Bush takes swipe at Congress’s productivity

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/bush-takes-swipe-at-congresss-productivity-2007-08-09.html

Bush takes swipe at Congress’s productivity
By Klaus Marre
August 09, 2007

Ahead of his departure for Crawford, Texas, President Bush on Thursday took a swipe at Congress for investigating his administration but failing to pass legislation.

“As a matter of fact, I would hope Congress would become more prone to deliver pieces of legislation that matter as opposed to being the investigative body,” Bush told reporters. “I mean, there have been over 600 different hearings, and yet they’re struggling with getting appropriations bills to my desk.”

The administration in recent weeks has made a point of noting how much effort the Democratic majority spends on oversight.

The president also took a shot at Congress when asked whether he would support a gasoline tax increase to improve the country’s infrastructure.

He rejected the idea of a tax hike, saying that Congress instead should “revisit the process by which they spend gasoline money in the first place.”

Bush criticized the way the “Public Works Committee” is conducting business, a reference aimed at the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

“From my perspective, the way it seems to have worked is that each member on that committee gets to set his or her own priority first, and then what’s ever left over is spent to a funding formula,” the president said, adding that this is “not the right way to prioritize the people’s money.”

[hijinx87]

1. this is probably the opening salvo . . .

for rethug 2008 congressional campaign themes.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Right before he goes on vacation

Nothing but a rove plan. Dems get a slight majority in congress, republicans fuck up every opportunity to pass legislation (as planned/ordered,) then bush whines about the productivity of "congress."

People who have conservative values are domestic enemys of our constitution.

[Vincardog]

3. Well said BH. George tell the REpigLICKERS to quit obstructing then dip shit.

[AtomicKitten]

4. I don't know what Junior is complaining about.

He just got a Get out of Jail Free card from Congress and can do pretty much whatever the hell he wants.

[BearSquirrel2]

5. They have lots of stuff to pass ...

Oh Dems have lots of stuff to pass, the Senate Republicans just don't want to let them vote on it. This is the strategy. After 6 years of the "do less then nothing" Republican Congress, The Republicans want to run a 2008 campaign based on the fact that Democrats are unable to pass their legislation.

The Democratic Senate SERIOUSLY needs to consider holding votes open for more then just overnight. Have a REAL filibuster fight over something the Republicans will hate like health care for children or revoking millionaire tax cuts. The Democrats need to define themselves as a group that will fight for what they believe in. Otherwise Rove will just steamroll them.