WASHINGTON, DC– Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) attended the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

“Inaugurations represent the peaceful transition of power that are a pillar of our nation’s democracy,” said Joyce. “I’m proud to have now attended five presidential inaugurations, regardless of whether or not I voted for who was elected. While I did not vote for President Biden and Vice President Harris, I wish them nothing but the best because the fact of the matter is that their success is the American people’s success. We will not always agree on how to achieve that success, but I will always be willing to reach across the aisle with the respect and civility necessary for us to work together so that we can effectively tackle the challenges facing our country.”

Attending the inauguration as Joyce’s guest was Reverend Leah Daughtry, who he invited on behalf of his fellow Buckeye, Rep. Marcia Fudge. Reverend Daughtry has served as a Resident Fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, was formerly the Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management at the U.S. Department of Labor, and was the CEO of the 2008 and 2016 Democratic National Convention Committees.

“I was glad to offer my guest ticket to Congresswoman Fudge and invite Reverend Daughtry to be my guest to today’s inaugural ceremonies,” said Joyce. “Maintaining a friendship with those you don’t see eye to eye with politically doesn’t require you to stray from your principles or force you to adopt views you’re fundamentally opposed to. For too long we have denied one another the chance to be seen not as a member of a particular political party, but as men and women with values, families and loved ones, and experiences that have shaped who we are and what we stand for. I’m hopeful that as we enter the 117^th Congress, we can leave the toxic red team versus blue team mentality at the door and remember how work together as Americans.”

Recently, Joyce slammed lawmakers who began calling for unity only after the tragic violence that occurred on January 6, 2021, saying: To those calling for unity on both sides of the aisle – many of you have laughed at my similar calls for years, all while fanning the flames with hateful and untruthful rhetoric. We now know that rhetoric is not just rude and irresponsible. It is dangerous and destructive.

Joyce has long prioritized constructive, bipartisan governing by not only cosponsoring legislation introduced by his colleagues on the other side of the aisle, but also by working with them on important issues through numerous caucuses and task forces. Last year, Joyce received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s premiere Jefferson-Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship for his work across the aisle. The bipartisan legislative groups Joyce actively engages with include but are not limited to:

• The Problem Solvers Caucus (Member)
• The House Great Lakes Task Force (Co-Chair)
• The Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence (Co-Founder, Co-Chair)
• Congressional Civility Caucus (Member)
• The Congressional Nursing Caucus (Co-Chair)
• The House Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus (Vice Chair alongside Rep. Tim Ryan)
• The Bipartisan Opioid Task Force (Member)
• The Bipartisan Working Group (Member)
   

###