House Banking Panel Breaks Bread, Talks Civility

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers on the House Financial Services Committee gathered Monday night to meet other panel members and discuss committee operations for the coming year. 

The majority of the 61 members are reported to have attended the meeting, which was described by a committee staffer as an "informal gathering" where Republicans and Democrats dined together, alternating seats by party, and "got to know each other a little better."

Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, told attendees that they should be able to debate and disagree on issues without resorting to personal attacks, quoting from George Washington's "Rules of Civility," according to the staffer. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, a senior banking panel member and co-founder of the Civility Caucus also said a few words, the staffer said.

The panel's top Democrat, Rep. Maxine Waters of California, also attended, a spokesman from her office said.

The dinner, held at Lavagna on Barracks Row, included rigatoni pesto, fettuccine Bolognese and tiramisu prepared by Executive Chef Darren Maas, according to Politico's Morning Money report.

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