The Hill News

Things always get a little less awkward after the first date.

In an effort to show they can get along, members of the Senate and House will pair up with "dates" from the opposite party for Tuesday night's State of the Union. The initiative, led by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.), marks the second year lawmakers have attempted to use the event as an opportunity to promote bipartisanship. Traditionally, seating on the floor has been divided by political party.

But after the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) days before the address last year, Congressional leaders hoped to portray a unified front.

{mosads}Both senators agreed it was a small - but much needed - step in the right direction after a sharply divided political year.

“It’s a small, small, small gesture,” Murkowski said Tuesday in an interview on MSNBC. “But I think that every step we can take to help improve relationships is a good thing.”

“2011 was a tough year, we all agree, I’m glad it’s in the rear view mirror... We build in small steps; we look at the areas where we might agree. Overall we all think the economy should be our number one focus,” Udall added. 

Over 200 members of the House and Senate have agreed to sit with a member of the opposite party. Here is a partial list based on statements released today:

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) plans to sit with Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio)

Sen Mary Landrieu (D-La.) plans to sit with Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) plans to sit with Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.)

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) plans to sit with Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.)

Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) plans to sit with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) 

Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) plans to sit with Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) plans to sit with Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) plans to sit with Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah)

Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) plans to sit with Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.)

Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) plans to sit with Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.)

Rep. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.) plans to sit with a bipartisan group of Upstate New York legislators

Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) plans to sit with Rep. Tim Flincher (R-Tenn.)

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) plans to sit with Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.)

Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) plans to sit with Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio) and Rep. John Carney (D-Del.)

Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) plans to sit with Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.)

Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) plans to sit with Rep. Luis Guttierez (D-Ill.)

Rep. Tim Johnson (R-Ill.) plans to sit with Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.)

Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) plans to sit with Rep. Mike Mcintyre (D-N.C.)

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) plans to sit with Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas)