Conversation on the legislative and clinical significance of the 115th congress so far. From washington journal host were joined by a professor of government at American University and found and former director of the University Center for congressional and americans studies. We also have a member of brookings institution. Thank you. We are going to rate this current session of congress. Were coming to the end of the first year of the 115th congress. Would you rate them . Has it been a success . Guest it is good to rate a congress compared to other congresses. Lets take the first year of the Obama Administration. Andls passed within within a few weeks, stimulus package passed. Dodd frank and the Affordable Care act passed eventually. This one has had problems. The tax bill did a lot of things that are important, but one tax bill failed in repealing the Affordable Care act. 12 hey improved approved 12 district judges. That is good. But they have not done very well. They have some oversi
It is good to rate a congress compared to others. Lets take the first year of the Obama Administration. In the first two years the Affordable Care act passed eventually, this one had some problems, the pastor tax bill and theres a lot of things that are important but they failed in repealing the Affordable Care act, yes they they have not done very well, they had some oversight hearings that we have not seen those with russia, if theyre in my class, i would give them a d. Because of what they did not accomplish . The have not pass the budget or the appropriation bills. These poor kids out there that live below the poverty line that cannot get insurance and those bipartisan support for it but havent dealt with the debt one point they were very concerned about it. Molly . I largely agree, i think for me this idea of what today leave undone is really important. We can point to the tax bill and talk about judges putting Justice Gorsuch on the Supreme Court is a major achievement that has t
Crossed. Washington journal continues. Host at our table we are joined y James Thurber who is professor of government at American University and also ounder and former director of their center for congressional and president ial studies and from brookings institution. Thank you both for being here. Rate this current session of congress. We are coming to the close, the year of the irst 115th congress. How would you rate them . Has it been a success . Rate to the good to compared it other congresses. Lets take the first year of the administration. In the first actually two years, few ills passed within a weeks a stimulus bill passed. Dodd doddfrank, the Affordable Care act pass the. This one will problems. A tax bill. There are a lot of things in the tax bill that are important but bill. X it failed in repealing the Affordable Care act. They have approved 12 district judges. That is good. The f course that is Supreme Court justice but they have not done very well. Oversight ad some heari
I am honored and excited about having this conversation regarding your book which is remarkable and fascinating because you lead a remarkable and fascinating life as a judge for 45 years and this book talks not only about the life of the law but also political stuff and on the issue of personal stuff i should disclose i was that i ww clerk about 40 years ago and you also officiated at my wedding so we have been good personal friends for a while as well. Its one of the good perks of being a judge. I got 95 and seven have gone on to become judges. 14 are tenured professors leaving wall schools and one is the United States speak to only one is a United States senator of course and that is you. But there may be others. [laughter] let me begin by asking you how you decided to write this memoir, sort of a personal insightful view of your own life. It occurred to me sometime ago that everyone should write a memoir. As they get a little bit older, say 50 or 60 or so, there are recollections th
For 45 years. And this book talks not only about that life in law but also about your political history and a lot of personal stuff on the issue of personal stuff i should disclose the beginning i was your law clerk some wraps around 40 years ago, a long time ago. And you also officiated at my wedding so we been good personal friends for a while as well tread to a law clerk relationships one of the great perks being a judge. I have had 95 locks or expert you are one of the very first seven have gone on to become judges, 14 are tenured professors at leading all schools, and one is a United States senator. Only one is a standard so far and that is you of course. But there may be others. Host let me begin by asking you how you decided to write this memoir, sort of a very personally insightful view of your own life. Guest its occurred to me sometime ago that almost everyone should write a memoir. As i get a little older, 50, 60 or so there are recollections that your children and grandchil