There’s a lot of work to do to get America in fighting shape again — get the coronavirus vaccine out efficiently throughout the country, rebuild businesses that have been crushed by pandemic shutdowns, and make our economy robust once more.
But if we are relying on Congress to roll up its collective sleeves and get to work, we’re in trouble.
Bipartisanship has been kicked to the curb in favor of GOP-bashing and blaming.
Rep. Cori Bush, a Democrat who represents Missouri, tweeted her intention to put some distance between herself and a Republican member of Congress: “A maskless Marjorie Taylor Greene & her staff berated me in a hallway. She targeted me & others on social media. I’m moving my office away from hers for my team’s safety. I’ve called for the expulsion of members who incited the insurrection from Day 1. Bring H.Res 25 to a vote.”
When the speaker of the House intones “the enemy is within the House of Representatives,” it doesn’t set the stage for legislative collaboration.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that House members can pay for additional security measures with their congressional allowance.
“It shouldn’t be that not only is the president of the United States inciting an insurrection, but keeps fanning the flame endangering the security of members of Congress, to the point that they’re even concerned about members in the House of Representatives being a danger to them,” she said.
Asked what she meant by “the enemy is within,” the California Democrat said, “It means that we have members of Congress who want to bring guns on the floor and have threatened violence on other members of Congress.”
The frenzied mob that breached the Capitol on Jan. 6 sent both Republicans and Democrats scrambling for cover. Some may wish to be armed for self-protection. But such notions take a back seat to the fever-pitch blame game now at play in Congress.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., dismissed GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in a tweet after he signaled that they could work together on a congressional probe into GameStop’s recent stock trading, according to Politico.
“I am happy to work with Republicans on this issue where there’s common ground, but you almost had me murdered 3 weeks ago so you can sit this one out,” Ocasio-Cortez fired back at Cruz, who led an effort in the Senate to challenge Biden’s win.
Challenging the election results is tantamount to inciting insurrection, in the view of many Democrats. The fact that Congressional Democrats challenged the results of the 2000, 2004 and 2016 elections, won by Republicans, is disregarded.
Because supporting Donald Trump makes one part of the Capitol-breaching mob.
Rep. Bush isn’t the only Democrat who wants to move away from her GOP colleagues. Multiple Democrats told Politico they are privately mulling whether to sever ties completely with those Republicans who voted to overturn the election.
And this will help America, how?
Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus noted “I am hopeful that some of the anger and irritation will fade. … Because clearly, if we’re going to get good things done for this country, it’s going to require Democrats and Republicans working together.”
Congress needs to end its infighting, and start fighting for the American people.
The Link LonkJanuary 30, 2021 at 06:00PM
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Congressional infighting undermines work for America - Boston Herald
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