'Problem Solver Caucus': 3 Pa. GOP reps join bipartisan appeal to press Trump on roads, tax reform

Three eastern Pennsylvania Republicans have joined 7 other GOP U.S. Reps. and  13 Democrats from across the U.S. in a new, bipartisan "Problem Solver Caucus" that seeks to pressure President-elect Trump to back economic proposals they say are popular across party lines, so as to make good Trump's Election Night promise to "bind the wounds of division" so Americans "come together as one united people."

Citing Trump's conciliatory victory speech, the group pushed Trump to prioritize "two issues in particular that can provide an immediate win for our country: Rebuilding America's infrastructure and reforming our tax code."

"There has never been a caucus like this on Capitol Hill, but these extraordinary times demand a new way forward," Rep. Ryan Costello, who represents eastern Chester and northern Montgomery Counties; Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who is taking over his brother's former seat in Bucks County; neighbor Rep. Charles Dent, in the Lehigh Valley, and the rest of the group told President-elect Donald Trump in a letter this week.

The 23 reps pledged their support if Trump chooses "to pursue an infrastructure and tax reform package early in your term."

Signers of the "Problem Solver Caucus" appeal were led by Reps. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., and Ami Bera, D-Calif.

Besides those two and the three Pennsylvanians, signers also include Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill.; Bill Johnson and David Joyce, both R-Ohio; Andy Barr, R-Ky.; Carlos Curbelo, R-Fl.; Earl L. Carter, R-Ga.

Also, Krysten Sinema, D-Az.; Alan S. Lowenthal,  Scott Peters, and Jim Costa, all D-Calif.; Daniel Lipinski, D-Ill.; Rick Nolan, D-Minn.; Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn.; Derek Kilmer, D-Wash.; and Josh Gotteheimer, D-N.J.