111th Congress: Health Law Played Role In Political Dynamics
News outlets explore the legislative achievements and political acrimony that emerged on Capitol Hill during the 111th Congress.
The Washington Post: Stormy But Highly Productive 111th Congress Adjourns
Congress approved an $814 billion economic stimulus, a massive health-care overhaul, and new regulations on Wall Street trading and consumer credit cards. The list grew longer during this month's frenetic lame-duck session: tax cuts, a nuclear arms treaty and a repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military. But the 111th Congress will also be remembered for endless filibuster threats, volcanic town hall meetings, and the rise of the tea party. All were symbols of a dissatisfaction that peaked on Nov. 2, with a Republican rout in the midterm elections (Fahrenthold, Rucker and Sonmez, 12/22).
The New York Times: After Bruising Session, Congress Faces New Battles
It was a dizzying, maddening, agonizing, exhilarating, arduous, bruising and, for scores of Democrats, ultimately career-ending journey from the stimulus to START - and the party paid a devastating price for its accomplishments, losing control of the House and six Senate seats. But it is already clear that much of the next two years will be spent fighting over what was done in the past two (Hulse and Herszenhorn, 12/22).
