We are a civic initiative dedicated to restoring bipartisan problem-solving in Congress so the
nation’s most important issues can finally move forward
For years, Congress has flopped repeatedly on the following critically important, yet intransigent, issues:
Immigration reform
Social Security reform
Medicare and Medicaid reform
Health-care reform
Fiscal responsibility reform
Federal election reform (primaries, redistricting, fraud prevention)
Sensible gun regulation
At the same time, polls show that overwhelmingly there is wide voter support for cooperation. In fact, over 70 percent of American voters favor bipartisan solutions to the nation’s problems.
This gridlock is not for lack of ideas, but because the system rewards obstruction.
Enough! It doesn’t have to be this way.
We propose that voters demand the enactment of the Bipartisan Priority Reform Commission Act (BPRCA), a framework designed to ensure Congress tackles at least one or two of these issues in each two-year session of Congress. Nothing would preclude Congress from action on these issues through regular order but the track record for that approach is abysmal. FAQs
The legislation we propose would create a bipartisan commission for each of these issues led by a team of Representatives, Senators, and experts. A similar bipartisan commission structure has been used successfully, including the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commissions and the 9/11 Commission.
The PRCA builds on these lessons and improves on them by structurally ensuring that Congress must act on each commission’s work. It would ensure that the days of “report and forget” are history.
A Gallup poll in the second quarter of 2025 showed that 46 percent of U.S. adults were either Democrats or independents who lean Democratic, compared with 43 percent who identify as Republicans or lean that way. This is a shift from 2024 when the leanings of voters were split evenly.
The recent trend is driven almost entirely by more independents saying they incline toward the Democrats—a four-point increase with no increase in outright identification with the party. And it is no secret that independent voters largely decide elections. In 2024, independent voters made up 43 percent of the vote.
It’s time for moderate Democrats to make good on the leanings of Independents and promote a bipartisan solution that works. And there are many moderate Republicans who favor bipartisanship and their support is urgently needed as well.
The message is clear: It’s time for moderate voters—by far the majority—to take the field and demand that Congress pass legislation that ensures it will take effective action on these central issues.
Voter Pledges
Obtain the pledges of Democrats and Independents to vote for candidates in the midterm elections in November 2026 who commit to pursue this new, novel approach.
Candidate Commitments
Obtain commitments from Democratic and Independent candidates in the 2026 midterms to pursue this new, novel approach.
Public Communication: Joint Op-Ed (Summer 2026)
We seek attract as many candidates as we can to publish together in the summer of 2026 in major media outlets an op-ed that explains this binding bipartisan approach to the public.
Join us in showing that the Democratic Party can lead with pragmatism, integrity, and independence.
The Senate’s filibuster rule often causes gridlock. Our proposal keeps the rule but creates a narrow exception for bipartisan commission legislation, allowing these solutions to receive a direct vote.
Each priority issue is assigned to a 16-member commission made up of 8 legislators and 8 subject-matter experts. The group studies the issue for 10 months and proposes legislation that must be approved by at least one Democrat and one Republican from each chamber.
After the commission submits its recommended legislation, a 10-day amendment window opens. Any member can propose amendments, requiring a simple majority to pass. Unapproved amendments must include written reasons for denial.
Once the amendment window closes, the bill is automatically introduced, sent to committee for up to 30 days, then discharged. Floor debate is limited to 20 hours with no amendments, and passage requires a simple majority vote.
The bill is automatically introduced and sent to committee for up to 30 days. Floor debate is limited to 20 hours with no amendments, and it passes by simple majority—Rule XXII does not apply.
House: If the commission doesn’t recommend a bill in 10 months, any bill backed by 25 representatives (at least one from each party) can get fast-track treatment for a vote.
Senate: If the commission doesn’t recommend a bill in 10 months, any bill supported by 10 senators (at least one from each party) can get fast-track treatment for a vote.
The enabling legislation will call for the creation of an oversight board to supervise the process to ensure compliance with the deadlines, procedures, transparency rules, and reporting obligations of the Act.
The authority created by the enabling legislation would expire after two years but would be extended automatically for an additional two years unless Congress voted not to renew it.
Gridlock Isn’t Governance. It’s Time to Make Congress Work Again!
If you agree that this approach deserves your support, we ask you to promise that you will vote for candidates that have committed to fully support this approach.
If you are a candidate for Congress in 2026 and agree this approach deserves your support, we ask you to promise that if elected you will co-sponsor the proposed legislation on the first day of your term in your respective chamber
If you are currently serving in Congress and not up for reelection in 2026 and you agree this approach deserves your support, we ask you to promise that on the first day of the next congressional session you will co-sponsor with other like-minded legislators the proposed legislation in your respective chamber.
We suggest that pledging candidates and incumbents jointly publish the proposed op-ed sometime during the summer of 2026. The op-ed carefully explains why his approach is in the best interests of the nation.
If you agree that this approach deserves your support, we ask you to pledge that you will vote for candidates that have committed to fully support this approach.
If you are a candidate for Congress in 2026 and agree this approach deserves your support, we ask you to pledge that if elected you will co-sponsor the proposed legislation on the first day of your term in your respective chamber
If you are currently serving in Congress and not up for reelection in 2026 and you agree this approach deserves your support, we ask that you pledge that on the first day of the next congressional session you will co-sponsor with other like-minded legislators the proposed legislation in your respective chamber.If you are a candidate for Congress in 2026 and agree this approach deserves your support, we ask you to pledge that if elected you will co-sponsor the proposed legislation on the first day of your term in your respective chamber
We suggest that pledging candidates and incumbents jointly publish the proposed op-ed sometime during the summer of 2026. The op-ed carefully explains why his approach is in the best interests of the nation.
We believe in good governance—A Government that works for all Americans, regardless of party. Although either party can adopt this approach, the polls show that Independent Voters strongly favor a bipartisan approach and believe the Democratic
Party is more likely to pursue bipartisan solutions.
70% of American voters support a bipartisan approach to solve major national issues.
Key issues include immigration, Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid, healthcare, fiscal responsibility, election reform, and sensible gun control.
Congress has repeatedly failed to address these important problems.
A major reason is the Senate Filibuster Rule (Rule XXII), which requires 60 votes to move legislation forward.
This rule often causes legislative gridlock, even when a majority supports action.
The proposal suggests an exception to the filibuster for legislation creating bipartisan reform commissions.
Voter pledges can encourage candidates and elected officials to support and publish this bipartisan reform approach.
We are actively seeking the endorsement of civic groups and public figures who support this new bipartisan approach. You can access those endorsements here
You can track our growing support and see how voters, organizations, and public figures support our mission.
Draft legislation on comprehensive immigration reform, comprehensive social security reform, and more can be viewed here.
Help spread the message by purchasing campaign merchandise such as bumper stickers, magnets, shirts, and more
