Congress Passes Student-loan and Transportation Bill

In an actual show of some bipartisanship:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/us/politics/congress-approves-transportation-and-student-loan-package.html?_r=1

Extending interest rates and transit programs.

 

Good for them.

 

All of the no votes were cast by Republicans.

 

The most shocking thing is that this bill looks like what bills used to look like pre-Tea Party: something that furthers a goal of greater good, with each side making reasonable compromises to meet that goal. And, it wasn't passed at the last minute after much screaming. I'm stunned, actually, that the Tea Party gave up so easily on the Keystone pipeline, which wad supposed to be the most coolest job-growingest thing ever. That tells you Republicans have gotten word that if the transportation and student loan bills failed, voters would have pinned it on them.

 

I, too, long for those halcyon days of yore, when politicians never argued and always looked out for the nation's best interests.

Damn that Tea Party! It's been four long years since we had peace in the legislature.

 

That's true, and unfortunately, it isn't surprising. Then again, at least plenty of them were pragmatic enough to vote yea.

 

The Federalists and Anti-Federalists got along fine, especially during the Adams administration

 

Who don't want to spend one rusty nickel of tax money on anything for anyone.

 

Piotr, I'm not THAT naive.

 

Being somewhat involved in transportation, I am finally glad there is a long term bill in place and we don't have to worry about the constant extensions. What I don't like is the move away from bike paths and transit funding to road construction.