I read a sunny article in “The Hill” about problem solvers. Here are some excerpts with my comments:
Author Margaret White, executive director of No Labels, writes:
Recently, several bills have been expedited under the new “290” or “consensus calendar” rule. One is the “Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act,” authored by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). It reduces the visa backlogs for immigrants with particular in-demand skills.
Another is the “Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act,” led by Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and John Yarmuth (D-Ky.). It would repeal the so-called “widow’s tax,” so spouses of service members who die during active duty will not see their benefits reduced.
These bills, while perhaps worthwhile, are no big deal.
White continues:
Other legislation that has benefited from the 290 rule includes a measure to ensure continued benefits for first-responders who suffered health problems related to the 9/11 terror attacks.
I am uncertain that the problem solvers played a role in bringing this to a vote in the House.
White doesn’t mention the bill to fund humane detention at the Southern border which the problem solvers claimed to have brought to a vote. If the legislators had not been in a hurry to leave for vacation, a more effective bill might have passed.
