COLUMBUS, Ohio — Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-OH 3, and Rep. Mike Carey, R-OH 15, made a major announcement during a panel discussion on civility in Congress. The two lawmakers announced there will be a new civility caucus in the House of Representatives, as they stress the importance of neutrality and unity among party lines. 

What You Need To Know

  • In order to join a civility caucus, you need to do it with a partner across party lines

  • According to Rep. Joyce Beatty, there are 42 lawmakers in total that have joined

  • The goal is for lawmakers to act with respect in the halls of Congress and at home in their districts

"If you went out here, you got into an accident and someone told you that you need a doctor, three doctors raise their hands," Beatty said. "But one has a specialty. I don't think you'd ask if that person was a Democrat or a Republican. You would say, 'thank God that this person can help save me.' That's kind of how I look at home politics."

Beatty told community members that representation matters, and people are allowed to have different opinions. The goal for them is to always listen and work in an appropriate manner across the aisle. The caucus' purpose is to encourage all members of Congress to act with respect in their political disagreements in both in the halls of Congress and in their own communities. 

"Joyce and I may not always agree on the issues, but that does not mean we have to be disagreeable," Carey said. 

Members of Congress who would like to participate and join the Civility Caucus need to join with a partner from across the aisle. Once they join, they need to commit to spread the message of civility among their colleagues and constituents.

Beatty says a total of 42 lawmakers have joined the caucus. 

"We think we're off to a good start that we have made it official. We filed a resolution to create it and it has been filed process and we are official," Beatty said. 

"I think that's really what we're trying to show is that Joyce and I will more likely than not not be on the same page when it comes to certain pieces of legislation, but the American public needs to know that we don't hate one another. And I think that's an important distinction," Carey said.