Lame-duck Congress may run out the clock

[Judi Lynn]

Lame-duck Congress may run out the clock
Republican leaders plan quiet one-week session
By Jonathan Weisman

Updated: 6 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) wants legislation on President Bush's warrantless wiretapping program. Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-N.J.) is sure the time has come for Congress to declare that aborted fetuses feel pain. And Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) still insists that the District of Columbia should be granted a vote in the House while the Republicans control Congress.
They shouldn't count on it.

Congress will convene on Tuesday for what some fear will be the lamest of lame-duck sessions, and GOP leaders have decided to take a minimalist approach before turning over the reins of power to the Democrats. Rather than a final surge of legislative activity, Congress will probably wrap up things after a single, short week of work. They have even decided to punt decisions on annual government spending measures to the Democrats next year.

That will mean this Congress will have spent the least time in session of any in at least half a century, according to Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein, congressional historians and the authors of "The Broken Branch," a critical look at recent Congresses. In the time they have met, lawmakers have failed to approve a budget resolution or pass at least eight of the 11 annual spending bills.
(snip/...)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16014664/

[Demeter]

1. They Should Just Stay Home

If they have no intention of serving the public (which has been obvious for years) even at this date, then don't bother coming in on Monday.

[marmar]

2. Actually, I'd prefer that they do no more damage....

Granted, they're leaving big messes, but do we really want THEM cleaning them up? Non, merci.

[aquart]

3. Exactly. Take your hands off the Blackberries, boys.

You've been bad. You are now going to sit with your hands folded AND NO TALKING until the clock says it's time to go home.

[etherealtruth]

4. Exactly

I can see NO good coming from this group of miscreants trying to accomplish anything!

[Ian David]

5. I begged and pleaded in 2004 for Democrats to spend two years "running out the clock"

I figured that the less work the repuke-dominated congress got done, the less damage they could do.

[Skink]

6. Robert Byrd is getting the football helmet ready.