Breaking the Stalemate: Renewing a Bipartisan Dialogue was a one-day policy conference hosted by The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC), the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) and the U.S. National Archives. Featuring thought-provoking panel discussions with current and former Members of Congress, political experts and journalists, the conference explored the causes of partisan gridlock, raised questions for public debate, and suggested tangible solutions for achieving more bipartisanship and civility in our nation's political discourse.

PROGRAM

9:15AM - 9:45AM: Registration

9:45AM – 10:00AM: Welcoming Remarks

David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States
The Honorable John J. Rhodes, III, President, FMC
Jason Grumet, President, BPC

10:00AM – 10:30AM Keynote Remarks by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Followed by questions from the audience

10:30AM – 10:45AM: Break

10:45AM – 12:15PM: Panel Discussion One

Institutional Perspective: Partisanship and the Political Divide

Senator Trent Lott
Speaker Tom Foley
Congressman Martin Frost
Congressman Bob Michel
Moderated by Judy Woodruff, PBS

12:15PM – 2:15PM: Lunch Break

2:15PM – 3:45PM: Panel Discussion Two

Sound Bite News: Political Discourse in the Age of Pundits, Cable TV and Twitter

Jonathan Karl, ABC News
Jill Lawrence, Politics Daily
Charlie Cook, Cook Political Report
Stu Rothenberg, The Rothenberg Political Report
Moderated by: Former Congressman Fred Grandy

3:45PM – 4:00PM: Break

4:00PM – 5:30PM: Panel Discussion Three

Changing Course: Examples and Solutions for Breaking the Stalemate in Washington

Secretary Ray LaHood
Congressman Tom Sawyer
Congressman David Skaggs
Congressman Amo Houghton
Moderated by: Former Congressman Dennis Hertel

Bipartisanship