By REP. DEREK KILMER
Regardless of one’s opinions about what happened on Election Day, one thing is clear: Our country is a much more divided place than any of us hoped for. But there are still things we agree on. In our neck of the woods and across the nation, we can all agree that we need to count our blessings and help those less fortunate. And we can all agree that we — as Americans — are better than the current state of our politics.
Part of looking ahead to what comes next requires embracing our shared values as Americans and treating each other with more respect.
In this moment, organizations like the Bipartisan Working Group are more important than ever. I’m proud to partner with my colleague, Rep. Jim Renacci, in participating in this coalition of Republicans and Democrats who meet each week in our nation’s capital. We agree to set aside the partisan bickering and to try to find some common ground so we can work for progress. Our focus isn’t on moving government more to the left or to the right. It’s on moving our country forward.
The overall economy has improved since the depths of the Great Recession, but those benefits have not been shared by everyone. There are too many families struggling to make ends meet and too many small businesses just looking to keep their lights on. Too many communities are concerned that their top export will be their young people.
Our coalition is focused on trying to build an economy that works better for everyone. There aren’t Democratic roads or Republican schools. We all understand the importance of making it easier to start a small business, or invest in our aging roads and bridges. We agree that the tax code is broken. We agree on the importance of educational opportunities, the need for workforce training, and the value of providing an affordable path to a college degree or certification for folks who want one.
Neither Republicans nor Democrats want our kids to be burdened by massive debt. We all want to make sure that seniors are able to get the benefits they have earned. That’s why the Bipartisan Working Group is engaging in the tough discussions needed for America to get its fiscal house in order. To keep the government’s eye on the ball, our coalition is working to pass a resolution to establish a regular Fiscal State of the Nation address.
Following this year’s election, citizens across the political spectrum have called for reducing the influence of special interests and those with the deepest pockets in our government. Americans want to crack down on politicians who violate campaign finance rules. I agree. That’s why members of the Bipartisan Working Group came together to introduce the Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections Act, to put democracy back in the hands of “we the people.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.” But it doesn’t bend on its own. It takes work. And we have a lot of work to do.
After a rancorous election, it’s time for our country to move forward. The boat moves best with all oars in the water, rowing in the same direction. We can’t afford for the oars to be out of the water with folks beating each other over the heads. Rep. Renacci and I will keep at it to move this economy — and this Congress — forward.
History has shown that America can accomplish anything when we put our minds to it and work together. May those dreams become a reality in the New Year.
— Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Bremerton, represents Washington’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
