Departing Congress Faces a Turbulent Fall

[K1052]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/departing-congress-faces-a-turbulent-fall-1438202739

Finding a long-term highway funding solution is one of a growing stockpile of unresolved issues set to detonate on Capitol Hill this fall. In the final four months of the year Congress must deal with the expiration of government funding, a debt ceiling increase, a contentious vote on the Iran nuclear deal and sticky House-Senate negotiations on many other bills.

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/congress-faces-fall-from-hell-120753.html?hp=lc1_4

After the monthlong August recess, Congress will have just 12 workdays in September to avert a government shutdown on Oct. 1. A law governing the Federal Aviation Administration expires that day, but congressional leaders are struggling to cobble together a bill.

Less than one month after that, highway funding is set to expire — again. House Transportation Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), and Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) need to find a way to resolve their so-far intractable differences over how to reauthorize — and pay for — highway projects across the nation. Each wants to make a mark on highway policy, but they’ve been unable to do find any modicum of agreement thus far.

All against the backdrop of the GOP primary which has sitting senators trying to out conservative each other. Should make for an interesting fall. Oh and Cruz wants to shut down the government over Planned Parenthood funding.

 

[Bitek]

Good god this Congress sucks

 

[ivwshane]

Only if the republicans had control of both houses, then they would get stuff done and end this gridlock in Washington!

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0IM0ND20141102

 

[boomerang]

When are we going to start compensating these people at a part time rate instead of a full time rate?

 

[Fanatical Meat]

When are we going to start compensating these people at a part time rate instead of a full time rate?

I'd like to see a bill that they will spend 2000 hours a year in session or in their offices or even talking with their districts and proper time accounting that is publicly posted.

 

[cabri]

Only if the republicans had control of both houses, then they would get stuff done and end this gridlock in Washington!

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0IM0ND20141102

The Democrats because they are not in charge can not blame the Republicans. Now the Republicans can blame the Democrats.

Until a super majority exists in both chambers for a single party; there will be gridlock.

compromise has become a dirty word.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

The Democrats because they are not in charge can not blame the Republicans. Now the Republicans can blame the Democrats.

Until a super majority exists in both chambers for a single party; there will be gridlock.

compromise has become a dirty word.

You are right. The GOP can't compromise with the GOP. They are doing this to themselves.

But yes. Blame the evil Democrats.

 

[FerrelGeek]

Congress is FUBAR. With few exceptions (in both parties) the rest just care about their cushy jobs and the power / privileges that come with it. The vast majority couldn't give a rat's a** about the rest of us. And the ones that do end up there with good intentions are either shut down or get corrupted.

 

[Sonikku]

Just think of all the time they would have to work on issues if they didn't spend half their time fundraising.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

#CongressionalVacationsMatter

 

[Genx87]

Trying to kill Obamacare within the highway bill is indefensible.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

The Democrats because they are not in charge can not blame the Republicans. Now the Republicans can blame the Democrats.

Until a super majority exists in both chambers for a single party; there will be gridlock.

compromise has become a dirty word.

Compromise has become more blasphemous than just a dirty word.

 

[cabri]

You are right. The GOP can't compromise with the GOP. They are doing this to themselves.

But yes. Blame the evil Democrats.

Even when the Dems had a super majority, they could not ram through legislation.

The rules are designed to for cooperation/compromise.

Position and pandering now prevent such.

 

[theeedude]

Americans voted for this Congress, let them enjoy shitty highways, and no FAA. Who needs FAA anyways, private sector will take care of it.

 

[K1052]

Even when the Dems had a super majority, they could not ram through legislation.

The rules are designed to for cooperation/compromise.

Position and pandering now prevent such.

Given the number of bills being passed it's hard to argue that the situation is merely status quo. The conservative wing of the House GOP has pretty much upset the apple cart and the leadership seems unable or unwilling to buck them in the name of party unity (at the expense of actually governing).

 

[cabri]

Given the number of bills being passed it's hard to argue that the situation is merely status quo. The conservative wing of the House GOP has pretty much upset the apple cart and the leadership seems unable or unwilling to buck them in the name of party unity (at the expense of actually governing).

dammed if you do, dammed if you dont:thumbsdown: :\

 

[Newell Steamer]

Meh,.. they don't care - because they won't be held responsible for anything; unless Israel asked them to do something.

 

[cabri]

Meh,.. they don't care - because they won't be held responsible for anything; unless Israel asked them to do something.

As long as they bring home more bacon than the pain of not doing their jobs, they keep their jobs. :thumbsdown:

 

[soundforbjt]

Meh,.. they don't care - because they won't be held responsible for anything; unless Israel asked them to do something.

And their idiot constituents will keep electing them.

 

[Mxylplyx]

As long as they bring home more bacon than the pain of not doing their jobs, they keep their jobs. :thumbsdown:

You know, if that were still true, like it was in years past, things wouldn't be so bad. Back in the day, a few billion in earmarks effectively greased the wheels of Washington, and could move votes to get big things accomplished. Politicians, Republicans in particular, dont seem to campaign on what they can do for their specific districts anymore. Now it's all about being a loyal trooper in a national ideological fight that history shows conservatives always eventually lose anyways.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Americans voted for this Congress, let them enjoy shitty highways, and no FAA. Who needs FAA anyways, private sector will take care of it.

Americans aren't some monolithic group, and no American votes for more than a handful of Congressman; people in Texas aren't voting on who will represent New York. That's why polls will show that Congress, overall, has an abysmal approval rate... but people still love the few guys they voted for. "Everyone in Congress sucks except my guy."

 

[theeedude]

Americans aren't some monolithic group, and no American votes for more than a handful of Congressman; people in Texas aren't voting on who will represent New York. That's why polls will show that Congress, overall, has an abysmal approval rate... but people still love the few guys they voted for. "Everyone in Congress sucks except my guy."

They can keep loving the guy they voted for with unrepaired highways and unfunded EPA. They are getting the small government they voted for.

 

[ElFenix]

worst congress money can buy.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

It pisses me off that we all tolerate this crap. Why do we allow gerrymandering why don't we all demand that money does not equal speech changes need to be made.

 

[Mxylplyx]

It pisses me off that we all tolerate this crap. Why do we allow gerrymandering why don't we all demand that money does not equal speech changes need to be made.

Because Americans are so easily influenced by issue ads and talking heads on TV, which are mediums dominated by the moneyed elite. Any prospective politician who is a true champion of the little guy will be so broke that his campaign messaging reach wont expand beyond the borders of his neighborhood.