Rep. Welch Announces Bipartisan Coalition Aimed at Breaking Congressional Gridlock; The Problem Solvers, Co-Chaired by Welch, Unveils Legislative Agenda

Press Release

At an outdoor rally on Capitol Hill this morning, Rep. Peter Welch joined 80 lawmakers in announcing a new bipartisan, bicameral coalition aimed at breaking Congressional gridlock. Welch is a co-founder of the coalition, known as "The Problem Solvers," and serves as one of eight co-chairs.

The Problem Solvers coalition, which is affiliated with No Labels, is comprised of 37 Republicans, 43 Democrats, and 1 Independent. At the rally, the group unveiled its legislative agenda, which includes a Welch-authored energy efficiency initiative.

"It's no secret that Congress is dysfunctional," Welch said. "What is less well known is that legislators on both sides of the aisle, conservatives and liberals alike, are hearing the same question from their constituents that I hear from Vermonters: "Why can't you get anything done?' The Problem Solvers are coming together to find common ground. We are building relationships across the aisle and identifying practical issues on which we can make progress for the American people. This is a positive step towards making Congress work again that is rooted in the Vermont tradition of civility, bipartisanship and practicality."

The group's initial legislative agenda consists of nine bills under an umbrella agenda entitled, "Make Government Work":

1. No Budget, No Pay

If Congress does not pass a budget and all annual spending bills on time, Members will not get paid.

2. Take The Time, Save The Dime

Move to a two-year budgeting process.

3. Don't Duplicate, Consolidate

Get rid of duplicate agencies and programs identified in 2013 by the Government Accountability Office.

4. The Buy Smarter and Save Act

Implement strategic sourcing so that divisions within a single federal agency do not make independent contracts for common items.

5. No Adding, No Padding

Stop assuming automatic year-to-year spending increases in agency budgets.

6. 21st Century Healthcare for Heroes

Merge the electronic health records of the Department of Defense with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

7. Stay in Place, Cut the Waste

Cut 50 percent of agency travel and replace it with video conferencing.

8. *Wasted Energy, Wasted Dollars*

Reduce energy waste in federal buildings by incentivizing private companies to identify energy savings. The contractors would be paid with the dollars saved instead of with taxpayer dollars.

9. Plan for Efficient and Effective Government

Create a new Commission for Government Transformation to oversee and effect the transformation of various federal government programs so they will be more economical, efficient and effective.

*This bill was introduced by Rep. Welch, Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE). Click here for an op-ed on the bill written by Reps. Welch and Gardner that appeared in The Hill on July 16.

ICYMI: Yesterday, The New York Times featured Rep. Welch in its reporting on the Problem Solvers coalition, saying that bipartisan groups like this are "unheard of" and "could signify a real change." Read here.

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