERE.

THEIR CONTENTION IS THAT PEOPLE FROM THE CITY WILL PAY IT ANYWAY, AND WE ARE NOT IN THE CITY, WE ARE IN A SMALL TOWN AND PEOPLE ENJOY COMING HERE WITH REASONABLE PRICES.

AND THAT IS WHY THEY COME HERE.

>> Reporter: HE ALSO SAYS THAT THE COMMISSIONERS RAISED RATES ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, AND HE LOST BUSINESS.

>> WHAT REALLY BOTHERS ME THE MOST ABOUT THE WHOLE THING IS THAT THEY DIDN'T ASK US.

THEY DID THIS THE LAST TIME TOO, AND IT TOOK UP A SOLID YEAR TO CONVINCE HIM TO DROP IT BACK.

AND IN THAT YEAR TIME, WE LOST.

NOW WE PAY TAXES, WE CONTRIBUTE TO CHARITIES LIKE UNBELIEVABLY, JUST OUR SHOP ALONE AND EVERYBODY, THE SCHOOLS COME IN, THE CHURCH IS CALM, THE FIRE COMPANY, THE FIRST RESPONDERS, FOR DONATIONS.

DONATIONS.

WILL YOU TAKE AWAY FROM MY INCOME, YOU KNOW WHAT?

I AM NOT GOING TO BE DONATING LIKE I USED TO.

SO THE OVERALL EFFECT OF THAT IS FAR BEYOND WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT I THINK.

THEY ARE LOOKING LIKE BLINDERS WE NEED THE MONEY FOR THIS OR THAT.

>> Reporter: AGAIN, THE COUNTY PARKING METER RATE INCREASES IN EFFECT NOW AND YOU WE BEGIN TO SEE THE PRICES AND CAN'T INCREASE IN THE COUNTY LOT BEGINNING IN APRIL.

I AM HALEY O'BRIEN PBS39 IS TONIGHT.

>>> NOW ONTO ONE OF THE MARQUEE MOMENTS OF THIS NEW CONGRESS, MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, PENNSYLVANIA'S NEW CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION LOOKS UNLIKE ANY THAT PRECEDED IT.

SUSAN WILD, MARY SCANLON, CHRISSY HOULAHAN AND MADELEINE DEAN MADE HISTORY IN NOVEMBER AS THE LARGEST CONTINGENT OF WOMEN THE STATE HAS EVER ELECTED TO FEDERAL OFFICE.

THE FOUR DEMOCRATS WERE PART OF THE WAVE OF WOMEN, THE SO- CALLED PIKA WAVES, WHO CAPTURED VICTORIES ACROSS THE NATION AND WHO NOW OCCUPY OFFICES IN THE U.S.

CAPITOL.

PENNSYLVANIA HAD NO WOMEN IN CONGRESS IN THE LAST SESSION.

ON THEIR EVE OF THEIR HISTORIC SWEARING-IN TODAY, MONICA EVANS CAUGHT UP WITH ALL FOUR NEW REPRESENTATIVES IN WASHINGTON D.C.

HELLO MONICA.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THEY'RE READY TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.

THE FOUR CONGRESSWOMEN SHARED THEIR PRIORITIES FOR PENNSYLVANIA AND DISCUSSED A BROAD RANGE OF ISSUES FROM SECURING OUR BORDERS TO HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION.

BUT THEY SAY THEIR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS TO AND THE GOVERNMENT PARTIAL SHUTDOWN.

THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO JOIN US.

ONE OF THE HOT BUTTON ISSUES IS THE SHUTDOWN.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> TODAY WITH THE SWEARING-IN, I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST THAT.

DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO TAKE A MAJORITY.

YOU SEE HERE A NUMBER OF WOMEN FOR PENNSYLVANIA COMING IN WITH FRESH IDEAS AND A SPIRIT OF WE WANT TO GET THE WORK DONE, AND WE WANT TO GET IT DONE IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.

>> THIS CLASS, THESE WOMEN IN THE GREATER CLASS THAT WAS JUST ELECTED, IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN OUR GOVERNMENT, BELIEVE IN PUBLIC SERVICE, CAME OFF THE SIDELINES, CAME OFF DOING VERY DIFFERENT THINGS, NOT A LOT OF FOLKS WHO WERE CAREER POLITICIANS OR WHATEVER.

AND JUST FELT LIKE WE NEED TO GET DOWN THERE AND DO SOMETHING TO HELP THIS GOVERNMENT WORK AGAIN.

SO YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING IN WHO ARE MOTIVATED TO SEE GOVERNMENT WORK AND IT IS THE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO DO, GET THE GOVERNMENT-FUNDED AGAIN, THEN WE DO THAT AND MOVE ON TO THE ISSUES OF GERRYMANDERING AND VOTER SUPPRESSION AND CAMPAIGN FINANCING AND ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT.

>> IS A SHAME THAT HONOR SWEARING-IN DAY WE REALLY NEED TO GET AND JUST REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT, BUT WE ARE HERE IN GOING TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT CAMPAIGNED ON BORDER SECURITY.

SOME FOLKS ARE SAYING THAT DEMOCRATS ARE GOING AGAINST THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

>> I AM NOT INTERESTED, I DON'T THINK MOST DEMOCRATS ARE INTERESTED IN JUST FULFILLING DONALD TRUMP CAMPAIGN PROMISE OF A BORDER WALL.

WHAT WE ARE INTERESTED IN IS TRUE, MEANINGFUL AND REASONABLE BORDER SECURITY THE BORDER WALL HAS BECOME SOMETHING THAT IS JUST A VANITY PROJECT FOR THE PRESIDENT.

>> I AM THE DAUGHTER OF A REFUGEE MYSELF.

MY DAD CAME HERE WITH HIS MOM TO THIS COUNTRY, AND HAD EVEN WELCOMED IN THE WAY WE ARE WELCOME THE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW, I THINK IT WOULD NOT BE SITTING HERE IN THE SEAT.

I FIND IT ATROCIOUS THE WAY WERE TREATING ONE ANOTHER AND OUR FELLOW CITIZENS OF OUR PLANET.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PURITY BEING TOP OF THE AGENDA, BUT IN A BIPARTISAN AND COMPREHENSIVE WAY AND NOT IN A FOOLISH WAY SUCH AS A WALL.

>> IT WOULD ADDRESS SECURITY, INFECTED WOULD HARM HER SECURITY.

S HERE WANTS TO BE A PART OF WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION IS DONE.

SEPARATING CHILDREN FROM THE PARENTS OF THE BOARD.

RISKING THEIR LIVES AND HEALTH.

THAT IS NOT THE AMERICAN WAY.

HOWEVER, WHEN WE GO TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT, THE APPROPRIATIONS PACKAGE THAT I UNDERSTAND WE WILL BE LOOKING AT AND VOTING ON WILL ACTUALLY INCLUDE, OF COURSE, DOLLARS FOR BORDER SECURITY, BUT NOT THE FOOLISH NOTION OF A WALL THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS VACILLATED ON BEYOND BELIEF.

>> PUTTING 800,000 FOLKS IN THEIR JOBS IN JEOPARDY.

THE GOVERNMENT ISN'T LIVING UP TO ITS END OF THE BARGAIN.

>> Reporter: TELL ME THIS, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PRESIDENT?

WHICH OF YOU?

>> IF WE DON'T LEAD THE WORLD IN SOLUTIONS, THAN THE REST OF THE WORLD DOESN'T REALLY HAVE THE MOTIVATION TO FOLLOW, AND THAT TO ME HAS BEEN THE GREATEST LOSS DURING THIS PRESIDENCY, IS A REDUCING OF OUR STANDING IN THE WORLD.

>> HIS LANGUAGE, HIS USE OF RHETORIC THAT TEARS PEOPLE DOWN, THE CALLS NAMES, HIS CONDUCT.

SO IMMATURE ISN'T EVEN AN ADEQUATE WORD TO USE.

BUT ZIGZAGGING AND LESS THAN HONORABLE FOR THE OFFICE THAT HE IS IN.

I TOO WANT TO WORK WITH THIS PRESIDENT OF A STATE REPRESENTATIVE I WAS INVITED ONTO A LEGISLATOR WHITE HOUSE ROUNDTABLE EARLY ON IN THIS ADMINISTRATION AND MANY OF MY DEMOCRATIC FRIENDS THOUGHT YOU WON'T GO.

I SAID NO, I HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO GO.

I WANT TO WORK WITH THIS PERSON.

HAVING SAID THAT, WE HAVE GOT TWO YEARS HERE.

WE'RE GOING TO DO THE WORK, WE'RE GOING TO HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE.

THE LEGISLATURE AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWER TO HOLD THIS PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE AND WORK ACROSS THE AISLE WITH HIM ANYTIME AGAIN.>> Reporter: TELL ME THIS, WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE PRESIDENT?

>> THIS KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES, THIS ISSUES WE WERE TALKING ABOUT OF AFFORDABILITY OF HEALTHCARE AND JOBS AND EDUCATION AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, THOSE WERE PARTS OF HIS MESSAGES, BUT THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY ANYTHING HE HAS EXECUTED OR IMPLEMENTED.

>> HE RAN ON INFRASTRUCTURAL REFORM, HE RAN ON LOWERING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS HE SAID WE COULD GO ALONG WITH, BUT WE NEED TO SEE SOME ACTION TO BACK UP THE WORDS.

>> Reporter: TELL ME SOME OF THE CORE ISSUES THAT YOU'RE HOPING TO ADVOCATE FOR PENNSYLVANIA.

>> I THINK WE ALL SAW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES OUT THERE.

PEOPLE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR FAMILIES PROVIDING FOR THEIR FAMILIES, THEY'RE HAVING OPPORTUNITY AND SECURITY AROUND HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION AND GOOD JOBS.

I CAME OUT OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.

SO I WAS ON A SCHOOL BOARD, I WAS AN ACTIVE HOME HER MOM AND THAT KIND OF THING, AND YOU WANT PEOPLE IN OFFICE AND LEADERSHIP WHO ARE PUBLIC SERVICE.

WE NEED PEOPLE WHO KIDS CAN LOOK UP TO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO CENSOR WHAT THEY'RE WATCHING ON TV JUST BECAUSE IT IS THE PRESIDENTIAL PRESS CONFERENCE.

>> THE BREAD-AND-BUTTER ISSUES.

I AM IN A DISTRICT NOT PARTICULARLY WEALTHY.

IT IS COMPOSED OF WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES, PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON THEIR PAYCHECK TO GET BY.

AND THE THINGS THAT THEY WANT TO KNOW MOST ABOUT, THE DAYCARE MOST PASSIONATELY ABOUT OUR AFFORDABLE AND QUALITY HEALTHCARE, ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR THEIR EDUCATION.

AND GOOD JOBS WITH LIVING WAGES.

I MEAN, THEY ARE SIMPLE ISSUES TO DESCRIBE, THEIR COMPLICATED ISSUES TO SOLVE.

>> I CAN ECHO THAT.

WE ON THE TRAIL HEARD THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

THE NUMBER ONE KITCHEN TABLE ISSUE WITH SELF-CARE.

BUT WHAT FITS INTO THAT THAT PEOPLE REALLY CARE ABOUT OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES OF GUN VIOLENCE AND THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

SO ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE UNIVERSALLY FELT IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

I BELIEVE, WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY AS LEGISLATORS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TO SAVE LIVES.

>> TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN OUR CAMPAIGNS.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EXTENDED, VOTED FOR US.

AMAZING ENERGY THAT I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING TO WORK FOR PEOPLE WHO, THIS MATTERS TOO.

>> WE'RE IN SOME TOUGH TIMES, BUT HAVE HIGH HOPES.

>> Reporter: THE NEW PENNSYLVANIA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IS GOING TO EXEMPLIFY HOW WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THIS COUNTRY MOVE FORWARD.

IT IS NOW GOING TO HAVE NINE DEMOCRATS AND NINE REPUBLICANS OUT OF THE 18 CONGRESSIONAL SEATS THAT WE HAVE.

IT SEEMS SO APPROPRIATE IN A STATE LIKE THIS BECAUSE I MET A NUMBER OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE IN CONGRESS FROM PENNSYLVANIA, AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A REAL GENUINE WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH US AND TRY TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

AND THAT IS WHAT EXCITES ME THE MOST.

>> Reporter: THE FOUR CONGRESSWOMEN SAY THEY'RE EAGER TO WORK WITH REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE NATION AND FOR CONSTITUENTS AT HOME.

BACK TO YOU.

>> MONICA, DID THEY TELL YOU WHAT THEIR MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AS A TAKE OFFICE?>> Reporter: BRITTANY, LIKE PRESIDENT TRUMP, THEY SAY THEY WANT TO SECURE OUR BORDERS.

REPRESENTATIVE WILD INTRODUCED HER FIRST BILL YESTERDAY TO FUND THE COAST GUARD.

SHE SAYS THE LAPSE IN FUNDING IN DECEMBER RESULTED IN 42,000 ACTIVE COAST GUARD MEMBERS, INCLUDING 320 FROM PENNSYLVANIA, WORKING WITHOUT PAY.

IF THE BILL IS PASSED, IT WILL FUND THE COAST GUARD, BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY UNTIL AN AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED TO FULLY FUND THE GOVERNMENT.

SHE IS GETTING A HEAD START.

>> WOW.

WHAT WAS THE OVERALL FEELING YOU GOT FROM THE LAWMAKERS AS YOU WERE LEAVING?

WHAT WAS THE FEELING THEY WERE GIVING YOU?>> Reporter: I THINK THEY ARE VERY EXCITED TO BE IN WASHINGTON REPRESENTING PENNSYLVANIA.

AND THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING ON KEY ISSUES.

THAT NOT ONLY AFFECT PENNSYLVANIA, BUT OUR NATION.

HEALTHCARE WAS ECHOED OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

IT IS A CORE ISSUE, AS WELL AS EDUCATION AND JOBS.

>> MONICA, THANK YOU.

WONDERFUL INTERVIEWS.

>>> IT MAY SOUND LIKE THE MAKINGS OF A JOKE, BUT IT IS TRUE.

THERE SIMPLY HASN'T BEEN A LOT GOING ON IN WASHINGTON THE PAST TWO WEEKS.

THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ENTERED THE 13th DAY TODAY WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYING IT WILL LAST AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO GET $5 BILLION IN BORDER WALL FUNDING.

EVEN WITH THE NEW CONGRESS ENTERING OFFICE AND A SHIFT FROM REPUBLICANS TO DEMOCRATS TAKING CONTROL OF THE HOUSE, THE SHUTDOWN HAS HUNG OVER THE NATIONS CAPITOL.

800,000 FEDERAL WORKERS HAVE BEEN FURLOUGHED OR WORKING WITHOUT PAY.

WE SPENT TIME THIS WEEK EXAMINING HOW WASHINGTON IN PARTICULAR IS HANDLING THE SHUTDOWN.

WHAT DID YOU FIND?

>> Reporter: THE PARTIALS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS STARTING TO SHOW IN WASHINGTON D.C.

THROUGHOUT THE CITY, DOORS REMAINED CLOSED AT NINE FEDERAL AGENCIES.

VISITOR KIOSK AND MONUMENTS ARE SHUTTERED.

WHILE TRASH PILES UP AND PUBLIC TOILETS ARE LEFT UNATTENDED, >> NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THE TOILETS IS AN ISSUE.

>> Reporter: AS PRESIDENT TRUMP AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS REMAIN LOCKED IN A STALEMATE OVER FUNDING FOR A WALL ALONG THE U.S.

BORDER WITH MEXICO.

MORE ATTRACTIONS ARE RUNNING OUT OF FUNNY.

ALL 17 SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS AND THE NATIONAL ZOO CLOSED WEDNESDAY WITH THE NATIONAL GALLERY CLOSING TODAY.

THAT IS TAKING A TOLL ON TOURISM.

>> WE WERE PLANNING TO GO TO THE ART MUSEUM BECAUSE OF THE SHUTDOWN WE COULD GO.>> Reporter: FOR MANY OF THE 22.8 MILLION PEOPLE WHO VISIT WASHINGTON D.C.

EACH YEAR, A TRIP TO THE NATIONS CAPITOL ISN'T COMPLETE WITHOUT GOING TO ONE OF THE FREE MUSEUMS TO SEE THE 45 CARAT HOPE DIAMOND AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY OR A RIGHT BROTHERS FIRE PLANE AT THE NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM.

THAT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS WHO MAY HAVE COME A LONG WAY TO SEE THEM.

>> THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: ONE FAMILY VISITING FROM AUSTRALIA SAYS THEY WERE SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN EVERYTHING WAS CLOSED.

THEY PLANNED THEIR TRIP MONTHS AGO AND HAVE ONLY TWO DAYS IN THE CITY.

>> WE REALLY JUST WANT TO HAVE A LOOK AT ALL THE GALLERIES.

SO IT IS A REAL SHAME WE TRAVELED THIS FAR AND EVERYTHING IS CLOSED DOWN.

IT IS HARD TO COMPREHEND.>> Reporter: THE ATTRACTIONS ARE NOT JUST FOR AMERICANS.

SO SHE DOESN'T THINK DOMESTIC POLITICS AT PLAY A ROLE IN WHETHER THEY STAY OPEN.

SOME VISITORS, THOUGH, ARE WILLING TO FORGO A MUSEUM EXPERIENCE FOR A CAUSE THEY BELIEVE IN.

>> I WILL BE OKAY WITH THE GOVERNMENT BEING SHUT DOWN LONGER IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES FR OUR BORDERS TO BECOME MORE SECURE.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, TOURIST LOCKED OUT OF THE SMITHSONIAN DON'T NEED TO STAY OUT IN THE COLD.

PRIVATE MUSEUMS, INCLUDING THE U.S.

HOLOCAUST MUSEUM AND THE SPY MUSEUM ARE STILL OPEN.

ONE VISITOR IS LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE.

HE HAS MORE ATTRACTIONS TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME HE IS IN D.C.

>> I MEAN IT IS NICE TO COME HERE NOW.

>> THE SHUTDOWN ISN'T ONLY IMPACTING WASHINGTON D.C.

AND COUPLED WITH THE TRADE TARIFFS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION INSTITUTED BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY ARE STRUGGLING AS WELL.

PBS39 NORTH HAMPTON REPORTER MEGAN FRANK HAS A SPECIAL GUEST TO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON.

VIDEO YOU HAVE THIS EVENING?

STROKE I AM SITTING HERE >> Reporter: I AM SITTING HERE WITH DON CUNNINGHAM, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE A NEW CONGRESS, A FRESH START, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

SO HOW DID WE GET TO A POINT WHERE WE ARE SO POLARIZED?

>> WELL, THERE IS A LOT OF CHANGE AND UNCERTAINTY GOING ON RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS GREAT ECONOMICALLY.

WHAT WE DO AT THE LEHIGH VALLEY ECONOMIC CORPORATION IS WORK ON STRATEGIES TO GROW THE ECONOMY HERE.

WE WORK WITH COMPANIES HERE TO KEEP THEM GROWING, AND WE WORK TO SELL THE AREA AND RECRUIT COMPANIES.

THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS HAVE BEEN GREAT ECONOMICALLY.

THE LEHIGH VALLEY HAS BEEN BOOMING.

BUT CERTAINLY, IN RECENT MONTHS THE CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN D.C., THE TRADE WARS, THEY CREATE A LEVEL OF UNCERTAINTY, IN THE STOCK MARKET, LEVEL OF UNCERTAINTY POLITICALLY AND THAT IS NOT WHAT BUSINESS LIKES.

BUSINESS AND THE ECONOMY AND WALL STREET LIKE MORE CERTAINTY.

SO HOPEFULLY WE GET THROUGH THIS ROUGH SPOT AND GET BACK ON A STEADY PATH HEADING INTO 2019.

>> Reporter: SO NOW THAT WE ARE IN THE 13th DAY OF THE SHUTDOWN, SOME PEOPLE, MAYBE NOT PAYING SO MUCH ATTENTION, THERE THINKING HOW DOES THIS REALLY IMPACT ME.

HOW DOES A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IMPACT OUR REGION?

>> IN THE SHORT TERM, A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, WHICH HAS BECOME ALL TOO OFTEN NOW, BOTH AT THE STATE LEVEL AND FEDERAL LEVEL, BUT IN THE SHORT TERM THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN WON'T AFFECT BROADLY.

BUT IT WILL START TO AFFECT AS WE SAW WHEN HARRISBURG WAS SHUTDOWN A FEW YEARS AGO WELL THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AND INTO THE FALL, YOU STARTED SEEING FUNDING FLOWS FOR THINGS LIKE HUMAN SERVICES, INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND CERTAINLY IF HE CONTINUES, THE FEDERAL GET SHUTDOWN WILL START TO HAVE AN EFFECT THEIR LITTLE THINGS OR NOT, OBVIOUSLY WASN'T REPORTED ON THE MOST OF THE INCONVENIENCES AROUND THE FEDERAL PARKS AND SO FORTH, BUT EVEN THINGS LIKE DATA THAT WE LOOK AT.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF CONGRESS, BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS KEEPING UP WITH UNEMPLOYMENT DATA, THOSE FOLKS ARE WORKING RIGHT NOW.

SO THE DATA IS FALLEN BEHIND.

THE CITY WILL START TO SEE CRAMPED AND OTHER MAJOR SOURCES OF FUNDING THAT FLOW-THROUGH PEOPLE AND THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES.

>> Reporter: SO THE LONGER IT GOES ON, IT IS NOT GOOD.

>> WE CAN HANDLE IT FOR A FEW WEEKS, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT IDEAL.

IT SHOULD BE THE WAY THINGS HAVE TO GET DONE POLITICALLY, BUT IT HAS BECOME MUCH MORE OF A MECHANISM IN THIS DIVIDED PARTISAN WORLD.

AND AGAIN, IN THE ARENA THAT I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME IN BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS, THE BUSINESS FOLKS, PEOPLE WITH THE MARKETS DON'T LIKE UPHEAVAL AND UNCERTAINTY.

WE ARE SEEING THE SAME WITH THE TARIFF SITUATION AND TRADE BATTLES EMERGING THAT YOU START TO HAVE AN EFFECT ECONOMICALLY ON SUPPLY CHAINS AND THE COST OF BUSINESSES TO OPERATE.

>> Reporter: IF YOU WERE A LAWMAKER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE FOCUSING ON FOR THE LEHIGH VALLEY?

WHAT SHOULD BE THE PRIORITIES?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, OTHER THAN SOME OF THE THINGS I MENTIONED ABOUT GETTING BACK TO A STABLE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT, IF WE HAD THE MAGIC WAND, I THINK REGARDLESS OF WHERE ANY OF US FALL IN THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, GETTING BACK TO A TIME PERIOD WHERE THERE WASN'T SUCH EXTREMES AND SUCH A BATTLE THAT GO ON EVERY DAY.

BUT BEYOND THAT, AND SPECIFICALLY, I THINK IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY THIS IS A GROWING REGION.

THIS WHOLE AREA OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA IS GROWING.

THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND COMPANIES GROW QUICKER THAN THE PUBLIC SECTOR CLINKING THOUGHT.

WE DO NEED AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

WE DO NEED MONEY FOR HIGHWAY EXPANSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS OF INTERSECTIONS.

ALONG WITH GOOD TAX POLICY.

>> Reporter: YOU ARE SO RIGHT.

IT WAS GREAT TO TALK TO YOU.

BRITTANY, BACK TO YOU.

>>> EARLIER THIS EVENING AND EARLY TODAY WE STOPPED BY THE ALLENTOWN FARMERS MARKET TO HEAR WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE NEW CONGRESS.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>>>> Reporter: WE ARE HERE WITH HER HUSBAND AND ONE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES.

WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE NEW CONGRESS THAT WAS JUST SWORN IN IN WASHINGTON D.C.?

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOPES FOR THEM AS THEY BEGIN TO START THEIR JOURNEY AND THEIR WORK?

>> I VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

I JUST WISH THAT EVERYBODY WOULD GET ALONG.

IT IS NOT EARLY TO ME ABOUT WHAT PARTY YOU ARE, IS ABOUT THE GOALS IN TO BE ACHIEVED AND WE SO NEED THEM IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND TO BE LIKE IF IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOUR DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICANS I JUST WISH EVERYBODY WOULD WORK TOGETHER AND WORK WITH OUR PRESIDENT WITH RESPECT TO GET ALONG THIS COUNTRY AND KEEP THIS COUNTRY GREAT.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY SHUTDOWN.

SO BIPARTISANSHIP IS IN EXACTLY WORKING OUT FOR THE LAST CONGRESS, THE 115th.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT HE FINALLY START WORKING TOGETHER IN THE 116th SESSION?

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY ISSUES THAT JUST KEEP GETTING PASSED OVER AND PASSED OVER EVERY YEAR, NOBODY LOOKS AT THEM AND NEVER FIGURES THEM OUT.

I MEAN, WE NEED HELP WITH HEALTHCARE, HORSES, ANIMALS NEED HELP.

WE ARE ALL SMALL BUSINESS YEAR.

WERE ALL LIKE CRINGING AS TO WHAT WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE WE SURVIVE, ALL OF OUR COUNTRY, EVERYBODY THAT SHOPS, THEY'RE ALL WAITING PATIENTLY TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS BECAUSE IT AFFECTS EVERYBODY ALL THE WAY DOWN.

SO THE BIPARTISANSHIP, I JUST WISH THAT EVERYBODY, AGAIN, WILL PUT THAT ASIDE AND JUST WORK TO GET ALONG FROM ONE MAIN GOAL OF GETTING EVERYTHING WORKED OUT.

>> THE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET THINGS DONE.

IF THEY DON'T, WE ARE JUST KNOCKING OUR HEADS AGAINST THE WALL AND NOTHING IS HAPPENING.

WHICH RECEIVING A PART OF THINK THE PAST TWO PRESIDENTS, BOTH PRESIDENT OBAMA AND TRUMP HAVE REALLY POLARIZED OUR COUNTRY.

>> I HOPE THEY CAN PUT THEIR PARTISAN DIFFERENCES ASIDE.

I AM NOT VERY OPTIMISTIC, THOUGH, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

>> Reporter: WHY ARE YOU NOT VERY OPTIMISTIC?

>> BECAUSE I THINK, I DON'T THINK THE PRESIDENT WILL SIGN ANYTHING THAT THE DEMOCRATS PAY US.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE REPUBLICANS EVEN WANT TO DO ANYTHING WITH WHAT THE DEMOCRATS MIGHT PASS.

>> Reporter: ANY POLICY ISSUES ARE HOPING FOR?

>> I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT HER BORDER AND REALLY LAW AND ORDER, WHICH I THINK IS WHAT THE PRESIDENT RAN ON, AND I FEEL LIKE THE CONGRESS, THEY JUST WANT TO FIGHT EVERYTHING HE WANTS TO DO.

>> I THINK WHAT NANCY PELOSI AND CHUCK SCHUMER GOT TO DO IS, THEY HALF TO GO ALONG WITH SOME OF THE REPUBLICANS, WHAT THE PRESIDENT WANTS.

IF NOT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A STANDSTILL.

TO ANY COMMENTS, IF A CONGRESSWOMAN OR CONGRESSMAN IS WATCHINGTHIS?

ANY WORD YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH THEM?

-- >>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING PBS39 NEWS TONIGHT.

A REGULAR PROGRAM AIR SIX OF THE P.M.

AND 11 PM NIGHTLY.

I AM BRITTANY SWEENEY, THANKS FOR WATCHING.