Domenici-Rivlin Debt Reduction Task Force Plan 2.0
In 2010, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) convened a Debt Reduction Task Force (DRTF) of 19 former elected officials and experienced citizens with diverse backgrounds from across the political spectrum. We co-chaired the task force with the goal of addressing the projected explosion of U.S. federal debt. As we released our report, the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, led by former Sen. Alan Simpson and former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, also delivered their plan.
Getting Back to Legislating: Reflections of a Congressional Working Group
The United States Congress in 2012 has been the least productive and most gridlocked in recent memory. That reality is reflected in the lowest job approval ratings the public has given Congress since 1974 —the year President Richard Nixon resigned to avoid impeachment and removal over the Watergate scandal.
The Executive Branch and National Energy Policy: Time for Renewal
Creating a more inclusive, balanced, resilient and enduring energy policy path requires a new structure and approach that builds on White House and Cabinet leadership and the expertise of nearly 20 federal agencies.
A cliff-hanger presidential election, major issues at stake, an estimated $6 billion spent in the 2012 campaigns and an eight million person increase in the eligible voters all failed to sustain the upward momentum for turnout from 2004 and 2008. Voter turnout dipped from 62.3 percent of eligible citizens voting in 2008 to an estimated 57.5 in 2012. That figure was also below the 60.4 level of the 2004 election but higher than the 54.2 percent turnout in the 2000 election.
2012 Redistricting: Will the House be More Polarized than Ever?
Following the 2010 census, congressional seats have been reapportioned, and new district lines have been drawn. What are the results?
First, the number of competitive House of Representatives seats drawn in the new maps has dropped slightly from the old maps and dramatically over the past four decades. There are 101 competitive seats for the decade of the 2010s. There were 103 in the 2000s, 129 in the 1990s, 135 in the 1980s, and 152 in the 1970s.
The percentage of eligible citizens who are registered to vote in Tuesday’s general election likely slipped moderately from the levels reached in 2008 and 2004. However when all states have reported their registration, it is likely to be higher than it was in the 2000 election.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ashley Berrang
Director of Communications
Contact Ashley
For media inquiries related to energy policy, please contact:
Rosemarie Calabro Tully
Energy Project Press Secretary
Contact Rosemarie
For Congressional inquiries, please contact the Bipartisan Policy Center Advocacy Network:
Contact BPCAN
202-218-6761
