Dems never had lock on Congress

I repeatedly hear pundits, politicians and ordinary people mistakenly claim that President Obama had a Congressional majority for two years and failed to pass legislation. May I remind people: At the time of the Inauguration, there were 56 Democratic Senators and two Independents who usually vote Democratic, but the filibuster-proof number of 60 was not reached because the installation of Senator Franken was held up for six months.

Senator Kennedy took ill on Inauguration Day and was mostly absent the Senate until his death. Senator Byrd died the same year. Even when Arlen Specter switched to the Democratic Party, Franken had still not been seated. Scott Brown was elected to the Senate in February, 2010, reducing the Democrats to 57 plus 2 Independents.

Ordinarily, a majority is necessary to pass legislation, but this Congress has insisted on a filibuster-proof, 60-vote majority. The Democrats did have a 60 vote majority for four months from late 2009 to January 2010 — with more than one month off for the holidays and other days when Congress was not in session. So the majority can be counted in days.

The stimulus, immigration, gay rights — all of these were unable to pass because the Democrats did not have a majority as so many falsely claim, and Republicans were unified in voting as a bloc against all Obama initiatives. So don’t claim the Democrats had a majority and failed — check the historical facts before you believe the disinformation. Also, recall that Republicans controlled the House, Senate and presidency for six years, from 2001 to 2007.

Marie Harris

Bartlett