Here & Now

U.S. Rep. Grothman Discusses The News In Washington

U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman, Republican of Sheboygan County was re-elected in November in a clean sweep where his party picked up wins for president and Wisconsin’s U.S. Senator. He joins is now with his take on what’s going on in Washington on the eve of the Electoral College vote. Congressman, thanks very much for being here.

Glenn Grothman:

It's great to be on “Here and Now.”

Frederica Freyberg:

Well, thank you. So, as we said, the Electoral College electors vote Monday, what’s your response to any electors who will not in fact vote for Donald Trump?

Glenn Grothman:

Well, they really should, but given their margin, if one or two jump, it’s a minor story.

Frederica Freyberg:

As for President-elect Trump, he rejects the CIA’s intelligence on Russian hacking of the U.S. elections but now the FBI is saying they concur with the CIA on this. What is your take on all that Russian hacking of the U.S. election?

Glenn Grothman:

Well, I don’t know where the information came from, and I'm not sure how much impact it had on the campaign. I think most people suspected that the Clintons were making money off their charitable enterprise anyway. I think it is not really a surprise that somebody apparently employed by CNN was feeding Hillary questions in advance prior to her debate. I don’t think it was particularly a surprise when the DNC tried to act nice to Bernie Sanders, it wasn’t sincere. I don’t think any serious political commentator thought the DNC’s neutrality was sincere and I don’t think any serious, on-the-ball person didn’t think the Clintons were personally benefiting from their foundation. So I think it had very little effect on the race.

Frederica Freyberg:

You think it may have had little effect because of those other matters you just mentioned, but what about the idea of the Russians and apparently Vladimir Putin himself directing this kind of cyber alleged sabotage on the United States?

Glenn Grothman:

Well, it’s concerning, obviously, and I think it’s just one more reason why politicians should be honest. Obviously there was a lot to be found there with the Clintons and quite frankly, currently these findings may or may not be political. I hate to jump to a conclusion there. I hope they aren’t hacking us. I hope they aren’t trying to influence the election. But like I said, I think most people realize the DNC was not being honest when they said that they were impartial and I think most people given the Clintons' past history probably suspected already that they were make some money off their foundation.

Frederica Freyberg:

Would you support a congressional investigation into Russian hacking?

Glenn Grothman:

I don’t think it’s a bad thing to do. I think if the Chairman Chaffetz wants to do it, I'll certainly encourage him to.

Frederica Freyberg:

On the policy going forward, what do you most want from a Trump administration?

Glenn Grothman:

Well, I think first of all the big issues. I think we have to finally take our immigration laws seriously. I think that’s one of the reasons why he won. I think neither President Bush nor President Obama really were serious about our immigration laws. So I would like to see him do that. I think he mentioned in Milwaukee the other night or West Allis, kind of implied that we have to get people off welfare. I think we are becoming more and more of a welfare state. Insofar as that is rolled back to stop discouraging people from working, to stop discouraging people from having kids in an old fashioned mother-father environment. I think if Donald Trump does that, that’s a good thing. Hopefully begins to make a dent in the out-of-control regulation that — so much paperwork is strangling American business. Insofar he tackles those issues, I'll be very happy.

Frederica Freyberg:

You say you would support him building a wall.

Glenn Grothman:

Yes. I think it’s something he promised throughout the campaign. I think it’s a sign that we are going to take our immigration laws seriously. He made the statement again the other night in West Allis. It will sure be shocking if he doesn’t.

Frederica Freyberg:

What is your reaction to his cabinet picks so far?

Glenn Grothman:

Obviously, I don’t know a lot of them, but some I do. I think Flynn is very good. Tom Rice is one of my best friends in legislature at Health. His new Interior Secretary is somebody I know. I think they’re one of the reasons his popularity has shot up since the election. A lot of these scare mongers were implying I don’t know what – that he was going take people he knew from Hollywood or something to put out there, but instead he’s taking some very well respected people and putting together a very distinguished cabinet. And I think as he does that, his popularity will continue to go up.

Frederica Freyberg:

What do you think of his Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson and his business and personal ties to Russia and Vladimir Putin going back to the Russian thing?

Glenn Grothman:

Well it’s obviously of concern. On the other hand he’s certainly had dealings with many countries around the globe. He’s going to come at it from a different perspective as other people have in the past. I’m glad that overall Donald Trump has not picked so many academics. I mean let’s face it. The Obama Administration I didn’t think did very well. Focused primarily in academics doing things. Donald Trump is focusing more on the business community, which is what people expected him to do. That’s why he won. People felt we don’t want permanent politicians. We don’t want college professors running the country. We want people who have had a history of being successful in business. I don’t think it should surprise the public.

Frederica Freyberg:

One last question about his cabinet picks. Betsy DeVos, who champions private school vouchers, to the Secretary of Education, what’s your opinion on that?

Glenn Grothman:

Well, I hope she comes at it with an attitude of we want to get the federal government out of education. You know, it’s all fine and good to say we respect the 10th Amendment. We don’t want the federal government involved in these things but all of a sudden when you’re part of the federal government, you have ideas. And I hope she is willing to get the federal government out of education more and more, regardless of her feeling on vouchers.

Frederica Freyberg:

All right. We need to leave it there. Congressman Glenn Grothman, thanks very much.

Glenn Grothman:

Glad to be on the show.