Getting Things Done In Congress
by Mark Adams
When Congress failed to halt the funding for the "Surge" I was pissed (that's reality-speak for "disappointed"). Outrage sums up my reaction to the FISA capitulation.
But when a leading progressive voice like Glenn Greenwald feeds into a GOP narrative -- when he should know better -- I'm flabbergasted:
This is a real moment of truth for the Democratic Congress. Democrats, who have offered up little other than one failure after the next since taking power in January, can take a big step toward redeeming themselves here. No matter what, they must ensure that Gonzales' replacement is a genuinely trustworthy and independent figure.I've mentioned before that the accomplishments of this Congress, half-way through their first year is nothing to be dismissed easily.
- First Minimum Wage Increase in a Decade
- Largest Increase for Veterans Affairs Funding in History
- Additional $1.8 Billion for Veterans' Health Care in the Supplemental (above what POTUS requested)
- Passed Ethics and Lobbying Reform Bill
- $17 Billion in Grants and Other Student Aid
- Passed a Fiscally Responsible Budget
- Passed Energy Bill That Increased Fuel-Efficiency Standards for First Time Since 1975.
Speaking of the 70's, here's what a motivated congress can do even while "distracted" by an impeachment inquiry. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the Watergate Congress:
93rd United States Congress
- 1973-08-13 — Federal Aid Highway Act of 1973, Pub.L. 93-87, title I, 87 Stat. 250
- 1973-09-26 — Rehabilitation Act, Pub.L. 93-112, 87 Stat. 355
- 1973-10-01 — Domestic Volunteer Services Act of 1973 (VISTA), Pub.L. 93-113, 87 Stat. 394
- 1973-11-03 — Amtrak Improvement Act, Pub.L. 93-146, 87 Stat. 548
- 1973-11-07 — War Powers Resolution, Pub.L. 93-148, 87 Stat. 555
- 1973 — Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, Pub.L. 93-203
- 1973-12-28 — Endangered Species Act, Pub.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884
- 1974-04-08 — Fair Labor Standards Amendment, Pub.L. 93-259, 88 Stat. 55
- 1974-05-31 — Research on Aging Act, Pub.L. 93-296, 88 Stat. 184
- 1974-07-12 — Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, Pub.L. 93-344, 88 Stat. 297
- 1974-07-25 — Legal Services Corporation Act, Pub.L. 93-355, 88 Stat. 378
- 1974-08-21 — Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Pub.L. 93-380, title V, §513, 88 Stat. 571
- 1974-09-02 — Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Pub.L. 93-406, 88 Stat. 829
- 1974-09-07 — Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, Pub.L. 93-415, 88 Stat. 1109
- 1974-11-26 — National Mass Transportation Assistance Act, Pub.L. 93-503, 88 Stat. 1565
- 1974-12-03 — Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act, Pub.L. 93-508, 88 Stat. 1578
- 1974-12-16 — Safe Drinking Water Act, Pub.L. 93-523, 88 Stat. 1660
- 1974-12-31 — Privacy Act of 1974, Pub.L. 93-579, 88 Stat. 1896
- 1975 January 3 — Trade Act of 1974, Pub.L. 93-618, 88 Stat. 1978
- 1975 January 3 — Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, Pub.L. 93-633, title I, 88 Stat. 2156
- 1975 January 4 — National Health Planning and Resources Development Act, Pub.L. 93-641, 88 Stat. 2225
So many facts. So little time. Where do I start?
I'll be blunt, Mark: All the logic in the world will not rescue the Democrats if the public perceives them to be cowards who cave at the first twitch from Bush/Cheney.
Go back and read Drew Westen's excellent piece on how the Democrats need to toughen up.
I'm with Greenwald: Unless the White House puts up Comey, Fitzgerald or Iglesias, the Dems must filibuster.
Period.
P.S. At some point you have to go on offense. Otherwise you'll never win the game.