It’s a misnomer to think that the 2012 election maintained the status quo in Washington, D.C. In President Obama’s second term there will be new players, priorities, and policies. A larger Democratic majority in the Senate and a narrower GOP majority in the House suggest that the 113th Congress will take action on several fronts. Along with the public demand that our nation’s leaders take concrete steps toward restoring fiscal sanity, even political sacred cows are subject to scrutiny and modification.

Every four years Brookings Executive Education provides an in-depth briefing on the post-election environment. The 2013 edition was as insightful and provocative as its ever been. The one-day class held on February 4 included a session on the budget featuring renowned economist Alice Rivlin and a leading statesman on budget matters, former Senator Pete Dominici. Jen Psaki, former White House Deputy Communications Director and Press Secretary for Obama 2012, was a speaker as well.

“The theme that came out of the day was continued gridlock. Neither party wants to move, especially to address some of the fiscal challenges this country needs to face. Democrats need to embrace entitlement reform and Republicans have to address revenues. Neither party can afford to demonize the other to effect a real solution.”  – Ian Dubin, Senior Program Manager, Brookings Executive Education