Will this be the week congressional Democrats reverse their fortunes?

By Perry Bacon Jr.
WashPost
Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Will this week be the start of a political comeback for congressional Democrats?

Less than two weeks ago, the woes of the majority party evoked comparisons to the Republicans of 2006, complete with a powerful figure enmeshed in an ethics scandal (Rep. Charles B. Rangel/Rep. Tom DeLay), another lawmaker embroiled in a sex scandal (Rep. Eric Massa/Rep. Mark Foley) and a stalled major policy initiative (health care/Social Security). Republicans, you may recall, were voted out of power that fall.

But by Sunday, Democrats could not only have passed a health-care bill, but with it have pushed through the House of Representatives long-delayed legislation that would increase funding for Pell Grants, which help low-income students pay for college. They also could send to President Obama a $17 billion measure designed to create jobs.

The collection of measures could reverse poll numbers that have Congress at one of its lowest rates of public approval since 1994.

(More here.)