Repukes trying to split the "Do-Nothing Congress" and blame it all on Senate Dems
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trying-split-the-do-nothing-congress
Leading Republican lawmakers have struggled in recent months to defend Congress record of ineptitude. As a simple matter of arithmetic, the last Congress was the least productive since clerks started keeping track nearly a century ago and the current Congress is significantly worse.
As we talked about last week, the GOP explanation for this has evolved over time. About a year ago, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) tried pure denial, saying its total nonsense to say Congress is having a historically unproductive term. Soon after, Boehner switched gears, acknowledging reality, but saying failure is a good thing: Congress ought to be judged on how many laws we repeal, he said, not by how many laws actually pass.
But as lawmakers August recess enters its second week, the Republican line has clearly changed once more. Now the right is wholly invested in the notion that the GOP-led House is a law-passing machine, but its that rascally Democratic Senate thats the problem. Reader Jamie McCarthy flagged this National Review piece, which echoed the new Republican talking points nicely....
See? House Republicans love governing! Theyre passing bills all the time! Its no wonder GOP House members are trying to work the phrase Do-Nothing Senate into public conversation.