CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., rank among the top lawmakers on bipartisanship according to a report released Tuesday.
The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University placed Capito third and McKinley 11th on their Bipartisan Index for the 115th Congress, which met between January 2017 and January 2019.
According to the Lugar Center, named after former Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar, the rankings are based on the frequency a lawmaker cosponsors legislation introduced by someone of the opposing party and how often their own bills attract sponsorship from the other side of the aisle.
Capito was behind Maine’s Susan Collins and Ohio’s Rob Portman, both Republicans. Capito ranked third in last year’s analysis.
McKinley’s placement was a jump from 16th in last year’s scoring.
“The people of the First District elected me to represent them, not a party. Our office has worked with members from both parties to find solutions that will help the Mountain State, and we are very proud of the work we have done,” McKinley said in a statement. “Our number one priority is our constituents. The fact that we continue to rise on the bipartisan ranking is a testament to our commitment to do what is best for them. It’s an honor to be recognized for our bipartisan work, and we look forward to continuing to work for the First District.”
Capito and McKinley supported significant conservative causes in the last Congress, including the failed efforts on the federal health care law and the 2017 tax overhaul legislation. According to analysis by FiveThirtyEight, Capito has voted 95.7 percent in line with President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Capito is up for re-election in 2020, as are West Virginia’s three House of Representative members.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., fell from 16th to 25th in this year’s index. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., dropped one spot to 331th out of 436 congressmembers.
Former Rep. Evan Jenkins ranked 105th, a jump from last year’s placement of 165th. Jenkins resigned from office in September regarding an appointment to the state Supreme Court of Appeals.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., and current Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., were excluded from the rankings, as were lawmakers who served less than 10 months.