Reviewing a Do-Nothing (Right) Congress

J.D. Foster / October 01, 2010

As Members of Congress limp out of Washington to face their constituents, it’s worth reviewing their accomplishments—or lack thereof.

The most basic function of Congress is to manage the public purse. The most basic step in managing finances—whether of a family, a business, a state, or a nation—is to pass a budget identifying expected revenues and intended outlays. As per his responsibility, the President laid out his budget in great detail in January. For the first time in modern memory, the House of Representatives did not even attempt to pass a budget. The Senate did not even attempt to pass a budget. With deficits pushing $1.4 trillion and the national debt soaring, House and Senate leadership did not dare tell the American people what they intended, and the members of the majority party went along. Doing nothing became their best option.

Of course, in other areas Congress has been very active. It pushed up spending over and again in a vain pursuit to stimulate the economy with more debt. As expected, it failed, the economy languishes, and unemployment remains very high. (more…)