The most bipartisan Republicans in Parliament

The 118th Congress is shaping up to be one of the least productive in American history. Since Republicans won back the House of Representatives in the 2022 midterms, few meaningful bills have passed Congress. Since 2014, the non-profit Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy have released the bipartisan index that tracks cross-party cooperation across party lines. Although there was a slight increase in bipartisanship in 2023, Congress is extremely partisan.

This article will examine the House Republicans who have proven to be the most capable of getting across the aisle.

Why this matters

In an election year, American voters will determine not only the presidency, but also who controls Congress. One party can win the government trifecta, but one party is more likely to control the House, the other the Senate. If any meaningful legislation is to be passed by the 119th Congress, it will require cooperation and bipartisanship, so it is important to know who the potential makers and breakers are.

Brian Fitzpatrick

Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District

Assumed office: 2018

Bipartisan ranking: 1

Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania is the most bipartisan member of the House of Representatives, a distinction he also held in the 116th and 117th Congresses. In his first term, he was the second most bipartisan member of the House. He is the co-chair of the Problem Solving Caucus and the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. In February 2024, he spoke of the vital importance of passing an aid package for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine, and was prepared to bypass his own party leadership by signing a discharge petition to force the vote.

In 2024, he will face Ashley Ehasz, the candidate he defeated in 2022. He is expected to prevail once again, although this race could be closer.

Marc Molinaro

New York’s 19th Congressional District

Assumed office: 2023

Bipartisan ranking: 2

Marc Molinaro won an extremely close race in November 2022 for New York’s 19th District, shortly after an unsuccessful bid for the same seat in a special election. A moderate in a district won by Biden in 2020, Molinaro has shown a willingness to go against his party on access to IVF and the abortion drug mifepristone. Like most of the other representatives featured in this article, he is part of the Problem Solving Caucus.

In 2024, he is expected to win again against Josh Riley.

Mike Lawler

New York’s 17th Congressional District

Assumed office: 2023

Bipartisan ranking: 4

Mike Lawler won an incredibly close race for New York’s 17th Congressional District in 2022, becoming the first GOP representative since 1981. Lawler is therefore one of the most bipartisan members of the House. In addition to the Problem Solving Caucus, he is a member of both the Ukraine and Taiwan Caucuses and spoke about the importance of supporting allies on board:

Certainly, this is extremely important to our allies. We are the leader of the free world and cannot shirk our responsibility to support and defend democracies

Lawler faces a tough re-election bid in 2024 against Mondaire Jones. Jones controversially had to make way for Sean Patrick Maloney in 2022.

Jennifer Aydin González-Colon

Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico

Assumed office: 2017

Bipartisan ranking: 6

The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is a non-voting member of Congress who represents the US territory in the House for four years instead of two. Jennifer González-Colón was one of the three Republican co-sponsors of the Equality Act 2019. She has co-sponsored several bipartisan bills although he could not vote for them. In November 2024, she will run for governor of Puerto Rico after unexpectedly winning a primary against the incumbent.

Don Bacon

Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District

Assumed office: 2017

Bipartisan ranking: 8

Another member of the Problem Solving Caucus, Don Bacon of Nebraska, serves on the House Committees on Agriculture and Armed Services. Bacon is one of the most pro-Ukrainian Republicans in Parliament. Polls show his re-election bid could be very close.

Zach Nunn

Iowa Congressional District 3

Assumed office: 2023

Bipartisan ranking: 10

Zach Nunn’s narrow victory over incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne was key to Republicans winning back the House in 2022. He led a bipartisan resolution to condemn attacks on Israel by Hamas in October 2023. He also introduced the Protection Social Security and Medicare in July 2024 with Don Davis, a Democrat from North Carolina. His 2024 re-election bid is a disappointment.

Maria Elvira Salazar

Florida’s 27th Congressional District

Assumed office: 2021

Bipartisan ranking: 11

A former journalist, Maria Elvira Salazar flipped Florida’s 27th district in 2020, after losing her first bid for the House of Representatives in 2018. A member of the Problem Solving Caucus, she introduced the bipartisan No AI FRAUD Act in January 2024, although it is unlikely to pass. She also worked with House Democrats immigration the legislation.

Dave Joyce

Ohio’s 14th Congressional District

Taking over the mandate: 2013

Bipartisan ranking: 15

Dave Joyce is one of the most experienced representatives featured in this article. Unlike most of his colleagues here, he is not confrontational a particularly difficult path to re-election in 2024. Joyce jumped quite a few places in the bipartisan index from the 116th in the 118th Congress. It passed 44 to 15. He is a member of the Problem Solver Caucus and voted yes The Respect for Marriage Act in 2022. He is also co-chairman of the Cannabis Caucus, a small bipartisan group that seeks to align federal cannabis laws with conflicting state laws.

I am proud to join my colleagues in leading the effort to implement responsible and common sense cannabis policies.

Young Kim

California’s 40th Congressional District

Assumed office: 2021

Bipartisan ranking: 16

The younger Kim won a close election in the 39th congressional district before moving to the 40th after redistricting. A member of the Problem Solving Caucus and Main Street Republican Partnership, she frequently touts her bipartisan credentials and effectiveness in passing legislation. In a May 2024 press release, she explained her views:

While I will never back down from my principles, I believe that finding common ground is important to moving our country forward. I can assure you that my team and I have only just begun to deliver results.

She won more votes in the 2024 primary than her two challengers combined and will face Joe Kerr in November’s runoff.

Jen Kiggans

Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District

Assumed office: 2023

Bipartisan ranking: 19th place

Former Navy helicopter pilot Jen Kiggans won a close race to represent Virginia’s 2nd congressional district in 2022. She is a member of the Main Street Republican Partnership, which supports the moderate wing of the Republican party. While not particularly aligned with Democrats on most domestic issues, she has shown a willingness to work across party lines on foreign policy and national security issues. She was one of the strongest supporters of the April 2024 foreign aid bill:

Every day we fail to get aid to our allies, the world becomes more dangerous, and threats to our own nation and military grow. Our adversaries are watching us as we strive to support our friends. I refuse to stand by while the world implodes because of Washington’s inaction.

She also supported bipartisan legislation for border security and funding for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine. Her district is a key target for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in the 2024 election.

Conclusion

The Republicans featured here tend to be members of the bipartisan problem-solving group and won their races by slim margins. For some, they represent districts that Joe Biden won in 2020, so their bipartisanship may be motivated by political expediency above all else. New York Republicans face particularly difficult re-election campaigns, especially after the state’s 2024 redistricting. Whether their bipartisan credentials will be enough to survive remains to be seen.

There aren’t many bipartisan positions left in American politics, but there is room for deals on defense, the environment and immigration. With a divided legislature likely after 2024, the most bipartisan members of the House will have their work cut out for them.

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