Where many might see a deep divide and bitter partisanship that has led to congressional gridlock, U.S. Rep.-elect Mark Takai sees an opportunity.
"We understand what everybody else sees," Takai says, referring to the newly elected crop of representatives, "that gridlock and government shutdown, sequestration, are definitely not helpful and in many cases hurtful to people throughout our nation.
"I believe that Congress will have a great opportunity to bring the parties together," he adds. "The leadership of both the House and the Senate have a responsibility, but the president does as well. I do believe we have a window of opportunity to bring everybody together to deliver for this nation, and I want to be part of that."
But Takai’s optimism may have to give way to reality.
As he attends orientation for new members this month in Washington, Takai prepares to become the junior member of a delegation solidly in the minority, after Republicans solidified their grasp on the U.S. House and took control of the U.S. Senate in this month’s midterm elections.
Although President Barack Obama has reached out to GOP leaders in both chambers, expectations remain low that partisanship will fade any time soon. The Washington Post reported that a Pew Research Center poll after the elections showed that two-thirds of Republicans have little interest in their top elected leaders working with the Democratic president.
Gridlock and stalled legislation has led to record-low approval rating of Congress as a whole.
None of that sways Takai.
"Regardless of whether we’re Democrats or Republicans, I think many of us, if not all of us, have seen the frustration with the inability for Congress to work together over the past couple of years," Takai said last week in an interview before heading to Capitol Hill. "I’m very excited to be able to get to Washington, D.C., and work together with the other members of the freshman class to see if we can come together as a group to make a difference."
It wouldn’t be impossible.
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard last year was able to gain bipartisan support to get passed the "Helping Heroes Fly Act," which streamlines the airport screening process for disabled and severly wounded veterans.
Takai enters Congress with four issues from his campaign that he hopes to address: moving up the date for when states may apply for innovation waivers under the Affordable Care Act, working on provisions for labeling of genetically modified organisms in agriculture, seeking an exemption from recent landing fee increases by the Transportation Security Administration, and pursuing legislation to address transparency in campaign financing.
Takai will be able to draw on his 20 years of experience in the state Legislature, said one former colleague.
"Mark has been one of the most diligent members of the Legislature in terms of his ability to latch on to an issue and to just work it to death," said Rep. Scott Saiki, House majority leader. "Mark will find ways to work on issues that will impact Hawaii, notwithstanding his status in the House."
