Growing Frustration
September 26, 2002.  With the November 5th mid-term elections rapidly approaching, Congress has become even more politicized than normal, making it very difficult to get things done.  Asked about his understanding of the House schedule, Gephardt showed his frustration:

"Well, I guess we are going to name some more post offices, or rename them.  I assume we are going to declare Poinsettia Week again and maybe even Petunia Week. 

"We haven't done anything in the House since we came back in August.  We could have better stayed out in our districts and tried to maybe help the local economy a little bit at the local level.

"This has been a sad, pathetic performance by this leadership in the House. They seemingly just want to get out of here, do nothing, address none of the problems the American people really care about, and act like they're doing something.  It is the worst performance I've ever seen in my time in the House. 

"They literally -- we are here on Tuesday to Thursday.  We vote on a suspension calendar on most days.  There is no substantive legislation coming before the House. 

"Where is the minimum wage? Where is the generic drug bill that could actually bring down drug prices for the American people now?  Where is the budget?  Where are the appropriation bills?..."

 

Copyright © 2002  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action.