Congressmen Ami Bera, David Cicilline, Rodney Davis and Adam Kinzinger talk problem solving.
Co-Founder Mickey Edwards looks at the hyper-partisanship in Washington
Submitted by Jack McCullough on August 17, 2012
WHAT'S BROKEN: In his first speech on the House floor, No Labels Co-Founder Mickey Edwards, a Republican, decided to use the lectern facing the Democrats. He was greeted by a gasp by both sides of the aisle as representatives generally speak to their own side. Edwards still sees the same hyper-partisanship in Washington today. "We've created a system that rewards incivility and punishes cooperation," he argues: Mickey Edwards for CNN: Can we fix a hyper-partisan Congress?
FINDING SOLUTIONS: There are still problem-solvers trying to break the gridlock in Washington. "Members of Congress need to get off the sidelines and get into the game – they need to compromise to replace sequestration with something better. Knowing what’s at stake, I’m going to keep working as hard as I know how to forge common ground, protect jobs and safeguard our national security," says Sen. Claire McCaskill: Claire McCaskill for The St. Louis American: Fighting for compromise solutions
BOWLES-SIMPSON REVISITED: The Bowles-Simpson plan, is being reworked. A group of ex-politicians and business executives, led by former Sens. Judd Gregg., and Alan Simpson, former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, and former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles plan to release a revised plan after the election as the fiscal cliff approaches. “The Bowles-Simpson group is the best example of what can be accomplished. It can serve as 'a consensus bipartisan template,' ” says No Labels supporter Sen. Joe Manchin: John Aloysius Farrell and Nancy Cook for National Journal: The Legend of Simpson-Bowles
NEGATIVE ADS: While negative advertising has always been a part of elections, today's campaigns are taking it over the top. One pro-Mitt Romney ad says if President Obama is re-elected, "You wouldn't have to work and wouldn't have to train for a job. They just send you your welfare check." Meanwhile a pro-Obama group is suggesting that Romney and Bain Capital are responsible for the death of a steel worker's wife due to cancer. Both campaigns should start focusing on substantive issues instead:Editoral for USA TODAY: Editorial: Obama, Romney should disavow super PAC ads
THE DAILY BREAK: Jon Stewart and Brian Williams talk about the lack of substantive issues being discussed in this election cycle. Referring to the mud slinging and negativity of the campaigns, Williams said: We can't -- as a country -- keep doing this." Stewart responded: "The system that we have in place to fix problems is broken." The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: Interview with Brian Williams
ACTION OF THE DAY: Click here to tweet about the No Labels Meeting to Make America Work! If you don't have an account, you can create one here.
STAT OF THE DAY: Both unadjusted and seasonally adjusted unemployment have been 8.3 percent in mid-August, up from 8.2 percent (unadjusted) and 8.0 percent (adjusted) in July. However, the underemployment rate - the rate taking into account disaffected workers and workers working part-time jobs but looking for full-time jobs, declined slightly to 17.0 percent, from 17.1 percent in July. Most of this decline is likely to be part-time workers switching to full-time work that is becoming available: Jenny Marlar for Gallup: U.S. Unadjusted Unemployment 8.3% in Mid-August
Written & edited by Kelsey McLaughlin, Collin Berglund, Lauren Gilbert and Jack McCullough
Tips, questions or ideas? Email the Problem-Solver's Daily team at psdaily@nolabels.org or tweet at us (@nolabelsorg).
12 Ways to Make Congress Work!
- 1. No Budget, No Pay
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
- 2. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
- 3. Fix the Filibuster
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
- 4. Empower the Sensible Majority
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
- 5. Make Members Come to Work
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
- 6. Question Time for the President
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
- 7. Fiscal Report to Congress
A nonpartisan leader should deliver an annual, televised fiscal update in-person to a joint session of Congress to ensure everyone is working off the same facts.
- 8. No Pledge but the Oath of Office
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
- 9. Monthly Bipartisan Gatherings
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
- 10. Bipartisan Seating
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
- 11. Bipartisan Leadership Committee
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
- 12. No Negative Campaigns Against Incumbents
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.
- 1. No Budget, No Pay
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
- 2. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
- 3. Fix the Filibuster
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
- 4. Empower the Sensible Majority
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
- 5. Make Members Come to Work
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
- 6. Question Time for the President
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
- 7. Fiscal Report to Congress
A nonpartisan leader should deliver an annual, televised fiscal update in-person to a joint session of Congress to ensure everyone is working off the same facts.
- 8. No Pledge but the Oath of Office
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
- 9. Monthly Bipartisan Gatherings
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
- 10. Bipartisan Seating
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
- 11. Bipartisan Leadership Committee
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
- 12. No Negative Campaigns Against Incumbents
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.
- 1. No Budget, No Pay
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
- 2. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
- 3. Fix the Filibuster
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
- 4. Empower the Sensible Majority
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
- 5. Make Members Come to Work
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
- 6. Question Time for the President
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
- 7. Fiscal Report to Congress
A nonpartisan leader should deliver an annual, televised fiscal update in-person to a joint session of Congress to ensure everyone is working off the same facts.
- 8. No Pledge but the Oath of Office
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
- 9. Monthly Bipartisan Gatherings
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
- 10. Bipartisan Seating
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
- 11. Bipartisan Leadership Committee
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
- 12. No Negative Campaigns Against Incumbents
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.
11 Ways to Make the Presidency Work!
- 1. Regular News Conferences for the President
- 2. Fast-Track Legislative Authority for The President
- 3. Make The Parties Pay for Presidential Fundraising
- 4. A Line Item Veto With A Twist
- 5. Reduce the Number of Appointees Subject to Senate Confirmation
- 6. Identify a "Slate That Can't Wait" of Critical Nominees For Expedited Confirmation
- 7. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointments
- 8. Question Time for The President
- 9. Expanded Presidential Power to Reorganize
- 10. Different Opinions, But the Same Facts
- 11. Regular Meetings Between the President And Congressional Leadership
- 1. Regular News Conferences for the President
- 2. Fast-Track Legislative Authority for The President
- 3. Make The Parties Pay for Presidential Fundraising
- 4. A Line Item Veto With A Twist
- 5. Reduce the Number of Appointees Subject to Senate Confirmation
- 6. Identify a "Slate That Can't Wait" of Critical Nominees For Expedited Confirmation
- 7. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointment
- 8. Question Time for The President
- 9. Expanded Presidential Power to Reorganize
- 10. Different Opinions, But the Same Facts
- 11. Regular Meetings Between the President And Congressional Leadership
- 1. Regular News Conferences for the President
- 2. Fast-Track Legislative Authority for The President
- 3. Make The Parties Pay for Presidential Fundraising
- 4. A Line Item Veto With A Twist
- 5. Reduce the Number of Appointees Subject to Senate Confirmation
- 6. Identify a "Slate That Can't Wait" of Critical Nominees For Expedited Confirmation
- 7. Up or Down Vote on Presidential Appointment
- 8. Question Time for The President
- 9. Expanded Presidential Power to Reorganize
- 10. Different Opinions, But the Same Facts
- 11. Regular Meetings Between the President And Congressional Leadership
Problem-Solver's Daily: A Quick Email Digest for Problem-Solvers
On today's Problem-Solver's Daily, how can President Obama restore faith in the government, the filibuster is back in the news and an across-the-aisle retweet shows that both sides can agree on issues.
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