President Obama has had enough of Republican obstruction. He had a simple message for Congress during a speech in Virginia, “Just do something.”
Video:
The president said:
And the point is we could do so much more if we just rallied around a sense of economic patriotism that says, you know what, the parties compete, but every once in a while, we got to actually do some work, instead of worrying about elections, or trying to score points on cable TV. And we can start by investing in our country.
Because historically — it was Eisenhower who built the Interstate Highway System, working with Democrats and Republicans. This isn’t a partisan issue. And when we treat some basic investments as something that we do as Americans, when we rise or fall together as one nation and as one people, things work and nobody can beat us. And that’s the spirit that all of you show here. That’s what I’m going to keep on fighting for every single day.
So I’m proud of you. I want you to keep on doing what you’re doing. We’re going to try to make sure Congress actually does as good of a job at what they’re supposed to be doing as you guys are doing on yours. If we do, then you’re going to have some parents who are getting home a little earlier. You’re going to have folks who aren’t going to have to go to the body shop quite as often. You’re going to be seeing millions of people across the country saving money at the pump. We’re going to see airline delays reduced, so when you plan that Thanksgiving trip, you’re not spending the whole time in the airport. All that can make a huge difference.
But the American people have to demand that folks in Washington do their job. Do something: That’s my big motto for Congress right now. Just do something. And if they don’t like the transportation plan that I put forward, at least come up with your own plan. And then we can compromise. But don’t just sit there and do nothing. We don’t have time. America is on the move.
It’s clear that the president wants to get the legislative process moving again. The problem is that Republicans have no incentive to do anything. Republicans think they are going to take back the Senate, and there is little hope for Democrats to win back the House. In their view, doing nothing is the best political strategy. The only way they are going to move off of their do nothing position is if voters show that they are prepared to make Republicans pay a heavy price for their obstruction.
President Obama is fed up, and he correctly senses that the American people are fed up. A stagnant Congress is bad for the country. Things that need to be done are being ignored as House Republicans have made Benghazi investigations and lawsuits against the president their top priorities. In the Senate, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is so desperate to hang on to his seat that he won’t support any legislation.
Republicans have paralyzed Congress, and it is up to voters to make our government function again by voting the obstructionists out of office.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
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