Congressmen Ami Bera, David Cicilline, Rodney Davis and Adam Kinzinger talk problem solving.
Evan Bayh says it's time for more courage in government - Daily Dose
Submitted by Collin Berglund on May 15, 2012
PROFILES IN PARTISANSHIP: "Lugar's primary loss is indeed a sad day for Indiana and for America. But his defeat can and should be a wake-up call for the vast majority of Americans who have had it with the constant partisan warfare. This November, let us remember that compromise is not synonymous with betrayal or independence a weakness. Let us reward candidates who put country ahead of party and progress before ideological orthodoxy. Above all, let us look for candidates with the character to write new profiles in courage. Americans will benefit greatly from this sequel," No Labels Co-Founder Evan Bayh writes in an op-ed appearing in The Chicago Tribune. This piece is a must-read for all No Labels supporters. Check it out and share it with your friends: Evan Bayh for The Chicago Tribune: Profiles in Partisanship
LEADERS DRAWING LINES IN THE SAND: Americans are starting to worry about the potential for widespread disruptions after the November elections -- when they will be counting on a lame-duck Congress to resolve its standoff over taxes and spending in just two months. Congress hasn't proven much the past year, but it's proven to many Americans that it can't be counted on to find solutions: Lori Montgomery and Rosalind S. Helderman for The Washington Post: Taxmageddon sparks rising anxiety
IS THE FILIBUSTER CONSTITUTIONAL? That's what Common Cause is asking, suing the U.S. Senate to challenge the constitutionality of the filibuster rules that require routine 60-vote thresholds for bills and nominations that have majority support. The filibuster began as a mistake, with the first filibuster occurring five decades after the ratification of the Constitution. This lawsuit comes on the heels of comments from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that seemed to endorse filibuster reform, although recent reports show change will likely not come quickly: Ezra Klein for The Washington Post: Is the filibuster unconstitutional?
THINK POSITIVE: What if ideas came without labels? For example, what if Romneycare and Obamacare was simply known as healthcare? Opponents just might come together and find positive solutions: Art Bushkin for the No Labels Blog: Positivity, Not Politics
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK UPDATE: The Export-Import Bank's charter expires on May 31. The legislation is moving forward slowly in the Senate, despite a 330-93 vote in the House. Yesterday Harry Reid dropped plans for a cloture vote on a motion to proceed on the legislation so Republicans could hold votes on five amendments: Daniel Strauss for The Hill: Reid agrees to GOP demands to move Ex-Im bank reauthorization forward
BUDGETS, BUDGETS AND MORE BUDGETS: It's budget week in the Senate as Democrats and Republicans prepare to jockey for position and grab political fodder for the campaign season. The key questions that remain are which Republicans will defect from Paul Ryan's budget -- and if President Obama's budget will come to a vote: Erik Wasson for The Hill: Voting on budget will provide 2012 ammo
VOTE ON NO BUDGET, NO PAY: Sen. Dean Heller, the sponsor of No Budget, No Pay, is pushing Senate leadership to hold a vote on the No Budget, No Pay Act via the unanimous consent agreement for the budget votes: Steve Tetreault for The Las Vegas Review-Journal: Heller seeks vote on 'no budget, no pay' bill
ACTION OF THE DAY: With all this budget talk, it's about time we asked our lawmakers to bring the No Budget, No Pay Act to a vote. Click here to quickly and easily send an email to your senators.
STAT OF THE DAY: Under regular order, it takes 67 votes to change Senate rules: Alexander Bolton for The Hill: Harry Reid puts nuclear option in back pocket
Written & edited by Collin Berglund, Joe Mansour and Lauren Gilbert
Tips, questions or ideas? Email the Daily Dose team at dailydose@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
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In today's Problem-Solver's Daily, members of the House has an agreement in principle for immigration reform, scandals are hurting everyone and one cabinet nomination was confirmed.
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April 23, 2013 in problem solvers, ami bera, rodney davis, David Cicilline, Adam Kinzinger
"Like many people across our great country, I learned at a young age that balancing the family budget and living within our means is a question of values."
April 5, 2013 in Cheri Bustos, government waste
