Partisan Polarization

Partisan polarization is a term used to describe the increasing ideological divide between political parties, particularly the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States. It refers to the growing animosity and lack of cooperation between members of opposing parties, leading to a more adversarial and less productive political environment.

In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues/challenges, potential solutions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant legislation, committees, agencies, programs in addition to information on the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
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ThePartisan Polarization category has related posts on government agencies and departments and committees and their Chairs.

Bridging the gap through shared experiences
PBS News Hour – 10/01/2022 (08:19)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV74QGL3Dxs

PBS NewsHour spent much of last week trying to examine what still divides our country and the deep polarization that preceded the Jan. 6 riots. Now, Paul Solman looks at multiple efforts to bridge those major political and cultural fissures in the U.S., beginning with smaller steps forward.

Correction: This segment includes a reference to StoryCorps being a part of NPR. It is an independent organization that has a partnership with NPR. We regret the error.

OnAir Post: Partisan Polarization

Jim McGovern MA-02

Current Position: US Representative of MA House District 2 since 1997
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position: US House Staff from 1981 – 1996
Other Positions: Ranking Member ofHouse Committee on Rules; Congressional-Executive Commission on China; Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
District: central Massachusetts. It contains the cities of Worcester, which is the second-largest city in New England after Boston, and Northampton in the Pioneer Valley.
Upcoming Election:

As chairman of the board of the Congressional Hunger Center, McGovern is known as a leading voice on ending hunger and food insecurity both in the United States and globally. He was a key architect of the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.

In 1981, Jim McGovern joined the Capitol Hill staff of U.S. Representative Joe Moakley.[11] In 1990, Moakley appointed him to lead a House task force investigating the 1989 murder of six Jesuit priests and two women in El Salvador

Featured Quote:
Hunger in America isn’t a new problem. But it is a solvable one. In 1969 the first and only @WhiteHouse
Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health led to landmark legislation and less hunger. It’s time for new voices, new ideas and a new White House conference to #EndHungerNow.

Rep. Jim McGovern opening statement on impeachment debate

OnAir Post: Jim McGovern MA-02

Amy Klobuchar – MN

Current Position: US Senator since 2007
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position: Hennepin County Attorney from 1999 – 2007
Other Positions: Chair, Judiciary Committee; Chair, Rules and Administration Committee; Chair, Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee

Before seeking public office, besides working as a prosecutor, Klobuchar was a partner at the Minnesota law firms Dorsey & Whitney and Gray Plant Mooty, where she specialized in “regulatory work in telecommunications law”.

Klobuchar’s political positions align with modern liberalism. She has focused on healthcare reform, consumer protection, agriculture, and climate change. She is known for her folksy, Midwestern demeanor and ability to win in rural Minnesota.

Featured Quote:
When high school kids in northern Minnesota are doing their bio quizzes in liquor store parking lots because we don’t have high speed broadband statewide, you know it is time to pass a federal infrastructure bill. Like, now!

OnAir Post: Amy Klobuchar – MN

Deb Fischer – NE

Current Position: US Senator since 2013
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: State Delegate from 2005 – 2013

From 1990 to 2004, Fischer served on the Valentine Rural High School Board of Education. In 2004, she was elected to the Nebraska Legislature, representing the 43rd district for two terms. Fischer ran for the U.S. Senate in 2012 and was initially seen as a long-shot candidate, but pulled off an unexpected victory against state attorney general Jon Bruning in the Republican primary; in the general election, she defeated former Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey and was the only Republican to flip a Senate seat in the 2012 elections.

Featured Quote:
Nebraska is so fortunate to have @UNMC and @NebraskaMed, which lead the nation in research and development of new techniques in health care. Thank you for showing me around your cardiac catheterization lab. The work you do is so important!

Senator Deb Fischer Speaks Against S.1, For the People Act at Senate Rules Committee

OnAir Post: Deb Fischer – NE

Tom Cole OK-04

Current Position: US Representative of OK 4th District since 2003
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: Secretary of State of Oklahoma from 1996 – 1999
Other Positions: Vice Chair, Committee on Appropriations;
Chair, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Chair, Committee on Rules

Cole was the son of John D. Cole who was the first Native American elected to the Oklahoma Senate. His ancestors had been in the territory for five generations, and he was raised in Moore, halfway between Oklahoma City and Norman.

He served as an assistant professor in history and politics in college before entering politics and winning political office

Featured Quote:
I’m struck by Cuban protestors celebrating U.S. freedoms while many Americans turn their backs on our own flag. As the brightest beacon for freedom & opportunity worldwide, the U.S. must stand with them in their fight for democracy. #SOSCuba

‘They are only dividing us further:’ Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole speaks against impeachment

OnAir Post: Tom Cole OK-04

Rules Committee (House)

The Rules Committee has two broad categories of jurisdiction: special orders for the consideration of legislation (known as “special rules” or “rules”) and original jurisdiction matters. A special rule provides the terms and conditions of debate on a measure or matter, consideration of which constitutes the bulk of the work of the Rules Committee. The Committee also considers original jurisdiction measures, which commonly represent changes to the standing rules of the House, or measures that contain special rules, such as the expedited procedures in trade legislation.

The Committee has the authority to do virtually anything during the course of consideration of a measure, including deeming it passed. The Committee can also include a self- executed amendment which could rewrite just parts of a bill, or the entire measure. In essence, so long as a majority of the House is willing to vote for a special rule, there is little that the Rules Committee cannot do.

Senate Counterpart: Rules Committee (Senate)

Subcommittees:

Legislative and Budget Process
Rules and the Organization of the House

Chair: Tom Cole, Oklahoma (R)
Ranking Member: Jim McGovern, Massachusetts (D)

Majority Staff Director: Kelly Dixon Chambers
Minority Staff Director: Donald Sisson
Meeting Location: H-312, The Capitol, Washington, D.C. 20515; Phone: (202) 225-9191

Featured Video: Rules Committee Meeting on H.R. 4373, H.R. 4346 and H.R. 4505 Part 2 – July 28, 2021
Web Links

OnAir Post: Rules Committee (House)

Rules and Administration Committee (Senate)

Mission:
Committee on Rules and Administration is responsible for the rules of the United States Senate, administration of congressional buildings, and with credentials and qualifications of members of the Senate, including responsibility for contested elections.

House counterparts: Committee on Rules

Democratic Members (Minority):
Alex Padilla, California – Ranking Member
Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
Chuck Schumer, New York
Mark Warner, Virginia
Jeff Merkley, Oregon
Alex Padilla, California
Jon Ossoff, Georgia
Michael Bennet, Colorado

Republican Members (Majority):
Mitch McConnell, Kentucky – Chair
Ted Cruz, Texas
Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia
Roger Wicker, Mississippi
Deb Fischer, Nebraska
Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi
Bill Hagerty, Tennessee
Katie Britt, Alabama
John Boozman, Arkansas

Featured Video:
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration hearing on the For The People Act and voting rights

OnAir Post: Rules and Administration Committee (Senate)