Doing Their Job

Doing Their Job updated

There’s been a lot of pontificating from wingnuts that Reid and Pelosi are
lording over a “do-nothing Congress,” something Republicans know an
awful lot about. The facts in evidence point to just the opposite, with the Senate just last night passing the 9/11 recommendations, which has
to have the Republicans choking on their own talking points. It’s only when
they retire that the truth slips through their mouths. See Joe Scarborough for
evidence. Via
Swing State Project we find further evidence. Enter Rep. Ray LaHood.

But against such philosophical stands, there is a stark political problem: How many Republicans are really going to oppose legislation expanding insurance coverage for children, tightening ethics rules and bolstering homeland security? “They’ve had a pretty strong quarter,” said Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.), who praised the insurance bill as “creative” and suggested the homeland security bill would pass overwhelmingly. “The first quarter was not so good, and that’s why they’re not looking so good in the polls, but this quarter is looking very good for them. They can send their members home crowing about their accomplishments, and they’ve done it in a bipartisan way, which is exactly what they promised to do,” LaHood said. House Republican Conference Chairman Adam H. Putnam (R-Fla.) conceded that his party has its public relations work cut out for it, battling what he called “the underlying warm and fuzzies” of the bills’ titles — especially the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. But he said Republicans would be able to make the case that a multibillion-dollar expansion of a government-funded program runs counter to taxpayers’ wishes. … .. Democrats Push Parcel of Bills That Could Split Republicans

One of the favorite attacks of the wingnuts, especially on radio, is also that Democrats are
only investigating, not passing legislation and getting things done for
the people, as they often put it. It reveals the appalling lack of respect
for the Constitution and the job of Congress, which is oversight. It’s really
amazing that I have to point this out, but the reason there are so many investigations
is because the rubber stamping Republicans didn’t do their job when they had
the chance; instead letting Bush and Cheney run amok in the executive branch
committing all manners of assaults on the Constitution. Remedy? What
Christy says.

Democrats had their hands full when they came in this year. It’s been rough
going. They’ve taken an approval ratings beating because Congress hasn’t moved far enough on Iraq to suit we the people. But Pelosi got a measure passed, with Reid drawing a line on escalation, with no end in sight unless Republicans stand
up. In lieu of that, Democrats need to keep the pressure on by investigating
the lawlessness and runaway executive that has spread throughout the federal
government under Bush-Cheney. The more unpopular the Administration gets the
more likely Republicans will see things our way.

To that end, (h/t
Christy), Karl Rove has just been added to the witness list on a hearing
next week entitled: “Preserving Prosecutorial Independence: Is the
Department of Justice Politicizing the Hiring and Firing of U.S. Attorneys?
– Part VII.”

Executive privilege, Part D, is more like it.