Southampton - This November three-term Congressman Tim Bishop (D-1st) will defend his seat against political newcomer Lee Zeldin, a captain in the United States Army Reserves who recently left his position as counsel for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in order to practice law and focus on his run for congress. As comfortable on Capitol Hill as he is on his hometown streets, Bishop plans to rely on his record in the U.S. House of Representatives as a positive message for his re-election.

Bishop plans to begin actively campaigning after Labor Day, when voters begin to pay closer attention to congressional races. "I believe that if I do my job to the best of my ability the people of the 1st District will vote for me," Bishop said, outlining his campaign strategy, "I plan to see to it that people know what I've done."

On the East End, Bishop considers the fight for environmental protection his primary concern. From the waters of Long Island Sound to Montauk Point and back along the Atlantic Ocean to Fire Island, Bishop has been an outspoken proponent of conservation. In this past legislative session the congressman co-sponsored the Beach Act along with Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), which garnered $40 million for coastal communities to monitor water quality.

Last month Congressman Bishop submitted a bill, written in conjunction with the Peconic Land Trust and Long Island Farm Bureau, to defer the estate tax on family owned farmland, so long as the property continues to be used for agriculture.

Environmentalism
Bishop recently took an active role in the Fire Island to Montauk Point (FIMP) reformulation study, a federal project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop long-term protection from hurricane damage, erosion and flooding, of which he is not an official member or representative. "Leaders lead," the congressman explained, "and it's my job to take a leadership position here." On Aug. 22 the congressman will be sitting down with members of the study and various committees, along with a mediator, to craft a strategy for protecting the 83-miles of southern Long Island shoreline.

By the end of that session, Bishop hopes to have a "comprehensive blueprint to protect something we all cherish, the shores of Long Island."

To the north, Bishop was an early opponent to the construction of a liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal in Long Island Sound known as the Broadwater project. Broadwater is a proposed LNG import facility to be moored in the center of the Sound. "I have judged this project not by the need to bring more energy to our region, but by whether we should view Long Island Sound as an industrial park to be exploited, or a natural resource to be protected," Bishop rationalized in a Jan. 26, 2005 press release.

Bishop has articulated views on how to lower energy costs without encroaching on the environment. "Energy policy and environment policy must move forward in tandem," he reasoned. For Bishop that requires an approach that combines alternatives and conservation. "We can't drill our way out," the congressman explained, "and we must reduce."

To that end, Congress passed the Farm Bill on June 18 over the veto of President George W. Bush. Congressman Bishop voted for the bill claiming he viewed it as "backing away" from starch-based biofuels, such as corn ethanol, and moving towards research into more efficient cellulosic ethanol.

"The conversion of food crops to fuel crops is not good," he contends. The process can play a part in global food costs and the product has the same efficiency and polluting effect as gasoline, according to Bishop. Besides better forms of biofuels, Bishop would like to see more active development of solar, wind and geo-thermal technologies, to create infinitely renewable sources of energy.

The congressman co-sponsored the Beach Act along with Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), which garnered $40 million for coastal communities to monitor water quality. Photos by Mariah Quinn.

Bolstering Local Business
Bishop, a Southampton native, views conservation as a route to lower gas prices, as well. "The environment here [on Long Island] is the economy and the economy is the environment," he asserted. On July 1 he voted with congress in favor of halting additional filling of the strategic national petroleum reserves until oil drops below $75 a barrel. Since the passing of that controversial measure, Bishop notes the hiatus is partly responsible for the recent drop from $147 a barrel to $118.

"I used to think The Hamptons were recession-proof, but that's no longer true," Bishop said with reference to the sluggish national economy. The economic downturn can be weathered with tax policies and employment policies by "continuing to support small businesses."

"We remain lucky here," he acknowledged, "the real estate market is struggling, but the job market is good."

Last month Congressman Bishop submitted a bill, written in conjunction with the Peconic Land Trust and Long Island Farm Bureau, to defer the estate tax on family owned farmland, so long as the property continues to be used for agriculture. The bill is in line for consideration following the congressional recess.

The Farm Bill also included larger subsidies for what Bishop termed "specialty crops," such as grapes, now the East End's largest cash crop.

Bishop pointed out that he has brought over $130 million in federal funds to the 1st District in the past five years. The capital is used for necessary civic projects such as repaving and road construction, to mitigate the burden on the taxpayer.

Nationally
In this election cycle the two biggest issues, in Bishop's opinion, are the economy and the war in Iraq. "McCain is virtually identical to President Bush on both," he contends, taking note of Senator John McCain's open support for the Bush administration tax cuts and economic stimulus package, as well as for continuing the war without a timetable for withdrawal.

"It is imperative that we leave, without permanent bases," Bishop asserted in an Aug. 7 interview, upon returning from a trip to Iraq. The congressman would like to see the provincial elections take place as soon as possible. "Elections are necessary because the centralized government does not have the reach to control Iraq," he added.

Initially an avid Senator Hilary Clinton supporter, Bishop says he is "absolutely, unequivocally an Obama supporter" now. On point, he cited Obama's call for a 16-month timetable for withdrawal, a strategy the presidential hopeful has been diligently campaigning for and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki recently endorsed.

Bishop is pleased with his work for the 1st District and pledged to run a positive campaign. "If [opponents] say negative things about me I don't intend to respond in kind." Come November, Bishop is betting his record will secure his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Bishop recently took an active role in the Fire Island to Montauk Point (FIMP) reformulation study, a federal project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop long-term protection from hurricane damage, erosion and flooding.