Spring Break
In Defense of Bipartisanship
Jason Anton '10 Capital Hill Columnist
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Opinion
It has been a rough couple of years on Capitol Hill. After a stunning takeover of the House and Senate in 2006 - notably helped by late senatorial election comebacks - Democrats nationwide were primed for a repudiation of the partisanship, the affronts to habeas corpus, and the undermining of the rule of law (re: Terry Schiavo) that distinguished the previous congress. A year and a half later, the general population's distaste for the Bush administration remains strong, as his approval rating lies at a paltry 31.2% (according to pollster.com); most Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike, are anxiously anticipating the November election. Unfortunately, the new Democratic majority has managed the impossible. Congress currently maintains an approval rating worse than the administration it was supposed to offset, an abysmal 23.5% (pollster.com). The problem for Democrats lies in the forsaking of a core principle, the lynchpin of successful policy-making- Congress has forgotten about bipartisanship.
For the last two years, bickering has overwhelmed the legislature. An uncompromising mantra has encouraged fight after fight, be it regarding sanctuary cities, intelligence authorization, or FISA. Indeed, the atmosphere in the Republican Congress that brandished the "nuclear option" - the overriding of a filibuster by a majority vote - seems to have returned in full force. The result has been the populace's rapid disillusionment with Congress, resulting in dismal approval ratings. Where did the spirit of cooperation go?
Historically, bipartisan compromise has been key to important legislative successes. For example, bipartisanship was key to the passage of the Civil Rights Act. It ended literacy tests at the polls, and was critical to recent campaign finance reform (McCain-Feingold). Heck, bipartisanship lies at the core of the bicameral congress itself in the Great Compromise, heralded back in 1787. How ironic that the lack of such spirit threatens the body's efficacy more than 200 years later.
For the last two years, bickering has overwhelmed the legislature. An uncompromising mantra has encouraged fight after fight, be it regarding sanctuary cities, intelligence authorization, or FISA. Indeed, the atmosphere in the Republican Congress that brandished the "nuclear option" - the overriding of a filibuster by a majority vote - seems to have returned in full force. The result has been the populace's rapid disillusionment with Congress, resulting in dismal approval ratings. Where did the spirit of cooperation go?
Historically, bipartisan compromise has been key to important legislative successes. For example, bipartisanship was key to the passage of the Civil Rights Act. It ended literacy tests at the polls, and was critical to recent campaign finance reform (McCain-Feingold). Heck, bipartisanship lies at the core of the bicameral congress itself in the Great Compromise, heralded back in 1787. How ironic that the lack of such spirit threatens the body's efficacy more than 200 years later.
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