Check out moments where teammates haven’t trusted each other. Like in Washington, in sports a lack of trust can have serious consequences.
Holding Congress Accountable
Submitted by Ryan Denenberg on July 13, 2012
HOLDING CONGRESS ACCOUNTABLE: The Fix Congress Now Caucus formally asked the Committee on House Administration to hold a hearing on No Budget, No Pay. With broad bipartisan and popular support, a formal hearing is the first step toward passing this bill and holding Congress accountable to the American people: Fix Congress Now Caucus Requests Formal Hearing for 'No Budget, No Pay' Act
DYSFUNCTION, DYSFUNCTION, DYSFUNCTION: 1) Congress isn't passing laws. 2) It's hideously unpopular. 3) It's incredibly polarized. 4) It's set back the recovery. 5) Congress' inaction lowered our credit rating. 6) The super committee failed. 7) Congress voted to repeal the ACA 33 times. 8) Congress cannot pass a budget. 9) It can't get appropriations done on time. 10) The transportation-infrastructure fiasco. 11) The FAA shutdown. 12) Failing the Fed. 13) The experts agree. 14) There are actually problems that need to be solved: Ezra Klein for The Washington Post: 14 Reasons Why This Is The Worst Congress Ever
NO PLEDGE BUT THE OATH OF OFFICE: In an interview with PARADE, George H. W. Bush critiqued the rigidity of pledges in Congress. Referring to the Norquist "no new tax" pledge, Bush said that circumstances change but pledges halt adaptation. He even challenged Norquist directly by asking, "Who the hell is Grover Norquist, anyway?" Mark Updegrove for PARADE: Interview with President and Mrs. Bush
TRUTH, LEADERSHIP, AND SOLUTIONS: David Walker, No Labels co-founder and former comptroller general of the United States, talked with No Labels about the status of the economy this week. Walker discussed the current state of the economy and what the upcoming 'fiscal cliff' was all about. More importantly he delivered a call-to-action for voters and politicians alike: Update on the Economy with David Walker
THE AMERICAN ECONOMY SOLVING PROBLEMS: Despite a multitude of economic problems, and an election focused on the bad economy, the American economy is remaking itself. The inventive private sector is remedying old weaknesses and discovering new strengths. The Economist: Comeback Kid
GRIDLOCK ON THE FARMS: Despite initially being seen as a bipartisan success, the farm bill is increasingly looking like it will not make it out of the House this year. The old policy has been repeatedly critiqued as broken, some in Congress are content with it for now: Jake Sherman for POLITICO: GOP Leaders May Squash Farm Bill
DUELING BUSINESS PLANS: Senators voted on two different bills to reinvigorate small business yesterday. Republicans and Democrats both offered their own bills, and both were defeated. Instead of blindly introducing separate bills, both sides need to work together to find common sense solutions to the problems plaguing small businesses in this country: Scott Wong for POLITICO: Gridlock: Senate Rejects Two Small-Business Bills
ACTION OF THE DAY: Re-tweet your favorite recent No Labels tweet from our Twitter
STAT OF THE DAY: In 2011, the House set a record, with 75.8 percent of its roll call votes pitting the majority of Democrats against the majority of Republicans. Ezra Klein for The Washington Post: 13 reasons why this is the worst Congress ever
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
In today's Problem-Solver's Daily, immigration battles loom, Congress is scrambling before student loan rates double and Rep. Tom Rooney joins the Problem Solvers.
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