Why Won't Congress Vote?

Wow!  What a week for the White House and politics in the nation’s capital! 

A lot has been happening this past week.  Instead of the usual one or two newsworthy items competing for the limelight, there are at least half a dozen issues: some national, some personal.   Let’s take a look, one at a time.  For today: Congress and gun control.

The president gave mixed signals on supporting legislation aimed at improving gun control.  Congress immediately took its cue from his uncertainty and said they would not address the issue, citing as a primary reason the president’s wavering. 

The reasoning of GOP leaders went something like “Why bother if we can’t be sure if the president will even sign a new bill?”  That’s a novel take on this historical moment with seventeen more high school students shot and killed with an AR-15 rifle last month. 

Apparently what we were taught in school is not really true, that Congress is the legislative branch of government and passes laws for the good of the country.  We were taught that If Congressmen feel strongly about an issue, they may address it with legislation--regardless of how the president feels. 

Their current position seems to transform Congress into a rubber stamp mill; they can only approve what the president already approves, effectively offering to surrender their independent initiative.  (If this reminds anyone of how dictatorial powers evolve, your eyesight is fine!)

If Congress stood up and passed new gun control laws in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre, they would be applauded by many for their courage and principle; polls indicate 70% of the American people favor such action. 

Even if the president were to veto the bill, so what?  At least the onus would be on his shoulders, not theirs.  At least they could say proudly: “Just because the NRA gives us lots of money, it doesn’t mean they control every vote we take on gun control legislation”.  Sadly, they cannot yet make such a claim.

Further, these GOP representatives conveniently forget the key provision in the Constitution that allows Congress to override a presidential veto.  Heavens to Betsy!  Who knew?  You mean to say Congress can still introduce, debate, and pass laws without the president’s approval? 

Who would have guessed the Founding Fathers ingenious enough to craft such a well-balanced system?  Their ideas on self-government seem wise and far-reaching.  Unfortunately, the current Congress seems hell-bent on undoing these guiding principles for balancing the three branches of government. 

This is a serious abdication of Congress’ responsibility, particularly in light of a president who lacks mature leadership skills and sound judgment.  Congress should be stepping up to the plate, not shying away from legislation because of NRA lobbying. 

Is it not better to stand on principle and be defeated in the next election than to become merely another mouthpiece for the NRA while American children lay dead on a high school campus? 

The NRA coffers are filled with blood-soaked money : the blood of 17 innocent high school students whose lives were cut tragically short.  Why has Congress coldly abandoned their grieving families? 

How many more school massacres must we endure before Congress is moved to act?