Problem Solvers Caucus
Created in January 2017, the Problem Solvers Caucus is a bi-partisan group in Congress that includes approximately 40 members– equally divided between Democrats and Republicans – who are committed to forging bi-partisan cooperation on key issues. It is co-chaired by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY). [1]
Writing in the New York Times about the formation of the Caucus, Reed and Gottheimer said: “We all knew the partisanship in Washington had gotten out of control and felt the need to create a bipartisan group committed to getting to “yes” on important issues.” We have agreed to vote together for any policy proposal that garners the support of 75 percent of the entire Problem Solvers Caucus, as well as 51 percent of both the Democrats and Republicans in the caucus.” [2]
The Problem Solvers Caucus developed over time as an outgrowth of informal meetings organized by the political reform group No Labels. Past successes include the introduction of nine bipartisan bills to reduce government waste and inefficiency and the passage of the No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. [3]
The Caucus’ signature success to date occurred on July 31, 2017, when its members unified behind a bipartisan health care fix to shore up the nation’s struggling health insurance exchanges and to reduce premiums for individuals, families and small businesses. The Washington Post described the Caucus plan as “a viable bipartisan compromise focused on stabilizing health-care markets rather than enforcing one party’s will on the nation.” [4]
