WASHINGTON, July 4, 2008
With Plenty To Do, Congress Takes Vacation
Congress Has Failed To Pass Bills Dealing With Nation's Mortgage, Energy Crisis But Go On Recess Anyway
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Play CBS Video Video Relaxed Congress Under Fire Although faced with pressing concerns such as the nation's mortgage crisis, Congress still managed to take an extended recess for Independence Day. Sharyl Attkisson reports from Washington.
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(CBS)
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Interactive 110th Congress The balance of power shifts and new leadership takes control as the latest session convenes.
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:
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.
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Add a Comment See all 98 Comments
- The Congress is off to the conventions? May the real games begin!
- Reply to this comment
- "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! - Reply to this comment
- 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," - Reply to this comment
- 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.
- Reply to this comment
- 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.
- Reply to this comment
- VOTE FOR NO INCUMBENTS!
- Reply to this comment
- 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. - Reply to this comment
- DEMOCRAts and their ONE man MAJORITY HAVE RAVAGED THIS GREAT NATION!!!
Posted by RushLimbaug4
YES..................... - Reply to this comment
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!!!- Reply to this comment
- 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!!! - Reply to this comment
- iT is the SUIT IN THE OFFICE hand crafting AMERICA INTO PROSPERITY!!!
Posted by 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.. - Reply to this comment
- The only stuff I give away fer free is advice and ******. - sidvicious75
- Reply to this comment
- "We''''ve got to make sure that people who have more money help the people who have less money."
Barack Hussein Obama
"Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven"
Jesus Christ - Reply to this comment
- My Response.....
This is TREASON!!!!!! There was a time in our DEMOCRACY when an arse wipe like Obama would have been hung!!!!!!
And despite the fact that twinkle toes would like to believe that all he has to do is click his golden high heels to make it happen, HE CAN''''T. Thank God our country is set up so some idiot can''''t come along leading a bunch of fools down the yellow brick road and replace everything that has made this country great. AND IT IS GREAT AND WE ARE GOING TO KEEP IT THAT WAY!!!!
Posted by JTait2 at 10:27 AM : Jul 05, 2008
YES YES!!! the TRUE Americans are crawling out of the wood work!!! How could the poor working class laborers expect the Wealthy who attained their wealth not with HELP Of their worker, but IN SPITE OF THEM!! I have seen Bosses in their nice SUITS down on the Assembly lines Making the PRODUCTS THAT MAKE THIS NATION GREAT!! IT IS THE CAPTAINS OF INTUSTRY that DO THE WORK not the MASON NOT THE CARPENTER, NOT THE ENGENEER, iT is the SUIT IN THE OFFICE hand crafting AMERICA INTO PROSPERITY!!! - Reply to this comment
- KEEP THE PUNCHES ROLLING!! Yes the economy was SMOKING during Bushes term It was only when the Democrats had a 1 person MAJORITY , A enormous 1 person MAJORITY!!! that the economy suddenly went into a Tail spin.
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. - Reply to this comment
- No I don''''t but I remember that but I remember what gas was 16 months ago before the Dem''''s took power and gas, the economy, the stock market, by house value were all better.
Posted by Barocalto at 10:20 AM : Jul 05, 2008
KEEP THE PUNCHES ROLLING!! Yes the economy was SMOKING during Bushes term It was only when the Democrats had a 1 person MAJORITY , A enormous 1 person MAJORITY!!! that the economy suddenly went into a Tail spin. This devaluing of the DOLLAR has nothing to do with COuntry Wide (an american institution) or Bear Sterns OR the fact that The FED is printing Monopoly Money! It was the ONE person majority Congress that instantly crushed the economy!!!!!!##@ - Reply to this comment
The money we are spending overseas is nothing in comparison to our social programs our government runs.
The real money we spend is for entitlement programs and fact remain that Since Democrats have taken control of congress we have had:
Gas prices go thru the roof.
Home prices fall.
The stock market go bear.
Inflation going up.
Posted by Barocalto at 10:14 AM : Jul 05, 2008
Yes YES!! A TRUE AMERICAN SPEAKS!!!! these social safety nets that bleed heart liberal think are part of our social contract need to go!! I feel no obligation to help an old man who has worked hard all his life as a laborer building the building I work in an the roads I drive on!!! If the OLD coot comes down with the flu and is put into poor house or on the street IT IS NOT MY FAULT! PEOPLE DO NOT HELP PEOPLE, IT IS eVErY ONE OUT FOR HIMSELF!- Reply to this comment
- Do you remember how much gas cost in 2001?
Posted by hotpaulie
No I don''t but I remember that but I remember what gas was 16 months ago before the Dem''s took power and gas, the economy, the stock market, by house value were all better. - Reply to this comment
- The only possible excuse for taking a vacation at this time would be to meet with constituents to find out how people feel about issues facing them, but that is not what they are doing.
They are glad-handing and raising money for their re-election campaigns. The he11 with how anyone feels about anything. The time when our representatives actually mixed and mingled with real people is gone forever.
Posted by omnibus66 at 08:17 AM : Jul 05, 2008
Cool Down there Hippy! The REAL PEOPLE are the wealthy!! If you are not making a six figure pay check, then you can Kiss my sold gold backside!! Your job is to serve Me and MY kind and be happy with table scraps and gristle.
It is UnAmerican scum like you THAT are MAKING THE ECONOMY WORSE! GEt Out there and spend what little is left of your PAY check! - Reply to this comment
- .You alway have an incumbent and a challenger
No you don''t you can have no incumbents at all running, and you can many candidates for the office not just two. - Reply to this comment
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
