PHILADELPHIA, PA — In the political arena, bipartisanship is often praised as a bridge for legislative progress, yet recent rankings from the Georgetown University Lugar Center’s Bipartisan Index suggest not all lawmakers are meeting this ideal. Among them, according to the Dave McCormick for Senate campaign, is Pennsylvania’s own Senator Bob Casey.
Following the release of the 2023 Bipartisan Index, which evaluates the degree to which legislators work across party lines, the McCormick campaign was quick to highlight Casey’s ranking. Falling 16 spots from the last Congress to 53rd, Casey’s score was spotlighted as the lowest among swing state Democrats up for re-election.
Elizabeth Gregory, communications director for the McCormick campaign, did not mince words, framing Casey as a “radical Senator” more inclined to align with President Joe Biden’s agenda than to foster bipartisan cooperation. “Casey is not his father’s son,” Gregory stated, implying a departure from the bipartisan legacy associated with Casey’s lineage. The message was clear: come November, Pennsylvania voters will be urged to re-evaluate Casey’s commitment to their interests.
The Bipartisan Index, a joint effort by The Lugar Center and Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, has been shining a light on congressional bipartisanship since 2014. By measuring how often members introduce or co-sponsor legislation across party lines, the index offers an objective look at lawmakers’ willingness to reach across the aisle.
Despite the overall partisan atmosphere of the current 118th Congress, some lawmakers have demonstrated a remarkable capacity for bipartisanship. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) topped their respective chambers in the index, showcasing their roles as bridge-builders in an increasingly divided Congress.
However, the report also underlined a concerning trend among new senators, with all eight newcomers ranking in the bottom third of Senate scores. This revelation underscores the challenges faced in fostering a bipartisan approach among the Senate’s fresh faces.
Analyzing Casey’s performance, the index reveals a complex picture of congressional dynamics, where partisanship often overshadows collaborative efforts. For Pennsylvania voters, McCormick’s critique of Casey’s bipartisanship—or perceived lack thereof—may resonate amid growing frustrations over legislative gridlock and partisan politics.
The McCormick campaign’s pointed criticism of Senator Casey’s bipartisanship—or lack thereof—spotlights the ongoing debate over the role of partisanship in legislative effectiveness. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the importance of bipartisan cooperation remains a key factor for many voters in assessing their representatives’ performance.
With the election on the horizon, the discourse around bipartisanship, legislative productivity, and alignment with presidential agendas is poised to intensify. The Bipartisan Index, despite its methodological rigor, serves not only as a gauge of past performance but also as a potential predictor of future legislative behavior, influencing how constituents view their elected officials’ commitment to transcending party lines for the common good.
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