The US House of Representatives interrupted its summer recess last week to pass, with a bogus sense of drama, an inconsequential spending bill. The measure, already passed by the Senate, gave money to the states to maintain teacher and public-service payrolls, which was good, but covered the cost with savings elsewhere and corporate tax increases, making its stimulus value minimal. That such a timid initiative should have divided and paralysed Congress for weeks is the most disappointing thing of all.
The gridlock over the jobs bill was not unusual – except that in this case a bill did pass in the end. In domestic policy Congress has rendered itself incapable, and voters know it. Approval ratings for Congress as an institution, and for each party taken separately, are close to historic lows. Lately, with the economy still weak, and other policy questions pressing for solution, Capitol Hill has had nothing to offer but a furious, thrashing impotence. Elected officials, returning to their constituencies and embarking on their campaigns for November’s mid-term elections, will receive a clear message: you are doing a pitiful job.
Yet, for the next few months, their elected representatives will be intent on ignoring them. Looking to November, each party sees greater advantage in blaming the other. What do policy and the standing of the institution matter, if tactical advantage can be gained over the other party? Candidates judge that exciting core supporters counts most. It does not matter if we Democrats (we Republicans) are widely held in contempt, so long as those Republicans (those Democrats) are disliked even more.