Problem Solvers determined to build bridges in Congress

A view of River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The night after a mob attacked the U.S. Capitol, and less than 24 hours after Congress confirmed the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers had a Zoom meeting on the evening of Jan. 7.

Tensions swirled, anger flared at times. But 40 people listened and gained a better understanding of each other, amid a tumultuous time in U.S. history when working together was, perhaps, never more important.

That was a recent meeting of the Problem Solvers Caucus, the same 50-member group that spearheaded efforts to create the latest COVID-19 relief bill, under the leadership of co-chairs U.S. Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) and U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ). The Jan. 7 meeting was important, Reed said, in order to understand how members felt about the events of that week and help each other move forward.

"Passions and emotions were raw that day, but we talked for three hours and we stayed in the room," Reed said. "There were moments when there was anger, just like the rest of the country is going through, but there were also moments of common human empathy where we really cared for each other, and we showed that caring for each other by the words we expressed to each other. And what we did is, we stayed in the room."

Reed and Gottheimer shared this and other experiences in a discussion organized by the Cornell University Institute of Politics and Global Affairs, titled, "Bipartisanship in a Time of Crisis? How members of Congress can heal the wounds and find common ground in the Biden presidency”. The Zoom event, moderated by former U.S. Rep. Steve Israel, was on Jan. 13, the night of Trump's second impeachment. But much of the discussion looked forward from that day's proceedings, and the two guests said their bipartisan approach to lawmaking remains relevant and can still make a difference.

That will be true during the Biden administration, Gottheimer said, adding it’s important to listen to others and understand the issues that concern them. He noted that with thin majorities in Congress, he tells his fellow Democrats they must be willing to work with the GOP and find compromise. More COVID-related legislation is expected in the opening days of the new administration.

"Democrats are going to have to understand that we must work together, it's the only way it's going to work," Gottheimer said. "We're going to have to talk to each other, and not at the end, in the last minute when it's too late, but we're going to have to sit down up front. And President-elect Joe Biden knows this better than anyone."

The Problem Solvers’ dedication to bipartisanship is not always popular. Gottheimer noted he and Reed regularly get criticism from their own parties for working with the "other side". However, Reed said taking the time to understand other lawmakers is crucial, adding that new members of the caucus quickly find out it works. He's also spoken up during discussions among fellow Republicans, reminding them there are good people on the other side of the aisle who they can work with.

"Most of Congress is made up of men and women that have good hearts, good souls and want to do what they think is the right thing," Reed said. "You've just got to put in that time investment to find them, align with them and open up the door to that dialogue."

Getting the latest COVID-19 relief measure crafted and approved took relentless negotiation, with the American people foremost in mind. That priority compelled Gottheimer and Reed to deliver their remarks in the House together — on the same side of the aisle — after lawmakers came back to certify the election results on Jan. 6.

As the Biden administration nears, Gottheimer said new COVID legislation and an infrastructure bill are ripe for bipartisan action; Reed said the caucus may approach smaller bills related to immigration, health care and the environment after that. Throughout their work, though, it's about keeping the higher goal in mind.

"What drives us is not the politics," Reed said. "What drives us is getting the job done for the American people."

— Gareth Henderson

A goal we can fulfill

The woods along River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As the outward noise of news, elections and controversy rolls on, there is also an impetus beyond the push-and-pull of politics, an energy that seeks to bring us together and accomplish meaningful work for the greater good.

That work can take many forms. But, while listening to news about the Georgia runoffs on Tuesday, I came across a Vermont Public Radio photo of a sign simply stating, "Let us go forward together." The words carried a certain extra weight today, with political fervor reaching a new crescendo amid a week full of major happenings in our nation. And the fervor is certainly understandable, with a new Congress, the runoffs and then Wednesday's count of the presidential electoral votes in Congress.

Still, even in this very political week, a message such as that sign I mentioned above is certainly welcome. Reminders like that help us, for a moment, step out of the politicized thinking that can so quickly narrow our focus. Most importantly, they remind us that we can genuinely work together, because we have done so in the past. The Congressional compromise which led to the recent COVID-19 stimulus bill is proof that this capacity is still there.

Clearly, our nation is about to turn the page and head into a new chapter in its history of political leadership. But there are steep challenges which have followed Congress and the presidency into the new year, with the pandemic and a struggling economy still at the forefront. As 2021 continues, it will still be critical for not only our leaders, but all of us, to strive for, find and sustain the capacity to work together as one people, so that progress can be realized for everyone’s benefit. However the balance of power in Congress shakes out, that will remain the path we must follow. Even as we face headwinds, it's our most crucial goal, and one we can fulfill.

— Gareth Henderson

New week welcomes a new Congress

A winter scene along Barber Hill Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Sunday wasn’t the typical ending to a holiday weekend. It was the day that the 117th Congress was sworn in, and it was an opportunity for lawmakers to outline priorities for the year during a momentous week.

Among them was longtime U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), who easily won another two-year term in November. He said lowering prescription drug prices, increasing broadband access in Vermont, addressing climate change, and providing more COVID-19 relief for families and small businesses are among his highest priorities.

“I’m looking forward to working with a new administration to make progress on critical issues,” Welch said via Twitter on Monday. 

During this big week in politics, Tuesday’s runoff elections for two U.S. Senate seats in Georgia will determine the balance of power in Congress. Democrats emerged from the November election with a slimmer 222-211 majority in the House. On Wednesday, Congress meets to confirm the results of the November presidential election. 

Those important political happenings will be closely tracked by Americans everywhere, and, speaking of COVID-19 relief, so will the timing of the $600 direct payments from the recent federal aid package. The first payments started going out on Dec. 29, including those going out by paper check, and will continue to be sent through Jan. 15, CNN reports. More such payments are likely down the road, in some form. One of the top priorities of the incoming Biden administration is a new economic relief package, which the president-elect has said would include a third round of stimulus payments. 

That said, heading into the 117th Congress, politics still present their challenges, with divisions in the country persisting after the election. The compromise on the most recent relief package was a hopeful sign, showing that the shared focus on helping people through legislation remains possible. Let’s hope the focus remains on those priorities which are not political, but great necessities now, including food assistance, unemployment funds, vaccine distribution, child care and broadband. Surely such priorities can still provide a basis for moving forward with ways to help Americans, regardless of party. The goodness and compassion to help one another is still strong within us, and it remains a driving force connecting us all, allowing us to overcome barriers and make progress.

— Gareth Henderson

Choosing unity, not sides

A snow-covered scene off Barber Hill Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The best way to resolve a problem is to get at its roots. The same concept applies to the divisive nature of the U.S. political climate, and the idea can help us cultivate a stronger focus on unity as a people.

At the heart of this divisiveness, is the pressure people often feel to choose sides politically and stick with that choice. In recent years, that mode of thinking has become ingrained in our national consciousness, accompanied by many assumptions about those who are on "the other side." Too often, we have a fixed image in mind of who they are — typically, a negative one.

The danger in that thinking is that it breeds divisiveness, by focusing on the pitfalls of a different group and building on self-perpetuating negativity. In essence, it's a dead end, not a way to unify people for the greater good. The best way forward is to choose the side of unity, and tailor our thinking to that. The more we take that approach, the less important political labels will be when we consider how to press on toward a more unified country.

In the coming months, the main indicator of progress will be what motivates us, and it would be best if partisanship wasn't in the driver's seat. Instead, we can choose to rise above those generalizations and assumptions of others, and reach out the hand of partnership to build productive relationships. Those connections will serve the goal of unity-building much better than thinking that encourages us to take sides. By planting the seeds of peace, love and compassion, we can work together and encourage others to do the same. Approaching our problems together in this way, better days are well within our grasp.

— Gareth Henderson

Rising above the noise

The work of haying forms a unique pattern surrounded by fall scenery off Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont, recently. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

This week's presidential debate was more than just a reflection of the political noise that's throwing public discourse off track. It was also a reminder that we should all do our part to turn the discourse in a more productive direction — one that unites, not divides. 

Obviously, that kind of change will take time and patience, and it can't be rushed. It starts with productive moments, leading to understanding each other more fully, and finding common ground for greater progress on important issues. This all starts by trying to understand those we disagree with, offering a compassionate, listening ear. It can be difficult and uncomfortable, but it's the only way to counter polarization and build each other up. 

Though national political pressures are at play here, Vermont is well-suited to providing that environment, a place where people can speak about disparate points of view civilly, so that it leads to further discussion. The state has small communities, where the level of familiarity with one another may be helpful for building productive partnerships for change.

Going forward, a foundation of common thought is always useful when starting such discussions. Thankfully, regardless of our political persuasion, we still have some things in common. That includes this basic value: In the end, we all want our communities to succeed. 

Our collective goal is progress, and we have to break out of our political silos to seize it. That work starts small — on the community level, the family and friend level. If there's a viewpoint you've never understood, seek out an opportunity to learn more about it. Maybe even talk to someone who holds that view. Hopefully that leads to a basis of stronger understanding and, on some issues, common ground. It may feel like a small step, but small steps bring us closer to the greater unity we need and deserve today. If we take those steps, we can gradually rise above that political noise, and build a more productive future together. 

— Gareth Henderson