Exhale

With the media finally covering the story, with its many angles and impact on the credit, housing and business sectors, what can I say that you don't already know? If only we had such energy and attention to health coverage, the environment, housing, education or energy; call me a dreamer.

So what did it look like from our end? After the UC (unanimous consent agreement) for naming post offices, etc, I've heard that "Harsh necessity is the midwife of progress." Somehow this doesn't feel like progress as much as an arm sling. The Senate added many of the legislative initiatives it hadn't reached a 60-vote threshold on previously, such as mental health parity, low-income energy assistance, and other worthy measures.

Lots of procedure, what gets a voice vote, who gets to introduce amendments, and how much time each party has to speak. Most dramatic of all was 99 senators in the chamber, voting by voice from their desks! You never see that! Wow! And an overwhelming vote to pass "H.R. 1424 as amended."

Again with the House vote, we watched the House floor split screen with the stock exchange floor, but everyone was confident this time that the House would pass the bill. Still much media attention, cameras taping Senator Dodd coming out of his car in the morning in front of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, and anyone else they can recognize.

People are talking about what they heard on NPR that morning, everyone looking for information and explanation as we follow not only breaking news of what's happening, but what it means, how to explain it to constituents, and composing floor statements and press releases. Many late nights two weeks in a row for the members and staff responsible for banking issues.

And now we're more worried than ever that there won't be the financial resources or political will to spend any money to fix the health care crisis. With the Deficit Reduction Act requiring Medicare and Medicaid cuts (e.g., physician reimbursement and other fiscal economies), next year might be even harder than this one. Julie Rovner of CongressDaily writes that: The current financial crisis has basically doomed prospects for health reform next year, no matter [who gets elected president]. Now we're hoping for modest reforms, such as expanding the role of community health centers, requiring Medicare providers to accept electronic payment, and other smaller-scale changes.

Other changes are noticeable now. First, the huge exhale from the staff and members that most of the legislative business is completed, although I suspect not with the outcomes desired. Many, many good bills were left on the table, and most of the federal budget just continues, rather than gets increased or evaluated.

There will be a "lame duck" session the week of November 17th. Many newly elected members come in then for their orientation, and committee and chair appointments need to be made.

Now it's denim and a slightly shorter workday for everyone. I did see my first mouse in the Metro, scamper across the platform at Metro Center; yikes!

The fountains are already turned off in front of the Library of Congress, and the Supreme Court has started its next work session. The helicopters overhead have become routine, as is knowing that it's not for reporting traffic but more likely carrying the Vice President (Marine One) to the Pentagon or his office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB), next to the West Wing of the White House. And in the evening, it's likely to be POTUS returning to the White House. In fact, I've heard two so far tonight as I write! I can watch out my window as they fly over the Watergate and across the Potomac.

Different choices now at the Farmers' Markets with the fall harvest in, and I'm scouting out my favorite apple, the Macoun. Lots of fall festivals and activities in and around the District, so lots to do.

And it's also time for my favorite activity, job hunting! Here we go again! I'll look both on and off the Hill, and in my home state, and see what comes up. Wish me luck!