Next week it will be official. The 113th Congress will go down in history as the least productive in U.S. history, having passed the least legislation ever. They also spent less time in Washington than any other Congress in the last 50 years. The current approval rating of Congress is 8%. Could any business or organization survive such a lack of productivity or low level of customer satisfaction?
Rather than go in to the consequences of Congressional inaction and ineptness, allow me to outline some common sense ideas for getting Congress back on track towards good government.
First, focus on relationships. Like all successful organizations, good relationships count – they grease the gears of cooperation.
Members of Congress should set up breakfast or lunch meetings with some of their colleagues, from both parties, who serve on the same committees. In the first meeting, try to avoid talking shop. Just spend some time trying to get to know each other.
Don’t allow any staff to attend – just the members. If some members on the committee won’t agree to meet, fine, meet with the ones that will. Even, if it is only three or four people.
It may take time to get more members to participate, but make a commitment to continue these relaxed meal meetings. Be patient and have faith they will make a difference. The informal meetings will compliment formal committee meetings, and make collaboration more likely.
Once members see some success in their own committees, they can try this approach with other members of the opposite party who could be helpful in passing needed legislation.
Second, avoid grandstanding. Resist the temptation to attack the other party, especially other members. Endeavor to work more behind the scenes and less in front of the camera.
Place effectiveness ahead of partisanship and personal glory. When there is success, share the credit. Make influence, not power or prestige, the ultimate goal.
Effectiveness stems from good relationships and influence. Relationships are based upon trust and respect. Once someone is trusted and respected, others are more likely to work with them to get things done.
Third, demonstrate success. Pass some legislation. Start with something small. Find a bill or two which should be easy to pass. Maybe incremental legislative success, even if small to begin, can start the ball rolling and lead to more important bills getting passed.
Hopefully, sustained lawmaking progress would lead to more cooperation and action. Making some headway on ending the gridlock might even lead to more favorable polling numbers for Congress. Who knows, it could be the start of an upward virtuous cycle of bi-partisanship.
Trying these ideas will take time, patience and discipline. However, if members spend less time on fund raising and courting publicity, they should be able to make a concerted effort with this approach.
Making a commitment to this plan will also take courage and determination. Choosing effectiveness over partisanship and money will require guts, a strong will, and a thick hide. It will also be risky. Putting effectiveness ahead of re-election is easier said than done.
Some may say this kind of plan is naïve. Maybe it is. But to do nothing, and to accept the status quo, is cowardly.
From what I read, most members of Congress say they are frustrated and dissatisfied with how things are in both the House and the Senate. If so, why not try a different approach? If they don’t like these ideas, come up with something else. But do something. Anything, to try and end the gridlock.
I think most people that go into politics start out by wanting to make a difference. Unfortunately, they get sucked in to the money and prestige vortex. Doing so, makes them part of the problem, not part of the solution.
We desperately need a hand full of courageous leaders in Congress who put the good of the country ahead of their party, and their own political careers. Risky? Yes. However, I believe the time is right. Voters are frustrated. Two more years of gridlock and this disillusionment may turn to anger.
I believe that members, who earnestly try this plan or something similar, will earn the trust and respect of voters, and be rewarded with an easy path to re-election.
Billy Graham once said, “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” Let’s hope a handful of courageous members emerge in the 114th Congress and the contagion spreads.