Across the Aisle

A former Congresswoman from Indiana, Jill Long Thompson taught ethics as a Visiting Clinical Associate Professor at the Kelley School of Business and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington. Until 2015 she was board chair and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration, a position to which she was appointed by President Barack Obama. She is the author of The Character of American Democracy: Preserving Our Past, Protecting Our Future.

• Preface: Achieving Our Goals Through Bipartisanship, by Marcy KapturAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: America is Facing a Crisis Point, by Trent Lott and Tom DaschlePart I: Bipartisanship and America1. Bipartisanship and a Stronger Democracy in American History, by John Harwood2. Reflections on Bipartisanship, by Todd Young3. Collaboration, Compromise, and Bipartisanship, by Dan Glickman4. Why Bipartisanship Is Such Hard Work, by Marjorie Randon HersheyPart II: Bipartisanship at Work5. What Bipartisanship Really Looks Like, by André Carson6. Bipartisanship and Leadership, by Olympia Snowe7. Bipartisanship and Medicare Payment Reform, by Allyson Y. Schwartz and Charlene MacDonald8. Legions of Cosponsors for the Military, by Jason Altmire9. Public Safety Is Not a Partisan Matter, by Curt Weldon10. Bipartisanship Needed to Reduce Gun Violence, by Paul Helmke11. Working Together for a Healthier Environment, by Don Bonker12. A Bipartisan Agenda for Defending Free Enterprise, Assuring Honest Government, and Fighting Climate Change, by Richard W. PainterAfterword: Bipartisanship Is Essential to Democracy, by Jill Long Thompson

"Bipartisanship may not appeal to the most extreme voices of each party, but history teaches us that it is the only real path for meaningful change in this country. Fierce debate is the foundation of our country, but so is finding common ground. As citizens of this great democracy, each one of us has a responsibility to get involved and hold public officials accountable. Across the Aisle is a blueprint that allows all of us to do just that."—Margaret Spellings, President and CEO of The Bipartisan Policy Center and former U.S. Secretary of Education"In Across the Aisle, Jill Long Thompson and her distinguished fellow authors remind us of what I learned firsthand as a Senator: bipartisanship is more than a slogan. It's the driving force behind our democracy, and it's the only way we can make progress as a nation. Our greatest achievements have come when Republicans and Democrats have worked together. The same will be true in the years ahead."—Roy Blunt, Former U.S. Senator"This book of essays, assembled by my former colleague, contains invaluable information for present and future public servants at all levels of government to understand the essential role of bipartisanship in solving difficult problems."—Richard Gephardt, Former U.S. House Majority Leader"The greatest achievements of our nation have been built on robust bipartisan collaboration. No party has a monopoly on good ideas. Across the Aisle is a testament to the benefits and future promise of reaching across the aisle to solve America's most pressing challenges."—William Frist M.D., Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader