Newsroom
September 15, 2015
Caucus: Davis, Frost talk political gridlock and possible solutions
Former Reps. Tom Davis, R-Va., and Martin Frost, D-Texas, discussed their vision for less gridlock and polarization in the political landscape through new approaches to political donations and drawing of congressional districts Tuesday during NAFCU's Congressional Caucus general sessions, which continue today.
Davis and Frost jointly delivered the keynote address during the first day's general session for Caucus, which kicked off in Washington, D.C. They coauthored "The Partisan Divide," a book which examines the roots of political gridlock and how it could be overcome, using lessons from their experience as chairs of the Republican and Democratic House Campaign Committees.
Davis noted that the last time lawmakers passed appropriations bills on time was in 1996 – after two government shutdowns the year before. He argued that extreme redistricting has shifted politicians' focus to primary elections, which effectively shuts independent voters out of the process.
"You're getting these pre-packaged districts … with a pretty narrow group of people participating in these primary elections," Davis said.
Frost said that while he and Davis disagree on many things, they "didn't disagree on most of the fundamental problems facing Congress and facing this country." He advocated a law that would require states to redraw congressional districts through non-partisan committees' designs. He also suggested a law that would require the disclosure of donors' names for any organization promoting a candidate for federal office, in turn helping to combat the role of "dark money" in the system.
Davis and Frost also answered questions about voter turnout, the effects of the immigration debate on political trends, and government spending.
NAFCU's Congressional Caucus general sessions run through Thursday morning. Today's speakers will include, among others, Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and David Vitter, R-La., NCUA Office of Consumer Protection Director Gail Laster, and Freddie Mac CEO Donald Layton. The full schedule of events is online.
Davis and Frost jointly delivered the keynote address during the first day's general session for Caucus, which kicked off in Washington, D.C. They coauthored "The Partisan Divide," a book which examines the roots of political gridlock and how it could be overcome, using lessons from their experience as chairs of the Republican and Democratic House Campaign Committees.
Davis noted that the last time lawmakers passed appropriations bills on time was in 1996 – after two government shutdowns the year before. He argued that extreme redistricting has shifted politicians' focus to primary elections, which effectively shuts independent voters out of the process.
"You're getting these pre-packaged districts … with a pretty narrow group of people participating in these primary elections," Davis said.
Frost said that while he and Davis disagree on many things, they "didn't disagree on most of the fundamental problems facing Congress and facing this country." He advocated a law that would require states to redraw congressional districts through non-partisan committees' designs. He also suggested a law that would require the disclosure of donors' names for any organization promoting a candidate for federal office, in turn helping to combat the role of "dark money" in the system.
Davis and Frost also answered questions about voter turnout, the effects of the immigration debate on political trends, and government spending.
NAFCU's Congressional Caucus general sessions run through Thursday morning. Today's speakers will include, among others, Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and David Vitter, R-La., NCUA Office of Consumer Protection Director Gail Laster, and Freddie Mac CEO Donald Layton. The full schedule of events is online.
Share This
Related Resources
Get daily updates.
Subscribe to NAFCU today.