By nearly every measure, the 112th Congress was the least productive since 1947. 1947!
With so many of the country’s fiscal and other problems to be solved, they passed the fewest number of bills and enacted nearly the fewest laws.
At the heart of it all: the Senate filibuster. In its first 50 years the filibuster was used 35 times. In the last two – more than 100 times.
In today's Problem-Solver's Daily we talk about the launch of No Labels Radio and our ways to fix the broken nomination system.
In today's Problem-Solver's Daily, we talk about a growing sense of optimism and two bipartisan immigration bills.
In today's Problem-Solver's Daily, we talk about tomorrow's sequester and Washington's refusal to accept responsibility.
In today's Problem-Solver's Daily, we look at the passage of No Budget, No Pay and a deal on filibuster reform.
In today's Problem-Solver's Daily, we talk about Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's commitment to not campaign against colleague Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
In today's Problem-Solver's Daily, the leaders are now the only ones at the fiscal cliff table, Bill Galston talks about dysfunction and Mitch McConnell filibusters himself.
In today's Problem-Solver's Daily, we look at the continuing drama over the fiscal cliff, No Budget, No Pay, and the history of the lame duck.
In today's Problem-Solver's Daily, we talk about a new co-sponsor of No Budget, No Pay, a day in the life of the Senate and a bipartisan letter to the Senate leaders.
WELCOME BACK: Congress returns to Washington today after a five-week recess.
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
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.
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
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.
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.
If Congress can't pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, members of Congress should not get paid.
All presidential nominations should be confirmed or rejected within 90 days of the nomination.
Require real (not virtual) filibusters and end filibusters on motions to proceed.
Allow a bipartisan majority of members to override a leader or committee chair’s refusal to bring a bill to the floor.
Make Congress work on coordinated schedules with three five-day work weeks a month in DC and one week in their home district.
Provide a monthly forum for members of Congress to ask the president questions to force leaders to debate one another and defend their ideas.
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.
Members should make no pledge but the pledge of allegiance and their formal oath of office.
The House and Senate should institute monthly, off-the-record and bipartisan gatherings to get members talking across party lines.
At all joint meetings or sessions of Congress, each member should be seated next to at least one member of the other party.
Congressional party leaders should form a bipartisan congressional leadership committee to discuss legislative agendas and substantive solutions.
Incumbents from one party should not conduct negative campaigns against sitting members of the opposing party.
In today's Problem-Solver's Daily, members of the House has an agreement in principle for immigration reform, scandals are hurting everyone and one cabinet nomination was confirmed.
