Rep. Ron Kind, Chair of the New Democrat Coalition: “We are the policy entrepreneurs of the Democratic Party”

In a polarized Congress, the House New Democrat Coalition is an increasingly influential force.

Founded in 1997, the House New Democrat Coalition describes itself as “a solutions-oriented coalition” of “fiscally responsible, tech-savvy Democrats.”

Rooted in the “New Democrat” movement led by former President Bill Clinton, the currently 55-member group has been especially identified with policies to promote innovation, technology and trade, as well as a pragmatic brand of lawmaking that seeks bipartisanship where possible.

This approach, argues New Democrat Coalition Chair Rep. Ron Kind (WI-3), has made the New Democrats an influential force in a polarized Congress. This interview has been edited for length.

R3.0: What’s the role of the New Democrat Coalition in Congress, and why do you see it growing in relevance?

“There’s a yearning for a new kind of governing vision.”

Kind: We’ve always been very relevant in policy debates and in ultimately getting things done. We have not been afraid to build bridges and to try to find more pragmatic Republican members that we can work with.

But the agenda the New Democrats have been focused on is also the agenda the country wants to see:  pro-opportunity investments in research and development and STEM – science, technology, engineering and math.  These are fields that are opening up tremendous amounts of job opportunities in our country.

There’s a yearning for a new kind of governing vision that gets beyond the entrenched partisan warfare that’s dominated Washington in recent years. I think the New Dems are filling that role and creating a new path forward for prosperity in our country.

R3.0: Are you also seeing new opportunities for New Democrats because of what’s happening on the right? Are some Americans who may have traditionally identified with the Republican Party more amenable now to what you offer?

“[Americans are] looking for more pragmatic representatives who understand what challenges we face and are coming up with practical solutions.”

Kind: There’s no question. I hear that all the time when I’m back home traveling around Wisconsin.

Business owners are feeling abandoned by where the national Republican Party has decided to take itself – to the far, far right – with its willingness to shut down the government, default on our financial obligations for the first time in our nation’s history, and to say no to any type of solution, even though there are some investments that have to be made to make our businesses and workers more competitive in the 21st century global economy.

Because of that, I think they’re looking for more pragmatic representatives who understand what challenges we face and are coming up with practical solutions.

When we talk to workers and to businesses large and small, they know there has to be a viable public-private partnership in order to make this economy function and to ensure that we remain on the cutting edge of the innovation that we need as a nation.

R3.0: How do you define being a “New Democrat”?

Kind: We believe that a growing economy solves a lot of problems and that there are things we ought to be doing to invest in the long-term economic future of all Americans.

How do we remain the most innovative, competitive and creative nation in the world in light of increased global competition? How can we make our businesses, large and small, more competitive in the global marketplace? How can we ensure that no one in America is left behind in a highly competitive global economy? And how can we build bridges in the political environment to advance a pro-growth, pro-innovation agenda?

How we respond to these questions will define us for the rest of the century and, more importantly, define what type of future our children and grandchildren will have to look forward to.

We view ourselves as the “policy entrepreneurs” of the Democratic Party. We do share core values with all Democrats, but we have new ways of approaching the issue of restoring and strengthening the middle class in our country.

We’ve been especially focused policy-wise on a robust trade agenda to level the playing for workers and businesses so they can compete effectively globally.

[We also support] key investments in educational opportunities; workforce development; funding for basic research that the private sector can’t or won’t do on their own because the return on investment isn’t quick enough for them; and investment in the infrastructure that will lay the groundwork for long-term sustainable economic growth.

We’ve also been working on proposals to reform an outdated, antiquated tax code that has left us less competitive and is becoming more unfair in how revenue is raised in this country.

The New Democrats also helped take the lead last year in introducing comprehensive immigration reform – reform that we believe will not only reduce budget deficits in later years but make us a stronger and more competitive economy by unleashing this potential that’s been locked up because of the broken nature of our immigration system today.

These are some of the key issues we’ve been focused on for some time, and I think the New Democrats have been playing a crucial role trying to find solutions.

R3.0: There’s been an ongoing debate – at times heated – between the center and the left of the Democratic Party. Have these divisions narrowed or are there now larger priorities at stake that make these old fault lines less significant?

“I believe, as all Democrats do, that government’s role is to help every American reach their fullest potential no matter where you start in life.”

Kind: I think the emphasis on the divisions within the Democratic Party has been somewhat exaggerated throughout the years.

We’re all committed to shared opportunity, shared responsibility, and a sense of community for every American. We’re all committed to lifting people up regardless of what rung on the economic ladder they’re starting on, and I was raised in a union household myself. I believe, as all Democrats do, that government’s role is to help every American reach their fullest potential no matter where you start in life. And while there might be some differences in opinion on the periphery, we think most Democrats have shared values along those lines.

We’ve advocated to keep public investments – such as in education, job training, basic research, broadband expansion – that we feel have to be made in order to have the type of economic growth and prosperity that we need as a nation. This is the seed corn that we need to be planting today for a bountiful harvest tomorrow.

There’s a lot of common ground. But we as New Democrats have not been afraid to explore new ideas and new approaches and to bring some entrepreneurial thinking to the problems that we face. We should never be afraid of or shy of doing that as a party, and I think that’s going to be crucial for finding the answers that have been elusive here in Washington.

R3.0: In contrast then, what do you see ultimately happening on the right?

Kind: There’s a civil war brewing in the Republican Party at the national level, and how that gets resolved will determine if Republicans will be a viable national party in the years to come.

I see too many of my Republican colleagues fearful of right-wing primary challenges, and as long as that continues, that’s going to lead to some very bad policy choices on their part.

Right now, the national Republican Party has become the party of “no.” They’re not willing to consider any solution. As long as this internal battle for the heart and soul of the [Republican] Party continues, I think the value of the New Democrat Coalition is only going to grow, and people will recognize that.

R3.0: Where and how do you see an end to this polarization?  

“The overwhelming majority of people – whether they’re left, right or center –want their government to work together and develop solutions for the challenges we face. .”

Kind: The American people are the ultimate referee in all this. They can make change, especially on Election Day. That’s when decisions are ultimately made – not during late-night debates and in votes on the floor of the House of Representatives or the Senate – but on Election Day by those who show up.

I feel the overwhelming majority of people – whether they’re left, right or center –want their government to work together and develop solutions for the challenges we face. They’re rightly frustrated with Washington’s inaction. They’ll stand with leaders, I believe, who value ideas over ideology and who move our country forward.

I think that’s the reason why more and more members of Congress, including recently elected members, want to join a coalition like the New Dems. They see the role that we’re trying to play and want to be a part of that process.

More importantly, they want to respond to the wishes of the people who sent them here, which is to stop the partisan games, stop the polarization, and start coming together as a nation and address our challenges. If we can do that, there’s nothing that’s going to stand in the way of making the 21st century America’s century.