Lame duck cuts Congress' break short

Senate aides and senators believe that adjournment this year will be close to Christmas – again. youth nfl jerseysAnd House Republicans are signaling that they’ll begin their legislating right after the Jan. 5 swearing-in of new members.

And with the House planning to come into session Washington Jerseyin early January, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) might feel pressure to bring the Democratic-led upper chamber back into session around the same time.

The result? A short vacation for Washington.

“Voters sent a clear message on Election DayMiami Jersey that not only didn’t they approve of the policies being pursued by Democrats, but that they expect Congress to listen and shape up,” said Brad Dayspring, a spokesman for incoming Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), explaining the GOP’s desire to get a quick start.

This would be the second year in a row that Congress would be working through the winter. Last year the Senate stayed in session until a blustery Christmas Eve morning to pass the health care reform legislation.

A look at the Senate calendar right now tells a tale of scheduling logjamGreen Bay Packers Jersey – and of a shrinking Democratic majority trying to push through several controversial bills while they still can in the five weeks before the New Year.

A relatively non-controversial food safety bill that’s New York Jerseystalled on the floor over procedural squabbling is poised to eat up the beginning of next week as Reid pushes to pass the bill over GOP objections.

In addition, the Senate is expected to take up a defense bill with the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, a ratification of the nuclear arms treaty with Russia, a funding bill for the federal government, an immigration bill to provide educational opportunities for children of illegals - and the biggest fight of all, whether to extend the Bush-era tax cuts. Since any single senator can effectively grind the Senate to a standstill, the prospects for attempting to pass the legislation and leave town well before Christmas appears increasingly dim.

House Democrats, still in control for the lame-duck period, Washington Redskins Jerseyhope to pass Oakland Jerseythe DREAM Act, but it remains unclear whether that would go as a stand-alone measure or be tacked onto a bill granting permanent resident status to orphaned Haitians. The Haiti legislation is non-controversial and enjoys procedural advantages, making it an attractive vehicle for DREAM advocates. But marrying them could sink both bills.

The tax cuts issue could prove thorniest for Congress, as no solution is yet in sight. A quick compromise – which seems unlikely – could quicken the session.

At the Capitol last week, senators said they’d be willing Miami Dolphins Jerseyto work through Christmas Eve to pass the repeal of the “don’t ask” policy.