Congress Seeks to Prove it Can Still Accomplish Something

[Frodo]

Congress pushes through $127B bill for highways, student loans

By JONATHAN WEISMAN
The New York Times

Congress gave final approval Friday to legislation that combines a two-year transportation measure with bills to extend subsidized student loans and revamp federal flood insurance, wrapping up a bruising session with measures that will be popular on the campaign trail.

The final $127 billion package angered fiscal conservatives and liberal environmentalists alike, but leaders in both parties — along with many rank-and-file lawmakers — wanted to put the issues behind them.

Exhausted members of both parties pointed to the legislation as a tonic for the ailing job market and proof Congress could get something done. The House passed it by 373-52, the Senate by 74-19. All the no votes were by Republicans. The Washington House delegation all voted for the measure, as did both senators.

"When all is said and done, this bill is what it is," said Rep. Nick Joe Rahall II, a West Virginia Democrat who was one of the senior negotiators. "It means jobs."

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Good to hear.  Is there a list of who voted for or against it?

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

My God, finally! They've done something!

[minionofmidas]

Good to hear.  Is there a list of who voted for or against it?

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll451.xml

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=2&vote=00172

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Good to hear.  Is there a list of who voted for or against it?

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll451.xml

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=2&vote=00172

Thanks.

[bore]

One, (of the few) interesting things about that vote was both Rubio and Portman voted no, posturing for the vice presidency, maybe? If so, that says a lot about the campaign Romney will run.

[Purch]

Congress' approval rating just bounced up by .1 percent

[Franzl]

Congress' approval rating just bounced up by .1 percent

Doubling their approval rating is pretty impressive.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

When I first saw this, I thought it was an Onion story.

[greenforest32]

Sweet student loan reforms packed in there: http://wsws.org/articles/2012/jul2012/stud-j05.shtml

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[fezzyfestoon]

Am I the only one not very impressed with this supposedly marvelous accomplishment? I just don't see how it's something to be hailed as some sort of bipartisan masterpiece that Congress has blessed us with. It seems fine, but something that should have been done a long time ago and been totally under the radar. It's like praising Arnold back in the 70s for lifting 35 pounds.