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st. lawrence university magazine | fall 2014
laurentian portrait
Taking on the Beltway
Two members of Congress – separated by political ideology, age and
congressional chamber – have two things in common: Both are St. Lawrence alumnae,
and each says women can help untangle the gridlock in Washington.
Susan M. Collins ’75, R-Maine, was first elected to the U.S.
Senate in 1996; Rep. Katherine M. Clark ’85, D-Massachusetts,
was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2013.
Over the summer, they spoke about their time at St. Lawrence,
their legislative priorities, the political gridlock in Washington
and the role of women in politics today.
How did St. Lawrence prepare you for the office
you hold today?
Collins: “St. Lawrence gave me the opportunity to do an
internship in Washington, under the supervision of Govern-
ment Professor Rick Guarasci. That led to a job as a legislative
aide, (and eventually to my running for office).”
Clark: “St. Lawrence offered small seminar-style classes that
really allowed for robust debate and a deeper analysis of the
issues. The number one question I got when I was running for
Congress was, ‘Why would you want to go there?’ We just can’t
accept the status quo; we are supposed to be deliberative body.”
What are your thoughts on partisan politics today?
Collins: “Washington has certainly changed over the years,
and not for the better. There’s plenty of fault on both sides of
the aisle. It’s sometimes difficult to find people who are will-
ing to actually solve problems.”
Clark: “Congress is broken in many ways, but it’s about form-
ing relationships and finding that issue where you can work
with someone across the aisle even if you don’t agree on many
other issues. St. Lawrence really helped me find that ability.
That was a great lesson that I hope to be able to use to knit
Congress back together again.”
What are you doing to combat partisan politics?
Collins: “The shutdown of government last fall represents
the low point to me. It was such a failure to govern. I put
together a group that I call the Common Sense Coalition,
a group of 14 senators – seven Republicans, six Democrats
and one independent. That gives me some hope because we
did pave the way to an earlier opening of government than
otherwise would have occurred, and we’ve stayed together
and are working together on a number of issues.” [For more,
to go
the-only-adults-left-in-washington.]
Clark: “I’ve just recently filed a bill with a Republican-led
co-sponsor. We have to start making relationships and
friendships that may not be the typical ones you think you’re
going to find.”
What is the role of women in Congress and national
politics today?
Collins: “I don’t think it was a coincidence that, last fall after
I outlined a plan to reopen government and encouraged us
to work together, the first calls I received were from women
senators. We obviously don’t all think alike, and we span the
ideological spectrum. But I do believe women have a more
collaborative style, and that could be very useful in helping to
end the gridlock that is plaguing Washington.”
Clark: “(Women) bring a perspective as mothers, as daughters
that is different and important. The focus of my work in poli-
tics has been, how do we support an economic agenda that is
positive for women and therefore really good for families?”
What are your top legislative priorities?
Collins:“There’s a lot that we could do through tax and
regulatory policy to encourage small businesses, which are
the job creators of our country, to start up, grow and create
more jobs. A second priority is making sure our workforce has
the skills that it needs. Four million jobs in this country are
going begging because potential employees do not have the
skills necessary for those jobs. It could take a big chunk out
of our high employment rate if we did a better job of training
and educating people for the jobs that are in demand. A third
and very important priority to me is bio-medical research,
(particularly) into Alzheimer’s and related diseases. Spending
on this would save us not only tremendous suffering, but also
health care dollars.”
Clark: “The first bill I cosponsored was the Paycheck Fairness
Act, which addresses the pay gap that exists for women doing
the same job as men. I’m the mom of three boys, and I think
that women who will be doing the same jobs as my sons when
they grow up should be paid the same amount.”
Senator Collins, what did you think of Congresswoman
Clark’s election?
Collins: “I was delighted to see another St. Lawrence grad in
the Congress. We met very briefly at the State of the Union
Address, and chatted at a White House ceremony celebrating
the Boston Red Sox as the World Series champions.”
Rep. Clark, do you plan to work with Sen. Collins?
Clark: “I’m hoping that we can work together and that we can
be role models for St. Lawrence students. Public service, the
incredible privilege of being able to serve your country, is a
great career that I hope St. Lawrence students will consider.” n
We feel safe in saying this is the
first "selfie" ever taken of two
Laurentian members of the U.S.
Congress, by Rep. Katherine Clark
'85 (D-Mass) of herself and Sen.
Susan Collins '75 (R-Maine). Q&A