Central Oho Lawmakers Push for Civility After McCain's Death
COLUMBUS, Ohio — They may be Central Ohio's political odd couple but Rep. Joyce Beatty (D - Columbus) and Rep. Steve Stivers (R - Upper Arlington) have been on a mission to inject civility into politics in Washington. The lawmakers may be polar opposites in many ways but the two have drawn from a long personal history in elected office to bridge their political differences.
They created the "Civility and Respect Caucus" in Congress. Lawmakers must enter in pairs with one Republican and one Democrat joining together.
So far 34 members of Congress have joined.
"We are who we are but we want America to know members of Congress can work together, can get things done because isn't that what Americans elected us to do," Beatty said.
Both agreed the bipartisan goodwill they share has been in increasingly short supply, even more so after the passing of Sen. John McCain (R - Arizona).
"Almost everyone is mourning the loss of a great statesman and someone who worked in a bipartisan way," he said. "We all need to live by that example."
Beatty and Stivers often use the same phrase, "you can disagree without being disagreeable". Both lawmakers said they've heard from more members of Congress since McCain died who are interested in joining their caucus.
This article was originally published by WSYX-ABC6 on August 30, 2018.