In a new book, former Senate Majority Leaders Tom Daschle and Trent Lott examine the impact of polarization on governance and public opinion. Crisis Point explores the key factors driving political dysfunction and offers practical steps for reform.

Crisis Point serves as a unique account of a turbulent period that included the Clinton impeachment, a 50/50 Senate, the 9/11 attacks, and the Iraq War. It also highlights many of the proposals put forth by the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Commission on Political Reform, which is led by Daschle, a BPC co-founder and Lott, a BPC senior fellow.

“ The engine of Washington, of politics and governance, is no longer working”

 The author’s shared experiences and personal bond epitomize a partnership in which leaders overcome ideological differences in pursuit of the common good. The challenges Crisis Point addresses—from the permanent campaign to the 24/7 news cycle—will be fixtures for years to come. Despite these challenges, Daschle and Lott provide a pragmatic and optimistic plan to get Washington working again.