2 013 Annual Report PRESIDENT’S LETTER Creating Space to Govern 2013 was a tough year for American democracy. But there is no need The answers to these questions–and the path to a solution–center to despair, we have been here before. America has endured wars, around a single phenomenon: the breakdown in trust. Throughout the depressions, recessions, and all manners of scandal and sometimes our history of democratic government, trust has been the key to bridging federal government just gets stuck in the mud. In March of 1822, an policy disputes. That’s why restoring confidence in analysis, respectful editorial in The Saturday Evening Post described the accomplishments deliberation, and balanced advocacy is fundamental to BPC’s mission. of our nation’s 17th Congress as: “Procrastination. Debate. … New committees. New Reports. New speeches … and, finally, indefinite BPC provides a safe and politically balanced forum for diverse interests postponements.” Harry Truman famously ran against a “do nothing to develop consensus solutions. These efforts are led by a corps of Congress in 1948,” and the government shutdown and “politics of highly respected political leaders and supported by a team of top- personal destruction” during the Clinton-Gingrich battles were pretty notch subject-matter experts and analysts. In 2013, BPC projects, bare-knuckled. Fortunately American democracy bends, but it does not reports, forums, and workshops addressed a series of challenging issues break. At times like these, the Bipartisan Policy Center’s (BPC) approach including: and leadership are needed more than ever. • Replacing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; Last year, the Senate and House took turns failing to execute their most basic obligations. In the Republican-controlled House, gridlock over • Effectively implementing Dodd-Frank; the government’s finances led to a shutdown that harmed millions of Americans. A few months later, the Democrat-led Senate could not • Reducing health care costs while increasing access, quality, and resolve conflicts over presidential appointments invoking the so-called personal privacy; “nuclear option” and ending the century-old tradition of protecting minority rights in the confirmation process. • Confronting dangerous situations in the Middle East and increased radicalization here at home; The systemic breakdown on display raises some basic questions: Why do political factions that once sought solutions now pursue obstruction? • Assessing the costs and benefits of immigration reform, options to Why are congressional leaders no longer able or willing to corral their improve border security, and a process to effectively and equitably party’s maverick fringes to advance a national agenda? And most integrate millions of people into the fabric of American society; important, can anything be done to get things back on track? 2 Bipartisan Policy Center: Annual Report 2013 • Maximizing the benefits of our energy boom while moving toward a low-carbon other volunteer and religious leaders, veterans, business executives, academics, state economy; and and local elected officials, and journalists to understand the causes and consequences of America’s partisan divide and to recommend reforms to help achieve shared • Developing the intellectual foundation and political motivation for tax and national goals. Among CPR’s efforts last year was a series of National Conversations on entitlement reform. American Unity launched at the Reagan Presidential Library and continued at leading institutions across the country. BPC’s unique process is essential to bridging differences and achieving consensus: BPC—through our affiliated entity, the Bipartisan Policy Center Advocacy Network We don’t stack the deck: Our projects are led by experts with diverse experience and (BPCAN)—also engages directly in the political process. We conduct aggressive divergent interests. advocacy, provide analysis, work with congressional offices to develop legislative proposals, and push federal decision makers to consider ideas that can generate broad We respect data and conduct transparent analysis: BPC policy recommendations bipartisan support. are based upon detailed studies that are broadly distributed. The hopeful news is that 2013 also demonstrated that our political leaders remain We fight for what we believe in: Once a task force develops detailed capable of real collaboration when given the right incentives. The bipartisan budget recommendations, we work as a group to advocate for all aspects of our agreement. agreement negotiated by Budget Committee Chairs Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) was developed in an atmosphere of urgency, respect, We understand the latitude and limitations of our role: BPC exists to advance and mutual trust. The process was also strongly supported by the Senate majority the debate by digging deeper and pressing further and faster than is often possible leader and the speaker of the House. inside government. We then provide space for policymakers to engage in ideas that stray from single-party orthodoxy. Our efforts demonstrate what can be accomplished Our goal in 2014, and the years to come, is to encourage and reinforce policymakers when experts and passionate advocates are brought together in an environment that with the fortitude, creativity, and commitment to take on big challenges. The American enables constructive deliberation. people deserve better than gridlock. BPC will continue our work to support a government empowered by substance, allegiance, and trust. The second way BPC works to restore trust is by promoting thoughtful political reform from the outside in. The highlight of these efforts in 2013 was the creation of BPC’s Commission on Political Reform (CPR). CPR’s co-chairs are national leaders with storied careers in Congress, the executive branch, and state government. Tom Daschle, Trent Lott, Olympia Snowe, Dirk Kempthorne, and Dan Glickman are working with 25 JASON GRUMET President’s Letter 3 UNIFIED SOLUTIONS. NATIONAL IMPACT. A healthy, civil debate among those with differing viewpoints is the engine of our democracy. In the face of growing polarization, BPC remains steadfast in its mission to demonstrate the possibility and power of bipartisan solutions. In 2013, BPC again proved what can be accomplished when In a time of great political divide, the Bipartisan Policy diverse interests are joined together in rigorous analysis and If BPC didn’t already exist, we reasoned debate. BPC policy recommendations on health, Center proves again and would have to create it.” energy, foreign policy, homeland security, the economy, housing again that good policy is what immigration, and governance are shaping, and in many cases, —Former Secretary of Housing and leading the national debate. BPC forums and workshops Urban Development Henry Cisneros is best for the country.” continue to provide unique opportunities to air differing —Former Governor of views, advance substantive arguments, and build constructive Mississippi Haley Barbour relationships among disparate interests. A Passion for Pragmatism BPC brings together all sides—regardless of party affiliation or SCOPING LAUNCH position—when tackling a problem. By combining politically balanced Only a fraction of project proposals BPC generates attention, momentum, policymaking with strong, proactive advocacy and outreach, BPC is become BPC policy initiatives. BPC and accountability with prominent shaping the national policy debate. BPC’s unique process, shown here, conducts extensive research to define kick off events. is essential to providing a forum for diverse perspectives to develop the mission, goals, and potential for impact before starting a new effort. consensus solutions. 4 Bipartisan Policy Center: Annual Report 2013 Immigration Task Force members at BPC’s “The Evolving Immigration Debate: Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) Reform and its Implications for the High-Tech Community” event in Silicon Valley RESEARCH POLICY DEVELOPMENT RELEASE ADVOCACY Research and analysis are the Through extensive deliberation and Once a consensus is reached, The Bipartisan Policy Center foundation for all BPC projects. negotiation, detailed proposals take BPC works with project Advocacy Network works with project shape. Nothing is agreed to until leaders to develop and leaders to advocate for the project’s everything is agreed to. execute a roll-out strategy. recommendations. Unified Solutions. National Impact. 5 BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Bipartisan Policy Center proves that it is possible to overcome tough obstacles and solve real problems.” —BPC Board Member Frank Keating Gen. Charles Wald (Chair) Ralph Cavanagh Walter Isaacson Julie Sweet Senior Advisor Senior Attorney and Co-Director, President & CEO General Counsel & COO Deloitte & Touche, LLP Energy Program The Aspen Institute Accenture Retired General, U.S. Air Force Natural Resources Defense Council Washington, DC Arlington, VA Rosslyn, VA San Francisco, CA Frank Keating Frances Fragos Townsend Dennis Archer Jane Garvey President & CEO Senior Vice President Chairman Emeritus North America Chairman American Bankers Association MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. Dickinson Wright, PLLC Meridiam Former Governor of Oklahoma Former Assistant to President George Former Mayor of Detroit Charlestown, MA Washington, DC W. Bush for Homeland Security and Detroit, MI Counterterrorism New York, NY Jason Grumet Charles Robb Norm Augustine President Distinguished Professor Chairman and Chief Bipartisan