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Murphy Martin Commentary
August 3, 2006

 "Despite Unfinished Business, Congress Takes a Vacation"

The Middle East remains on fire! Castro concedes power! Israel steps up action in Lebanon! The list needing attention can be much longer....but it doesn't matter. It's vacation time for Congress. Sure the elections are less than 100-days away! But it's that time. The 55 Republicans, 44 Democrats and one Independent in the Senate and the 231 Republicans, 201 Democrats, and One-Independent ( there are 2 vacancies) in the House of Representatives are scattered in all directions. Yes some will be working trying to gain re-election in November, yes, the Democrats will be chastising George W. Bush and his lack of success in Iraq and yes, the Republicans will be quoting the Iraqi President's announcement on Wednesday that Iraqi troops will take over security of that country by the end of THIS year!

Wherever members of Congress find themselves during this month-long vacation , regardless of which side of the congressional aisle they sit on, their constituents will talk about Iraq and some may want to know about all the unfinished business the lawmakers left behind before they said "hey, it's vacation time, see you in September."

Among the items still on the agenda:

Immigration--A split in GOP desires has stalled action here. The House bill emphasizes border security , toughens penalties on business and makes illegal immigration a felony. The Senate measure includes a guest worker program and a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. Differences in the two bills have not been resolved.

Pensions--The House passed a bill designed to stop corporations from under funding employee pension plans but the Senate has not embraced that idea. This legislation is urgent for workers at Delta, Northwest, American and other airlines who have threatened to terminate pensions to survive.

Government Spending--The House has approved all but one of the eleven spending bills required to fund federal agencies for the fiscal year beginning October 1st. At this writing, the Senate has approved only one, Homeland Security.

Minimum Wage--The House has passed a bill to increase the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour to be phased in over three years. It is tied to a permanent decrease in taxes on inherited wealth. Senate Democrats have indicated they will not support the two being tied together.

Lobbying--Both the House and Senate have approved measures tightening
rules for lobbyist's activities but they have not been able to resolve differences in the two bills. The sticking point seems to be regarding fundraising.

Identity Theft--Both the Senate and House are concerned about this problem but nothing has been done because three different House Committees claim the problem falls in their domain and thus far none of the three is yielding to the others. Until that is resolved and a bill comes from the proper committee, the turf battle will continue to stall action.

Energy--Both the Senate and House want energy legislation. The three-dollar plus cost has their attention but not enough to see either side yielding from their announced positions. House Republicans want more domestic drilling, House Democrats want to increase conservation and alternative fuel production. Still in limbo is drilling in wild-life refuge areas and expanded exploration of the coast-lines
of AMERICA.

The unfinished business of this Congress is huge. But before leaving for that month's vacation they could point to new legislation they have passed this session. Signed into law were bills calling for a new Voting Rights Act; the U.S. Patriot Act; new Mine-Safety Measures; Funding for Wars and Hurricane Relief; Decency in Broadcasting Legislation and Tax Relief that saw capital gains and interest tax rates extended through 2010.

This one-month respite will undoubtedly energize and invigorate members of this powerful body we call the Congress! But when they get back in session the political infighting will resume. Democrats like Rep. Hoyer of Maryland will again tell anyone who will listen that the GOP controlled Congress is "...the-do-less-than-do-nothing-Congress!" And, the Republicans will accuse Democrats of blocking many of their good initiatives but will say they are proud of their work particularly their funding of the war on terrorism!

What Congress does before the mid-term elections in November will have a lot to do with who controls that powerful body next year. But the real barometer for that election is Iraq.

If the announcement this week from the new Iraqi president saying Iraqi troops will take over security of his country by the end of this year. IF this can begin to free-up U.S. forces and see some of them start returning to America, before election-day...THAT could enable Republicans to maintain control . Time will tell!

Murphy Martin

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