Civility, respect, and productive discourse in Congress are not mere politeness; they are practical tools that make Congress more effective, strengthen democracy, and build public trust. In my view, legislation drawn strictly along party lines wastes time and money, as it is quickly discarded or reversed by executive order when the opposing party takes power.
To achieve bipartisan solutions, we need civil discourse and debate—but Congress has failed the American people on this front. Politicians have become fixated on scoring points against the other side, neglecting the many challenges facing Maine families and small businesses. They must set aside self-interest and remember they serve the people first.
Civility isn’t “niceness”; political civility is about engaging others with integrity, accountability, and a constructive tone so disagreements can be aired, challenged, and refined into workable policy. When hearings and debates devolve into insults, they steal time from substantive work and distract committees from critical issues.
The time has come to end the games and posturing. Congress must restore civility as the norm, prioritize real problem-solving, and get back to serving the American people before themselves or their campaigns.