“The New Year is the traditional time when we dedicate ourselves to resolutions aimed at self-improvement.  I’ve got one for the U.S. Congress – civility.

It’s a simple matter to be nice to one another, but in the partisan environment of the halls of Congress decorum is the first thing to go.  In an institution where duty to the American people ought to be the first thing in our minds, it’s often not even on the radar screen.  Instead, politics can drive rancorous arguments that make it impossible to get anything accomplished.

The tone in Congress has become so poor that many are calling this the “broken branch” of government.

Now, don’t misunderstand, I am all for debate.  I argue with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle about hundreds of things – farm policy, health care reforms, foreign affairs, and economic growth.  Our democracy thrives on healthy debate. 

But I cannot abide the personal, bitter attacks that mark the debates over some very important issues for our nation.  At these crucial moments when a good agreement is at hand, the nasty tone can bring the whole delicate construction of compromise crashing down.  The hard edge of partisanship cuts at the institution of Congress in a number of ways: when politics trumps good policy, when personal relationships between leaders break down, even when members come to the floor of the House of Representatives or the Senate during debate to launch a personal attack on one another.  Essentially, this misbehavior is selfish.  It deprives the people and the job of representing them of the effort and attention they deserve.

 
As I take the core values of Southern Missouri to Congress with me, I represent not just the people of our district, but our way of life, too.  Several members of the House have joined me in a relatively new venture called the Center Aisle Caucus.  This group of like-minded members of both parties convenes to discuss ways to get along, to collaborate, and to find common ground on which to base legislative progress.

Within this group, we may disagree on nine out of ten issues we discuss, but instead of focusing on our difference, this group is dedicated to achieving progress on the issue where we agree.  What a novel concept!

This coming year is certain to be marked by the scars of partisan politics.  Candidates are sure to launch attack ads in races from the very top of the ticket to the very bottom.  Third parties, anonymous consultants, and political organizations will face a difficult choice: to focus on either the positive or on the negative.  Their decision on how to use their First Amendment rights will be a true indication of whether their real aim is to influence policy or to influence politics. 

It’s unavoidable that politics are a necessary means in the election of policymakers.  At some point, however, our politicians must show their skill at debate, at consensus-building, at achieving balanced policy that benefits all of those who vote rather than simply those who buy up airtime. 

It’s more than possible for our elected officials to act, speak and think like responsible leaders.  We might just find that, with civil tongues, a lot more gets done in Washington for the people of this great country.”