Congressional Common Ground Caucus

Common Ground Caucus holds its first meeting on Capitol Hill

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Reps. Nan Hayworth, M.D. (R-NY) and David Cicilline (D-RI) launched the Congressional Common Ground Caucus at an event on Capitol Hill Monday evening. Cicilline and Hayworth were joined by 9 of their colleagues.

The new caucus is a bipartisan forum for Members of Congress to build relationships with members from across the aisle in a social setting. Its mission is to encourage respectful interactions, both professional and personal, among Members of Congress regardless of their party affiliation. In keeping with this mission, Members must recruit a Member from across the aisle to accompany them in order to join the Caucus.

“Last night's Common Ground Caucus kick-off was great fun.  Any time we’re talking with each other as friends, it’s good for the body of the Congress as a whole," Hayworth stated.  "Bringing together Members with divergent political views to share congenial conversation will improve the atmosphere in which we work, to better serve our constituents and the nation.”

“Rhode Islanders, and Americans across the country, expect their representatives to work together to effect change within Congress,” said Cicilline. “By working together across the aisle, we can create a more bipartisan institution that allows us to get more done and be more effective. We can have very different views, but still find a way to work together for the sake of our country. The Common Ground Caucus is a way to cultivate relationships off the floor and out of the committee room.”

The Common Ground Caucus expects to meet for a variety of activities in the coming months, including a bowling night and a Washington Nationals game.