Congress Returns, SCOTUS Takes Up Helathcare, and Obama's Approval Rating On Economy Continues to Fall

The United States Supreme Court Justices

Today in Washington, D.C. - Nov. 14, 2011:
The Supreme Court announced today they will take up the legal challenge to the health care law (ObamaCare). [via memorandum]:

The high court agreed to hear two major questions: whether the law's key provision is unconstitutional, and if so, whether the entire law, with its 450 sections, must be scrapped.

USA Today reports the court will issue a decision next summer, and SCOTUSBlog thinks the 5 1/2 hours set aside for oral arguments may be a modern record.

U.S. Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) responded to SCOTUS decision, Throughout the debate, Senate Republicans have argued that this misguided law represents an unprecedented and unconstitutional expansion of the federal government into the daily lives of every American. Most Americans agree. In both public surveys and at the ballot box, Americans have rejected the law’s mandate that they must buy government-approved health insurance, and I hope the Supreme Court will do the same."

As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce pointed out in its amicus brief in support of review, the uncertainty surrounding the law hurts businesses' ability to plan for the future and to make informed decisions concerning investment in growth and hiring. Although the Chamber didn’t take a position on the constitutionality of the mandate, the Chamber urged the Court to decide what other parts of the law must fall if the mandate is struck down as unconstitutional.

Both houses of Congress are back in session.
ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT
Current Deficit: $98.5 billion
Current National Debt: $14.97 trillion
Debt Per Household: $132,965
Debt Per Individual: $47,900
Unemployment Rate: 9%
Consecutive Months of Budget Deficit: 37

The Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 2354, the Fiscal Year 2012 Energy-Water appropriations bill, which is expected to be the vehicle for the next minibus bill, combining the Energy-Water, Financial Services, and State-Foreign Operations appropriations bills. No votes are scheduled for today.

The House bills scheduled this week are:
On Tuesday, H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act.  This critically important legislation, sponsored by Rep Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and Heath Shuler (D-NC) and cosponsored by more than 240 of their colleagues, would enable millions of permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside their home states. There is currently only one remaining state (Illinois) that has no legal way for individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense. Forty states have permit systems that make it possible for any law-abiding person to obtain a permit, while most of the others have discretionary permit systems. (Vermont has never required a permit.) H.R. 822 would solve this problem by requiring that lawfully issued carry permits be recognized in all states with some form of a permit system, while protecting the ability of the various states to determine the areas where carrying is prohibited within their boundaries.

On Wednesday, H.R. 3094, the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act.
On Friday, H.R. 2838, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act.
Also, the House is expected to consider a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution this week and at least one spending bill for the current fiscal year.

With respect to the Balanced Budget Amendment, Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Chair of the Republican Study Committee said, "Conservatives have led the fight for a Balanced Budget Amendment, forcing the House and Senate to vote. Although I would prefer a BBA with stronger protections against spending and tax increases, the plain version we expect to vote on this week would forever change the political culture in Washington by requiring Uncle Sam to live within his means.

"The liberal tax and spend approach does not just balloon government and hinder economic growth. It unfairly burdens our children and grandchildren, diminishing their opportunities to chase down their own dreams. I often observe that “discipline is doing what you don’t want to do when you don’t want to do it.” Balancing the budget isn’t just about discipline. It’s also plain common sense – a government should not spend more than it takes in. It is time for Congress to accept a limit on its runaway spending, and join the 49 states which govern with a balanced budget requirement."

Points on the Super Committee that is still meeting:

• With just nine days left until the Super Committee reaches its statutory deadline, the Super Committee seems to be at an impasse. We were promised bold solutions. Instead, it looks like we are getting more empty promises and rhetoric. Americans deserve more.
• When Congress created the Super Committee last summer, they were given every opportunity to succeed and cut spending. Congress should not waste this opportunity.
• Although time is short, the Super Committee needs to act and cut spending now.  They need to end wasteful programs, make the government more efficient, show respect to hardworking taxpayers, and make the tough choices today to save our children from even tougher choices tomorrow. 
• Americans have been tightening their belts and have been doing more with less — it's time for Washington to do the same.

More than two months after President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress urging them to pass his new stimulus bill, polls show that Americans’ approval of his handling of the economy has dropped even further. After two months of bus tours, rallies, and campaign-style events, Americans see the same failed economic policies from the Obama White House that have made things worse.

Last week, a CBS News poll found “President Obama’s ratings on the most important issue for his re-election -- the economy -- have posted the weakest showing of his presidency, according to a poll released Friday by CBS News. About 60 percent of voters said they disapprove of Mr. Obama’s handling of the economy, the highest on record. Just 34 percent approve of the job he is doing on the matter.”

Today, Gallup writes, “Economic issues overshadow all others as Americans’ primary concerns. Thirty-six percent say unemployment or jobs and 30% say the economy in general is the most important problem facing the United States.” In addition, Gallup notes, “The ongoing concern about the economy helps explain the high level of dissatisfaction with current conditions in the United States. Now, 12% of Americans are satisfied and 86% dissatisfied with the way things are going in the U.S. . . . In a perhaps ominous sign for Barack Obama as he seeks re-election next year, today’s 12% satisfaction rating is no better than when he took office in January 2009.”

Even Politico reports that a new Politico/George Washington University Battleground Poll finds, “Overwhelmingly, voters continue to say Obama is performing poorly on the issue they care about most. About three-fifths of those polled identified the economy, jobs or spending as the single most important issue. Nationally, only 35 percent approved of how Obama is doing on the economy — down 3 points since September — compared with 62 percent who disapproved; 40 percent approved of his approach to jobs and just 33 percent approved of his handling of the budget, including spending and deficits.”

As Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said earlier this month, “It’s now been two months since the President came before Congress and outlined his plan for tackling the jobs crisis — a plan that can best be described as a rehash of the same failed policies of the past few years disguised as a bipartisan overture, a political strategy masquerading as a serious legislative proposal.”

Clearly, the American people are not impressed with bus tours and speeches featuring more of the same failed spending, taxing, and regulating policies from President Obama.

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