Congressmen Ami Bera, David Cicilline, Rodney Davis and Adam Kinzinger talk problem solving.
Remembering Reagan and O'Neill's relationship
Submitted by Jack McCullough on October 8, 2012
REMEMBERING WHAT SOLUTIONS LOOK LIKE: In the presidential debate last week, both candidates mentioned President Ronald Reagan and Speaker Tip O'Neill as people who were able to put differences aside to find solutions for America. "What both men deplored more than the other’s political philosophy was stalemate, and a country that was so polarized by ideology and party politics that it could not move forward. There were tough words and important disagreements over everything from taxation to Medicare and military spending. But there was yet a stronger commitment to getting things done," writes O'Neill's son, Thomas O'Neill III: Thomas O'Neill III for The New York Times: Frenemies: A Love Story
REMEMBER WHEN: In March, No Labels particpated in a Senate hearing on the No Budget, No Pay Act. The hearing featured No Labels co-founders speaking to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs and citizens from across the country were in attendance. "Congress is just not fulfilling some of the basic responsibilities that the Constitution gives us, including, of course, the responsibility to propose, to debate, and to adopt in a timely manner a budget for our country," said Sen. Joe Lieberman: No Labels: Senate Hearing on No Budget, No Pay: Transcript
GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER'S TAKE: After being governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger believes there are ways for Washington to get back on track. "I've experienced first-hand that when you bring the parties and if you do the people's work, if you see yourself as a public servant rather than a party servant, I think you can get much more done," said Schwarzenegger on Meet the Press.You can watch the entire video here.
GRIDLOCK HURTING DAIRY FARMERS: When Congress left Washington a few weeks ago, members could not find a solution for the farm bill -- dairy farmers are already starting to feel the effects. "When the farm bill expired, so did the Milk Income Loss Contract Program, which pays dairy farmers when milk prices, which are always volatile, fall below a set level. The payment is also adjusted to the price of feed, which has been high, thanks to record corn prices, and will be much higher after this year’s nationwide drought," writes The New York Times Editorial Board. Elected officials need to open their eyes and see the real results of their inability to find across-the-aisle solutions:Editorial Board for The New York Times: A Gloomy Season for Dairy Farmers
ASK ABOUT REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE: Rep. Tom Reed and Nate Shinagawa are running for election to New York’s new 23rd congressional district and were asked what they would do if they were elected to Congress and the president was from the opposing party. "I remain frustrated by those who choose politics over policy. The self-righteous name-calling and finger-pointing being done on both sides by national leaders is counter-productive and does nothing to help solve the serious issues our nation faces," said Reed. "In the challenging situation of working with a president of the other party, I would actively seek out opportunities to work with Republicans who are willing and pressure Democratic leadership to always put people before politics," said Shinagawa: The Ithaca Journal: 23rd District Q&A: What would be your approach if you are elected and the opposition party's candidate is president?
REFRESHER ON THE FILIBUSTER: As part of our Make Congress Work! action plan, we proposed a fix for the filibuster to help create more across-the-aisle solutions. Click here to read about the history and increase in usage of the filibuster.
FROM THE FIELD: No Labels Citizen Leader Lisa Allen is gathering her friends together to take a bus from New Jersey to attend theMeeting to Make America Work!
THE DAILY BREAK: Saturday Night Live is one of the leaders in political satire around the election season, but how do they write their material? Bill Carter for The New York Times: Spinning Gaffes Into Gags: Live From New York, It’s Debate Night
ACTION OF THE DAY: Sign up to be a No Labels Digital Leader. Together, digital leaders have filled up a congressman’s voicemail box, posted over a thousand comments on a representative’s Facebook wall -- and you can be a part of what’s next. As a digital leader, you will receive weekly action alerts to help spread No Labels' message.
STAT OF THE DAY: Americans' self-reported average daily spending fell to $74 in September, according to Gallup. Uncertainty about the approaching fiscal cliff and other issues in Washington may have contributed to this decrease: Elizabeth Mendes for Gallup: U.S. Consumer Spending Slows in September
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
Problem-Solver's Daily: A Quick Email Digest for Problem-Solvers
In today's Problem-Solver's Daily, problems with the government process are causing gridlock, immigration bills are at different points and Harry Reid is pushing back the confirmation process for President Obama's remaining nominees.
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