While much of both social media and traditional media, and many politicians claim that the partisan divide has led to virtual inactivity on the part of Congress since the election of President Donald Trump, there has been accomplishments.

That’s according to U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), who focused largely on the positive when he addressed the Minot Golden K Kiwanis Club Wednesday at The View on a busy swing through Minot.

Armstrong offered the group a brief rundown of positive accomplishments that have been made below the glaring lights of the partisan bickering many associate with Washington, D.C. – including the First Step Back initiative to help former inmates be re-integrated into civilian life; a focus on addressing addiction; efforts to assist the agriculture community; the REINS Act, which seeks to restrict the limit of bureaucrats to enact regulations with huge negative consequences without the approval of Congress and the president; and others.

“My biggest issues are criminal justice reform and addiction,” he told the roomful of club members and guests.

He pointed out that he has the long-term goal of streamlining federal permitting. “I’d like to see development that is overseen by the federal government be more efficient and for a potential project not have to go through multiple federal agencies,” he said. “All of these agencies want the same information, they just wanted it in a different format.”

Armstrong also said that there is bipartisan success, such as the recent budget deal.

“I don’t like the (details of) the deal, but it has bipartisan support,” he said. He pointed out the deal was reached the week former special prosecutor Robert Mueller was giving testimony before the House on the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election – a time media observers noted was particularly partisan.

Two other major issues have bipartisan support, even if quietly – addressing infrastructure needs and immigration reform.

“I believe there will be action on those issues in March of 2021,” Armstrong said. “It won’t happen in an election year.”

Armstrong’s applause line was when he told the audience that his experience as a criminal defense attorney was better preparation for Congress than his experience as a legislator in North Dakota.

Still, Armstrong was critical of a few things – including the so-called “Squad” – four women House members who support an agenda Armstrong called “socialist,” and reserved special criticism of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who he referred to as “anti-Semitic.”

Speaking after the meeting with Minot Daily News, Armstrong said the things that surprised him as he transitioned to Congress. He said there were three – good, neutral and bad.

“The good is how willing people are to help you succeed,” he said. “This is a competitive town but it isn’t always partisan. The neutral thing is how completely busy your schedules actually are. I am used to be being busy, but I am not used to three committee meeting beings scheduled at the same time. The bad is how willing people are to speak for five minutes about something they know absolutely nothing about. They walk into the room, say something and walk out. It happens a lot.”

When asked if Congress is as politically polarized as many in media politics portray it, Armstrong reiterated that there is some bipartisan cooperation, but also that “there are 435 members of Congress, but the same 30 people show up on the news shows. That’s not because no one else is willing to appear.”

Finally, Armstrong had a mixed reaction to a question about the Trump Administration’s approach to tariffs. He firmly believes that USMCA (the “new NAFTA”) will eventually be passed and that new trade deals with the EU and Japan look upbeat. China, he said, is more complex, although he pointed out that China’s economy is suffering and he believes a better deal will eventually be made between the two global superpowers.

Armstrong’s visit to Minot included a Wednesday morning town hall and a flood protection review.