The first session of the 110th Congress was so much more active than the GOP's do-nothing 109th Congress, as House members went back to actually working for a living, under new requirements that have them 'at the office' four days a week (or more), instead of the GOP's lolly-gagging three days.
Obstructionism raised to artform, gee thanks, Trent Lott
There are few in-depth analyses that I've seen on how the session faired, under the new GOP obstructionism.
At an astounding pace, the blogosphere continues to develop a decentralized 'institutional memory' that promises to bring increasing accountability to government. Those adding "kill" amendments, etc., will probably get increased "news" coverage.
Among the most egregious was the continued inability to move toward transparency in finance (including earmarks). The DSCC notes:
Failed Legislation, from Wikipedia:As the Kentucky Courier-Journal writes:
Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning combined efforts to block passage, by unanimous consent, of S.223, which would promote up-front politics by requiring that senators file their campaign finance reports electronically. That way voters could get the information they need more quickly and more easily.
The Sunlight Foundation complained about behind-the-scenes maneuvers by the two Kentuckians against this broadly supported legislation. The group condemned the "holds" that have been placed anonymously, by members who don't want voters to know they prefer to operate in secret:
"These demands show that, no matter who is objecting to the bill now, McConnell and Bunning will ensure that whenever this bill comes up for unanimous consent, some 'anonymous' senator will raise an objection."
- (In alphabetical order)
- CLEAN Energy Act of 2007
- Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007
- Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act
- Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2008
- District of Columbia Vote in House of Representatives
- Employee Free Choice Act
- Executive Branch Reform Act
- Family and Consumer Choice Act of 2007
- Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
- Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2007
- Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007
- Honest Leadership and Open Government Act
- Internet Radio Equality Act
- Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007
- Matthew Shepard Act
- Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007
- Patent Reform Act of 2007
- Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music Act of 2007
- Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act
- Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act
- Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - Vetoed
- Universal National Service Act of 2007
- HR 1591 – Vetoed (an earlier version of U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007)
