Congress at Work

Americans like to complain that the government is not dealing with the issues that matter most to them, and certainly Washington insiders often get exercised about minor scandals and the like that are really of no importance.

But this year Congress has already passed a hugely important health care reform law, and now the House and the Senate have both passed versions of laws designed to reform the financial sector and avoid future ad hoc bailouts. The bills are not that far apart and a signed law looks likely by the end of the summer. Committees are working on immigration reform bills and bills designed to reduce carbon emissions and thereby influence the climate of the world. Say what you want about this Congress or this President, you can't say they are afraid to take on big issues.