OPINION — Republicans and Democrats aren’t always at each other’s throats. There is more bipartisanship in Congress than most acknowledge, and no matter what they say, neither party has a monopoly on evidence.

A movement is underway to use better information to guide key decisions. This, in turn, yields a clearer picture of whether important programs achieve their goals and improve people’s lives.

What could be more important for our elected leaders than having and using facts for good decisions that positively affect their constituents?

This transformation in policymaking has been driven by ideologically diverse members of Congress, and aimed at welfare, foster care, education, and criminal justice, among other social programs.