Futility Index: House Republicans sputter toward one of the worst years on record

[Geee]

Washington Times:

The legislative zeal that drove House Republicans in the last Congress has evaporated and they are headed for one of the least accomplished years on record, according to the latest findings in The Washington Times’ Legislative Futility Index.

That’s a stark drop from the previous two years, when Republicans, fueled by tea party-inspired victories in 2010, amassed one of the better legislative records of recent years. But after suffering losses at the polls last year and the re-election of President Obama, House Republicans have stalled out, notching the fifth-slowest period of legislative business on record through the first six months of the year.

In the Senate, led by Democrats, things are even worse. Senators are on track for their second-slowest year ever. But that’s not much of a change in a chamber where calcification has become the norm and 2011 is the worst year on record, with 2012 now the third worst, supplanted by 2013.

Together, the two chambers have passed 15 bills that have been signed into law — the lowest total on record. It also signals little break in the bitter partisan fights of the past two years.