Davis led a variety of efforts focused on improving contracting and procurement during his time as a congressman from Virginia and he sees the current shutdown as a no-win situation both parties.

The dysfunction in Congress being driven by a lack of tools that can foster bipartisanship, such as earmarks, Davis said. Without these kinds of tools, there is no incentive for members to work together on issues and find solutions that can benefit both sides.

Davis also describes how the GOP and the Democrats s risk damaging their standing with their base if they give in on funding for a wall along the southern border.

An answer could lie in finding something that both parties value and building an agreement from there. Davis has a suggestion but the question is will anyone listen?