Congressman Bishop Places High on Bipartisan Index Ratings of U.S. Representatives

Statement

The Lugar Center and Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy recently unveiled their new Bipartisan Index, naming Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) as the 13th United States Representative most willing to work across party lines in 2015. The Index is a non-partisan tool, ranking all 535 members of Congress on their willingness to reach across the aisle by evaluating legislation sponsorship and co-sponsorship data.

"The clash of opposing views is healthy for our democracy, but governing requires more than empty partisan talking points," said Congressman Sanford Bishop. "Sitting down to work with those across the aisle is not just an act of placing faith in colleagues with different opinions, but a concrete step towards doing what needs to be done to get the job done for the American people."

"This new data indicates that though Congress continues to be a highly partisan institution, some progress is being made," said Richard Lugar, President of the Lugar Center and former Republican Senator from Indiana. "Lawmakers with strong ideological views can still find common ground with members across the aisle if they make an effort to do so. Some members of Congress have embraced this challenge, despite the intensely partisan political culture exemplified in the national presidential campaigns."

"Many believe the political process in Washington to be broken beyond repair," said Edward Montgomery, Dean of the McCourt School. "We hope the Bipartisan Index reminds lawmakers and their constituents that effective governance requires leadership-- and in today's strident partisan environment, that means working across the aisle to find solutions to our most pressing problems."

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