It’s one of the enduring questions: Can the major political parties in Congress still work together?
Last month, I invited six Members of Congress, via their press offices, to comment. Because I was asking for their input in the context of my role as a guest commentator for St. Louis Public Radio, I focused on Members who have constituents in the greater St. Louis area and (per the station’s news director) sought perspectives from an equal number of Republicans and Democrats.
Here’s the text of the short survey I submitted to each office.
Recent news reports suggest that Republicans and Democrats in the Missouri General Assembly have learned the art of civility and the importance of compromise in pursuit of their legislative goals. Some argue that Members of Congress in both major parties need to learn the same lessons – that while they should continue to have healthy debates, the current environment is toxic and counterproductive.
Do you agree with that assessment?
If not, why not?
If so, what do you believe are the root causes of discord between the major parties?
What solutions would you recommend, to restore and maintain in Congress a more collegial, constructive environment?
Four of the six offices responded, all in writing.
Clearly, given time constraints, I had to make choices about which elements of their responses I could include and still present a cohesive commentary. As a result, a fair amount of material did not make the final cut. I felt that omitted material should be shared. And so, on Wednesday, I emailed the press offices with which I worked on this project, letting them know that I wanted to publish online the complete text of each Member’s response, as supplemental material to the radio commentary, after it had aired. I told them I would assume such publication was acceptable, unless they indicated otherwise. As of this morning, no one had objected. Hence, with the approval of the radio station’s news director, I’m publishing the responses here.
Note: These responses are published in the order in which they were received. The survey questions have been removed from any responses in which they were included. A few other, minor edits are marked by brackets and were made only to correct presumed typographical errors or to insert punctuation to improve the readability of the affected sentences. The parenthetical identifiers following each Member’s name include party and state (e.g., D-MO) and, where relevant, Congressional District (e.g., IL.19).
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Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL.19)
June 15, 2010
No, I do not believe the current environment in Washington is toxic.
I believe that every Member of Congress is trying to best represent their constituents. We have obvious differences in our beliefs in how government should be involved in issues that affect our nation. I can debate vigorously my positions with opponents, yet am cordial and have good working relationships with most of those same people.
The causes are the basic differences between the parties. Democrats generally believe in bigger government and higher taxes. They believe government management is the best solution. Republicans generally believe in lower taxes, fiscal responsibility, and personal freedom. Thus, removing government and allowing the people to have more control is the best solution.
Members of Congress many times also play up the most extreme ideas to their strongest supporters; this also can create a public perception of discord.
I believe that it is up to each individual to form those relationships that allow Members of Congress to work together. While our voting records are miles apart, as an example I am friends with Lacy Clay. We have played basketball together and often chat between votes on the floor. We are both cosponsors of 46 bills and resolutions. Some were introduced by Democrats and some by Republicans; some are more substantive than others. But it shows that at a minimum, there are issues where we agree … those times however, don’t make news.
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
June 16, 2010
I’m a pretty independent senator and have voted against the leadership in my party more than almost any other senators, but Congress definitely has a ways to go when it comes to working across the aisle. I do think we are seeing more bipartisan efforts today than we have at many points throughout the past year. For example, Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama and I are working to pass a measure to place caps on growth in discretionary spending for the next three years. Although it has fallen a few votes shy of passing, we have support from members of both parties. I also have a number of Republicans who have signed on to my letter pledging to end secret holds, the practice whereby a senator can anonymously block legislation or nominations. I see these as positive signs, but it’s hard not to be frustrated with how far we still have to go.
I think part of the problem around here is that for too many people in [Washington,] their number one priority is focusing on how to keep their job and saying no is easier than working out a compromise. I think there’s a sense of frustration and anger amongst the American people and politicians are trying to capitalize on divisive feelings that exist among the electorate. And, unfortunately, the partisan fighting in Washington sometimes receives more attention than it deserves as it creates better ratings for news programs than merit-based policy discussions.
I think it’s important that we, especially those of us who are in the middle, […] keep reaching across the aisle. People are pretty frustrated with Washington right now, regardless of party, and I think it would do us all a world of good to work towards the ways in which we can compromise to get things done.
Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO)
June 17, 2010
As a Republican Governor I had to learn to work with a Democratic legislature where I learned our State’s — and our nation’s — greatest successes are always bipartisan. I remain close to many of my Missouri General Assembly colleagues to this day.
My greatest accomplishments [–] reform of terrorist surveillance, election reform, and Parents as Teachers [–] were all bipartisan efforts and wouldn’t have been possible without members across the aisle working with me to provide the American people with solutions.
In a world today where enemies are real — the kind who in their hate-filled rage set [off] a bomb in a crowded, busy street — it is important to remember there is a lot of real estate between a political opponent and a true enemy.
Unfortunately things seem to be the most partisan when one party is in control of the Administration and Congress — regardless of which party it is.
Also, maybe it’s a result of the 24-hour news cycle and seemingly endless election cycles — but in recent years elected officials seem to be more concerned with winning battles against the other side [than] winning legislative victories’ that are good for the American people.
Also, with the growing number of pundits on the far right and far left folks seem less willing to compromise. Compromise has somehow become a dirty word in politics, when really, that’s how you achieve important policy changes.
Everyone talks about how partisan things are now, but guess what: it has always been partisan.
Partisanship is healthy when it presents Americans with differing ideas about how to solve problems. Partisanship is unhealthy when it leads to division and gridlock.
We need to continue to respect each other; even when our views are not the same.
Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO.3)
June 22, 2010
I don’t think there is any question we have seen an unfortunate decline in the level of civil discourse in this country, and it is deeply troubling.
Lately, it seems like some of my colleagues are far more interested in scoring political points than in working together to find solutions to the pressing challenges facing our nation. I’ve watched in astonishment as solid, common-sense legislation based on sound, bipartisan principles has died on the vine because someone determined there was a political advantage to be gained by blocking it.
There is plenty of blame to go around. But I believe one of the most fundamental causes for the growing rancor has to do with how warped our electoral process has become. The politics of personal destruction is poisoning our democracy, and making it that much more difficult for bipartisan cooperation after Election Day is over.
But just as we share responsibility for the problem of partisanship, we also each share responsibility for working to change the climate. I have personally made bipartisanship a top priority, reaching out to colleagues across the aisle to address critical issues like job growth and health care. The relationships I have built with some of my Republican colleagues have been incredibly rewarding, and I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish by working together.
Harry Truman once said, “When we understand the other fellow’s viewpoint, and he understands ours, then we can sit down and work out our differences.”
This is the heart of the issue. We will always have differences in opinion. Robust debate is the cornerstone of our democracy, and we should never sacrifice our principles in the face of disagreement. But we can and must work to understand the viewpoint of those who see the world differently than we do; we must respect that opinion as legitimate and valid; and we must work to identify the common ground that bridges the divide between us.