AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King are urging the leaders of the U.S. Senate to bring together the Republican and Democratic caucuses for regular meetings.
They signed a letter along with more than two dozen colleagues on Friday asking Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to convene monthly bipartisan lunches.
They say the meetings will strengthen relationships between the two parties, which is "critical for the Senate to live up to its reputation as the world's most deliberative body.''
Collins is a Republican and King, an independent, caucuses with Democrats.
The other lawmakers who signed the letter include Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, Democrat Cory Booker of New Jersey and Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona.