Could The Vegetarian Caucus Bring Congressional Democrats and Republicans Together?

Democrats, republicans, heck even libertarians are welcome in the vegetarian caucus. It might just be the one group in Washington where different political parties can find common ground. Will it inspire compromise on policy matters? Well, we're not that optimistic, so we won't hold our breath. Still, the vegetarian caucus is long overdue in D.C. and we're glad vegetarians on both sides of the aisle are literally breaking bread together.

Started earlier this year, the caucus aims to provide healthier food choices for members of congress and their staffers. After a couple of congressional staffers struggled finding vegetarian and vegan food options on the hill, they decided to look for ways of providing more food variety to employees. They found like-minded (or like-stomached) people and decided to form the vegetarian caucus.

Just a little over a month after its inception, the caucus co-sponsored an all-vegan meal along with the Physicians Committee on Responsible Medicine (PCRM). The event was held on Earth Day, April 22nd, and drew over 250 people who currently follow or are interested in a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

Elizabeth Kucinich, PCRM's director of public affairs and wife to former congressman Dennis Kucinich, helped host the event. Kucinich and PCRM also provided vegan started packets for all of the guests.

"Capitol hill’s growing interest in the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle is evident in the overwhelming enthusiasm for this Earth Day event," said Kucinich. "Within hours of sending the veggie caucus invitation, we received hundreds of RSVPs from congressional staffers."

Since the caucus is still very new, we have yet to see what direction they will take politically. Currently, members stress that they have no party affiliations or political goals and hope only to broaden awareness of a plant-based lifestyle and offer more options to current vegetarians and vegans. It will be interesting to see if the group evolves to take policy stances on political issues pertinent to veggie folks.

We're just glad to see that vegetarians and vegans have a place on capitol hill. It may not solve any of the bickering between the political parties, but at least some congressional members might find common ground over a shared quinoa recipe. Baby steps?

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