The last couple months have shown the depths of congressional dysfunction. Many think the problem isn’t so much the people who serve there. It’s a process that funnels all power to party leaders, stifling debate among the ranks.
In 1988, Colorado voters recognized a similar issue in their state legislature. The remedy was something called the GAVEL Amendment--an acronym for Give A Vote To Every Legislator. The story of how it passed, and what happened afterward, shows there likely isn’t any easy way to repair a place as seriously messed up as Congress. But you gotta start somewhere.
(P.S. This season, Purplish is here to help you explore the secrets of the Colorado State Capitol with your ears. We think your eyes should get some love, too. Wanna check out the unsung corners under Colorado’s golden dome? Follow @newscpr on Instagram for bonuses about the building.)
