Conference will examine solutions for achieving more bipartisanship and civility in our nation’s political discourse

June 2, 2010

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) and the U.S. National Archives announced today that they will host Breaking the Stalemate: Renewing a Bipartisan Dialogue, a conference to explore the causes and effects of partisan gridlock in Washington and outline tangible solutions for changing course. Current and former Members of Congress, political experts, and journalists will participate in panel discussions throughout the one-day conference. The conference will be held on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) will deliver the keynote address after welcome remarks by David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States; former Congressman John J. Rhodes, III, President of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress; and Jason Grumet, BPC President.

The first panel, Institutional Perspectives: Partisanship and the Political Divide, will bring together former House and Senate leadership, including former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, former Speaker Tom Foley, former Minority Leader Bob Michel, and former Congressman Martin Frost. Judy Woodruff of PBS will moderate the discussion.

The second panel, Sound Bite News: Political Discourse in the Age of Pundits, Cable and Twitter, will discuss the effects of the 24-hour news cycle and be moderated by former Congressman Fred Grandy. The panel will include Charlie Cook, Editor and Publisher of The Cook Political Report and Political Analyst for the National Journal Group; ABC News’ Jonathan Karl; CNN’s Ali Velshi, and Stu Rothenberg, Editor and Publisher of the Rothenberg Political Report.

The final panel, Changing Course: Examples and Solutions for Breaking the Stalemate in Washington, will reunite former Members of Congress who served on the Bipartisan Congressional Planning Committee. This panel will include Transportation Secretary and former Congressman Ray LaHood, along with Congressmen David Skaggs, Amo Houghton, and Tom Sawyer. The panel will be moderated by Jackie Calmes of The New York Times.

WHO: The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, the Bipartisan Policy Center and the U.S. National Archives

WHAT: Breaking the Stalemate: Renewing a Bipartisan Dialogue

WHEN: Wednesday, June 16, 2010
9:15AM – 9:45AM Registration
9:45AM – 10:00AM Welcoming Remarks
10:00AM – 10:30AM Keynote Remarks by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Followed by questions from the audience
10:45AM – 12:15PM Panel Discussion One
Institutional Perspective: Partisanship and the Political Divide
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
4:00PM – 5:30PM Panel Discussion Three
Changing Course: Examples and Solutions for Breaking the Stalemate in Washington

WHERE: The National Archives Building
William G. McGowan Theater.
Washington, D.C.

Please use the special events entrance located at 7th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW

The event is open to media, but space is limited. Media interested in attending the event should RSVP via email to press@bipartisanpolicy.org.

###

---

Bipartisanship