Bipartisan ‘Meet Me in the Middle’ Caucus Welcomes New Session

January 29, 2025

HARRISBURG – In a renewed effort to continue fostering collaboration and bipartisanship, Reps. Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland), Joe Hohenstein (D-Philadelphia), Gina Curry (D-Delaware) and Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) are re-introducing the Bipartisan “Meet Me in the Middle” Caucus for the new 2025-26 Legislative Session.

During the previous 2023-24 Legislative Session, the caucus’ activities included touring a senior center and hosting an information meeting on the dangers of pornography for children. Success was had with the passage and enactment of Act 52 of 2023, which makes it easier for school districts to host dual enrollment programs.

The caucus’ purpose is to bring members from both parties together to listen to people, nonprofit organizations, civic groups and businesses across the Commonwealth. By sitting down and listening to their stories and concerns, caucus members can then work collectively to address issues, find solutions and listen to each other's perspectives without straying from one’s core legislative beliefs.

"Results matter. When constituents contact their legislator’s office with concerns, they are not interested in partisan explanations; they want to know what 'we' are doing," said Cooper. “As a freshman last session, having co-authored a bill (Act 52 of 2023) that made it through the legislative process was an incredible achievement, and that occurred because of a partnership formed with one of this caucus’ previous co-chairs, now retired Rep. Stephen Kinsey.”

Flick served as a co-chair during the previous two years. Hohenstein and Curry now serve as Democrat co-chairs, stepping in for Kinsey and former Rep. Patty Kim, who is now serving in the Pennsylvania Senate.

“I am pleased to join my colleagues in showing what we can do when we come together in a spirit of openness and dialogue. The first bill of mine that became law is the Disability Inclusive Curriculum, which only passed because of the tireless efforts of my co-prime sponsor, Rep. Jason Ortitay,” Hohenstein said. “When we take time and effort to talk with members about our ideas, we find that we are all trying to do the same thing – serve our constituents and all Pennsylvanians to the best of our abilities.”


Available for participation by all House members, the caucus aims to bridge divides and promote effective governance by encouraging dialogue and cooperation among members of both parties.

“I'm honored to co-chair the Bipartisan ‘Meet Me in the Middle’ Caucus with my fellow colleagues, which focuses on collaboration,” said Curry. “It is critical that we come together in these challenging times of serving to meet the needs of our constituents across the Commonwealth.”

The four co-chairs come from different political parties but also from varied communities, from rural areas to urban neighborhoods. In turn, this provides a variety of diverse and unique approaches and nurtures a stronger perspective on how the General Assembly can be helpful.

“I am once again thrilled to be a co-chair of the Bipartisan ‘Meet Me in the Middle’ Caucus. During the last session, over 50 House members joined our mission to find common ground,” Flick said. “Our constituents benefit when Republicans and Democrats work together. If ever there was a time for true bipartisanship, that time is now.”

Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper