Twelve Days to Pass Critical Legislation

I learned yesterday that Congress will be in session for only twelve days before Republicans take control of the House of Representatives and block constructive legislation for at least the next two years. Numerous commentators have itemized what’s critical to enact before this term of Congress ends:

lock in funds for supporting Ukraine;

lock in funds for supporting the Justice Department and the special counsel for conducting the criminal investigation of Trump’s mishandling of classified documents and his role in the January 6, 2021 insurrection;

reform the Electoral Reform Act to protect the integrity of the voting process in the 2024 presidential election;

prevent Republicans from allowing a default by refusing to raise the debt ceiling;

pass legislation to protect same-sex marriage.

Whether 2023 will be a happy year may turn on what Democrats can accomplish before the Christmas break.