Congressmen Ami Bera, David Cicilline, Rodney Davis and Adam Kinzinger talk problem solving.
No One Likes the Gridlock
Submitted by Kelsey McLaughlin on October 11, 2012
NO ONE LIKES THE GRIDLOCK: Polls continue to show that most Americans do not approve of Congress. Some nine out of 10 Americans disapprove of Congress, according to a new Gallup poll. Before 2007, the disapproval rating topped 80 percent only twice. The Gallup report says, “Americans' distaste for the institution is entirely bipartisan. Only 11 percent of independents, 10 percent of Republicans, and 9 percent of Democrats approved.” Voters need to remember the poor job Congress has done and vote problem solvers into office this November: Bill Knight for Tri-State Public Radio: Bi-Partisan Disapproval of Congress
SUPPORT FOR PROBLEM-SOLVERS: While many problem solvers are supporting the Simpson-Bowles plan as a starting point for deficit reduction, the two leaders are starting to return the favor. Recently, Bowles endorsed No Labels supporter Gov. Angus King for Maine's open Senate seat, along with appearing at a 'fiscal summit' with No Labels supporter Sen. Joe Manchin: Laura Litvan for Bloomberg: Simpson-Bowles Supporters Get Campaign Backing in Return
CASUALTIES OF GRIDLOCK: Within the last three years, Congress has lost 23 members due to gridlock. “The tragedy here is that everybody I know who comes to the United States Senate comes to get something done, and that’s the real reason they come here, and yet people are sort of pulled apart by this process,” said Sen. Joe Lieberman of his decision to retire from Congress. As Lieberman points out, well-intentioned elected officials are becoming yet another casualty of gridlock. Check out the No Labels Blog for a graphic showing the members of Congress who have cited gridlock as the reason for their retirement: No Labels Blog: Casualties of Gridlock
UNWANTED ATTENTION: Sesame Street's Big Bird has been in the news a lot recently after being referenced in the presidential debate by Gov. Mitt Romney. While the extra attention can be good, organizations do not want their products in the middle of a campaign. "[Organizations] seem more wary that appearances of supporting one side or the other could alienate a huge segment of the country, potentially costing them customers, members or even influence on Capitol Hill," writes Mike Lillis. One solution is for the candidates to focus on discussing the issues instead of using public figures for one liners: Mike Lillis for The Hill: Big Bird joins list of unwitting – and unwilling – campaign props
PROBLEM-SOLVERS SEAL: Recently, No Labels has awarded candidates or legislators the Problem-Solver's Seal of Approval. The Problem-Solvers Seal is awarded to candidates or legislators who agree to join No Labels’ emerging “Problem-Solvers Bloc,” a group of lawmakers who are dedicated to working across the aisle to discuss effective, principled and pragmatic solutions to our country’s problems. These members will be unveiled at the No Labels Meeting to Make America Work! in New York City on January 14. Today, No Labels Co-Founder Lisa Borders will be awarding the seal to candidates Bill Bloomfield and Gary DeLong at press conferences in California.
VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: Check out Mashable's live blog of the Vice Presidential debate tonight with No Labels Co-Founder Bill Galston.
FROM THE FIELD: Tonight at George Washington University, Dan Hoffmann will be speaking on behalf of No Labels in front of College Democrats and Republicans, who will be meeting to discuss how our country's problems can be solved using bipartisanship.
THE DAILY BREAK: Check out the Muppets and Sesame Street characters who have been involved in politics before: Andrew Kaczynski for Buzzfeed: Muppets Who Have Run For President
ACTION OF THE DAY: Sen. Joe Manchin is excited about No Labels, and he wants to talk to supporters like you. Join him on a call on Monday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m. eastern time.
STAT OF THE DAY: According to an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the entire fiscal obstacle course (their term for what is usually referred to as the fiscal cliff), if allowed to occur, could account for eliminating 3.7 percent of GDP next year and cost over 4 million jobs: Ezra Klein for The Washington Post: The fiscal…something
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, what factors are contributing to a broken Congress, the gang of eight knows trust is important and trust in the locker room is similar to trust in public office.
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