(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District-KS) announced today he has joined the Center Aisle Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members committed to working cooperatively to achieve a more civil climate for conducting the nation’s business.

“Eighty percent of the issues we deal with in Congress should not be partisan,” said Moore. “You have to work on both sides of the aisle to get things accomplished in Congress. I don’t support Republican ideas or Democratic ideas, I support good ideas.”

Under the leadership of U.S. Reps. Steve Israel (D-NY) and Tim Johnson (R-IL), 17 Republicans and 15 Democrats have signed up as members of the caucus. Former Speaker of the House Thomas Foley (D-WA) and former House Republican Leader Bob Michel (R-IL) will serve as co-chairmen.

“We want to show how people of differing philosophies can get along and engage in civil discourse and treat one another with respect,” said Congressman Johnson. “People all over the country have really seen an increase in incivility. They believe this hurts them while hindering the entire legislative process.”

The first official closed-door meeting of the Center Aisle Caucus is scheduled for June 28, featuring Foley and Michel. In addition, the group is planning a meeting with Matt Miller, who has written a book on policy initiatives that have appeal across the political spectrum.

“Our country and the Congress have never been more divided along party lines,” Moore said. “Now more than ever we need our leaders to join together in a bipartisan way to address the challenges facing our nation.”

Throughout his six years in Congress, Moore has established a reputation as a moderate member with the ability to get things accomplished. For example, Moore worked with former Rep. Rob Portman (R-OH) to pass legislation to increase the tax-free IRA contribution limits from $2,000 to $5,000. When Moore learned military personnel home on leave from Iraq and Afghanistan were being forced to pay their own travel costs to their home cities, he joined with Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL) to pass a bill to direct the Department of Defense to pay all travel costs for our troops. On a local level, he recently has worked with the Kansas delegation to rename a post office in honor of Overland Park Mayor Ed Eilert.