ICYMI: Senator Hassan Ranked Most Bipartisan Senator by Nonpartisan Lugar Center

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, this past week the nonpartisan Lugar Center and The McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University ranked U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) as the most bipartisan Senator in 2021. Senator Hassan’s score of 2.84 for 2021 is the highest score ever earned by a Democratic Senator in the history of the Lugar Center.

The Lugar Center, founded by former Republican Senator Richard Lugar, releases a Bipartisan Index that looks at how often Members of Congress work across the aisle on legislation. In 2021, Senator Hassan secured a Republican co-sponsor for all 48 bills that she introduced, including legislation that became law, such as the STAND UP Act to support youth mental health and suicide prevention; her bipartisan bill creating state and local cybersecurity grant program; and her work to give tax cuts to new businesses to help them hire and retain employees. Senator Hassan was also part of the bipartisan group that came together to draft and pass into law the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

"In 2021, Senator Hassan not only had the highest Bipartisan Index score in the Senate, she posted the highest score by a Democratic Senator in the 29 years for which we have data," said Dan Diller, Policy Director of the Lugar Center. "In doing so, she demonstrated an exceptional commitment to bipartisanship that sets the standard for other Senators. Despite the overall partisan atmosphere, sponsorship and co-sponsorship data shows that Sen. Hassan sought Republican legislative partners with steadfast consistency. Most remarkably, she secured a Republican co-sponsor for each of the 48 substantive bills that she introduced."

“In this polarized moment, bipartisanship is what allows us as a country to move forward. When we listen, collaborate, and value the opinions of those who we may disagree with and work to include their perspectives, we can make a real impact and improve the lives of all Americans,” said Senator Hassan. “We won’t be successful in the long term if we can’t remember that we have common experiences and ideas — and a love of country that has, historically, helped Americans overcome differences and make change. In the Senate, I follow the example that the people of New Hampshire set every day – putting differences aside to get results – and this ranking reflects my commitment to finding agreement across the aisle. I’m proud to earn this ranking and will keep working across the aisle to fight for Granite Staters and get results for our state.”

Overview of Bipartisan Index Methodology:

The Bipartisan Index measures how often a member of Congress introduces bills that succeed in attracting co-sponsors from members of the other party, and how often they in turn co-sponsor a bill introduced from across the aisle.  The Index excludes non-binding resolutions and ceremonial bills. It is based on a formula applied uniformly to all members. No subjective judgments are made about individual members or bills. The Index serves as a critical resource for voters and the media and, its sponsors hope, encourages lawmakers to be more bipartisan when writing or co-sponsoring legislation.

A full description of the Lugar Center’s methodology of its Bipartisan Index can be found here.

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