Senators call for bipartisan luncheons

A group of 30 senators wrote to leadership asking for monthly bipartisan luncheons.

Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) took the lead in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Friday. The two leaders’ roles will switch next year.

{mosads}Several new Republican senators will be joining the Senate in January as a result of the midterm elections. The bipartisan group of current senators said the luncheons could help foster bipartisan relationships in a body that is typically hyperpartisan.

“It is our hope that our respective leadership teams take concrete steps to broaden the relationships and deepen the rapport among members,” the letter stated. “Specifically, we believe that monthly bipartisan lunches would serve this goal.”

The senators cited the July 2013 meeting held in the Old Senate Chamber, where both sides were able to air grievances after Reid used the “nuclear option” to change the filibuster rules on nominations.

“Last year, under your leadership, members from both sides of the aisle were able to come together and have a frank, open and fruitful discussion during the Joint Caucus meeting in the Old Senate Chamber,” the letter stated. “We believe that regular bipartisan meetings like the one in July 2013 can help foster the kind of productive relationships that will be critical for the Senate to live up to its reputation as the world’s most deliberative body.”