Notebook: Making Congressional History
Hi, everyone.
Video: Noon today marked the beginning of the 110th Congress, led, of course, by the first woman Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.
This Congress has already made history but the real test will be whether it can make progress.
The majority Democrats promise to pass their agenda in the first 100 hours of the new session --including ethics reform, lower prescription prices, higher minimum wage, reduced college costs, and implementing the 9/11 commission recommendations.
But the road from legislation to law of the land can be bumpy, and senators as well as the White House will determine whether Pelosi's policies succeed.
President Bush, for his part, says he will work with the new Congress unless they pass bills that are "simply political statements."
Let's all agree that we've had enough of political statements from both sides and we need Washington to come together to deliver political action.
That's a page from my notebook.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
House leadership is but one ingredient in the recipe of law. In order to make history (and progress), Ms. Pelosi must navigate a whole labyrinth of committees, procedure, agendas, and political difference which reach far beyond her sphere of influence. And, it only takes a few small errors for one to go from the bell of the ball to the wallflower.
Political action will follow political goodwill. Maybe we should save the celebrations for the end of the year.
Regardless, thanks for all you do.