We've been hearing lots of noise from Republicans about slowing down the legislation designed to rescue our faltering economy. There's been some complaining from conservative Democrats, too. Despite that cranking, you'd think the new Congress, with increased Democratic margins in both houses, would be ready to go ASAP. It is THE issue of concern to most Americans, after all. Nope:
Lowering expectations for quick passage of an economic stimulus bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid rejected setting "some false deadline" for delivering legislation to President Obama, in favor of a more deliberate approach that allows Congress to get the package right "the first time."I have to agree with Jed on this one:
Congressional leaders had hoped to hand Obama a completed economic assistance package immediately after he is sworn in on Jan. 20, but that timing looks increasingly doubtful as the legislation grows in complexity and size. In separate interviews this morning, Reid (Nev.) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said the process could take another six weeks.
Instead of hitting the ground running, Hoyer seems to want to hit the ground crawling.And, I have to agree with Atrios, too:
The problem here is that by talking about the stimulus as a February action item, Hoyer is simultaneously putting March in play, undermining the narrative that the GOP are the obstructionists, and also emboldening those in the GOP who want to delay and drag out the stimulus as long as possible.
It's important to remember that in the House, at least, the Dems have a sizeable majority and if they wanted to they could tell the Republicans to pound sand on every single issue. And people get all upset when crazy lefties suggest that running primaries against bad Democrats is a good idea.
