As a freshman member of the 116th U.S. Congress, representing the members of the 3rd Congressional District, Michael Guest had a steep learning curve. 

“Early on, I knew that because I did not have a legislative background it would be important to get a good staff,” Guest, who previously worked as the District Attorney of Hinds and Rankin Counties, said. “So, on day one, when I walked in the door I had the least experience of anyone on the staff.”

Guest said he accomplished that by retaining some of Gregg Harper’s staff, the congressman who represented the congressional district before retiring last year, and hiring only staff members with congressional experience. 

“With a prosecutorial background, I was more focused on the criminal justice position,” Guest said. “I’ve really had to expand my horizons. Before, on the whole, I dealt with one issues exclusively… but we’re dealing with such a wide range of issues.

Guest said he’d had to familiarize himself with transportation, defense, healthcare and education issues, expanding his knowledge.

“We are continuing to travel across the district and trying to see what we can do to meet those needs,” Guest said. 

Forming relationships with other congressional members proved incredibly important, Guest said, naming Mississippi Congressional members Trent Kelly, Bennie Thompson and Steven Palazzo.

“I’ve tried to work with other members of the Mississippi delegation to address some of these issues… I really wanted to do everything that I could to build a productive relationship with Congressman Thompson,” Guest said, noting that Thompson, the senior member, is a Democrat. “There’s going to be some issues that we’ll probably disagree on. Things like immigration, which doesn’t seem to have a bipartisan consensus.”

Immigration, a core issue during Guest’s campaign, carried into his congressional career with his committee assignment to Homeland Security and his Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Exercise Prevention Act. 

“I do think it’s imperative that we continue to focus on our Southwestern border. Hopefully we’re be able to set partisanship aside and focus on that,” Guest said. 

Guest said he was the first freshman member of the 116th Congress to pass a bill out of the house, the anti-terrorism bill, and move onto the Senate. 

“It would help us identify any weaknesses that may exist in the current system,” Guest said, discussing airline travel and homegrown terrorists. “It would help us combat any weaknesses and make air travel safer.”

Guest said he would vote for expanding visas for seasonal employees, such as agricultural and construction workers, under the H-2A and H-2B visa program.

“They’re able to come in and work on day one,” Guest said. 

Moving forward, Guest said Congress still needed to address infrastructure improvements nationwide for roads, bridges and sewer systems.

“I’d like to see us pass legislation where the federal government would partner with state and local governments,” Guest said. 

Guest said he would vote for a model where the federal government earmarked money for states and the states could prioritize their own projects and best determine how to spend the money. However, he wouldn’t support a plan with only a 20 percent federal contribution and 80 percent local match.

“There’s going to be many municipalities that won’t be able to access that funding,” Guest said, noting the small, rural towns in his district. 

Still, despite the partisanship that seems to split the Congress, Guest remained hopeful about the work ahead. 

“Within in the leadership of both parties there does seem to be that unwillingness to work together,” Guest said. “But I will tell you that on a grassroots level, you’ve got Congressmen who are willing to work across the aisle.”