Break the Gridlock

We all complain of the gridlock in Congress. Most people attribute this to the polarization of our politics. One factor that allows the fringes of both parties to rip this country apart is the current House of Representative rules that prevent bipartisan legislation from going to the floor for a vote.

I am here to tell you that there is a light at the end of this dark, undemocratic tunnel.

The Problem Solvers Caucus, a group 48 Representatives made up of an equal number of Democrats and Republicans, has put forth the Break the Gridlock platform. The proposal demands that the House return to “Open Rules”. This platform also proposes rules that will fast-track legislation that has overwhelming bipartisan support, creates accountability and transparency, and encourages consensus-driven governing.

Having a bipartisan group in Congress should be good news. Unfortunately for the American people, this group has been stifled at every turn. In the past two years under current closed rules, bipartisan legislation with widespread support on Healthcare, DACA, infrastructure and school safety has been denied a vote. As a result, the Problem Solvers Caucus has made the Break the Gridlock platform a priority. They have pledged to support this reform and have taken it a step further with a pledge that they will not vote for any candidate for Speaker of the House in the next Congress if they don’t support the proposed rule changes. This is the opportunity to counteract the extreme fringes on the left and the right that use current rules to block consensus and progress.

What can you do to Break the Gridlock? Go to the website of the Congressional candidates in your district, or to one of their public events, and tell them that in order to get your vote they have to publicly support the Break the Gridlock platform and that they will have to commit to not support or vote for a House Speaker that does not pledge to commit to rule changes.

Sue Schwer

Bay Head, NJ