There are ways in which Clay Higgins says he's getting attention in Washington, and few of them have much to do with the swashbuckling, tough guy, "street cop" image that helped to send him to Congress.

The freshman House member, a Republican from Port Barre, pointed to 62 bills he's co-sponsored since going to Washington in January, 12 he's sponsored and four he's pushed through the House of Representatives. Higgins spokesman Andrew David said he's built a formidable early record of accomplishment — second among some 60 freshmen lawmakers for bills passed, third for bills introduced.

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"If you're squared away, you're going to do well," Higgins said in a visit to The Daily Advertiser on Thursday. By squared away, he meant getting to work early, reading legislation carefully and completely, being respectful to fellow House members and dressing the part on Capitol Hill.

"I need to be a gentleman of consequence," he said. "I have to be respected among my colleagues."

More sides to the man

That means putting his best boot forward but keeping the cowboy hat in the office.

"Some voters know me one-dimensionally," Higgins said in reference to his two years as a Crime Stoppers spokesman for the St. Landry Sheriff's Office. His video and Facebook work in the position landed him national exposure and social media attention measured in the tens of millions.

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There were ups and downs to that when he sought office in 2016, he said. Some voters didn't see him as a serious candidate, judging him to have more flash than substance. Most big donors shied away, and he was outspent by huge amounts.

But Higgins, a self-described "constitutionalist" and political conservative, said his colleagues as well as more constituents are "giving him a chance" these days to show what he's got. U.S. Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, put Higgins on important panels and handed him serious legislation to handle.

Strong focus on service

His office staff — in the 3rd Congressional District and in Washington — has been vigorous in serving constituents; through last week, they'd completed 406 constituent cases, he said. He describes his staff, which includes many people with law enforcement and military backgrounds, as "respectful, involved, informed and proactive."

Higgins has held four town hall meetings since taking office — he was in Youngsville on Thursday night — three telephone town hall meetings, met 5,200 constituents and his office has sent out 15,000 constituent letters, he said. He's made 438 roll call votes, held 352 official meetings and attended 90 committee hearings.

In Washington, he said he's tended to his office within the framework of the existing political structure. He described Congress as "an ancient, powerful, fraternity" and said he heeds its traditions to get things accomplished. Legislation, he said, goes through the chairmen — he doesn't upstage any chairman — and relationships matter.

Among big achievements that included his participation was co-sponsoring the Veterans Administration Accountability Bill, signed into law in June. Higgins, who served five-plus years in the Army, serves on the Veterans Affairs committee.

He's also done the type of dutiful work that sometimes escapes public notice. He said he secured an additional $10 million to dredge the Calcasieu Channel, something he touted on the campaign trail. The Port of Lake Charles is one of the nation's busiest ports; exports include chemicals, petrochemicals, and liquefied natural gas.