To the Point
Why Don't Americans Like Their Congress?
The lame-duck session of Congress has gotten some things done, but it's not likely to go out of business with a burst of bipartisanship. We review what's happened and what to expect, and ask why just 13 percent of Americans like what they see. Also, an about Face by North Korea on the South’s military drills, and the Pentagon's implementing repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenThe lame-duck session of Congress has gotten some things done, but it's not likely to go out of business with a burst of bipartisanship. We review what's happened and what to expect, and ask why just 13 percent of Americans like what they see. Also, an about Face by North Korea on the South’s military drills,and this week, President Obama plans to sign the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell: passed by the lame-duck Congress. Integrating open gays and lesbians into the military might not be so easy.
Banner image: Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) (3rd L) talks with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) (C), Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) (4th L) and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) (3rd R) after a closed session about the new START Treaty on December 20, 2010. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesAbout Face by North Korea on South's Military Drills
If South Korean conducted live-fire drills on an island in the Yellow Sea, North Korea threatened "brutal consequences beyond imagination." But after drills began today, the North said it was "not worth reacting." New Mexico Governor and former diplomat Bill Richardson, who just spent five days in Pyongyang, was hopeful .
Read the story8 minAnalysis of an Unpopular Congress
Last week the tax package was signed into law, and some called it a bipartisan moment in the lame-duck session of Congress. Over the weekend, repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" passed and was sent to the White House .
Read the story36 minPentagon Plans for Repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" will be a thing of the past when President Obama signs the repeal passed by the lame-duck Congress. But it's not clear how long it will take to integrate openly gay and lesbian soldiers into the military.
Read the story8 min
