What will the new Congress will work on first?

[Politically_Incorrect12]

What would you like to see them address first?

[billisonboard]

The House will start, continue, and conclude with investigations of the Executive Branch (and the FED by Congressman Paul).

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Don't they need to keep the government funded ~ and appropriate money for defense, military pay raises ... that sort of thing?

[Politically_Incorrect12]

I'm assuming at some point, they will look at the idea presented on debt reduction.

[billisonboard]

I would hope that they look at all ideas presented on debt reduction and then actually do something to first balance the budget and then reduce the debt. And sorry molly, I don't think that a pay raise for any government employee is appropriate at this point in time.

[Politically_Incorrect12]

I figured I'd be the only one on the board at this hour. What are you still doing up bill?

[billisonboard]

heartburn induced insomnia

[Politically_Incorrect12]

Dec 23, 2010 3:21:11 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

I would hope that they look at all ideas presented on debt reduction and then actually do something to first balance the budget and then reduce the debt. And sorry molly, I don't think that a pay raise for any government employee is appropriate at this point in time.

The trick will be if they will not only look at the ideas, but also implement them as needed. The next election could be a tricky one as well. People seem to be concerned about the growing deficit, but OTOH they don't seem overly willing to give up anything to deal with it. So politicians who don't address the debt can be attacked in the next election, and politicians who do deal with the debt issue can be attacked for cutting programs and/or raising taxes. It's really a no-win situation in this instance.

[billisonboard]

You are wrong in that everyone is more than willing to "give up" everything that they don't support or directly benefit from. But you are correct in that it is a no-win situation.

[billisonboard]

The pepto seems to have done its magic. I am going to give sleep another go. Good night.

[Politically_Incorrect12]

Dec 23, 2010 4:04:34 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

You are wrong in that everyone is more than willing to "give up" everything that they don't support or directly benefit from. But you are correct in that it is a no-win situation.

I guess we agree on something then. Glad the pepto worked.

[dancinmama]

I think the most important thing to address is the debt and the deficit. They have got to control and cut costs. Yes, people will be affected by any cuts/decreases in spending but most people should realize that it needs to be done - the consequences of business as usual will be worse.

Secondly, I would like to see them change the way they do business so that Obama/Congress provide the transparency that Obama promised (which he obviously had no intention of doing based on the health care bill), but has yet to deliver. I hope they hold his feet to the fire.

[reformeddaytrader]

They have to work on the Spending Bill and amend the Health Care Bill. In the House they need to also consider Congressman Paul Ryan's Road map to Recovery which includes tax overhaul.

[ugonow]

What will they work on first? IMO,trashing the other party.There is an election getting nearer.

[reformeddaytrader]

Spending Bill is #1 Priority...I think??

[deziloooooo]

I think the battle will be the temporary budget..I believe the Republicans will keep it at three months temporary for the next two years to stop any continuity and I feel it will be a mess till the 2012 eletion, less concerned to solving problems and getting a grip on it then just setting up the whole thing for a run for themselves in 2012..{sigh}

"In the House they need to also consider Congressman Paul Ryan's Road map to Recovery which includes tax overhaul"

Senate too, but won't tackle that, to hot a potato, will run away from that since it is the only way to get things under control. Both parties by the way, will not want to touch it, to hard.{sigh}

[ChiTownVenture]

appropriate money for defense, military pay raises

In the final hours of its lame-duck session on Wednesday, Congress gave final approval to a bill to set defense policy and authorize funding for the Pentagon, staving off potential criticism about the relevance of the House and Senate Armed Services committees.

If the fiscal 2011 defense authorization bill, now headed to President Barack Obama for his signature, had failed to overcome one of the many roadblocks in its way, it would have been the first failure to approve such a measure in nearly 50 years.

Read more: www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/46713.html#ixzz192vA7SCu

[ChiTownVenture]

There are a few newly elected tea party members that are going to put pressure on the Republicans to work on reducing spending and the deficit.

[reformeddaytrader]

Dec 24, 2010 11:12:12 GMT -5 ChiTownVenture said:

There are a few newly elected tea party members that are going to put pressure on the Republicans to work on reducing spending and the deficit.

You may be right look for Rand Paul and his Dad Ron to present legislation to reduce spending and taxes for businesses right out of the Libertarian Play Book that Ron Paul helped to write

[Politically_Incorrect12]

It looks like they are trying to get some things accomplished during the lame duck session. Too bad they didn't want to work together the rest of the time.

[olderstill]

Very first on their list? -- A trip to the tailor!

They need bigger pockets. Those in the old suits are stuffed to overflowing.

[Deleted]

I'm assuming at some point, they will look at the idea presented on debt reduction.

I'm assuming that at first they will look at ways to increase taxes. Then they will look at ways to hide those taxes from the average dumb American. Then they will look at ways to put a spin on them in case someone figures out that they are new taxes. Then they won't have time to look at debt reduction because they will go on inspection tours around the world (vacations). Of course I could be wrong but I would want big odds if I were going to bet against that happening.