2010 should prove to be both an important and interesting year for our White House and Congress. Mid-term election years are often thought to be years where "big" legislation does not occur. I would hedge my bets differently this year. President Obama does not seem to be one to take an off year. He has an ambitious agenda, and health care has sucked the air out of everything else this year. I am looking to 2010 to be another big year.
Health care still needs to wrap up. I'm hoping for a big push from our House Progressive Caucus to improve the health care bill before it goes to the President's desk.
Another stimulus bill, with a strong focus on jobs will be the next big push early in the New Year.
The President has his State of the Union Address early in the New Year. Lots of concerns, and still lots of big problems left from the last administration. Health Care, jobs, the economy, financial reform, immigration reform, the status of two wars, energy independence and cap and trade, as well as talk about reigning in spending when strong signs of economic growth take hold, will be areas that the President will likely address.
The house has already acted on some of these concerns. It will be interesting to see if the Senate continues to be the place where Republican's act in unison to block meaningful legislation, and if so, if the tactics change from the Democratic leaders in the Senate as well as the White House. Its seems that Nancy Pelosi is doing a great job getting things through the House. I would not be surprised if we see reconciliation used to move some of these issues through the Senate in the year ahead.
Any thoughts on the New Year for our President and Democrats in Congress? I wish them all good health and great success. Oh, and I'm saying a little extra prayer for Senator Byrd since the tea baggers are praying for his death, LOL.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year fellow Kossacks.