Chris Lee's Congressional career is defying some traditions.

The Erie County Republican is only two weeks into his first term as a member of the US House of Representatives, but he was selected to serve on the prestigious Financial Services committee, a post typically not available to legislators of his stature. (Democrats assigned freshman Representative Dan Maffei to the committee too, and the two have developed a good relationship).  Lee's also the only freshman serving on a Republican committee, convened at the request of President Barack Obama, that's developing recommendations for an anticipated economic stimulus package.

Clearly, House Republicans are putting a lot of stock in Lee. Either they see him as a rising star or they want to make sure he can keep his seat if he runs again in 2010.

But Lee hasn't been afraid to break ranks, either. He was one of a handful of House Republicans who voted in favor of reauthorizing and expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). It's important that the program serves low-income children without access to health insurance first, he says. He's still concerned about some loopholes, which he hopes the Senate tightens up.

"One of my pledges when I came here was I'm my own boss and if I think it's something that is right and important to the district and makes practical sense, I'll get behind it and support it," he says.

Bipartisanship is important, Lee says, because it will lead to greater input on the issues at hand. He's part of an Upstate New York Caucus formed by Democrat Louise Slaughter for a similar reason. There was a caucus of six Western New Yorkers who, prior to the new Congress, weren't working together, he says.

Now, they can team up on issues like statewide high-speed rail, which is seeing a renewed push from New York politicians.

"If you don't ask for it, you don't get it," Lee says.

As for the stimulus proposal, Lee sees a lot of positive aspects, such as the infrastructure investments. But he worries about a "pork mentality" developing.

"We're better off trying to leave money in taxpayers' hands," he says.

The versions that he's seen include tax breaks for small businesses and working families, but that only accounts for less than 25 percent of the figure, he says.

"I think that percentage should be higher," he says.