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Two members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, co-founder Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., and Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., joined NAFCU Vice President of Legislative Affairs Brad Thaler for a candid discussion about bipartisanship and working to get things done in today's Congress.

The Problem Solvers Caucus was created in 2017 by Reed and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., to foster an environment where members who are committed to pragmatic governing can meet to find common ground.

When asked by Thaler about what led him to collaborate with Gottheimer to create this caucus, Reed cited frustration with the polarization present within Congress today and a desire to create a place where those who want to have the difficult conversations can come to get things done.

“We screamed and yelled at each other at first – but we never left the room,” Reed said. “You’ll never get to common ground if you do that. We found that if we get past that, we are still Americans at our core and it is amazing what brings us together."

Thaler went on to ask Panetta what made him join the caucus, to which Panetta elaborated on his desire to create and maintain long-lasting legislation.

“That takes bipartisanship and working with people from the other side of the aisle,” said Panetta. “It’s fun when you get stuff done. Getting stuff done is working together.”

Thaler also asked how the Problem Solvers Caucus is viewed among fellow representatives. Reed noted that the caucus has already obtained its credibility and that is enough to convince many. For Panetta, the skepticism is present among some members, but the results are being produced, such as breaking grid-locked legislation and creating legislation that has been supported and signed into law.

For the Problem Solvers Caucus transparency and trust are of the utmost importance. Members are the ones who decide which issues are brought forward for discussion, and a member cannot campaign against another member of the caucus.

“You have to be involved, you have to grind, and you have to know what is going on,” Panetta said.

“There is nowhere else in Washington D.C. where you can ask stupid questions,” added Reed.

Moving forward, the Problem Solvers Caucus is focused on coronavirus relief efforts. Yesterday, the group unveiled a bipartisan proposal for a $1.5 trillion relief package in hopes of helping congressional leaders and the White House move to a compromise.

The plan – almost exactly halfway between the $3.4 trillion bill the House passed in May and a $300 billion proposal offered by Senate Republicans recently— includes additional funding for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) paycheck protection program, liability protections, and a call for simplified PPP loan forgiveness.

When asked about the future of bipartisanship in Washington, D.C., Panetta urged that there are people who are there, willing to make the political sacrifices.

“We are not there to tear [the institution] down, we are there to build it up and make sure it works for the American people,” said Panetta.

“Extremes are present, but what is coming into focus is the silent majority – people who are saying enough is enough, who understand that we still have to function together as American citizens,” said Reed, agreeing.

In addition to partaking in the question-and-answer session with Reed and Panetta of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Thaler also discussed the association’s advocacy efforts during a session with Carrie Hunt, NAFCU’s executive vice president of government affairs and general counsel.

Thaler offered insights into NAFCU’s laser-focused, defensive advocacy against the nominal lease provision included in the Senate’s version of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“The NDAA is something Congress always gets done. In this year, which has been unlike any other, there are very few things getting done in Congress,” noted Thaler. “This is one of the few trains that everyone knows is going to leave town.”

In addition, Thaler explained the House’s inclusion of an amendment with important Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)/anti-money laundering (AML) modernizations in its version of the FY2021 NDAA.

Thaler encouraged credit unions to get involved and continue to meet with lawmakers. He also expressed the importance of staying in touch with congressional offices during this time.

“They’re looking for feedback from those who reach out to their office and participate,” said Thaler.