Sens. Dean Heller (R-NV) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) have sent a letter to Leaders Harry Reid (D-NV) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) urging them to have more bipartisan full Senate meetings. It is noteworthy that Sen. Heller had co-authored this, as he is a member of the bipartisan group of No Labels’s Problem Solvers. The Problem Solvers meet regularly and take that time to work and meet together. Many of them call it very productive, so it is not surprising that he would call for more He says the meeting in the Old Senate Room was helpful and productive.
Read the letter above:
Dear Majority Leader Reid and Republican Leader McConnell:
We write to express our appreciation and support for convening a Joint Caucus meeting in the Old Senate Chamber this week. This occasion provided a unique opportunity for Members of this deliberative body to engage with one another in a significant way. Senators from both sides of the aisle were able to have a respectful, yet frank and open discussion about issues that substantially impact the Rules that govern this Chamber. We believe it was a productive meeting, and that similar gatherings should be repeated in the future.
We respectfully ask that you consider instituting joint bipartisan activities on a more consistent basis. Establishing regular face-to-face bipartisan conversations as an institutional norm would allow Members to build a stronger rapport with one other, and thus, provide more of an opportunity to find common ground and room for compromise.
Our constituents sent us to Washington to solve the problems and challenges that they face every day. By putting partisanship aside, we can deliver a better America if we work together. We believe that fostering relationships made possible through regular bipartisan interactions is one of the most essential ways to achieve that goal.
Sincerely,
MARTIN HEINRICH
United States Senator
DEAN HELLER
United States Senator