As the inauguration of our 45th president of the United States draws nearer, it is increasingly clear the passage of time since Nov. 8 has not healed wounds opened during the election season but has rather continued to draw our attention to them. In recent years, we have seen how partisanship has brought Washington to a grinding halt. It is my concern that the divisiveness will continue in the 115th Congress and prevent us from working together to confront our country’s most pressing issues.
In some ways, the lingering bitterness and acrimony stings and begs to be forgotten, yet its persistence reminds us of the very real need to hear and understand one another. We cannot have a discussion on what we hope our shared future as Americans will be if we cannot pause to listen to voices other than our own.
As I begin my fourth term as a member of the House of Representatives, I am reminded that, in some ways, not much has changed since when I first took office in 2011. Though Republicans will soon control the White House, there still remains the same finger-pointing and blame-shifting along with the same reticence to reach across the aisle and look for common ground. As returning and new members of Congress confront this unfortunate reality, we must ask ourselves what can be done going forward not only to heal our divisions but also to enact meaningful change for the American people. This past election showed that the American people are not satisfied with the status quo, and they now expect both parties to work together to solve the many challenges facing this country.
{mosads}As a businessman for 30 years, I credit much of my success to my willingness to work with others. I knew that my time as a congressman would be no different. That is why shortly after taking office, I befriended a fellow freshman representative, former Rep. John Carney of Delaware, and together, we founded the Bipartisan Working Group (BPWG). It was our hope that this group would provide a venue for other members interested in bipartisanship to come together, listen to one another and form lasting legislative partnerships to help enact meaningful legislation.
Our group has come a long way since then. Rep. Derek Kilmer (Wash.) is now the Democratic co-chair, and we have grown to more than 20 members today who represent the diversity of the communities that are throughout our country. The BPWG meets weekly every week Congress is in session, and members discuss bills they would like to introduce, legislation on the floor and issues that are facing Congress. Quite frankly, I find this hour of conversation to be my most enjoyable hour that I spend in Washington. It has proven to be a successful vehicle for bringing legislation to the floor and garnering support for bills from both sides of the aisle.
In fact, the BPWG has already introduced its first piece of legislation this Congress, the Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution. This resolution would require Congress to receive recurring presentations on the country’s finances and fiscal state to better educate members about our country’s financial constraints. The federal government’s finances are not a partisan issue, and by working together, BPWG members were able to secure 160 co-sponsors when this resolution was originally introduced last Congress. Additionally, this resolution has been included in the Budget Committee’s recently released Budget Process Reform Discussion Draft.
Given my time with the BPWG, it is my hope that this endeavor, though representing only a small group of legislators, encapsulates the lessons and norms Congress must learn and abide by moving forward. Bipartisanship is possible. We can talk with one another and have real disagreements on key issues while also forging consensus on others. On the areas where we disagree, we have an opportunity to hear another perspective and to reflect on our own, which will either strengthen our convictions or lead us both to a better mutual understanding.
Donald Trump’s transition team has signaled the president-elect intends to ask us to unite as a people in his inaugural address. I believe that the Bipartisan Working Group is ready to answer that call and continue to work together on behalf of the American people.
Renacci is co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Working Group.