I received an email from Senator Heidi Heitkamp regarding her op-ed. I really hope it does not mean what I think it does.
Throughout this debate, extremists tried to grab the loudspeaker, but there are rational, moderate Members who want to find solutions. In this bipartisan group, we now have 14 of them – and I know there are more.
But our work has only just begun. The compromise that ended the shutdown calls for the House and Senate to negotiate and reach a budget agreement by December 13. This is a discussion we need to have. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on a long-term and bipartisan solution that addresses our budget deficit while also spurring economic growth, creating jobs, and promoting innovation. Everything must be on the table.
(The emphasis is mine.)
I am not naive and have negotiated contracts and understand how hard the process is and how the perceived balance of power makes the difference in successful negotiations. We currently have this power and certainly the moral high ground, why do we have to give away anything in the name of bipartisanship with rational moderates who voted to shut down the government up until the last second? All the Democrats have to do is convince enough of these Republicans that it is in their own best selfish interest to vote for what is good for their own constituents.
I think our Democratic politicians held the line pretty well and did not resemble the frightened, chronic surrender monkeys that they have been in the past. They almost seemed progressive in the face of the assault on democracy and basic freedoms brought on by the Republicans. Now is the time for them to press that advantage rather than start giving it away.
If interested, complete email below.
Friends,
After a busy few weeks in Washington, I'm glad to be home, meeting with as many North Dakotans as possible. I was proud to have been a part of a bipartisan group of 14 Senators who worked together to help end the government shutdown, make sure the U.S. pays its bills, and protect American families. But I was very frustrated that we were even in this situation in the first place. I joined the Senate because I want to seek real solutions to help North Dakotans, and the best way to do that is by working with all members — Republicans and Democrats. I plan to keep doing just that.
Please read my op-ed below on the importance of working in a bipartisan way to get things done, and the need to end the political games in Washington that hurt North Dakotans. Also, check out this video clip when Republican Senator Bob Corker and I talked together on CNN on October 15 about our efforts to end the government shutdown.
Sincerely,
Heidi
Moving Forward and Making Bipartisanship Work
By Senator Heidi Heitkamp
For 16 days, Native families on North Dakota’s Indian reservations weren’t able to get help from the Bureau of Indian Affairs – leaving families hungry and without housing assistance they desperately need.
For 16 days, farmers throughout our state were unable to get crucial support from farm programs because the shuttered Department of Agriculture couldn’t respond to their requests.
For 16 days, small businesses across the state were unable to secure financing from the Small Business Administration, leaving the owners and their families – many of whom invested their life savings to start their businesses – in serious jeopardy.
The impacts of the federal government shutdown across North Dakota were very real and very damaging. And taxpayers footed the bill, at the tune of $160 million per day. It is ironic that some extremist Members of Congress, claiming to act in the name of fiscal responsibility, manufactured this crisis that Standard and Poor's estimates took $24 billion out of the economy.
I also hope this experience puts to bed the notion peddled by some Members of Congress that defaulting on our national debt would not cause us harm. This is nonsense. Every family in America knows that we must pay our bills to avoid digging a permanent financial hole. If you don’t pay your mortgage or credit card bills, your credit rating will drop and you soon won’t be able to get a loan for your next car, home, or any other large purchase.
Likewise, if our country fails to pay its bills, its credit rating will drop, and we will all suffer the crippling consequences of rising interest rates, threats to retirements savings, and slower economic growth. Every 1 point of increased interest payment on our debt accounts for $110 billion of additional federal government payments every year. We can’t do that to our country.
The summer of 2011 was the last time the U.S. came close to default. We didn’t go over the deadline at that time, but we came right up to it. Even just coming close to the deadline had serious consequences. The uncertainty and delays in raising the debt limit cost taxpayers about $1.3 billion in fiscal year 2011.
Despite the experiences from 2011, we just faced a similar situation again. Though we’re fortunate that cooler heads eventually prevailed.
I’m proud to have been part of a group of 14 Senators – Republicans and Democrats – who recognized the need to put politics aside and worked together in a bipartisan fashion to reach a compromise. We came up with a viable framework to reopen the government, allow the U.S. to pay its bills, and protect American families. The plan we developed together paved the way for the bill the House and Senate eventually passed on October 16.
Throughout this debate, extremists tried to grab the loudspeaker, but there are rational, moderate Members who want to find solutions. In this bipartisan group, we now have 14 of them – and I know there are more.
But our work has only just begun. The compromise that ended the shutdown calls for the House and Senate to negotiate and reach a budget agreement by December 13. This is a discussion we need to have. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on a long-term and bipartisan solution that addresses our budget deficit while also spurring economic growth, creating jobs, and promoting innovation. Everything must be on the table.
In the coming weeks, I’m also looking forward to working on other pressing issues, like passing a comprehensive Farm Bill and reducing flood insurance rates which recently went up for millions of American families. These important issues, and many others, were unfortunately pushed to the wayside because of the government shutdown.
We can’t put ourselves in this situation again. I hope that the many reckless Members who caused this pain on our economy and North Dakota families have learned their lesson.
Congress now has a chance to act responsibly. It’s time to do the right thing and work together – Republicans and Democrats. Simply put, it’s time to see some political courage.
We must prove that we are a Congress worthy of the American people. I want to prove that we can live up to this challenge.