Congress prepares to wrap up unproductive year

Reuter's Washington ^ | Reuter's Richard Cowan

[YaYa123]

(notice how "lameduck" is in the url)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ridiculed as the "do-nothing" 109th U.S. Congress, the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives on Monday begin a brief session to wrap up whatever work they can, install a new defense secretary and approve money to prevent a shutdown of government services.

The Republican-led Congress will meet only for about another week before drawing to a close -- as lawmakers prepare for the new 110th Congress set to convene on January 4 under Democratic control.

Having been blown out in the November 7 elections, Republican lawmakers are getting ready to hand over to Democrats some major unfinished business, led by what to do about the increasingly unpopular Iraq war.

[YaYa123]

This is Reuters, so supposedly not opinion. LMAO! It's grim, dire, a definite downer, but folks, this is history's first draft, and (I think), what we are facing even more of in the coming months. But I'm not posting it for laughs...it breaks my heart to read it and know not one elected Republican will step forward to challenge it.

Bye Bye Bill Frist....and good riddance!

[Joe Boucher]

You got that right. Frist was a complete loser. He failed in every possible way.
To bad he isn't going to run for president, I'd love to see people kick dirt on him.

[Zakeet]

Did they pass any real dumb laws like the ADA or Clean Air?

If not, it was a good year.

If they rescind some bad laws, it would be a great year.

If they would cut spending, secure the boarder and overhaul the tax code, it would be a terrific year.

[Texas_Jarhead]

"Ridiculed as the "do-nothing" 109th U.S. Congress..."

Ridiculed as such by whom? Rooters?...

[johnthebaptistmoore]

The next Congress will end up being even more of a "do nothing" Congress than what the present Congress is. That is unless the Republican minority and President too often bend to the wills of the Democrats. This is the Republicans chance to finally grow some political backbones, and then stand by conservative principles for now and for always. Electing "establishment" Republicans to their Congressional leadership positions and picking "pro-amnesty for illegal immigrants" Senator Mel Martinez to Co-Chair the Republican National Committee are not what I consider good starts for the Republican Party. I'm very concerned about amnesty for illegal immigrants and about the very socialistic North American Union becoming realities here very soon.

[Brad from Tennessee]

"Do-nothing Congress" is a slur invented by the U.S. news media who write to impress each other with their wit. They like to quote each other and interview each other on Sunday morning. They are a gang of idiots who get together and whack each other off.


109th Congress United States federal legislation

* 2005 February 17 - Class Action Fairness Act of 2005, Pub.L. 109-2, 118 Stat. 4
* 2005 March 21 - Theresa Marie Schiavo's law, Pub.L. 109-3, 119 Stat. 15
* 2005 April 20 - Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, Pub.L. 109-8, 119 Stat. 23, 11 U.S.C. § 101
* 2005 April 27 - Family Entertainment and Copyright Act, Pub.L. 109-9, 119 Stat. 218, 17 U.S.C. § 101
* 2005 July 28 - Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (CAFTA Implementation Act), Pub.L. 109-53, 119 Stat. 462, 19 U.S.C. § 4001
* 2005 July 29 - Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub.L. 109-58, 119 Stat. 594, 42 U.S.C. § 15801
* 2005 August 10 - Transportation Equity Act of 2005, Pub.L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144
* 2005 October 26 - Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, Pub.L. 109-92, 119 Stat. 2095
* 2005 December 1 - Caribbean National Forest Act of 2005, Pub.L. 109-118, 119 Stat. 2527
* 2005 December 22 - Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005, Pub.L. 109-145, 119 Stat. 2664
* 2005 December 30 - Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006, Pub.L. 109-148, 119 Stat. 2680 (including McCain Detainee Amendment (S.Amdt.1977)
* 2006 May 17, 2006 - Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, Pub.L. 109-222, 120 Stat. 345
* 2006 May 29 - Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act, Pub.L. 109-228, 120 Stat. 387
* 2006 July 27- Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, Pub.L. 109-248, 120 Stat. 587
* 2006 October 13 - Safe Port Act, Pub.L. 109-347, including title VIII, Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5361-5367
* 2006 October 17 - Military Commissions Act of 2006, Pub.L. 109-366
* 2006 October 26 - Secure Fence Act of 2006, Pub.L. 109-367

[edit] Other legislation

* H.R. 3 Federal Public Transportation Act of 2005
* H.R. 5 HEALTH Act of 2005
* H.R. 8 Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2005
* H.R. 11 Medicare Rural Home Health Services Improvement Act of 2005
* H.R. 12 Amendment to the Education Land Grant Act
* H.R. 13 CLEAN-UP of Methamphetamines Act
* H.R. 15 National Health Insurance Act of 2005
* H.R. 554 Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act
* H.R. 1505 Jessica Lunsford Act
* H.R. 3334 Cures Can Be Found Act of 2005
* H.R. 3645 Katrina Relief Appropriations bill
* H.R. 3646 Gas Price Relief and Oil Conservation Act of 2005
* H.R. 4379 We the People Act
* H.R. 4569 Digital Transition Content Security Act
* S. 147 Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005 (Akaka Bill)
* S. 520 Constitution Restoration Act
* S. 677 Workplace Religious Freedom Act
* S. 2126 Family Entertainment Protection Act

[NormsRevenge]

I hear ya, no mention of how a coalition of dems and Rinos held this nation legislatively hostage for 6 years running on any number of major issues, instead Reuters and some now claim this is due to ineffectual Republican leadership.

In part, that point may have some validity but a more honest assessment is also required to fully fathom what we have witnessed the last 6 years.

Alas, yet again the complicit media fails to deliver fair and partial analysis.

[BenLurkin]

The only "production" I want to see out of Congress is the systematic dismantling of the welfare state.

[YaYa123]

You wrote, The MSM "are a gang of idiots who get together and whack each other off."

THAT IS THE MOST OBSCENE AND ACCURATE MSM DESCRIPTION I THINK I'VE EVER SEEN!!

[Brad from Tennessee]

Thanks. Merry Christmas.

[MinorityRepublican]

I like gridlock.

[an amused spectator]

Nice catch, Y - good to see you back in action. :-)