Elections Are Over: Now’s Our Opportunity to Revitalize the New 116th Congress

Election seasons are tough, rough-and-tumble, and divisive.  With midterm elections now over—a much-needed respite from the contentiousness—it’s time for our elected officials to come together and commit to working better for us.

With new legislators bringing a breath of fresh air to the institution, the incoming 116^th Congress is a significant opportunity for members of Congress to make much-needed and long-overdue changes that would allow government to work and solve problems once again.

Here are two significant ways for legislators, both newly elected and re-elected, to put the midterms in the rearview mirror and unite to improve Congress:

1. Form a new committee to revitalize Congress

Congress doesn’t often get the opportunity to revitalize itself; in fact, it hasn’t done so since 1994. That can change in the incoming 116^th Congress! Right now, there’s legislation on the table supported by over 65 members of Congress that would establish a new committee to reform Congress. This committee would bring members from both sides of the aisle together to look at how Congress is operating and suggest reforms to make it function better.

At a time when over 80% of Americans disapprove of the job Congress is doing, the creation of this committee is more crucial than ever. Urge your elected officials to reform Congress through this new committee!

2. Take the civility pledge

Mutual respect is essential to a functioning government, and what better time for our elected officials to commit to civility than after a heated election season?

At the start of the 115^th Congress, BPC Action united the House freshman class on Capitol Hill to pledge adherence to civility and respect—despite ideological differences. Members cemented their pledge by introducing H. Res. 400, which designates July 12 as an annual National Day of Civility and calls on members to maintain collegiality in their public and private actions.

Civility doesn’t mean disengaging from the kind of vigorous debate that is healthy for a representative democracy such as ours – far from it.  What it does reflect is a willingness to recognize the differences of opinion that are inevitable in a nation as large and diverse as ours and, whenever possible, to find potential areas of common ground for the common good.

Of course, civility is not reserved for members of Congress, it’s a value that should be embodied by all Americans—and you can lead the way! We challenge you to open your mind to new ideas, listen to differing opinions with respect, and engage in healthy community discussions. Pass the challenge on by tweeting at your representative to commit to civility in Congress.

• Here’s a tweet you can use: “I stand with @congressoftom and @BPCAction and want civility to be revived in politics! Please commit to collegiality by supporting H. Res. 400.”