The good, the bad, and the Congress

What did the United States Congress accomplish in the weeks leading up to its August recess?

Good

House energy bill — environmentally sensible, or as much so as one can expect from this particular Congress, however it faces a veto by Bush (why can't he veto anything bad?);

long-overdue ethics reform — although it did not strongly tackle earmarks and some lobbying and campaign contribution issues... can't have everything!;

healthcare for children — which faces, along with some environmental bills, a veto by Bush.

Bad:

NSA surveillance bill, now signed into law;

tobacco regulation legislation.

Congress:

Deadlock central;

threat of veto and opposition from policymakers of both parties on almost any progressive legislation;

Democrats try to not look weak on national security by actually being weak on civil liberties and putting the Bush administration in check;

GOP fractured, especially on Iraq and Gonzales, but holding up still;

Iraq will remain prime issue, albeit a largely symbolic one;

remember: Congress holds the purse of the federal government.