With Plenty To Do, Congress Takes Vacation

(CBS)  Congress has passed an economic stimulus bill and tougher car fuel efficiency standards, but the list of what they haven't done is longer, reports CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson.

Congress said they felt our pain; they said they wouldn't be able to choke down their July 4th hot dogs unless they passed a bill to help with the mortgage crisis.

"It may knock a few people out of parades on July 4th or whatever," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid last week. "However long it takes us to do this."

They promised to stay, then promptly left with unfinished business.

It was just another blow to Americans hit by the mortgage crisis - tens of thousands of them spending the holiday barely hanging on to their homes.

Congress hasn't done any better on the energy crisis.

"We will lead our nation in a new direction toward energy independence that strengthens both our economic and national security," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over a year ago.

Back then gas prices had just hit a new record, $3.07. Today, prices stand at more than $4.09 and still there's no bill even under debate on Capitol Hill to address the crisis.

Congress' to-do list grows longer by the day:

There's one viable housing bill stalled in the Senate. It would help 400,000 people refinance their homes with affordable, government-backed loans.

Congress has so far failed to extend popular energy tax credits. Without them businesses and residents lose incentive to use renewable energy like wind and solar power.

In all, a dozen other major bills are waiting for attention:

A tax bill that continues credit or deductions for research and development, state and local sales taxes, tuition, children and charitable contributions.

A bill to eliminate new pay cuts for doctors who treat Medicare patients.

Important measures giving direction to the FAA and the Defense Department.

A revamp of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which oversees toy safety.

Also on Congress' plate - 12 massive spending bills and dozens of judicial nominees.

Analysts say both sides are to blame for using political tactics that block even hugely popular measures. And time is running sort. Historian Douglas Brinkley says whatever didn't get done before July 4th doesn't stand much of a chance afterwards in a presidential election year.

This means 150 million hot dogs eaten, 8,000 foreclosures a day and gas at more than $4.09 a gallon. For many, Independence Day means having to get by - without depending on Congress.

[roach9703]

The Congress is off to the conventions? May the real games begin!

[sblake63]

"With Plenty To Do, Congress Takes Vacation"

Ummm it''s GOOD they are all on vacation, we have a brief period of time they (especially the democrats) cant make new laws and create more worthless programs. I think they should adopt the same law as Texas has. Our legislature only meets every 2 years. People have time to "think things over" and put a stop to "worthless" laws being passed down here.

"It was just another blow to Americans hit by the mortgage crisis - tens of thousands of them spending the holiday barely hanging on to their homes"

Ummmmm wait a second here does anybody see thru that? These mainly were sub prime mortgages. I would bet everything most of these people wanted a home so bad, they didn''t read the fine print that says "your payment will go up when the rates changes". How much do you want to be most of them racked up credit card debt also? People goof up their own lives and the democratic thought process is "we will bail them out - at your expense".

Sounds mean? so what! The greatest times in history is when we have Gridlock in congress, the less laws they pass - the more freedom we have!

[dnsallday]

Obama is asking us to pay attention and get involved, he is asking us to listen to what he has to say, and to take some initiative to look up all of the specifics he has laid out in his "blueprint for America" (available on his website)for how he would like to implement change. In other words Obama is trying to help educate low information voters so they don''''t have to keep repeating hate speech that they get from talk radio.
He is asking us to step up to the plate and take some responsibility for moving this country forward in a way that benefits us all (not just the top 1%, like McCains plans would do).

Continuing his week-long focus on patriotism and national service, Sen. Barack Obama will lay out a plan Wednesday to create new volunteer and service opportunities to address some of the nation''s most pressing challenges.
"We will ask Americans to serve. We will create new opportunities for Americans to serve. And we will direct that service to our most pressing national challenges.
"When you choose to serve %u2014 whether it''s your nation, your community, or simply your neighbor %u2013you are connected to that fundamental American ideal that we want Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness not just for ourselves, but for all Americans. That is why this is a great nation,"

[sandy19731]

CBS thank you for calling Congress on their responsibilites. Next time somebody starts talking war I hope all the news media outlets are brave enough to speak the truth.

[mgeg1]

It''s a lot of work raising millions of dollars to insure reelection. No wonder why these work-horses are only in session 120 days a year.

[nownthen-2009]

VOTE FOR NO INCUMBENTS!

[barocalto]

PAID TO Tell EVERYONE his VERY IMPORtant opinion on eVErthing from the food on your plate to your favorite spORTS TEAM!!!

Posted by RushLimbaug4

I see where you just signed a new contract for eight more years and for lots and lots of money..
Isn''t America great where a kid from a small town in Missouri becomes the highest paid radio personality of all time. Go Rush and thank you for all your posts I love them.

[barocalto]

DEMOCRAts and their ONE man MAJORITY HAVE RAVAGED THIS GREAT NATION!!!

Posted by RushLimbaug4

YES.....................

[rushlimbaug4]

Amen to that brother, and the guy in the Suit probally started on the line and worked his way or maybe founded the company... Yea we need the guys in the suits..

Posted by Barocalto at 10:41 AM : Jul 05, 2008

EEEEEEERRRR! WRONG!!! only filthy SLAVES start oUT on the AssemblY LINE. I didnt, mY DADDY WAS a POWERFUL LAWYER WHO PAID FOr my EDcation. DO NOT Even COMPARE a MASon or carpenter OR engeneer TO THE GREATNESS OF MY faTHERs Accomplishments and MINE AS a RAdio HOST who is PAID TO Tell EVERYONE his VERY IMPORtant opinion on eVErthing from the food on your plate to your favorite spORTS TEAM!!!

[rushlimbaug4]

The Democrats have more then a one seat majority in the house. And the fact is that the economy was better 16 months ago there is no doubt about that. AS for Countrywide I saw it was Democrats that got all the sweet heart deal from CW.

Posted by Barocalto at 10:34 AM : Jul 05, 2008

HOLD ON THERE SPORT!!! Are you questioning my PATRIOTISM!!!??LK#L Cuz YOU better sHUT that commIE pie hole of youRS!

WE DID NOT Have A BUBBLE duRIng BUSHEZ Term in Office ALL THE growth was NOT erased in the past six mounths IT was TRUE Growth brought ABOUT by Bankers and TYCOons who keEP AMerica GREAT!!! DEMOCRAts and their ONE man MAJORITY HAVE RAVAGED THIS GREAT NATION!!!