Hill Democrats Push Back On Do-nothing Charges

Congressional Democrats are dismissing GOP claims less than five months into the 110th Congress that they are not making good on their promises for swift legislative action on several fronts.

While the Democratic agenda has been somewhat idled by the focus on the war supplemental spending bill, lawmakers say that they have made significant progress on the budget, lobbying reform and raising the minimum wage. On Tuesday, Sen. Harry Reid led the counterattack on the GOP, calling criticisms absurd because it is unrealistic to think that Congress can act fast on legislation.

"Unless someone's just trying to be totally absurd politically, I think we have a very good record," he said. "Anyone that has any elementary understanding of the process around here--you have to get to conference, and we're doing that," he added.

Lawmakers disclosed that Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are working closely to push the conference process along and predicted passage soon on major legislation, like the increase in the minimum wage. The Senate is also planning to pick up lobbying reform, OK'd by the House, and to begin work on an energy bill. Reid added that his slim Democratic majority is moving on issues the previous GOP majority didn't.

"The Republicans had a majority of 55 to 45, couldn't do it. We're going to do it even though we have a majority of one with Senator [Tim] Johnson [of South Dakota] being ill," he said. Despite forcefully making his case, the GOP wasn't hearing any of it today.

A GOP Senate Conference spokesman said, "Of course, none of that [Democratic accomplishments] is marquee, and none of it is law. It's sort of a lame list of half-accomplishments."

By Paul Bedard