As the year careens to a close, a new chapter in dysfunction has opened in Washington. We noted that in the long-running game of “Deal or No Deal” between Democrats and Republicans over fiscal issues, the answer always seems to be “No Deal.” But what started as a partisan inability to come to agreement has turned into an intra-partisan inability to close, with Congressional Republicans now unable to agree with themselves.
The latest legislation to fall prey to this tendency is a short-term bill that would have extended the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits, while sparing Medicare providers from sharp reimbursement declines. After passing the Senate by a 89-10 bi-partisan vote on Saturday, the House is poised to vote it down today.
Getting to Yes: Negotiating to Agreement Without Giving In, the classic book about negotiations, argues that in most situations there exists a “zone of agreement,” — a range of outcomes acceptable to both parties. Given the proper incentives, structures, and tactics, even the most vociferous foes can come to an agreement. Getting To Yes is one of the many books that goes unread in Washington, year after year. The problem remains, as it has since 2009,
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