The Washington Post asked Beltway insiders to name one idea — other than reforming the much-discussed filibuster — that might get Congress moving.
MACK MCCLARTYChief of staff to President Bill Clinton, 1993-94:In these times, the American people need a government at the top of its game. Yet one year into the Obama administration, some 40 percent of appointed positions had yet to be filled. Dozens of nominees are still awaiting Senate confirmation votes. Dysfunctional, anyone? That’s why I’d abolish the anonymous hold on nominations. Beyond fixing the Senate, this would also strengthen the governance of our country by allowing the president to more expeditiously get his full team in place.
NORMAN J. ORNSTEINResident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute:The problem with the Senate is much less the rules than the broader culture, leading to more polarization, less comity, more ideological division, less institutional identity. One way to change that is to alter the Senate schedule. Instead of coming in Tuesday afternoon and closing down Thursday afternoon, go to work five days a week, from 9 a.m. Monday to 5 p.m. Friday, with three weeks on and one week off to go back home and maintain direct contact with constituents.
This would provide a major incentive for senators to bring their families to Washington. It would mean more time with colleagues in the Capitol and more opportunities to build relationships and dialogue across the aisle.
WARREN RUDMANSenator, R-N.H., from 1980 to 1993; co-chair of Americans for Campaign Reform:We need to end [senators] reliance on special-interest money. The best solution I know is citizen-funded elections: a system of small donations from constituents and matching public funds for qualifying candidates who forgo large donations. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., has made a fine start with the Fair Elections Now Act, which caps donations at $100 apiece and provides competitive matching dollars out of a deficit-neutral fund raised through fees on large-scale government contracts. It would be a welcome change for senators and the American people.
DANA PERINOWhite House press secretary to President George W. Bush:If we want to improve the Senate, let’s elect more women. Women around the world are stepping into leadership roles in record numbers.
Yet for all of our progress on gender equality, the United States isn’t keeping pace. Of our 100 senators, only 17 are women (13 Democrats and 4 Republicans).
This inequity simply doesn’t make sense. Women make up just under half of America’s workforce. They decide about 85 percent of all household purchases. They make tough decisions about family finances and are used to making sacrifices. Congress could use more of their sensibility to save or pay down debt.
Women tend to be team players and are frequently well-practiced at multitasking. And who wouldn’t agree that the Sunday talk show circuit would benefit from some diversity?
