By Matt Carlstrom
Round Table reporter
As the United States Congress entered its 112th session on Dec. 3, a storm of uncertainty and limited expectations surrounded both the House and Senate. Congress closed for the winter holidays December 22, after passing significant legislation during what was expected to be a “lame duck session” between the November elections and the incoming newly elected representatives.
Important policies, such as the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law and the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy, trademarked the session. Students at MHS are both hopeful for new legislation to come from the incoming Congress and excited about the possibilities these new laws present.
“I feel that the repeal of DADT was extremely significant,” said Middletown High School junior Tanya Rudakevych. “Although the Bush tax-cuts were certainly a compromise, it’s okay, because you need to make compromises in politics.”
This is a welcome change for many Americans, as Congress has faced struggles in the past to overcome partisan limits and compromise in order to pass legislation. As a result, many have perceived the government as careless and ineffective, but the sudden flow of passed legislation in December has served to increase optimism.
“I’m hoping the new Congress can learn to cooperate across the aisle in order to move forward,” MHS junior Becca Huff said. “I’m hoping they can do more to get our troops out of Iraq, as I feel that much of the conflict has now become unnecessary.”
Students are proud of the bounds that their government has overcome to push landmark legislation forward, but are apprehensive towards the possibilities of a Republican Congress and Democratic Presidency.
“I hope that Congress and Obama can all work together and do what needs to be done,” Rudakevych said. “Our country has a history of working together in troubled times, and we cannot afford stubborn politicians that refuse to cooperate right now.”
