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
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Categories: Democrats
Comments
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.
Posted by: Ara Rubyan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.rubyan.com/politics/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 28, 2007 07:58 AM
P.S. At some point you have to go on offense. Otherwise you'll never win the game.
Posted by: Ara Rubyan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.rubyan.com/politics/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 28, 2007 07:59 AM