The issues before Congress are not Democratic issues, nor are they Republican issues. They are American issues.

Numerous members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, have voiced that view over the decades. Now, there are Democratic and Republican (and Independent, and Green, and Libertarian) views on how to address those issues. But at the end of the day, all sides have to work together to find middle ground for the common good.

Simply stated, but not simply done.

That’s why we appreciate the efforts of Kilmer and other members of the House Bipartisan Working Group, which meets once a week to discuss issues and legislation and find that common ground. As a state senator, Kilmer was taught by seasoned legislator, who happened to be a Republican, to always reach across the aisle and get a legislator from the other party to be a co-sponsor for a bill he would propose. Kilmer took that mindset with him to Congress. (One of his latest bills, the Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act of 2017, which would increase the federal penalties for bomb threats and other credible threats of violence against religious institutions, is co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tenn. It was approved by the House and advances to the Senate.)

Now, The National Journal lists Kilmer as the sixth most bipartisan member of the U.S. Congress.

The list was based on analysis regarding the number of bills members of Congress have sponsored that were introduced by the opposing party. By this metric, Kilmer has sponsored more than 100 pieces of legislation that have bipartisan backing.

“Congress needs more progress and less partisanship,” Kilmer said in response to the listing. “I’m focused on bringing more opportunities to more people in more places and will join with anyone who has an idea that will do some good for the folks we represent. It’s an honor to be recognized for these bipartisan efforts. I’ll continue pushing to get Congress on track.”

We hope other members of Congress follow the bipartisanship path — the only path to getting things done for America and Americans.