Congressmen Ami Bera, David Cicilline, Rodney Davis and Adam Kinzinger talk problem solving.
Leadership in Washington is failing students
Submitted by Jack McCullough on September 28, 2012
FAILED LEADERSHIP AFFECTING STUDENTS: College students and recent graduates are feeling the affects of congressional inaction. "One reason the economy is growing too slowly to cut unemployment or create jobs for new college graduates is uncertainty about federal tax and spending plans. With Congress gridlocked, businesses can’t plan reliably or make investments in new equipment or new workers," Mark McKinnon and Nancy Jacobson write. The solution for students? Join No Labels and tell Congress to start solving problems: Nancy Jacobson and Mark McKinnon for The Heights: Time for students to demand that our leaders shed the labels
I'LL TAKE WHATEVER I CAN GET: That's what Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said about a deal for upcoming defense cuts. Panetta is not asking for a deal that eliminates all defense cuts or one that dramatically reduces the effects on the Department of Defense, but any sort of deal. With such little faith in Congress' ability to get things done, expectations are extremely low: Kate Brennan for POLITICO: Leon Panetta: I’ll take ‘whatever the hell’ I can get
STAY IN WASHINGTON: Members of Congress are starting to ignore their duties in Washington to fly home and meet with constituents. Proposal five in our Make Congress Work! action plan calls for members to coordinate their schedules to allow members both time in Washington and in their districts. The Reno Journal-Gazette agrees, saying, "Somehow, we have to break the partisan logjam that has prevented Congress from even adopting a budget in recent years. Asking our representatives to not come home for a few weeks at a time might be a good way to start." The Reno Journal-Gazette Editorial: Weekly exodus from D.C. adds to political gridlock
REP. SCOTT RIGELL: Rep. Rigell understands the oath he took to serve the 2nd district in Virginia. He has bucked party leadership on multiple occasions and is part of the bipartisan Fix Congress Now caucus, which sees the problems plaguing Washington and wants to do whatever it can to fix it. "Americans know that our country is at great risk unless we find a way to find common ground in sound legislation that’s actually enacted. This paralysis we’re in, this toxic mix of partisanship, no facts, weak ideas, is – the Republic can’t stand this,” says Rigell: David Grant for The Christian Science Monitor: Rep. Scott Rigell: Maverick GOP freshman in the eye of a political storm
SPOTLIGHT COULD LEAD TO SUCCESS: Congress has not passed a budget and all appropriations bills on time since 1996 and it looks like this year will be no different. But the fiscal cliff could bring extra attention to the issue. "The country's attention is focused on the fiscal crisis. With the spotlight on, a large, bipartisan group of senators could bring it to the floor," says Sen. Lamar Alexander: Greg Johnson for the Knoxville News Sentinel: 'No Budget, No Pay' could spur action
BLAME GAME: "The dysfunction – the inability to consider ideas that emanate from 'the other side', the unwillingness to compromise, the constant maneuvering for party advantage – derives directly from the power we have given those parties to shape who sits in office and how they function," writes No Labels Co-Founder Mickey Edwards. Edwards believes that it is time for the American people to truly examine our elected officials and vote for candidates who best reflect our values: Mickey Edwards for The New York Times: The Unraveling of Government
NO BUDGET, NO PAY SUPPORT: Check out this page on the No Budget, No Pay Act to see who the co-sponsors are and cast your opinion on the bill: Unfold: Congress should not be paid if it can't pass a budget
ACROSS-THE-AISLE SOLUTIONS NEEDED: Both sides of the aisle believe they can fix our economy with their spending plans and tax code, but really both plans would be unsuccessful. "Neither plan is adequate to bring our country’s finances into balance. There are no painless fixes for years of irresponsible fiscal behavior in Washington. Math will eventually force the political process to increase revenues and cut spending," writes Ed Conant: Ed Conant forThe Savannah Morning News: Taxes by the numbers: 1%, 47%, 100%
FROM THE FIELD: No Labels citizen Richard Roll from Connecticut has joined the hundreds of other baby boomers attending the Meeting to Make America Work! who know their financial future is in jeopardy because of political gridlock in Washington.
THE DAILY BREAK: There isn't much that Sens. Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell can agree on, but they agree on rooting for the Nationals. After years of struggles, the Nationals are feeling support from institutions such as Congress, the Federal Reserve, and the Supreme Court: Mel Antonen for Sports Illustrated: Washington bigwigs cross partisan divide to root on Nationals
ACTION OF THE DAY: Connect with No Labels on LinkedIn, a professional social network. If you do not have an account, click here to create one.
STAT OF THE DAY: A record-high 38 percent of Americans would rather have one party in charge of both the presidency and Congress. Another 33 percent say that it doesn't matter whether one party has unified control over the branches: Andrew Dugan for Gallup: Americans' Preference Shifts Toward One-Party Government
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).
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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, Standard and Poor's warns the U.S. of another credit downgrade, Washington insiders give their outlook for Congress and political dysfunction hurts democracy.
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