LILLIAN, Ala. — According to U.S. Congressman Bradley Byrne, national media’s portrayal of partisan federal leadership is not correct.

“I have had a great working relationship with the Democrats in Congress,” the District 1 Republican Representative said in a Lillian Town Hall Meeting Friday morning.

That statement was made in response to one attending asking “What’s with the divisiveness in Congress?”

Byrne said that in the House of Representatives, which has a Republican Majority, Democrats freely add amendments to bills.

“We’ve passed a revision to flood insurance and farm bills,” he said, “and the president has signed off on them.”

Byrne said that sense of cooperation also doesn’t extend to the House of Representatives.

“It’s all about control for U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid,” the congressman said.

But Byrne added that he would not consider the solution to be Republicans taking over the Senate and preventing the Democrat representatives from offering amendments to bills.

“It’s irresponsible and unconstitutional,” he said.

Byrne’s solution would instead be to focus on priorities of the nation.

“That’s what we need to do,” he said.

Byrne also said cooperation also does not exist between Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency.

“They do not interact with Congress,” he said.

Byrne explained that Congress had delegated its legislative power, with the understanding that the consortium would first run its decision by Congress. However, the EPA has such legislation as the Clean Water Act, which could have such effects as placing water in ditches under federal regulation, without legislative approval.

“The bad part about it is that Congress had no part in it,” Byrne said.

He explained that efforts are being considered for Congress to take back its legislative power.

“Because of the exortium,” Byrne said.

However, he pointed out that such a process could take a long time.

“I can’t give you any relief until we do that,” Byrne said, “and I don’t think the president is going to sign off on that. So we’re going to have a real fight for the next few years.”