Is Congress Done for the Year?

The Speaker's Lobby at Fox News seems to think so:

So now what?


Congress finally passed health care reform in late March before finally abandoning Washington for two weeks. Lawmakers return this week. And no one quite knows what they’re going to do between now and the end of the year.


“I’m not really sure,” responded one senior staffer when I asked what was on tap when Congress returned to session.


“Are you kidding me?” said another. “I still haven’t recovered from health care.”


“I’m golfing,” replied another.


It may be April. But in Congress, the calendar may as well read December. Because almost anything of consequence for the 111th Congress is in the books.


Senators are still smarting from the bruising health care fight. So it’s doubtful that the Senate has the energy, let alone the votes, to tackle the controversial climate bill that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) muscled through her chamber nearly a year ago. However, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) plans to push through a big financial regulatory bill. The Obama Administration deems Dodd’s legislation as its next big ticket item.


That’s about it for legislation.


The one big challenge is the confirmation process for the next Supreme Court justice. John Paul Stevens announced his retirement late last week. Stevens departure gives President Obama his second appointment opportunity to the High Court in as many years. For instance, President Carter never even got the chance to make a mark on the Supreme Court.

Thank God for that.

The best thing Congress could do for America, and the Democrats could do for themselves, is to take the rest of the year off. The last thing we need is another big battle over controversial legislation, whether it be cap-and-tax, illegal immigration, or VAT taxes to support Obamacare.

For Pete's sake, leave us alone!

There's more at the link.