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    The 'Do-Nothing' Congress Really Did Nothing This Year

    The 'Do-Nothing' Congress Really Did Nothing This Year

    With just a few short weeks remaining before the end of the 2011 session, Congress has passed its fewest number of bills in at least the last 10 non-election years. According to The Washington Post, the 326 bills passed by the House of Representatives is roughly one-third of the number they passed in 2009 (970) and barely a quarter of the number passed in 2007 (1,127). The Senate has approved 368 bills, also well below its typical off-year numbers and the fewest since 1995.

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    As a result, the President Obama has only signed 62 new laws through November 30, compared to 88 signed by President Clinton in 1995, the last time Republicans took over the House with a Democrat in the White House.

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    Of course, some people would welcome this result, as there is certainly an argument to be made against over-legislation. Majority Leader Eric Cantor says he wants to "stress quality over quantity" and the House has eliminated most "commemorative" legislation, like resolutions honoring sports teams and the renaming of post offices.

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    However, the lack of official action does underscore just how divided our divided government currently is. Long, drawn-out battles over things like the debt ceiling and the payroll tax have handcuffed Congress' ability to get other things done. Compromises, especially on the budget, have been few and far between. The House has passed just six of the 11 appropriations bills needed for next year and the Senate has ignored most of the legislation sent to them by the lower chamber. And who could forget the colossal waste of time that was the supercommittee? The lack of cooperation will only intensify once the 2012 campaign season gets underway in earnest. 

     

    1,692 comments

    • Nate  •  Beatrice, United States  •  5 mths ago
      The stupid part is that there are going to be a ton of morons who follow party lines and vote the same idiots back into office.
      • Whatthe.... 5 mths ago
        yes, and they will then get on here and criticize the very people they elected.
      • louie 5 mths ago
        Every single American needs to pay close attention to what is going on here. Do your homework before you get in the booth to vote. Just think how much worse things will get if we get a republican president like Newt in the White House. Sends nasty chills up my spine.
      • Americkan 5 mths ago
        Not this time my friend.
    • Debbie  •  5 mths ago
      Since they still rake in their salaries and perks, I am sure they could care less what we think of their success levels. Until there are term limits and pay and benefit cuts for these "eletists" nothing will ever be accomplished except them gracing themselves with money and perks.
      • Wiseman 5 mths ago
        you are mistaken to think that rem limits will have much affect on political corruption. They will simply back another corrupt polititian every 4 years, And some of theose corrupt polititians will go on to be president after they can't run for congress any more. Term limits simply don't get at the root of the problem. Though term limits will make things a little harder for big buisness to buy more polititians and will increase the number of bribes and payuots they heve to spend to get their man in office they will likely pay the cost and pass the expenses on to the consumer like they do already. It's financial backers and lobbyists who are to blame. We need to put and end to buisness as usual in washungton. no more campaign contributions. No momre lobbyists.
      • Hagop 5 mths ago
        FACTS: Republicans CONTROL CONGRESS... They ran on Jobs Jobs Jobs last November to fool; enough stupid Americans to vote for them again, but they are there to protect the wealthy few, the wealthy few, the wealthy few AT YOUR EXPENSE SOME MORE like they did from 2001 on....WAKE UP!
      • Hagop 5 mths ago
        FACTS: Republicans CONTROL CONGRESS... They ran on Jobs Jobs Jobs last November to fool; enough stupid Americans to vote for them again, but they are there to protect the wealthy few, the wealthy few, the wealthy few AT YOUR EXPENSE SOME MORE like they did from 2001 on....WAKE UP!
    • Robert  •  5 mths ago
      I imagine that they did plenty to pad their own personal fortunes while doing NOTHING for the people they are supposed to represent . Send them all home !
      • Hawk 5 mths ago
        send them all to HELL.
      • Tube Radios 5 mths ago
        That would be great, if "hell" actually existed. But since it is part of the myth that is religion, it does not exist. I say, some how term limits must be part of the political mix. Plus what the supreme court did two years ago MUST be reversed. Allowing companies to contribute as much as they want to political campaigns is simply beyond stupid.
      • DriveForShow 5 mths ago
        Meanwhile, the Repubs at the State level are legislating up a dictatorial storm. Michigan is within days of confiscating public assets and turning them over to private companies. Gov. Rick Snyder (R) and his Republican Nazi hoard will covert public school property to private companies in the name of "public school academies" (charter schools). Republicans renounce government, but they use it to make themselves weathy. Look at the history of Gov. Rick Perry (R) in Texas, he made himself and his buddies rich through government control and legislation.
    • Ken  •  Lewisburg, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Why are we paying congress for full time work,they are absent most of the time,when they are in DC nothing gets done anyway. Good work if you can get it my friends...Wow!!
      • Comfy 5 mths ago
        Wouldn't you love to know what is taught in Political Science classes? "How to make big bucks w/o doing anything? Become a Republican politician."
      • Nikita 5 mths ago
        @Comfy Nancy Pelosi is worth upwards of $48,000,000. Better protect your glass house before you throw stones.
      • Stephen 5 mths ago
        Hey comfy, how much did Pelosi, the Clintons, Harry Reid, Chuck Shumer, and all the other dems make off of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac debacle? And oh yeah, what about Maxine Waters and her husband? Seems like sleaziness is demonstrated by dems far more often and in greater depth than republicans.
    • Richard  •  College Park, United States  •  5 mths ago
      The best way to cut the budget is to cut their pay. We need to clean house in congress !!
      • A Yahoo! User 5 mths ago
        What about the fact they are guaranteed $197,000. 00 /year for retirement ? even when the bastards leave they are still a burden on the people.(Oh and don't forget their free unlimited health care for the rest of their worthless life)
      • Raleigh 5 mths ago
        @ . How about learning the facts about Congressional Retirement benefits before spreading lies?
    • Tim  •  5 mths ago
      The American people have to finally think about changing their political system, instead of blaming this guy, that guy, and the other guys. First, term limit.
    • Annie  •  Ann Arbor, United States  •  5 mths ago
      In the real world, if you don't produce you get fired. I say clean house and fire the bunch of non-productive, overpaid loosers.
    • whatsamattawitchyou  •  Keller, United States  •  5 mths ago
      91% of American voters HATE the job the Congress and Senate have done. Who the hell is the 9% that approves?
    • Tim  •  5 mths ago
      Bills are drafted and voted by Congress, not the president. If you want to change the situation, vote them all out.
    • JL  •  5 mths ago
      The US Congress.. The best lobby money can BUY!!!
    • Art  •  Asheville, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Vote them all out. They make more money for less work than anyone in the world, and act like its their right and privilege to behave so.
    • Mike.  •  Lima, United States  •  5 mths ago
      The "do nothing Congress" that does NOT even care that 83% of the American taxpaying public has No faith,NO confidence,NO trust in them!! I hate them all-BOTH sides of the aisle-for what they are doing to this once great nation.
    • Cathy  •  Montgomery, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Congress just needs to balance the budget and go home. It was never mant to be a full-time career post. They try to keep job security by passing more and more intrusive bills. We have had enough. No more career politicians!
    • MARY Y  •  Live Oak, United States  •  5 mths ago
      If they would stay at home we would all be better off.
    • Tom  •  5 mths ago
      Better vote them all out then.
    • A. J. W.  •  Cedar Rapids, United States  •  5 mths ago
      One third the pay and benifits for one third the work.
    • Don  •  Dubai, United Arab Emirates  •  5 mths ago
      The only time your Money, Property, and Freedom is in jeopardy is when congress is in session.
    • Whatever  •  5 mths ago
      This is what happens when you elect people who care more about themselves than they ever will about their country.
    • Lobo  •  5 mths ago
      Sure they did. They played the market with their insider information.
    • bob308  •  Laie, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Congress, the best government US multinationals can buy!
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