I think some people are getting a little carried away with the idea that bipartisanship has broken out on Capitol Hill. But that doesn’t mean that this Congress will be as unproductive as the last one. Setting aside the crisis over the sequester, there are bills that have a decent chance of becoming law with bipartisan support. I think the president will feel satisfied that he had a good year if he can pass the following:
1. A renewal of the Violence Against Women Act- that this is even in question is pathetic, but it will probably get done.
2. Gun violence control- a bill that creates a universal background check (closing the gun show loophole) and bans high-capacity magazines seems possible and should be considered a success.
3. Cybersecurity- this is an unsexy subject, but it’s important and it will probably get done.
4. Immigration reform- this is the biggie. If it passes with a pathway to citizenship, the president will be able to claim a giant victory.
The president wants to work on election reform, education, climate, and transportation, but I don’t know if he can get anything worthwhile passed through Congress.
Much of the oxygen on Capitol Hill will continue to be used up battling over the budget, the sequester, and tax reform.
One thing I’d like to see is a push to normalize relations with Cuba. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has just taken over the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but he is also embroiled in scandal. Meanwhile, the other Cuban senator, Marco Rubio, could use some foreign policy accomplishment to bolster his presidential ambitions. The stars may be aligned just right for the two of them to come together and work with the State Department to end our 54-year stand off. They would both earn well-deserved and much needed praise.
What to you expect to see this year?
