Finding a path to bipartisanship as members of the minority in the most narrowly divided U.S. House of Representatives in years is a challenge facing the four members of Congress representing parts of Lake County. Chair of the 110-member moderate New Democrat Coalition (NDC), U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, said the group is prepared to work with Republicans to pass legislation as they have in the past when the GOP had a slightly larger majority. “There is a sense of optimism with the chance to develop relationships and form coalitions to pass legislation to help decrease costs and help people with kitchen-table issues to help them live better,” Schneider, who is starting his sixth term, said. U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, (at podium) stands outside the U.S. Capitol with other members of the New Democrat Coalition. He was elected chair of the group on Wednesday. (Courtesy of Office of U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider) Schneider, along with U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston, Bill Foster, D-Naperville, and Mike Quigley, D-Chicago, took their oath as members of the House of Representatives in the 119th Congress Friday in Washington to serve another two years representing their districts. Schakowsky said she has worked with U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Florida, for years on the Innovation, Data and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on issues related to consumer safety and more. She is starting her 14th term. “He’s the chair and I’m the ranking member,” Schakowsky said. “There were times I was the chair and he was the ranking member. Gus (Bilirakis) and I have worked together to make products safer, and I imagine we will continue to do that.” U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky speaks in a 2019 file photo. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune) During the 118th Congress, Schneider said he introduced legislation designed to reduce carbon in aviation fuel by issuing a credit to complying airlines. It was incorporated into the Inflation Reduction Act passed last year. He wants to see it extended in the new Congress. “This is the only way we’re going to get sustainable aviation fuel,” he said. “I will lead this effort.” Foster is starting his eighth full term He was an active member of a Congressional task force on artificial intelligence started last year in the last Congress, and he hopes to continue. A close ally there is Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-California. Just as Foster said he had the ear of President Joe Biden on artificial intelligence (AI), he hopes Obernolte can do the same with President-elect Donald Trump so they can continue working together to make it productive and safe. “I hope we can do something with AI,” Foster said. “I would like to see our task force become a committee. We need to do something with AI and not leave it to the industry.” Column: Surging economic growth stuns Will County leaders as pricing pressures mountTed Slowik / Daily SouthtownU.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, in a 2022 file photo. (Ted Slowik/Daily Southtown) With 220 Republicans and 215 Democrats in the House, if only three members of the GOP oppose legislation proposed by leadership, those Republican leaders must enlist at least three members of the opposition. And Democrats need only get support of three Republicans to pass a bill. Of the 435 members, 65 are new to the chamber, of which 35 are Democrats and 30 Republicans. Schneider said the changes will also impact potential bipartisanship as the new members get acclimated. Of the new Democrats, he helped 25 with their campaigns and they joined the NDC. “Every two years, there is a new Congress,” Scheider said. “Some people resign or retire. Others lose their election. I believe this is the second-narrowest margin in history. There is an opportunity with the optimism, but if not it will be a challenging session.” U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley speaks during a voter education forum last year. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Knowing there are issues supported by a majority of members but not unanimously by all representatives of either party, Foster said he would like to see a greater use of a seldom-used legislative tool — the discharge petition. If 218 members sign it, a bill gets a vote on the floor. “There are times we have majority bipartisan support, but we don’t get (a chance) to vote,” Foster said. “This may be the only way to pass certain laws.” With the narrowly divided House of Representatives, Schakowsky praised the outlook expressed by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, about being ready to work with Republicans to pass legislation. “The last Congress was the least-productive in history in terms of bills passed,” Schakowsky said. “Our message is clear. Democrats will do everything we can for working people, and to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.” Attempts to reach Quigley were unsuccessful.