Over the last few months Washington has seen major legislation travel along two wildly different paths. In late December a bipartisan core of rank-and-file members ushered a $900 billion COVID relief package through Congress despite resistance from leadership. More recently, however, a single-party relief bill was jammed through both houses via reconciliation. The question now …
The infrastructure package will be a moment of truth Read More »
Political acrimony makes easy, familiar headlines. But a confluence of events is presenting a real chance for meaningful bipartisan accomplishments. It will be a tragedy if we — as a nation, as a society — let it pass. Yes, the Senate and House are narrowly divided, and some partisans are reflexively hurling the same old …
Debate is raging about the coming spike in mail-in ballots, which will result from pandemic-driven fears of voting in crowded polling places on Nov. 3. Much of the discussion centers on possible voter fraud, which is, historically, quite unlikely. (Since Oregon switched entirely to mail-in voting in 2000, for instance, it has found only one-hundred-thousandth …
It’s hard to recall an election season with more issues to excite, infuriate or otherwise motivate voters: the deadliest pandemic in a century; extraordinary social upheaval over racial injustice; a norm-breaking president who inspires fierce opposition as well as ironclad loyalty; and millions of people out of work and unsure what’s to come. And yet, …
Voting: The great equalizer in a polarized society Read More »
Bari Weiss’s resignation from the New York Times is sure to prompt thousands of reactions—some supportive, but most mocking. Those who are horrified by her decision to abandon the atmosphere she described as “The New McCarthyism” will worry about the pervasive popularity of what others call “cancel culture.” Those reveling in Weiss’s self-imposed expulsion will respond that …
We’re having the wrong debate about Bari Weiss’s resignation Read More »
The images have not been good lately for those of us who want our elected officials to take a common-sense, results-oriented approach to governing. The bitter presidential impeachment battle ended with a career military officer being marched from his White House post by security guards. At the State of the Union address, President Donald Trump …
Silly disputes are blocking progress in America — but No Labels tears down the walls Read More »
Few issues explain Americans frustration with Washington better than guns. Even as violent crime has declined over the last 25 years, gun violence is nearing a four decades high. We know that guns are the primary culprit (as opposed to video games or any number of other red herrings) because, when compared with other countries, …
WHAT THE GUN SAFETY DEBATE SAYS ABOUT WASHINGTON Read More »
Meaningful reform comes slowly to our tradition-bound Congress. But we’re starting to see the fruits of hard-fought changes wrought this yearby the House’s bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. These results-oriented lawmakers were troubled to see House leaders (in both parties) sometimes bury legislation that was supported by many rank-and-file members but opposed by the power elite. …
HOUSE PROBLEM SOLVERS ARE BRINGING REAL CHANGE TO CONGRESS Read More »
House Democrats should be commended for passing a substantive bill to make government more open, more ethical and more transparent. But because the bill, H.R. 1, was written by Democrats alone—and because the GOP has refused to release a substantive counter-proposal—the House bill isn’t going anywhere. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has already said …
HOW THIS GOVERNMENT REFORM BILL PROVES WHY GOVERNMENT NEEDS REFORM Read More »
Lately in Washington it feels as though even the basic distinction between right and wrong is negotiable. But for the same reason Republicans were outraged when President Obama overstepped his constitutional powers, President Trump’s border wall-themed declaration of a national emergency violates both the spirit and letter of America’s time-honored separation of powers. Whatever you …
WE NEED A BIPARTISAN REJECTION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY Read More »
