Boehner rejects 'do nothing' label for this Congress
Washington (CNN) - House Speaker John Boehner rejected the label that this is a "do nothing" session of Congress, telling reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill, "we've done our work."
Boehner pointed the finger at the Democratic-led Senate for holding up legislation. "When you look at the number of bills passed by the House and the paltry number of bills passed by the Senate, you can see where the problem is."
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The House of Representatives is in session for seven more days before the end of 2013. The Senate doesn't return from its extended Thanksgiving break until next week and plans to be in Washington for two more weeks this year.
There is a long list of items that Congress has failed to complete this year, including a farm bill, immigration reform, a defense measure, and a budget deal to avoid another potential government shutdown in January
House Democrats lay the blame squarely on House Republicans for failing to work across party lines to reach compromise on those issues–and they add other examples, such as a bill banning employment discrimination on the basis of sexual identity or gender, and measures to enhance background checks for gun purchases.
"This session of Congress may prove to be the least productive in perhaps over a half of century," House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer told reporters Tuesday.
But Boehner cited several measures the House has passed that await action in the Senate and maintained any lack of progress was the upper chamber's fault.
"The way this system of government works, both the House and the Senate have to do their jobs. The House continues to do its job; it's time for the Senate to get serious about doing theirs."
Pointing fingers again by the Guns Over People tea potty. 2014 comes quickly for them after they shut down the people's government AND voted to destroy the full faith and credit of America.
harry reid is obama's little sock puppet, protecting obama from having to veto things. harry reid has essentially shut down the senate for 3 years now.
Yeah, and the vast majority or Real Americans reject the rethug/teabag toddlers. Deal with it!
48 votes to repeal the law of the land and fewest laws passed in HISTORY!!! You're a "do nothing" Congress. Boehner, whatever happened to JOBS JOBS JOBS????
Sure John... You reject the label. Why not? You've rejected any meaningful legislation this year that didn't contain a known poison pill or didn't name a post office. Over forty times trying to pass the same thing?!?! The most pitiful Speaker of the House in history!
@ Dutch, Bammy said he had the job situation all handled, more lies from your buddy
Both parties are to blame because they need to learn how to work together.Elementary kids point fingers and blame each other.Adults should be able to do better.Passing a bill that you know isn't going to pass on the other side isn't being productive. The name calling and finger pointing needs to stop.
Not to worry.... A LOT more will get done when all of the Democrat Senators get tossed next November. Then Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi can sit around and twidlle their thumbs even more than they do now. Thank you Obama, Thank you Obamacare!
I think it's time the House reject this buffoon for his outstanding incompetence and lack of leadership.
Doesn't surprise me – he rejects everything.
This congress stooped the complete financial collapse of America. Unchallenged the Democrats would have created the Fall of the United States. It would have been as epic as the Fall of Rome or the Soviet Union.
This GOP led Congress is worthless. I hope they get booted next NOV and the Dems can finally get stuff passed. I can't wait to vote AGAINST the GOP on election day in 2014 and 2016!
Passing bad bills doesn't mean you've really done something.
Hoyer should emphasize how well the democrats in the House worked across the aisle when they held the majority. Oops! he can't because the democrats didn't.
Another memeber of the GOP living in a bubble. At least they're consistant.
Dutch/Bad Newz, VA -aka- Take Back The House -aka- No Redemption Votes
whatever happened to JOBS JOBS JOBS????
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please google biden recovery summer...
Obama this, Tea Party that, Harry Reid this, Boehner that. Keep on pointing fingers at certain parties and people. It is all of them. All of them are "Do nothing except for our own interests" people. By all of them pointing fingers and blaming each other, they are blaming the people. It is sad that we support them in every way possible and they turn us all against each other.
I don't think either side has much to boast about. However, on the first day of Obama's presidency, Mitch O'Connell statesthat their main ppriority is to make sure the president fails. They knew then they weren't going to work with him and would do anything to stand in his way. Truly sad.
@ Donna
Not to worry.... A LOT more will get done when all of the Democrat Senators get tossed next November. Then Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi can sit around and twidlle their thumbs even more than they do now. Thank you Obama, Thank you Obamacare!
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9% approval rating in the GOP controlled House, hardly doing a good job. Not sure what school you went to but 9% is pretty bad grade. Far as GOP taking over the Senate 2014, If the GOP didn't gerrymander district with wacko bird voters the House would be Democratic control and this country would be moving forward. keep watching faux news for your info. I think faux news and Karl Rove is still wondering what happened in 2012. LMAO!!!!
Artificially inflating the number of bills by passing a boatload of never-gonna-happen attempts to defund or derail the ACA doesn't count, Boehner.
Facts don't lie, John. But it's so easy to forget you don't let facts get in the way of your worldview.
You and your congress are worse than useless and have the lowest approval rating in history. If you were in the private sector you would have been fired and on the streets long ago.
The GOP has been rejecting reality for years. Why should Boehner start now?
all republicans should be put in prisopn for lying.
Actions speak louder than words, their is no compromise with the teapubs and the moderates do not have the political will to go against them in fear of being teabagged in their next primary election.
All I heard from the GOP during the elections was "jobs jobs jobs". Now all I hear is Obamacare. GET OVER OBAMACARE AND GET BACK TO WORK