Congressmen Ami Bera, David Cicilline, Rodney Davis and Adam Kinzinger talk problem solving.
Watch Jonathan Miller on The Cycle
Submitted by Jack McCullough on October 19, 2012
JONATHAN MILLER ON THE CYCLE: No Labels Co-Founder Jonathan Miller was on MSNBC's The Cycle yesterday, talking about No Labels' solutions. "We need to be problem-solving and not hyper-partisan finger-pointing," he said. You can watch the entire segment here: Jonathan Miller on MSNBC's The Cycle
OVER-PROMISING: Both President Obama and Governor Romney are over-promising. But, as Gene Steuerle notes, working across the aisle means not always getting everything you want. "The president is the only elected official who represents all the American people ... In the end, therefore, we probably pick whomever we think better recognizes that the switch from candidate to president is more of a leap than a transition," he says: Gene Steuerle for The Government We Deserve: Governing After- Over-Promising
HYPER-PARTISANSHIP GETTING PERSONAL: Extreme hyper-partisanship has extended from elected officials to their constituents -- and difference in political opinion is leading to personal attacks. In our current political climate, it is okay to call someone a traitor if he or she even so much as agrees with an idea from the other side of the aisle. How are we supposed to solve our country's greatest problems if people in Washington are too busy blaming the other side? Ruben Navarrette for CNN: Today, talking politics is plain ugly
TRYING TO REACH INDEPENDENTS: George Allen and Tim Kaine both tried to reach undecided voters in their final debate last night. Both candidates focused on painting the other as a polarized political figure. Allen said Kaine would not be an independent voice and Kaine said Allen has engaged in harsh partisanship. While slamming the other candidate could be effective politically, the two Virginians should focus on what they would do to break the gridlock in Washington: David Catanese for POLITICO: George Allen, Tim Kaine reach for the center in final debate
WHY NO BUDGET, NO PAY IS IMPORTANT: Greg Fox is a student at the University of Rochester and currently interning at No Labels. He believes that passing the No Budget, No Pay Act will help get America moving in the right direction again. "If our lawmakers can be incentivized to work together and pass all spending bills on time, then hopefully they will realize the progress they can achieve by reaching across the aisle and solving problems together, regardless of party affiliation," he says: Greg Fox for the Campus Times: Members of Congress should put country’s budget before themselves
FROM THE FIELD: A No Labels supporter in California didn't let emergency surgery get in her way as she spreads the word about the No Labels movement. Read her letter to the editor (published just two weeks after her surgery) here.
THE DAILY BREAK: Hello Kitty, the popular animated cat, is running for president as part of the friendship party: Ramin Setoodeh forThe Daily Beast: Hello Kitty Is Running for President
ACTION OF THE DAY: Sign up to be a No Labels Digital Leader. Digital leaders are important to spreading No Labels message. You will receive weekly action alerts that can vary from posting a message to all your networks or calling a representative's office to thank them for their support for No Labels.
STAT OF THE DAY: A total of 63 percent of Americans think that congressional negotiators should be willing to accept things they don't like in a final debt deal compromise. Sixty-one percent said that all parties would be equally to blame if the federal government fails to reach a deal, according to the National Journal's most recent poll: Fawn Johnson for Government Executive: Public would accept tax hikes in debt deal
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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April 23, 2013 in problem solvers, ami bera, rodney davis, David Cicilline, Adam Kinzinger
"Like many people across our great country, I learned at a young age that balancing the family budget and living within our means is a question of values."
April 5, 2013 in Cheri Bustos, government waste
