Quick Fact: No Time! We Have No Time!

Last year, the 112th Congress passed fewer laws than any Congress in history.  It looks like the 113th is going to be even worse. 

We are nine days away from the December 13 deadline for the House and Senate to reach a deal on spending and taxes if we are to avoid another shutdown threat in January.  No budget committee meetings are scheduled for this week.  The House does, however, have four separate hearings on the Affordable Care Act for four separate committees on this week's calendar.  

And while major pieces of legislation like the Farm Bill, immigration reform, a sales tax ruling for on-line sellers and workplace protection for the LGBT community are on House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio)'s desk, he has said he will not bring them to the floor this year citing time constraints, (can't take time off from those important anti-ACA meetings, you know).  

The annual Defense Authorization Bill which approves funding for the military has passed easily for the past 52 straight years.  This year, the House attached an amendment to repeal the ACA, the Senate removed the amendment and sent it back to the House where it joined other legislation languishing on the Speaker's desk. A Waterways Infrastructure Bill, which has no spending attached to it, is also waiting in limbo.  It passed both Houses easily; but, after some minor tweaking, will not get a final House vote this year despite the fact that Republicans and Democrats say it will easily be approved.  

But, fear not.  The House has scheduled one vote this week--on a bill that will mandate that all loose change left at airport security checkpoints be collected and used for "places of rest and recuperation" for members of the military.

I don't know about you, but I'll rest easier knowing that important piece of legislation was dealt with in a timely manner.