Congress Tackles Overflowing Plate But Election-Year Politics Diminish Likelihood Of A Fruitful Session
So little time, so much to do.
That daunting refrain will haunt Congress this session, an election year, as members return for an abbreviated replay of many of the same issues they were unable to resolve last session.
Just a glance at the awesome agenda - from the continuing struggle over the federal role in education to how much to spend on highways - should give even the most optimistic lawmaker reason to pause.
Officially, the second session of the 105th Congress will convene today, as constitutionally prescribed. But real business won’t get under way until Jan. 27. After that, taking into account several recesses and a target adjournment date of Oct. 9, a month before the midterm elections, Congress has very limited time to address a host of difficult issues.
Couple that with the partisan gamesmanship that accompanies every electionyear session, and the prospect for a fruitful year diminishes.
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., said he anticipates a “productive session” that will yield a new round of tax cuts, some tightening up of antidrug laws and progress in taming the Internal Revenue Service. That sounds like a pretty modest agenda, and Lott acknowledged election-year posturing, by both parties, is likely to jam the gears.
“I’ve learned that patience is a great virtue around here,” he said with a sigh.
The House and Senate are faced in 1998 with at least 20 major issues - not counting the 13 spending bills they must pass to keep the government operating.
As the majority party, the GOP will set the legislative agenda. But Republicans will have to contend - particularly in the Senate - with a set of Democratic priorities designed not only to showcase alternatives but to force votes on issues that could embarrass Republicans in the November elections.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., for one, laid out about a dozen issues - from raising the minimum wage to imposing a $1.50-a-pack tax on cigarettes to discourage teen-age smoking - that he said he will demand votes on.
For virtually every issue, there are philosophical or regional disputes that could jeopardize chance of an accord.
Further complicating the process will be the influence of potent lobbies whose campaign contributions help incumbents stay in office. Those will involve such issues as deregulating the electric power industry, making health-maintenance organizations more responsive to patients and giving banks the right to sell insurance and securities as “full-service” investment planners.
Most of the philosophical thunder will resound over campaign-finance reform, education and environmental protection.
Lott has agreed to bring up a controversial campaign-finance bill in early March. But he and his allies have remain opposed to a plan by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Russell Feingold, D-Wis., to shut down big donations from wealthy contributors to political parties and curb some activities of “independent” issue-advocacy groups that favor particular candidates.
As it has in the past few years, Congress likely will remain deadlocked over that issue.
xxxx MAJOR ISSUES Here are some major issues awaiting the 105th Congress when it returns this month for its second session: Health Care - Policy makers will begin looking for a politically viable compromise to rein in the costs of Medicare and Congress will debate conflicting plans to make health maintenance organizations more responsive to patients. Highways - House and Senate transportation committees must reconcile differing versions of a bill to renew highway and mass transit construction and subsidy programs. Tobacco - A fight is brewing over congressional endorsement of an agreement between Big Tobacco and 40 states to pay for the public costs associated with tobacco-related illnesses. Some want to use the legislation to impose a $1.50-a-pack tax on cigarettes to pay for health care for children and more medical research. Taxes - Some Republicans want another round of income tax cuts and sweeping reform of the IRS and the federal tax system. Opponents say this could jeopardize long-term efforts to balance the budget. Campaign finance - The Senate is scheduled to debate a modest reform bill in March, but chances of passage are dim. The House also might vote on two or three alternatives, although the outlook there is equally blurred. News of widespread abuses has done little to impel action on the issue. Environment - Several issues, including renewal of the endangered-species law, cleanup of toxic-waste sites and a bill making it harder to protect wetlands and forests will be considered. But the outcome is clouded. In addition, an attempt to undo tougher new air-quality rules by the Environmental Protection Agency will be mounted but probably won’t succeed. Education - Republicans will revive efforts to provide vouchers and tax subsidies for private and parochial school pupils, but the White House will continue to oppose them. Product liability - A bill clamping limits on damage awards in lawsuits involving defective products again will be considered. A compromise might spare small companies from expensive damage payments. Regulatory reform - Republicans will make another run at curbing the federal government’s authority to establish and enforce health, safety and environmental regulations. Prospects remain dim. Electric power deregulation - Lots of static will be heard during exhaustive hearings on opening the electric power industry to more competition. But final action may not happen until 1999 or later.