Post # 333, Bob McKnight's Florida Commentary
After the near assassination of Former President Trump, Bi-partisan lawmaking models like the legendary Reagan-O'Neil Committee on Social Security in 1983 are critically important today.
It is not unusual for former legislators to be asked, "Well, what would you do?" It is a fair question for me, especially for someone who served in both bodies of the legislature--the House and Senate. Many of the principles of lawmaking at the federal level are very similar if not the same as they are at the state level.
With that explanation, here is one lawmaking option that is seldom considered in the federal Congress today. It is so critically important today after the attempted assassination of President Trump. The presiding officers appoint Committee Chairs based on the party in control and seniority. That composition of a Committee gives a pretty clear indication of the outcome of legislation referred to that Committee. If there are disputes on the referral of bills, the powerful Chair of the Rules Committee makes the determination, not the presiding officer.
So if the presiding officer wants to pass or kill controversial or difficult legislation. a very effective tactic is to create a new Special or Joint Committee for one issue. The best example is the Ronald Reagan-Tip O'Neil Select Committee on Social Security Reform of 1983. The Speaker appointed members he knew well and trusted for integrity. In a few words, the members were smart and tough, and their word was their bond. There are not many members like that today in the Congress. With Social Security Reform stuck in 1983, the Reagan-O'Neil Committee was strong and independent enough to forge a consensus that still holds today.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed a Select Committee to review the January 6th Attempt to Overthrown our Government and their work was exemplary. But former President Donald Trump did not like the report, so the Republicans, almost to the person objected to it. With the poisonous dissension in the House, their final report was maligned by the GOP. Effective lawmaking requires bipartisanship. This is so critical now.
Current leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives not only lack the experience to use tactics like Special or Select Committees, but they do not have members who meet the requirements of intelligence and integrity. It is not just the GOP, the Democrats have their fair share of spear-throwers that have no idea of democratic governance. It is a shame because our form of law-making is proven and has stood the test of time. It has just not stood the time of the poisonous partisanship today.
Maybe the 2024 elections will bring the return of bipartisanship and effective lawmaking. I certainly hope that is the case.
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