Congressmen Ami Bera, David Cicilline, Rodney Davis and Adam Kinzinger talk problem solving.
Sens. Mark Udall and Susan Collins want long-term solutions
Submitted by Jack McCullough on August 15, 2012
CAN'T PUNT AGAIN: While this Congress has a history of punting big decisions, Sens. Mark Udall and Susan Collins say it's time to make a decision: "Some of our colleagues are proposing that we kick the can down the road yet again and delay the fundamental question of dealing with our debt and deficit. They argue that we cannot or should not tackle these challenges in an election year or in a lame-duck session of Congress, as if there won't always be another election on the horizon. Simply put, this is unacceptable, and the American people know it. Our economy cannot afford to wait until politicians decide the time is right." Sens. Mark Udall and Susan Collins for USA TODAY: Congress can't punt again on the budget
BACK TO NORMAL: When former Governor Mitt Romney announced Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate, most people thought the campaigns might have a substantive debate on issues. Four days later, voters are seeing a return to the same finger-pointing that has dominated this campaign from the beginning. After Vice President Joe Biden said, “They’re going to put y’all back in chains," both campaigns are talking about the professionalism of the other ticket rather than the issues: Reid Epstein for POLITICO: Death of the high-minded campaign
POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY, ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES: Stanford Professor Nicholas Bloom joined No Labels citizens on a conference call last week, reports Steve Brawner. He explained his research in how political uncertainty affects the economy, arguing that Washington's inability to make decisions changes the way businesses spend and hire. Because businesses don't know what taxes they will have to pay in a few months, they hold off hiring -- further exacerbating an already stagnant economy: Steve Brawner for The Times Record: Commentary: Certainty Index: Uncertainty Bound To Continue
SIXTY-ONE: That is how many laws Congress has passed this year, putting them on pace for the lowest total post-World War II. After passing only 90 bills last year, this Congress has taken gridlock to another level and should take "Do-Nothing Congress" title away from the 80th Congress, whose 'least' productive year saw 395 laws passed in 1947: Susan Davis for USA TODAY: This Congress could be least productive since 1947
BUSINESS AND POLITICS: No Labels Co-Founder Ron Shaich is the CEO of Panera Bread. In an interview with Fortune Magazine, Shaich advises business owners to look to the future, and not think solely in the short term. His advice can be applied to elected officials as well -- they must look past the short-term goal of getting re-elected, and focus on long-term solutions: Beth Kowitt for Fortune Magazine: A founder's bold gamble on Panera
CITIZEN VOICE: No Labels supporter Kevin Coomer believes our Make the Presidency Work! and Make Congress Work! action plans can make a difference to fight gridlock in Washington. "Nothing would be better for the country than to have the president, the speaker of the House and the Senate majority leader confirming that they will consider these [plans] for the next four years when the president is sworn in on January 20, 2013," he says: Kevin Coomer for No Labels: Growing No Labels support
THE DAILY BREAK: Sleeping on the job is often frowned upon, but a few minutes of afternoon dozing can really make a difference. Click here to see this cool infographic about the benefits of napping:Keenan Roberts for BuzzFeed: Everything You'll Ever Need To Know About Napping
ACTION OF THE DAY: Forward this email to two friends who are interested in ending hyper-partisanship in Washington and ask them to subscribe. You can subscribe to Problem-Solver's Daily by clicking here.
STAT OF THE DAY: Congressional approval has plummeted to 10 percent, tying the worst approval rating for Congress since Gallup started polling the question. The last time that occurred was this past February, when Gallup noted it as the lowest approval of Congress in Gallup's history: Frank Newport forGallup: Congress Approval Ties All-Time Low at 10%
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).
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
On today's Problem-Solver's Daily, how can President Obama restore faith in the government, the filibuster is back in the news and an across-the-aisle retweet shows that both sides can agree on issues.
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