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In Search of Common Ground

The goal of The Senate Project™ debate series is to reintroduce the culture of seeking common ground and consensus that has been the essence of the Senate since it was established in 1789. We hope it will inspire policymakers to not only make the case for their points of view, but to then work towards the example set by Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator Orrin Hatch for bipartisan bridge-building.

Debate Series

Debate 1

The Senate Project kicked off on June 13, 2022 inside the Kennedy Institute’s replica of the Senate Chamber with Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Streamed by Fox Nation and moderated by Brett Baier, the senators discussed the economy, and issues that are top-of-mind such as gas prices, inflation, healthcare, Social Security, immigration, and guns.

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Debate 2

The second debate of The Senate Project was held on Monday, August 1 at 7:30 p.m. EDT at George Washington University’s Jack Morton Auditorium. Hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center, the debate was between Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and moderated by CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion and streamed on C-SPAN.

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Debate 3

The third installment of The Senate Project was held on Monday, June 12, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts inside the Kennedy Institute’s replica of the Senate Chamber between Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). Streamed by Fox Nation, the one-hour discussion covered topics of foreign policy and national security. Senator Ernst and Senator Shaheen both sit on the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.  Streamed on FOX Nation.

The Senate Project

Debate 4

The fourth installment of The Senate Project debate series was held on Monday, September 18, 2023, in Washington D.C.; between Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Marco Rubio (R-FL). The one-hour debate covered topics of China, environmental policy, and Senate reform.

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“The Senate Project series seeks a thoughtful debate and honest discussion on some of America’s leading issues, and when possible, areas of comity.”

THOMAS A. DASCHLE
CO-FOUNDER, BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER

“By facilitating these robust discussions between senators from different backgrounds and perspectives, we hope to inspire a new generation of lawmakers to prioritize collaboration and the common good over partisan divide.”

MATT SANDGREN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ORRIN G. HATCH FOUNDATION