Democratic lawmakers headed out of town Thursday staunchly defending their achievements in the 111th Congress even though they are leaving earlier than any other Congress over the past 40 years and before they decided what to do about a package of tax cuts.
With members of the House and Senate heading home to campaign for the Nov. 2 elections — returning to Washington only for a post-election “lame duck” session Nov. 15 — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., marked the session’s end with an inventory of major legislation approved by the Democratically controlled House and Senate.
Those measures include a major health care reform bill, an $800 billion economic stimulus package, Wall Street reforms and consumer protection initiatives, including changes in the way credit cards can charge users.
“The list goes on and on,” Pelosi said.
The 111th Congress’ record of accomplishments far outshines its immediate predecessors, which were derided as “do nothing” Congresses after partisan strife and extensive use of the filibuster to stall most major legislative proposals.
Despite its accomplishments, however, the 111th Congress is one of the least popular in modern times. While Americans turned against recent Congresses for their inaction, it appears the public is upset with the current Congress because of what it did accomplish, a series of programs that Republicans claim have increased the scope of the federal government and driven federal budget deficits beyond the trillion-dollar mark.
The most recent poll from the Gallup Organization shows Congress’ approval rating at a rock-bottom 18 percent. Voters are mostly blaming Democrats, citing their opposition to initiatives like the health care bill.
Adding to its perception problems, Congress failed to address a package of tax cuts put in place by President George W. Bush and due to expire at year’s end after Democrats themselves divided over whether to keep the tax reductions for people who earn $200,000 or more a year. The vote was put off until the post-election lame duck session.
“There’s this perception that they are running out of town, because it has been 40-plus years since they left so early,” said Sarah Binder, a legislative politics scholar at the Brookings Institution, pointing out that Congress does not usually adjourn until at least October. “In reality, there really wasn’t time to tackle some of the big items that were left, but it reinforces this perception that there is a lot left on their agenda. Many of the critical things, primarily taxes, were not addressed.”
House Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, who could become the next House speaker if Republicans take control of Congress in the Nov. 2 elections, characterized the session as a Democratic failure.
“Instead of tallying up a final flurry of legislative output, observers and constituents are asking, what went wrong?” Boehner said.
Democrats scoffed at Boehner’s claims, saying Republicans have done little in Congress except obstruct the agenda.
“The Republican strategy has been and continues to this day to create gridlock and failure,” said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. “That’s been their objective in the House and the Senate.”
