The dynamic duo of Ornstein and Mann have an op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer today that's worth a read. Their highest-priority reforms to help make Congress functional again:

• New ethics and lobbying rules, including an independent enforcement panel
• 5-day work weeks and a minimum number of weeks in session
• A return of regular order to bill votes, amendments, and debate

These seem like realistic proposals. And the new Congressional leadership seems to be listening. Both Senator Reid and Rep. Pelosi have promised longer weeks, hours, and days, and Reid has scheduled an intense first seven weeks of the session. Pelosi will introduce a rules package that includes ethics reform as the first order of business in the House. And both, to my knowledge, have promised a return to more bipartisan, open legislative procedures. That's easier said than done, of course. We'll still have to hold them to these promises, and make sure that they go far enough.