The most productive Congress in nearly half a century

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Take a trip in the way-back time machine all the way back to 2009. Remember how obstructionist Republicans in the Party of No were saying that the Democratic Congress was a do-nothing Congress? (Ignoring their own unprecedented obstruction of even the most mundane noncontroversial legislation).

A year later, these same obstructionist Republicans in the Party of No were saying "Whoa! Slow down! Not so fast!" as they engaged in a record number of Senate filibusters (Filibusters skyrocket under Republican minority in 110th Congress) to make certain that Congress would do nothing on everything from health inurance reform, to financial services regulation, to small business loans and even the extension of unemployment insurance benefits.

Despite their best efforts to undermine their own country and to inflict greater economic hardship and pain on their fellow American citizens, the "disloyal opposition" of obstructionist Republicans in the Party of No largely failed.

The session of Congress now drawing to a close was the most productive in nearly half a century. Last Congress session actually achieved a lot:

In terms of legislative successes, the current session of Congress is "at least on a par with the 89th Congress" of 1965-66, said Norman Ornstein, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

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An erosion of trust in institutions in general [fueled by the hysteria of conservative media] has enabled Republicans to score points by arguing that Democratic big-government programs are exploding the national debt, Ornstein said.

"The amazing thing is that we have had such a productive Congress, despite the obstructionism," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. "Republicans and their media have successfully sent out a message that the Congress has failed."

You can review the full list of signed legislation at the White House web site. Signed Legislation | The White House.

President Obama has signed into law at least a dozen pieces of legislation of significance. They include:

• An $814 billion economic-stimulus package credited with creating 3 million jobs* and giving a tax cut to 95 percent of Americans.**

• Health insurance reform with the landmark Affordable Care Act.

• Financial services reform with the landmark Wall Street Accountability Act.

• Making college loans more affordable.

• The "Cash for Clunkers" program, which helped rejuvenate the auto industry.

• New consumer protections for credit card users.

• Making it easier for women to challenge pay discrimination.

• Increasing federal regulation of tobacco products.

• Cracking down on waste in Pentagon weapons acquisition.

• Making attacks based on sexual orientation a federal hate crime.

• Giving businesses tax incentives to hire unemployed workers.

• Giving tax credits to first-time homeowners.

* Economists agree: Stimulus created nearly 3 million jobs – USATODAY.com

** PolitiFact | Tax cut for 95 percent? The stimulus made it so