Winning with the ACE of Hearts

BPC as Congressional Cupid

Each February, love fills the air as Cupid’s arrow strikes hope into the hearts of those seeking their perfect match. The Bipartisan Policy Center ’s unique American Congressional Exchange (ACE) program is like Cupid for members of Congress, matching a member from each party to visit one another’s districts. This fosters the kind of trust and respect needed to govern a divided nation. ??

Members of Congress must collaborate to address challenges confronting their constituents and the nation. Unfortunately, lawmakers from different parties rarely have a chance to interact, let alone develop the trust necessary for effective collaboration. #BPCACE creatively addresses this problem by fostering connections between participants based on mutual respect and an understanding of where the other person is coming from.??

Last week, Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA), ACE alumni, joined BPC at the SiriusXM studios in Washington, D.C. for a special town hall recording of “The Briefing with Steve Scully” They covered a variety of topics including news of the day, the debt ceiling, and their ACE experience, then answered questions from college students at The Washington Center . Later this month, we’ll have our first ACE trip of the year with Reps. Bob Latta (R-OH) and Robin Kelly (D-IL). They toured Latta’s northwest Ohio district last summer.?

If you want proof that these trips create lasting relationships between members across the aisle, check out this video from our recent gathering celebrating the program’s 5th anniversary. Without Cupid’s wings, BPC must rely on the support of our friends and partners to grow ACE’s successful matches. If you are interested in learning more about the program, I would love to hear from you!

Solution Spotlight: Home is Where the Heart is

Every American Deserves an Affordable Home. BPC’s Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy identified key elements of a comprehensive, evidence-based housing package to ensure working families can access quality, affordable homes. The American Housing Act of 2023 provides the contours of a bipartisan deal for a meaningful and effective response to the current crisis. We will relentlessly fight for policies that yield 2.5 million new affordable housing units over 10 years.?

Upcoming Events

2023 Top Cybersecurity Risks?| Technology | February 13, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST?

Tribal Child Care – The Salish Kootenai College Learning Center?| Early Childhood | February 14, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST?

Ensuring Medicare's Sustainability?| Health | February 16, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST