I am writing to you in your capacity as a member of Congress regarding the ongoing dysfunction rampant in both the House and the Senate.
The dysfunction in the House is a direct result of the Republicans’ narrow majority and the intransigent factions within their party. The dysfunction in the Senate is a direct result of Senate rules that allow single Senators to block motions on the floor. In addition, in both chambers, members of each party are under clouds of ethics investigations and criminal indictments.
Putting country over politics requires being honest about what you want your country to look like and stand for. Unfortunately, some in Congress want our country to be a lawless, anarchic, dysfunctional land where it's everyone for themselves. I respectfully request that you focus your efforts on marginalizing and neutralizing those elements. There are some House members who are sowing chaos by withholding support for a Speaker of the House, which effectively hamstrings the House and the whole of our government. There are several Senators who are holding up critical military promotions and diplomatic appointments, as well as routinely using or threatening to use the filibuster to achieve that which they cannot through good faith negotiations.
The reasonable path forward to restoring functionality and the ability to govern in the House is to engage members of the Democratic party. The House Problem Solvers Caucus could come together and put forth a Speaker candidate who can work across the aisle when needed. Failing that, they should agree on urgent common ground issues. It's my understanding that a Speaker pro tem can be authorized to do more than just fill the chair and call votes for a permanent Speaker. The Problem Solvers’ Caucus could push for that limited interim move if they can't succeed on the permanent one.
With regard to the Senate, I realize that there are reasons for allowing Senators to object to certain motions to keep them from reaching a vote on the floor, and to use the filibuster to try to force concessions. But often, those tactics are abused for the purpose of advancing a personal agenda. If eliminating those practices is a bridge too far, please consider modifying the rules to either require one co-sponsor (or maybe more) of the hold or filibuster, or reduce the threshold for cloture to a simple majority.
Good, functional government is necessary to serve the Common Good. Dysfunction does no good at all. Please fix our broken government. Thanks.
