Editorials

A report this week that Congress is starting its final summer push might stir hope among the people for some meaningful action on sharply spotlighted national policy problem areas, but a look at details of the story could dash such optimism.

For instance, strong public sentiment, stimulated by soaring energy costs, clearly identifies as one of the more critical areas a need for Congress is to boost domestic production of the nation’s guarded resources. But the prospect for action appears dim.

Messages and petitions from many citizens don’t seem to have cracked the barrier that appears to shield Washington legislators from an understanding of the desires and needs of most people outside the Beltway.

This is indicated by the report that said, in essence, don’t expect lawmakers to put aside their partisan blame-fest and compromise on an energy measure that could offer some relief, either immediately or down the road.

Taking the best steps available to start solving an issue of the magnitude should not even be a matter of compromise for a group of people elected to try to legislate in the best interests of all of the people. Positive action now ought to be a unanimous objective not to be denied.

The Associated Press story said the abbreviated election-year calendar of the Senate and House “leaves little time to cut deals.” With intensifying concerns about energy, the economy, the prospect of increasing taxes and job creation to name a few, people deserve to see evidence of effective legislative efforts, not deal cutting. Extending expiring tax cuts also is vital.

Concern among legislators about the November election outcomes is cited as the reason they won’t have much time to work on solutions to most truly significant national problems, the report indicated. The report said members of Congress will be away from Washington much of the fall.

Voter reaction to this ought to be to look very closely at what their district or state legislators in Washington get done, or fail to do, to bring about truly helpful legislation as a key to whether they want to punch their return ticket to Congress next year.

Instead of working to address key issues Congressional leaders are reported to be concentrating on an array of legislative efforts to appease certain influential groups. Banning lead in toys and approving an ambitious global health initiative — a $50 billion program to combat AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and elsewhere — are cited as examples.

This is the same leadership that has been openly critical of efforts to increase domestic oil production by lifting restrictions on drilling in some areas with great production potential. In his talk against such efforts, Senate Leader Harry Reid suggested that coal and oil “make us sick.” He didn’t speculate on the consequences of failing to ensure supplies of resources that comprise such a vast portion of the nation’s energy package and are simply irreplaceable for the foreseeable future.

Democrats in the Senate and House want to rely on more conservation and energy alternatives even though there is no evidence of a reasonable possibility that approach alone would be a major solution. Republicans favor a plan with much greater relief potential — opening federal lands and waters now off-limits for environmental concerns to oil drilling, boosting domestic supply.

People need to let Washington legislators know loud and clear they are not buying the excuse of Congress not having enough time to enact vital legislation. The list starts with opening new domestic oil drilling territory to provide relief from high gasoline prices and extending expiring tax cuts to boost the economy.

Those members who refuse to respond positively should be duly censured by voters in the November elections.

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