Read Sen. Cassidy and Sen. Whitehouse's Newsweek Op-Ed Inspired by the Senate Project
Here at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute we are dedicated to encouraging debate and discourse, especially when you may not agree. That is why we are proud to share the Newsweek op-ed below written by two United States Senators -- Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) -- who recently participated in our Senate Project debate at the Institute.
Their robust exchange on issues of national importance lifted up the Kennedy-Hatch model of legislating across the aisle. This is what our country needs at this critical moment and we hope you will enjoy this summer reading!
Adam G. Hinds
CEO
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
America was founded by extraordinary individuals who engaged in spirited debate and then came together to build a more perfect union. That was true 248 years ago, and it is still our ideal today. Solution-oriented leaders who are willing to work across the aisle can work through differences through respectful, robust debate.
Too often, what passes for debate in politics today is bitter yelling and talking points. Worse, opposing views are often canceled without debate even taking place. Improving public discourse can begin with each of us.
We join all Americans in condemning the horrific, tragic violence directed towards former president Donald Trump and his rallygoers last month. The Founders created our democracy to solve problems peacefully through reason and debate. In America, we determine the course of our country via free and fair elections, not through political violence. Americans deserve an election and campaign finance system they can trust. It is the duty of every American to find common ground with our neighbors, and to seek peaceful solutions to the challenges confronting our nation.
That's why last month, in the Senate Project series, we debated issues Americans care about heading into this year's election. We discussed climate and energy, immigration, and health care policy before a national audience.
The goal was to remind Americans that finding common ground does not require compromising our values. The forum, which respects Americans' desire for compromise and solutions, was hosted by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, and the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Like us, Sens. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) worked across the political divide to find common ground. Their legacy of firmly holding principles while bridging differences allowed them to forge legislation to ensure prosperous, healthy, and safe communities.
