In These Partisan Times, Is There Room for Bipartisanship?

WIPP WORKS IN WASHINGTON

By Ann Sullivan, WIPP Chief Advocate

We all know from the polls and cable talk shows that America has very different political views. The term “a country deeply divided” was heard everywhere last week as analysts and Twitter shared their views on the Supreme Court nomination hearing. The Senate Judiciary Committee reinforced this view by a display of unusual partisanship, showcasing the deep divide between the views of Republicans and Democrats with respect to a Supreme Court appointment.

So, in these partisan times, is there room for an organization like WIPP that strives to be as nonpartisan (or bipartisan) as possible when making policy recommendations? I often have joked that if we offend both sides, we must be doing our job. But seriously, are we outdated—have we lost touch with what our stakeholders and members expect? Is a bipartisan approach to public policy a loser? Should we be pivoting to either one side or the other to increase our effectiveness?

I was having dinner with a friend who was at an event with her Senator, a Republican. Someone asked him the same question—how could a Senator tout his effectiveness when everyone knows that no one in Washington works together? The Senator answered the question by saying that despite what gets reported on the news, Senators work with those in the other party to get things done. He went on to cite many examples of legislation he has worked on with a Democrat to pass into law.

As an advocate for women entrepreneurs, it is certainly harder to get legislative changes passed by Congress than it was a few decades ago. Before widely available technology, Congress depended on advocates to be the eyes and ears of their constituents. Now they hear directly from their constituents within minutes of a breaking news story. Technology has also transformed the ability for any Congressperson to get their message out to their constituents.

Today, these channels are far more expansive than decades ago, when the only media outlets were the four major networks. Now, messages can be communicated broadly through the use of multiple social media outlets and news channels. The Congress is also much more rule and procedure driven than it used to be. Senators used to craft amendments on the way to the floor of an important debate. Now, legislative language has to go to legislative council to draft—a process which is much more laborious. This is due in part to the loss of a collegial trust, which is the underpinning of an effective Congress. 

But even in a contentious hearing, like the recent one on Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh, there were two Senators among all the others that came together to propose a bipartisan solution. That may not have been a popular decision for either side, but it is a glimpse of how this place really works most of the time. Despite all the partisan rhetoric that plays to the cameras and creates soundbites galore, work has to continue. House and Senate members generally work across the aisle to get agreement on legislation to secure passage. Although legislation can be passed on a strict party line vote by the majority, it is not advisable. The other party, which has no stake in the success of the legislation, is left to the worst outcome—tagging all their messaging and efforts against it to use as a rallying cry.

WIPP’s membership has women with strong political views and we reflect the divide on issues the rest of the country is experiencing. But we have learned that we can discuss contentious issues without getting personal. We have also learned that we can propose policy changes on which both sides can agree. Business issues, which is our focus, are generally less contentious than social issues—I’ll admit to that. But economic issues have not escaped partisanship. 

Our goal at WIPP is to come up with solutions that make a difference for women entrepreneurs. For example, our advocacy on tax legislation did not tackle the broad question of whether tax reform was needed. Instead we focused on getting the Congress to recognize that most businesses are organized differently than large “C” Corps and thus should get different tax treatment. It was an issue that all of us could agree upon and was a significant policy change for the entire small business community.

I could give you many more examples of WIPP policy positions that made an impact and did not tap into the partisan sentiment surrounding the issue. WIPP works with all Members of Congress, regardless of their party. We work with political appointees in agencies when Administrations change. We are solution driven and we know it takes both sides to make a positive impact for women entrepreneurs. 

It is my hope that we resist the temptation that afflicts many organizations in Washington, D.C.—to be bipartisan in name only. Women business owners are in a unique position to be the leaders in their communities and in the halls of Capitol Hill. By refusing to limit our efforts to those who agree with us or say what we want to hear, we are opening up the door to creative policy solutions. 

Let’s work together — there is plenty of room for those who want to find common ground.