It all started when Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) introduced the SMART Act, a bill that channels urgently needed aid to state and local governments harmed by the coronavirus pandemic. Senator Menendez then got to building support for his bill across the aisle with Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and across chambers, with Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Tom Reed (R-NY). What makes the SMART Act historic isn’t just what’s in the bill. It’s how it came together.

For the first time ever, a bipartisan group of House and Senate members met and moved legislation together at the same time. It was a Smart Process that created a Smart Solution. This is how America needs legislation to be created from now on. We need you to support this unprecedented new governing coalition with Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate members, committed to the simple idea that solving problems is more important than serving a political party.