Where Bipartisan Still Works in Washington

It’s easy to watch the headlines or the news and assume every policy in DC falls along partisan lines. But look a little closer, and you can easily find exceptions to that assumption. Many issues at their core have strong bipartisan support; it’s just finding the policy solutions that take work and compromise to bring both sides to the table. Breaking through requires stakeholders and congressional champions to be strategic in how they position and advance an issue.

The issues that gain bipartisan traction tend to share a few characteristics. For one, they are grounded in tangible, local impact that has vocal constituencies urging elected officials to act. Whether it’s wildfire mitigation, housing supply, or outdoor recreation access, the common denominator is close-to-home impacts and has an urgent need for solutions.

Another pathway to bipartisan progress is through implementation. Once a program already exists, smart policy can focus on how to make the program work better. That creates space for elected officials to come together around improving efficiency, expanding reach, and delivering results to more communities.

Bipartisan momentum also often comes from unconventional coalitions. The most effective efforts bring together stakeholders that don’t typically align. These coalitions bring diverse relationships to the issue and can connect congressional offices that have not formerly worked together. So much of policy starts outside of the halls of Congress when aligned groups find each other and are unified on strategy.

At Brumidi Group, we like to say that the most potent bills for passage are “below the fold” of a major newspaper. The biggest headlines tend to entrench partisan positions. However, the less visible issues give politicians cover to find common ground and negotiate. There are plenty of examples of this working, such as the Fix Our Forests Act, reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund, appropriations, and the list goes on and on.

Bipartisanship hasn’t disappeared, it just requires a more intentional approach. Stakeholders who adjust their tactics, reframe their messaging, and meet policymakers where they are will be far more likely to find the path to durable, bipartisan solutions.