Ripon Society, Franklin Center Hold Reception With Problem Solvers Caucus

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- The Ripon Society issued the following news on March 4:

With partisanship on the rise, The Ripon Society and Franklin Center for Global Policy Exchange held a reception yesterday afternoon with a group that is dedicated to breaking through the political gridlock and reaching bipartisan agreement on Capitol Hill.

The group is called the Problem Solvers Caucus. Founded in 2013, the Caucus is comprised of 48 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives - 24 Republicans and 24 Democrats - who have been working together to find common ground on a number of critical challenges facing our nation.

Over the past year, the Problem Solvers played a key role in helping to repeal the onerous Cadillac Tax on health benefits and provide funding for the 9/11 Victim's Compensation Fund. Caucus members also played an important role working behind the scenes with the Trump Administration to approve the new trade deal with Mexico and Canada.

"At a time when trust in government is at or near an all-time low, their effort to work across the aisle provides a model for how challenges should be addressed in Washington."

Most recently, members of the Problem Solvers met yesterday at the White House with Vice President Pence to discuss and receive a briefing on the spread of the novel Coronavirus around the world and its potential impact here in the United States. "The American people rightly expect us to rise above partisan politics, unite together, and immediately pass an emergency funding bill to combat this threat to our country and families," the group said in joint statement following the meeting.

Members of the Problems Solvers who attended the Ripon/Franklin reception later in the day included U.S. Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY-23), who serves as Co-Chair of the Caucus and delivered remarks to kick-off yesterday's event. Also attending were: U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R/NE-2); U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R/OH-6); U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R/SD-AL); U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R/OH-14); U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D/IL-3); U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria (D/VA-2); U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (D/MN-3); U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D/IL-10); U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R/PA-11); U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R/MN-08); U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D/NY-3); U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R/MI-6); and, U.S. Rep. Steve Watkins (R/KS-2).

"We appreciate the Problem Solvers taking the time to join us yesterday afternoon to discuss their important work," stated Jim Conzelman, who serves as President & CEO of the Ripon Society and Franklin Center. "At a time when trust in government is at or near an all-time low, their effort to work across the aisle provides a model for how challenges should be addressed in Washington. The latest public health emergency is a good example. Indeed, if there was ever a time for Republicans and Democrats to put politics aside and come together on a solution that will help every American, it is now. We appreciate the Problem Solvers' continuing leadership in that regard."