GOP Rep. Spartz: I Might Not Run For Another Term Because Washington Is Run By 25-Year-Olds That Want To Make Money
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), a third-term Congresswoman, appeared on MSNBC’s ‘The Weeknight’ and discussed why she may not seek another term. “Well, I have a great relationship with the president,” Spartz told MSNBC’s Alicia Menendez. “And I’ll be honest with you, he appreciated — we had a lot of conversations, and I belong to a group of people that I tell the truth. And president knows. In a lot of ways, you know, he appreciates that I tell him when not all of us agree on an issue. We agree a lot. But I think in some issues, you know, like, I probably spend much more time and much deeper, you know. And we had conversations, quite long conversations. And he’s — the good thing about President Trump a lot of people don’t realize, you know, this place is run by 25-year-old staffers that want to make million dollars at the age of 30.” “Where? What is run by 25-year-old staffers?” MSNBC host Symone Sanders-Townsend interjected. “This — the Congress, Washington, D.C,” Spartz responded. “The college graduates with political science degree, that if they put some bill into law, they can make a lot of money being a lobbyist.” “I’m not against young people,” Spartz said. “I hope more young people will. But the problem is until you spend some time on the ground doing the job, you know nothing. No matter how smart I thought that I was at the age of 25, but I only became good CPA after spending a decade in the profession, like in everything else.”
MENENDEZ: I want to ask you a political question. So you originally were not going to run for re–election. You are now running for re-election, is that correct? SPARTZ: Well, we’ll — we’ll see. (LAUGHTER) (CROSSTALK) SPARTZ: But I feel — but I feel bad, you know? I’ll be honest with you. This is a great honor. But, you know, I get so frustrated with this place because this place has to govern. We have to be able to deliver, not to be afraid to challenge special interest groups. And health care and this bill is a good example how everyone is afraid because a lot of money is spent and lies. And I think unfortunately, we’re not be able to even talk to each other anymore. MENENDEZ: Well, that’s — that’s one dynamic that is at play. But I’m — I’m also curious, given that you in the past have been willing to — to buck the president, if — if you choose not to vote for this reconciliation bill, are you concerned that Trump, that this administration primaries you? SPARTZ: Well, I have a great relationship with the president. And I’ll be honest with you, he appreciated — we had a lot of conversations, and I belong to a group of people that I tell the truth. And president knows. In a lot of ways, you know, he appreciates that I tell him when not all of us agree on an issue. We agree a lot. But I think in some issues, you know, like, I probably spend much more time and much deeper, you know. And we had conversations, quite long conversations. And he’s — the good thing about President Trump a lot of people don’t realize, you know, this place is run by 25-year-old staffers that want to make million dollars at the age of 30. They try to put some kind of… (CROSSTALK) SANDERS-TOWNSEND: Where? What is run by 25-year-old staffers? SPARTZ: This — the Congress, Washington, D.C. The college graduates with political science degree, that if they put some bill into law, they can make a lot of money being a lobbyist. SANDERS-TOWNSEND: I guess, Congresswoman… SPARTZ: I want to just say… SANDERS-TOWNSEND: … I would vehemently disagree with that assertion, because I think the people who work in Congress, a lot of them, disproportionately, are folks that have — are not 25-year-olds with political science degrees that are writing the bills. The legislative directors are people that have been in Congress for a very long time that care about the issue. (CROSSTALK) SPARTZ: But I’ll be honest with you… SANDERS-TOWNSEND: Well, I’m 35, so… (CROSSTALK) SPARTZ: I’m not against young people being (inaudible). I hope more young people will. But the problem is until you spend some time on the ground doing the job, you know nothing. No matter how smart I thought that I was at the age of 25, but I only became good CPA after spending a decade in the profession, like in everything else. So I think, you know, when I want to know, to learn something, go to real professionals and talk to people that have done the job. That’s not who should make decisions. But ultimately we should make decisions, not our staff. And the problem is that’s what — who is making decisions for us. You know, they can advise us, but that’s not who should make decisions. And unfortunately, this place doesn’t have a structure to be able to govern. We have — look at our… (CROSSTALK) SANDERS-TOWNSEND: So this is why you’re considering not running for re-election? SPARTZ: Well, listen, I might need to run, just make sure that they — I keep feet on the fire.
