Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn has been ranked the third most bipartisan member of the U.S. House by Bridge Grades, a nonpartisan project that scores federal lawmakers on how often they legislate across party lines.
Nunn’s ranking near the top of 424 House members comes from a project of Colorado-based Mediators Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on civic initiatives. The ranking was scored as of June 30.
“In the Air Force, I learned that no successful mission can be completed alone,” Nunn said in a statement. “That’s how I’ve legislated in Washington, and it’s why I’ve been able to turn Iowa priorities into bipartisan wins signed into law under both President Biden and President Trump. Good ideas don’t have a party affiliation. I’ll keep working with anyone, Republican or Democrat, willing to roll up their sleeves and deliver for Iowa.”
The Ankeny Republican represents 21 counties, including Des Moines, its suburbs and rural south-central Iowa, and is seeking reelection to a third term. His Nov. 3 general election matchup against Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott is one of the nation’s most targeted battleground contests and is considered a “toss-up” by elections observers, meaning either candidate has a shot of winning the race.
Bridge Grades scores lawmakers using public congressional records, including bill sponsorship and co-sponsorship data. Nunn also was ranked among the top 10 most bipartisan House lawmakers by The Lugar Center and Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.
Nunn received a score of 99.4 out of 100. The two lawmakers who rank ahead of him were Reps. Jimmy Panetta, D-California, and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania.
Nunn’s work on bipartisan legislation pushes score to the top
Nunn’s office reports bills he led or co-led three bills signed into law under Biden, a Democrat, and six under Trump, a Republican. On bills he also co-sponsored, as well as led or co-led, 27 have been signed into law and 92 that have passed the House across the 118th and 119th Congresses.
Biden signed into law language mirroring Nunn’s Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act expanding parental leave eligibility for parents serving in the drilling Reserve or National Guard as part of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. He introduced the measure with then-Rep. Jeff Jackson, D-North Carolina.
Under Trump, Nunn’s bill to spur rural housing as part of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act went into law in July, but without the president’s signature. Trump refused to sign the measure in a separate fight over election legislation, but it automatically became law after 10 days. The landmark legislation is designed to increase home construction and curb housing prices.
How does the rest of Iowa’s congressional delegation fare?
The rest of Iowa’s all-Republican congressional delegation trailed Nunn in the bipartisan rankings.
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who will leave office after his current two-year term ends following a failed bid for Iowa governor, scored a 93.8, putting him in the 39th spot.
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who faces a competitive reelection bid in southeastern Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, scored 88.2, placing her at No. 60.
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who represents northeastern Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District and is running for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat, scored 82.1 and ranks 84th.
In the 100-member upper chamber, Iowa’s senior U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley also ranked highly on bipartisanship, coming at No. 4 with a score of 96.9.
Iowa’s junior U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, who is vacating the seat, landed in the lower half of the Senate at the 65th spot with a score of 32.1.
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Group ranks Zach Nunn among most bipartisan US House members
Reporting by Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
