Congress' slim accomplishments

"Americans think Congress is doing a pretty lousy job," a recent CNN report states, citing cellar-dwelling poll numbers for Washington lawmakers.

That blunt declaration can hardly be disputed, if one reflects on the slim accomplishments of Congress over the last year.

The 110th Congress has indeed passed 116 pieces of legislation, but it's mostly a list of resolutions declaring this or that, or designations naming federal buildings here and there.

A person doesn't have to follow Congress daily to know that it has basically done nothing this year. There's been a lot of bickering and preening and posturing, but no substantive action on major issues.

A political paralysis has gripped the Capitol, which is stunningly evident in bills pertaining to Iraq. Since taking the majority in January, congressional Democrats have forced 40 votes on bills aimed at limiting President George W. Bush's war policies. Only one has passed, and it was vetoed by Bush.

The repetitive drone of this debate has dominated congressional news for much of the year, with intermittent wheel-spinning detours into other subjects.

The debate over a federal children's health insurance program has been a trip to nowhere, with Republicans and Democrats unable to compromise so far on how much the program should be expanded, if at all.

Bush and congressional leaders tried to pass so-called comprehensive immigration reform, but were beaten back by a fierce tide of public opinion.

There is an energy bill, but that has yet to advance.

There are multiple budget bills to fund the federal government for 2008, and none have passed so far, at least without a veto.

Unbelievably, the House Democratic leadership recently announced that the House will not be in session five days a week next year. Maybe taking Fridays off is appropriate, considering the current level of accomplishment in the House.

True enough, fingers can be pointed at Bush as a big obstacle for the Democratic congressional agenda. But judging from a recent 22 percent approval rating for all members of Congress, it seems that most Americans think Congress has a big problem getting things done, period.

Come to think of it though, maybe that is a plus. It could be the start of a new congressional ad campaign aimed at "comprehensive" image reform - "We do less, so there's less mess."

Now that may be something all Americans can agree on.