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‘Will not’ Congress hurting the nation

President Truman placed the term “do nothing” on the 80th session of Congress. However, they passed hundreds of bills, many of which were quite substantial in attending to the nation’s business. The 113th session currently in office should be labeled the “will not” Congress. Barring a totally unforeseen change in their pattern, they will be the least productive in history in their first year.

While both parties must share in the blame for this lack of success, much of the responsibility lies with the House of Representatives.

They “will not” vote on or negotiate on comprehensive immigration reform passed by a bipartisan vote in the Senate.

They “will not” work to improve a health care system that a consensus of politicians consider broken.

They “will not” vote on a Senate-passed bill to expand prohibitions on workplace discrimination.

They “will not” work to prevent government shutdown. A clear majority of House Republicans (144) voted to continue the October shutdown.

They “will not” work to fill critical positions in the executive branch (e.g. chair of the Federal Reserve, director of Homeland Security). This resulted in a change in Senate filibuster rules that had existed for more than 175 years.

They “will not” put forward a positive legislative agenda. Rather, as the Senate Minority Leader put forth, their top priority agenda item was to see that President Obama was a one-term president. The House has voted 40 times to damage or repeal the Affordable Care Act without passing alternative legislation to improve health care.

This may be the most partisan and uncompromising Congress since just before the Civil War. I urge them to reason together on the common business of the nation and put partisan issues in a lower priority. I hope this happens in my lifetime.

Royce M. Blackwell

Elgin

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