At the moment, the media is filled with articles discussing whether anything can happen during the next two years while the GOP has control of both houses of Congress. For the most part, these articles are written by pundits who are either brain dead or brainwashed by their own propaganda. Clearly, a lot can "get done" during the next two years. Anyone with even a bit of intelligence would understand that.
Here are some items that can be accomplished with bipartisan support:
1. The Veterans Administration medical system can be overhauled so that care is more easily available to the veterans it serves and so that the administrators responsible for the scandalous mistreatment of the vets are dumped. It is extremely unlikely that anyone in Congress will want to defend the old system.
2. The status of America's fight against al Qaeda, ISIS and the other terrorist groups can be put on a proper legal foundation. There will be those in both parties who oppose continuing the fight against the terrorists for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless, barring some new development, a majority of each party will support a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force.
3. The taxation of profits held by American corporations in accounts overseas will be changed so that much of that cash can be brought back to the USA and invested here. There will need to be discussions about just how this is to be done, but there will be ample support now to pass such a measure.
4. The fight against Ebola in West Africa and even here at home (hopefully not) will be funded with some sort of regularized program that will also apply to other, future epidemics.
5. Legislation that will ease the negotiation of trade agreements will be passed. Most support here will come from the Republicans, although there are many Democrats who will support it as well. President Obama will surely sign this legislation. Indeed, up until now the legislation requested by Obama was blocked by Harry Reid in the Senate.
6. The Keystone Pipeline will be authorized with lop-sided majorities in both houses. Obama may veto the legislation, but he runs the risk of having the veto overturned.
7. The legislation that controls the ability of the NSA and other intelligence agencies to collect data on Americans should be reviewed and revised as needed. Here too, there will be some congressmen and senators who grandstand for the public (so what else is new?), but the responsible majority from both parties will seek and find a solution that will hopefully bring these laws up to date.
8. The budget for the government will be passed as will authorizations and appropriations. Almost certainly, Congress will return to the use of regular order in spending. Just having individual appropriations bills for the entire government will mean that many programs will get reviewed in a way that ought to reduce waste and promote effectiveness.
There are more items, but these are indicative of the reality in Washington. Sure, there will be items like immigration and EPA regulations that will bring out the battling factions, but there will still be plenty to accomplish. Hopefully, the GOP majority will bring forth mostly conservative actions that clearly demonstrate to the nation the superiority of such measures over the ones we have seen for the last six years.
Here are some items that can be accomplished with bipartisan support:
1. The Veterans Administration medical system can be overhauled so that care is more easily available to the veterans it serves and so that the administrators responsible for the scandalous mistreatment of the vets are dumped. It is extremely unlikely that anyone in Congress will want to defend the old system.
2. The status of America's fight against al Qaeda, ISIS and the other terrorist groups can be put on a proper legal foundation. There will be those in both parties who oppose continuing the fight against the terrorists for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless, barring some new development, a majority of each party will support a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force.
3. The taxation of profits held by American corporations in accounts overseas will be changed so that much of that cash can be brought back to the USA and invested here. There will need to be discussions about just how this is to be done, but there will be ample support now to pass such a measure.
4. The fight against Ebola in West Africa and even here at home (hopefully not) will be funded with some sort of regularized program that will also apply to other, future epidemics.
5. Legislation that will ease the negotiation of trade agreements will be passed. Most support here will come from the Republicans, although there are many Democrats who will support it as well. President Obama will surely sign this legislation. Indeed, up until now the legislation requested by Obama was blocked by Harry Reid in the Senate.
6. The Keystone Pipeline will be authorized with lop-sided majorities in both houses. Obama may veto the legislation, but he runs the risk of having the veto overturned.
7. The legislation that controls the ability of the NSA and other intelligence agencies to collect data on Americans should be reviewed and revised as needed. Here too, there will be some congressmen and senators who grandstand for the public (so what else is new?), but the responsible majority from both parties will seek and find a solution that will hopefully bring these laws up to date.
8. The budget for the government will be passed as will authorizations and appropriations. Almost certainly, Congress will return to the use of regular order in spending. Just having individual appropriations bills for the entire government will mean that many programs will get reviewed in a way that ought to reduce waste and promote effectiveness.
There are more items, but these are indicative of the reality in Washington. Sure, there will be items like immigration and EPA regulations that will bring out the battling factions, but there will still be plenty to accomplish. Hopefully, the GOP majority will bring forth mostly conservative actions that clearly demonstrate to the nation the superiority of such measures over the ones we have seen for the last six years.
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