Senator Jeff Flake is upset with the nature of politics in America, and he doesn't like the behavior of the president. Senator Bob Corker is at war with the president, calling the White House an adult day care center. Senator Ben Sasse wrings his hands daily about how we're losing our moral bearings.
Some of the points they make are worthy. Some are not. But the matter is discussed endlessly and it seems to obscure a far more important matter:
Congress is not tending to the business of the American people.
Now, we might be about to get a breakthrough, since last week's budget resolution passage clears the way for a vote on tax reform. We badly need that, and I want to think the Republican Congress might finally develop a consensus to do something both positive and necessary for the American people. But the next time this Congress does so will be close to, but not quite, the first time.
Thus far I'd give the Republican Congress credit for two things - the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court and the rollback of countless Obama-era regulatory rules. Both are important and both have been beneficial to the country.
But the American people elected this Congress and this president expecting that they would reform the tax code, repeal ObamaCare and get federal spending under control. To date, they have done none of the above. These are the truly important items on the agenda of the American people, not to mention a business community that's long been waiting for the federal government to get out of its way and allow for the generation of real wealth and productivity.
Jeff Flake is in no position to slam President Trump when his own colleagues have failed to do these things. Ben Sasse is in no position to moralize about the president when the legislative chamber in which he serves has come up so empty. Bob Corker is in no position to complain about criticism from the White House when his fellow senators fall down on the job repeatedly.
We often hear that it's unhelpful for President Trump to attack members of Congress because he needs to work with them to get things done. I understand there's an element of human nature at work here. But when was the last time a Republican ran for Congress and promised to support good, conservative ideas "unless the president criticizes me and makes me upset"? How many would be elected if they couched their campaign promises like that?
Congress, your job is to
do your job, and that means passing the legislation this country needs. However abrasive President Trump may be at times, he's doing his job. You do yours, and then complain about the personal style of others.
