Democrats Show Strain of Heated Battles
By NAFTALI BENDAVID and JONATHAN WEISMAN
WSJ
WASHINGTON -- A bruising session marked by politically volatile legislation strained relations between congressional Democrats and the White House and spawned cracks in the party's coalition.
A summer session that started so promisingly for House Democrats is ending with a whole lot more uncertainty. After failing to push through reform on health care and energy, Democrats leave for their summer break as a party divided. White House Correspondent Jonathan Weisman reports.
As House members headed home on their August recess Friday, President Barack Obama's domestic agenda was increasingly at risk on Capitol Hill. Some congressional allies say Mr. Obama's message on revamping health care -- his top domestic priority -- has been muddled. And they say he has left Democrats in swing districts ripe for Republican attacks on an energy bill.
In addition, Mr. Obama had hoped the House would pass a string of bills re-regulating the financial-services industry. Instead, just one piece -- an executive-compensation bill -- passed the House on Friday.
Since Mr. Obama's inauguration, Congress has enacted a stream of significant legislation. The gamut runs from an economic-stimulus package, children's health care, pay parity for women, tobacco regulation, consumer credit-card protections, public service and land conservation, in addition to key budget bills.
(Continued here.)
WSJ
WASHINGTON -- A bruising session marked by politically volatile legislation strained relations between congressional Democrats and the White House and spawned cracks in the party's coalition.
A summer session that started so promisingly for House Democrats is ending with a whole lot more uncertainty. After failing to push through reform on health care and energy, Democrats leave for their summer break as a party divided. White House Correspondent Jonathan Weisman reports.
As House members headed home on their August recess Friday, President Barack Obama's domestic agenda was increasingly at risk on Capitol Hill. Some congressional allies say Mr. Obama's message on revamping health care -- his top domestic priority -- has been muddled. And they say he has left Democrats in swing districts ripe for Republican attacks on an energy bill.
In addition, Mr. Obama had hoped the House would pass a string of bills re-regulating the financial-services industry. Instead, just one piece -- an executive-compensation bill -- passed the House on Friday.
Since Mr. Obama's inauguration, Congress has enacted a stream of significant legislation. The gamut runs from an economic-stimulus package, children's health care, pay parity for women, tobacco regulation, consumer credit-card protections, public service and land conservation, in addition to key budget bills.
(Continued here.)
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