Bill Would Prohibit Lame Duck Action

While much of the focus on Capitol Hill this week centered on GOP efforts to repeal the healthcare law and cut spending, one Republican introduced legislation aimed at bringing an end to so-called ‘lame duck’ sessions.

The End the Lame Duck Act, sponsored by Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Ks.), would prohibit Congress from doing business during the roughly two month period that falls in between a general election and the start of the next Congress.

According to a summary of the bill, “Prior to the general election, Congress would adjourn, until the commencement of the next Congress. Any appropriation bills not passed by Election Day would be subject to a continuing resolution at the previous fiscal year’s level. Only a declared national emergency, which requires the agreement of both the majority and minority leadership, would allow Congress to be called into session.”

During the recently concluded lame duck session, Democrats led a furious charge to pass important legislation, including a continuation of the Bush era tax cuts, a repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy and a key nuclear arms agreement between the U.S. and Russia.

Throughout the short session, Republicans criticized their counterparts for scheduling such significant votes during the lame duck, rather than waiting until the 112th Congress convened. Republicans picked up 63 seats in the House during the November elections, giving them control of the lower chamber in the new session.

It is unlikely that Jenkins’ bill - should it pass through the House - will go anywhere in the Senate. Still, the congresswoman hopes to attract bipartisan support for it, pointing out that “this Republican majority will be the first to lose the ability to abuse the lame duck session after the 2012 general election.”

Obama To Hash Out Lame-Duck Schedule With GOP, Dem Leaders

President Obama will meet with Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress at the White House on November 18.

Speaker-in-waiting John Boehner (R-Ohio), the woman he will replace, current Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and both Senate leaders Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have been invited to discuss Congress’ legislative agenda during the lame-duck session, which lasts until January when new members take office.

Obama told reporters after a meeting with his cabinet on Thursday that voters want Congress to work together on creating jobs and eliminating wasteful spending.

“They don’t want us standing still,” Obama said. “They don’t want us engaged in gridlock.”

The agenda for the meeting will center on what to do about the expiring Bush tax cuts and how best to lower the nation’s unemployment rate, currently at 9.6%. Obama also hopes to convince Reid and McConnell to compromise on ratifying the new START Treaty between the U.S. and Russia.

The President added that he has invited newly elected Republican and Democratic Governors to meet with him at the White House on December 2.