When Republicans swept the congressional elections in 1994, Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) led the party down a path of uncompromising conservatism and partisanship. His hostile approach to governing spurred a bitter stalemate between Congress and the president, resulting in a partial shutdown of the government. In the new 105th Congress, it is important that the Republican leaders - particularly those in the House - work with Clinton.
One major issue Congress is supposed to tackle this term is campaign finance reform. Currently, the political parties and many politicians try to circumvent the nation's campaign finance laws. In fact, the Democratic National Committee came under intense fire last fall for its acceptance of questionable campaign contributions. Clearly, reform is necessary.
Congress should begin by limiting the amount of "soft money" that donors can contribute to political parties. Currently, donors can give unlimited amounts of money to parties, which then distribute that money to specific candidates or spend it to promote its party's platform. However, this can give a particular candidate an unfair advantage in a race where the opposing candidate's party is not financially supportive. Moreover, it may lead party leaders to feel obligated to offer large donors access to government officials - a privilege that ordinary citizens are not afforded.
Also, Congress should consider passing a constitutional amendment to limit the amount of money a candidate can spend on his or her own campaign, and making federal funds available to congressional candidates in exchange for a cap on the amount of expenditures.
Last year, Congress passed and the president signed harsh welfare reform that places unfair burdens on welfare recipients. Clinton and the Democrats promised to fix the legislation by adding provisions for childcare and health care - the president and his party must not renege on their promise. Such provisions will ensure a smoother transition for recipients as they move off of welfare and into work. Also, the new law gives each state a block grant of money for welfare; however, Congress must not abdicate all responsibility.
One of the country's most pressing problems is the impending bankruptcy of Medicare and Social Security. It is often difficult for lawmakers to choose a course of action - reducing entitlement spending inflicts political harm. Hence, the president and Congress should appoint a bipartisan commission to create proposals for keeping the programs solvent. Such an approach would depoliticize this issue and allow both parties to make substantive reform.
The next two years should consist of bipartisan efforts to fix these problems.