A moment with the Congressman
Finding common ground
Rep. Jim Renacci
When you watch political debates today, you would think that norms like civility and respect have become all but forgotten. I’m not just talking about people in Washington, I’m talking about heated discussions everyday in our neighborhoods, post offices, and even at our children’s schools. The way in which political debates unfold today is unacceptable. As a nation, we can – and we must – do better to treat each other with integrity, dignity and respect.
To create a forum where members of Congress felt comfortable speaking on important issues facing Congress in a bipartisan way, I formed the Bipartisan Working Group my first year in Congress with my friend John Carney from Delaware. What started as a small group of members meeting for breakfast has turned into one of my favorite hours of the week while in Washington. I am proud to say that this group has met nearly every week that Congress has been in session for the past seven years. During this period, I have been able to work with my colleagues on passing numerous pieces of legislation important to our constituents and have developed friendships that will last a lifetime. It’s important to hear out both sides of every issue, and this group provides this medium for fostering meaningful discussion. A new initiative this year – started by my Ohio colleagues, Rep. Joyce Beatty and Rep. Steve Stivers – is the Congressional Civility and Respect Caucus, which is designed to encourage all members to treat each other with respect in their political discourse. The more that members of Congress view members on the opposite side of the aisle as individuals who they can work with on issues – instead of as adversaries – the better off our country will be.
At the end of the day, we all must realize that to achieve our visions for our nation, we must be willing to come together to tackle our greatest problems, not divide and alienate our colleagues. Being civil and showing respect for others is a crucial step in raising our children, and it begins at the top. As fathers, mothers, friends, neighbors, and also members of Congress, we must set a better example for our children so they can see the true nature of what makes America the greatest country in the world.
To create a forum where members of Congress felt comfortable speaking on important issues facing Congress in a bipartisan way, I formed the Bipartisan Working Group my first year in Congress with my friend John Carney from Delaware. What started as a small group of members meeting for breakfast has turned into one of my favorite hours of the week while in Washington. I am proud to say that this group has met nearly every week that Congress has been in session for the past seven years. During this period, I have been able to work with my colleagues on passing numerous pieces of legislation important to our constituents and have developed friendships that will last a lifetime. It’s important to hear out both sides of every issue, and this group provides this medium for fostering meaningful discussion. A new initiative this year – started by my Ohio colleagues, Rep. Joyce Beatty and Rep. Steve Stivers – is the Congressional Civility and Respect Caucus, which is designed to encourage all members to treat each other with respect in their political discourse. The more that members of Congress view members on the opposite side of the aisle as individuals who they can work with on issues – instead of as adversaries – the better off our country will be.
At the end of the day, we all must realize that to achieve our visions for our nation, we must be willing to come together to tackle our greatest problems, not divide and alienate our colleagues. Being civil and showing respect for others is a crucial step in raising our children, and it begins at the top. As fathers, mothers, friends, neighbors, and also members of Congress, we must set a better example for our children so they can see the true nature of what makes America the greatest country in the world.
