The lameduck session of congress is becoming the ultimate predictor for the Obama administration about how they will handle the GOP when they come into power in January. Currently, Obama’s team is trying to pass its biggest foreign policy initiative, START, which is a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the U.S. and Russia. The other big piece of legislation that Obama is trying to pass is the extension of the Bush tax cuts that will expire at the end of year. The tax cuts are not something the president wants to extend, but they are a popular piece of legislation pushed by the GOP.
Yesterday, the Democrats reviled their plan to extend the tax cuts for the middle class only and possibly pass the tax cuts for the upper income brackets at a later date. Republicans want all the tax cuts extended, either permanently or for at least 2 years. The Republicans only want to pass the START treaty if the U.S. government provides funds to update nuclear weapons capabilities that are already in place. While the Obama administration has made that offer, they are still being snubbed by the congressional leadership on that offer. Of course, this legislation could pass after the lameduck session, but it could be changed with a GOP majority in the house.
The crucial test during the lameduck session is how the president handles compromising with the GOP. If nothing happens, it will be an indication that he is not interested in cutting deals with Republican Party. Think of this like the pre-season to the real legislative session next January. This is a test of Democratic negotiating strategy, if it does not work then their agenda will be dead and since the GOP does not have a majority in both houses nothing will get done. In this scenario, nobody wins.
Photo Credit: New York Times
