Truthout
Jasmine Tucker
09/07/2014
Lawmakers return to Washington on September 8, from a five-week recess in their home districts, many campaigning for re-election in November. Despite some serious unfinished business, with just a dozen or so legislative days scheduled before the election, Americans may not see the action they would like from lawmakers until at least the "lame duck" session after the election.
As a result of gridlock, partisan bickering and an overall lack of political will, polls show that Americans are rating Congress far less favorably than even Darth Vader. And with senators and representatives focused on the November election, they are unlikely to take any political risks - even if it means sacrificing sound policy decisions in the name of political expediency.
