Winning the Senate put Republicans in charge of both houses of Congress, and leaders promised an end to gridlock. But the major accomplishment so far -- Keystone XL Pipeline approval — was vetoed and homeland security funding barely passed. Now, protection of sex-trafficking victims and confirmation of the first black woman Attorney General are being delayed, and the big challenge: will contrasting proposals for Pentagon spending hold up passage of the entire federal budget? Can the Republicans actually govern? The answer could be crucial for next year's presidential election.
Can the Republican Congress Get Anything Done?
More
- Raju on parties digging in over Loretta Lynch nomination
- Davidson on Lynch confirmation
- New York Times on Senate gridlock despite McConnell's changes
- Antle's 'Devouring Freedom: Can Big Government Ever Be Stopped?'
- Politico on budget battle, GOP leaders corralling restive conservatives
- American Enterprise Institute on the House defense budget as a statement of American weakness
Credits
Guests:
- Ted Yoho - US House of Representatives - @RepTedYoho
- Manu Raju - Politico - @mkraju
- Norman Ornstein - American Enterprise Institute / Atlantic - @NormOrnstein
- James Antle - Washington Examiner - @jimantle
- Amy Davidson - New Yorker magazine - @tnyCloseRead