Managing Government Relations Director Ilisa Halpern Paul was quoted in several McClatchy-owned newspapers recently on Congress’ penchant for “short-term fixes.”

The article, which appeared in partners including the Miami Herald, The Seattle Times and The Tulsa World, notes that “much of what Congress does now is temporary fixes” that are exemplified by lower student loan rates (for one year), massive tax cuts (that expire in December) and transportation funding (only for two years).

While most Republicans refuse to consider any tax increases, Democrats routinely resist big reductions in popular social programs. The result is a period of legislative showdowns ending with messy, temporary solutions.

This bad for business, as consumers and companies have to life with future uncertainty of what the tax code will be or what the next federal contract might bring.

Ilisa noted that as political parties have become more polarized, "compromise has become a dirty word.”