Schneider and Hultgren to Sit Together at State of the Union in Show of Bipartisanship

Today, U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Randy Hultgren (R-IL) announced they plan to sit together as a symbol of bipartisanship at tonight's State of the Union Address, eschewing the traditional party-line seating arrangements.

"We're only going to solve the challenges facing our country by finding common ground and listening to one another," said Schneider. "Randy and I don't agree on every issue, but we share a commitment to working together in good faith. Crossing the aisle at the State of the Union is a small symbolic gesture, but hopefully one we can build on in the days ahead to put partisanship aside and start working constructively on the problems facing our nation."

"When it comes down to it, we can all agree on about 80 percent of the issues facing the nation," said Hultgren. "Building relationships in Congress and working on common goals can help us address the other 20 percent without being divisive. I am committed to working in a bipartisan, common sense way on the important issues facing Illinois, and building bridges across the aisle is key to solving the challenges we face."

Background:

Schneider invited Lake County State's Attorney Mike Nerheim as his guest to President Trump's State of the Union address. Nerheim has been an outspoken leader in his county's efforts to directly tackle the opioid epidemic, and integral to the success of the "A Way Out" program, which allows community members to seek substance abuse help and treatment at any participating police station without fear of arrest or criminal charges, and has helped more than 307 individuals to date.

Schneider is a member of several groups dedicated to working across the aisle, including the Problem Solvers Caucus, which includes 24 Democrats and 24 Republicans, and the Bipartisan Working Group which meets weekly.