At a breakfast with reporters yesterday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland discussed Congress and its plans up until the Thanksgiving recess. In his opening statement, he noted the successes of the Democratic-led Congress. What are these successes? Hoyer specifically mentioned the “very substantial ethics reform,” as well as the PAYGO rule, which stipulates that new expenditures must be accompanied by a tax increase or spending cut. He also touched on the upcoming alternative minimum tax bill and the expected override of Bush’s veto of a $23 billion water projects bill. However, the Democrats failed to pass S-chip and immigration reform, and – much to the chagrin of the lefty Netroots – have not ended the war in Iraq. Nonetheless, Hoyer said, “The Speaker and I believe this has been a very productive session in the House of Representatives in terms of legislation.” Really? Yesterday, the NRCC posted this video of Speaker Pelosi stating her view of this Congress and its low approval rating. She said, “I don’t approve of Congress because we haven’t done anything – we haven’t been effective at ending the war in Iraq, and if you asked me in a phone call, as ardent a Democrat as I am, I would disapprove of Congress as well.” Seems like the House Democratic leadership may have a communication problem.
