Our chapter on political parties discusses partisan polarization. Our chapter on Congress analyzes the significance of bicameralism. Both themes are evident in this McClatchy News Service item by David Lightman:
One of the 2010 lame duck session's few major lapses was an inability to agree on a comprehensive federal budget for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Instead, lawmakers approved a stopgap funding measure that runs through March 4.
That date looms as a key date for a spending showdown, since the new House majority will be eager to show it's serious about spending cuts.
"Look at the people who are coming to the House. These aren't New England moderates," said Steven Greene, associate professor of political science at North Carolina State University.
That group is also eager to effect significant changes in the health care law.
"We will immediately take action to repeal this law," the Pledge promises.
But few expect any radical budget or health care changes to survive intact in the Senate, where Democrats will have a 53 to 47 majority, enough to block what Democrats might see as Republican overreaching. Even if a pet GOP program passes, Obama is hardly expected to sign legislation overturning the health care law or decimating social programs.
"The House is going to pass a lot of bills that will die in the Senate," said Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md.
