Syracuse-area Congressmember-elect John Mannion is preparing to assume his seat at the U.S. Capitol in what’s been a whirlwind few weeks of orientation and apartment hunting in Washington. Mannion is also wrapping up his two-terms as state senator.
He says much of what he’s learning is like any new employee, from benefits and office keys, to parking and other information essential to the job.
“It's the legislative process, it's ethics. It's knowing all the different federal governmental entities that you can access when you need them," Mannion said. "And that could be as simple as something that needs repair in your office, to what happens when there is a vote, you don't have your voting card available, and the clock is ticking.”
Mannion says he’s also transitioning or hiring staff and setting up district offices in Syracuse and Utica. He says he’s also submitted requests for committee assignments. Mannion says education and workforce fits his strengths.
“I was in a classroom and not just as a classroom teacher, but I was also a teacher association president. I was a parent," Mannion said. "I'm an advocate for public education, so education workforce is a natural fit, and in my committee request letter that goes to a steering committee, I did make that as my first choice and I do feel like I can do the most good there.”
Mannion’s priorities are sure to clash with President-elect Trump and his desire to dissolve the department of education and promote school choice, including charter schools. Mannion says he’ll unapologetically stand up for public schools.
“There is a space for charter schools in this country and many of them have done a lot of good," Mannion said. "But they're not playing by the same set of rules as our public schools and our public schools are here to serve everyone. I don't want the kids in traditional public schools to be shortchanged because of some unfair rules.”
Besides education, Mannion say he’s also interested in bigger committees like transportation, infrastructure, and agriculture. But he says his chances are slim as a freshman lawmaker in the minority party. Mannion’s swearing in is January third.