Will Delaney

Playing Nice in the Sandbox

            In the 2014 mid-term elections Republicans have won a historic election, winning the largest Republican majority since the Truman administration (2). The Republicans control both the House and Senate now, while the Democratic Party still controls the Executive branch. At first glance many believed that the new Republican majority would dominate the government until the 2016 election. While the Republican Party controls a majority in both houses, when they bring a bill to the President and the President vetos the bill, the Republicans don’t have a 2/3rds majority to override the veto. This leaves the house with 3 options: 1. They could be stubborn and only bring partisan bills to the president and have them be vetoed and just blame the President for getting nothing done, 2. Before bringing the bill to the President, Republicans reach across the isle to get Democratic support as well, so the bill can be passed and 3. After republicans try to pass a partisan bill and Obama veto’s it, republicans re-word the bill with help from the Democratic Party so they have a bill that would go through with a 2/3rds override. This bi-partisan action would create a bill somewhat satisfactory to both parties and wouldn’t experience complications when it goes to the President’s desk. This has also left Obama with two options: 1. Work with republicans in areas of common interest like tax reform and trade or 2. Hunker down and let the Republican Party over step and lose favor with the American people in the next two years, similar to what happened to the Democratic Party in 2012 to 2014 (2).

            However after the two most unproductive congresses in our nations history I personally believe that instead of seeing more gridlock Americans will see a more efficient government overall. One way republicans were able to obtain the votes that they didn’t receive in past elections was partially because of Obama’s negative image but also many candidates had realized that the key to gaining votes was not by leaning further right but leaning closer to the middle. Republicans that won in the 2014 election are much more centered in their political beliefs as opposed to republicans who won in 2012 or 2010 (1). There is going to be a new relationship between the legislative and executive branch now that the republicans control both the senate and the house now, I believe this new environment will be conducive to progress and efficiency. Citizens in the United States will not tolerate another unproductive Congress and if nothing is done in the next two years there will be a swing right back to the Democratic party in 2016 and that doesn’t bode well for Republicans because 2016 is a presidential election as well. Republicans know that they were elected to get thing done after years of ineptitude by Congress. Obama is also looking to boost his legacy as president, although the cards he was dealt when he assumed office were not favorable, Obamas approval rating is extremely low in 2014 and one thing that would raise his approval rating is bi-partisan work on issues like healthcare, the economy, job growth and etc. (2).

            While most people my age except things to head south for the country I believe that things will shape up. It is proven that the country is more efficient when the same party does not control the legislative branch and executive branch. Republicans and Democrats realize that the country will not want to tolerate another horrible congress. Republicans campaigned on the promise that if they are given majority in the House they will be able to put this country back on the right track (1). However Republicans will not be able accomplish this goal of getting the country back on track without cooperation with President Obama. And Obama will only boost his own legacy by getting things done and he can only do that with help from across the isle. This will bring two parties, who over the past six years have been in bitter contention with each other together, which will lead to newfound productivity in our government.

1: "Newly Empowered, Mitch McConnell Promises an End to ‘Gridlock’." New York Times. November 5, 2014. Accessed November 20, 2014.

2: "Riding Wave of Discontent, G.O.P. Takes Senate." New York Times. November 4, 2014. Accessed November 20, 2014.