U.S. Reps. Jeff Flake and Harry Mitchell, congressmen from opposite sides of the political aisle, often sit literally across the center aisle from each other while the House of Representatives is in session so they can talk back and forth.

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On Friday, they teamed up to discuss federal spending and other issues at the second Statesmen’s Breakfast, an event that demonstrated to their constituents that civility not only survives but thrives in the East Valley.

They differed on some policy issues — most notably the use of earmarks — but were strikingly complimentary toward each other throughout the hourlong presentation at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort in Chandler.

They assured the business leaders in attendance that their friendship is genuine and extends beyond public speaking engagements in Arizona.

They even used their differing backgrounds as material for friendly wisecracks.

Flake is a fourth-term Republican who represents Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, which covers parts of Mesa and Chandler, plus Gilbert, Queen Creek and Apache Junction.

Mitchell is a first-term Democrat who represents the neighboring 5th District, which covers Scottsdale, Tempe, Fountain Hills, Ahwatukee Foothills and west Mesa.

Flake pointed out that for the second straight year, the event presented by the East Valley Partnership and East Valley Chambers of Commerce Association was being held in his district.

Flake turned to Mitchell and said, “Last year, he said he came here under sniper fire. Well, that’s not how I remember it. Later, he’ll say he misspoke.”

The reference, of course, was to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton’s “misstatement” about her visit to a U.S. military base in Bosnia in 1996.

Later, Mitchell said he wasn’t so sure whether Flake would be re-elected in his solidly Republican district. The Democrat said, “If I can ever do anything to help you in a Republican primary, I’ll be happy to endorse your opponent. And I might even be able to get Nancy Pelosi to endorse your opponent.”

Mitchell’s reference was to the speaker of the House, a California Democrat, who is often vilified by Republicans for her liberal-leaning policies.

After the joking, Flake and Mitchell explained why they both voted against the Democratic-drafted budget. Flake opposed it because it would allow President Bush’s 2001 and 2003 tax cuts to expire, which would undermine the already “shaky” economy.

Mitchell also called the budget bloated, and in the past has co-sponsored legislation that would preserve Bush’s tax cuts.

Flake discussed his celebrated efforts to fight earmarks, which he conceded account for just 1 percent to 2 percent of the federal budget.

He said earmarks, which are funding requests by lawmakers for specific pet projects, lead to corruption by congressmen who use them to reward political contributors.

Flake also said earmarks lead to uncontrolled spending because lawmakers decline to oppose other representatives’ earmarks in an effort to preserve their own.

Mitchell, in contrast, said he uses earmarks in part as a way to ensure federal dollars come back to Arizona. He pointed out that Arizona receives about 91 cents for every $1 it contributes in highway taxes.

Similarly, Arizona ranks 53rd on a per capita basis for funding that is used to build waste-water infrastructure.

The state even trails a couple of U.S. territories, including the Pacific island of Guam. Mitchell has introduced legislation to update the spending formula, which is based on 1970s-era Census counts.

Mitchell also told the business leaders he has tried to block automatic pay increases that members of Congress receive, but his 2006 legislative proposal died a quick death. He introduced a similar measure earlier this year.

On a related matter, Flake spoke against the farm bill, which he called wasteful. “It is simply obscene, frankly, to be paying farmers subsidies as long as, as a couple, their adjusted gross income doesn’t exceed $2 million — $2.5 million, actually,” he said.

On immigration, Flake and Mitchell both gave pessimistic assessments of any meaningful action until after the presidential election.

Flake noted that Hispanic members of the House have vowed to block all piecemeal legislation, hoping to force another attempt at a comprehensive bill.

A 2006 measure that was supported by Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl, both Republicans from Arizona, failed in 2006.

Mitchell and Flake agreed with audience members that the nation’s health care system is overdue for upgrades. Flake endorsed presidential candidate McCain’s approach, which he said will improve service while keeping costs in check.

Mitchell predicted that lawmakers will avoid substantial action until the “drop dead” time.