John — Tomorrow may be the first day of winter, but I’ve got barbecue on my mind.

That’s because one of my favorite ways to bring my colleagues across the aisle together is by hosting dinner, and I find that barbecue always hits the spot.

As often as I can, I invite four or five senators over for dinner – and make sure it’s a politically diverse group. I call up a nearby BBQ joint and order two slabs of ribs, two tubs of baked beans, and coleslaw.

Once the food is laid out, we all get together around our kitchen table and get to talking — always bipartisan, never any staff, and no press.

I started hosting these dinners because when I first got to Washington, one of the things I noticed was that the members of Congress simply didn’t know each other.

Sometimes, these dinners are the only occasions we get to hear from one another in a non-partisan, informal setting. I’ve said for years that this lack of simply knowing one another personally plays a big part in the gridlock we’ve seen increasing in Washington in recent decades.

While these dinners aren’t going to fix political partisanship on their own, I believe they’re a step in the right direction.

We might disagree on various issues, but by coming together over a meal, we’re able to laugh (a lot), talk, and share personal moments — which in turn can help build the relationships and trust that are necessary to get things done.

As an independent voice in the Senate, I’m grateful that I'm in a position where I can get folks to know and understand each other better than what we see on social media or cable news.

Far from the cameras or social media, I’ve seen firsthand how a few racks of ribs can go a long way toward finding common ground — and helping us accomplish bigger and better things for the American people.

Thanks for taking a moment to read today. I appreciate having you on our team.

Talk again soon!
Angus