Received this e-mail today from Senator Mark Warner (D. VA):
Lately it seems like the House of Representatives is where substantive, bipartisan legislation goes to accumulate dust on a shelf somewhere.
We’ve had some important breakthroughs in the Senate where Democrats and Republicans came together to pass a responsible overhaul of our broken immigration system, and a farm bill that provides essential food assistance to struggling families.
But on these issues and more, compromise in the Senate has given way to gridlock in the House.
Part of the problem is what’s called the Hastert rule. The leadership dictates that no bill will be introduced on the floor of the House unless a majority of the majority party supports it.
Will you join me and demand an end to the Hastert rule so Democrats and Republicans can come together, find common ground, and confront the most pressing issues facing our country?
http://action.forwardtogetherpac.com/...
When I ran for this seat five years ago, I promised to govern as a radical centrist – bringing together like-minded Democrats and Republicans who understand that we need to compromise in order to get things done.
But if every bill has to garner support from the majority of the Republicans in the House – instead of a majority of all of our country’s representatives – then the American people are losing out.
We simply can’t let procedural gamesmanship and partisan politics get in the way of doing what’s in the best interest of our country – and I’m counting on your help to put some pressure on the leadership to change business as usual.
Please add your name and demand an end to the Hastert rule.
http://action.forwardtogetherpac.com/...
Thanks so much for your help,
Mark Warner
Not crazy about the whole "radical centrist" bit but Warner is right about this. The Hastert rule is just a way to excuse GOP obstruction and Congress' inability to get anything done. If you want to sign Warner's petition, you can do so here:
http://action.forwardtogetherpac.com/...