As movement for a House of Representative’s vote on the Senate’s compromise package struggles to move forward, the opinion piece by Steven Rattner in today’s New York Times is worth noting. Altogether is offers about a nine graphs that personify the economic year just past. But this one might be the most telling right now.
That Congress has ceased to function effectively has become an article of faith for most Americans. But the extent of the gridlock on Capitol Hill may not be fully appreciated. Over its two-year life span, the 112th Congress that just adjourned passed just 200 laws, 31 percent of the average of the 32 Congresses preceding it. Even the bills that were passed were mostly housekeeping measures, like laws to name post offices or extend existing laws. Now, some may say, “That’s great. I don’t want Congress to do anything anyway.” I have a different view. I believe that our country has many problems and that our federal lawmakers are paid to help address them.
Source: New York Times