Chronicle Editorial

By: 
Chronicle Staff

Washington bipartisanship still a pipe dream

 

     Despite a recent shocker, don't expect Democrats and Republicans to walk hand-in-hand down a path of bipartisan alliance anytime soon.

     The U.S. House last week passed and sent a bill to the president that finally took care of the ongoing federal student load headache that arose after July 1. A previous bill that set interest rates expired last month, effectively doubling rates for students and parents borrowing subsidized Stafford loans this year. The new law lets interest rates fluctuate with the economy—rates climb as the government's ability to borrow money becomes more expensive when the market improves, and they go down in the opposite scenario.

     The bill, which first passed the Senate two weeks ago, flew by with a 392–31margin in the House. It was a predictable scene amongst Congressional members following the overwhelming approval. Republicans claimed credit, as did Democrats. Both sides alleged the other was to blame for the delayed passage. However, an interesting sentiment seemed to emanate from both camps.

     Democrats and Republicans repeatedly asserted this single example of bipartisan agreement could mark a turning point in the ongoing Washington deadlock. From an objective standpoint, their claims seem to hold merit. The student loan agreement includes a bevy of components that relate to the current political discourse—the government’s role in lending, the middle class and the economy. However, these grand dreams of compromise are all for naught. Washington's upcoming agenda will soon showcase the massive divide between the each party's priorities and goals.

     Congress had little choice but to pass the student loan bill. Following a month of political chest pounding and finger pointing after the July 1 impasse, it was clear a deal was on the horizon. After all, if they didn't find common ground by the end of last week, they would have headed home for a month-long recess to be greeted by constituents already angered by their previous ineptitude. Middle and lower class voters—the primary borrowers of federal student loans—would have bombarded these politicians with unrelenting fury had they failed to make a deal. No one in Congress wants to be seen as an "enemy" to America's hard-working middle class, hence the overwhelming approval.

     The bill's passage allows members of Congress to return home and present constituents with an illusion of bipartisan bridge work. In spite of all the gridlock, the student loan compromise is the most recent example of an affective government. Americans have been subjected to futility on a massive scale over the past eight months. From this winter's sequester to continued debate over budget cuts, it seems the ongoing stalemate has no end. However, the student loan bill provides the opportunity to pull the wool over the eyes of Americans. They'll claim inroads are being made for more productive discussion in Washington, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

     Differences between Democrats and Republicans are vast, and interparty squabbling also has great potential to cause turmoil in the coming months. The best example of this impending roadblock is immigration reform. Congress has been wrestling over policy changes all year, but they've been doing nothing but pounding their heads against the wall. Negotiations have continuously stalled after Republican House leadership failed to reach a consensus even amongst their own party. Moderates and more conservative branches of the GOP have repeatedly clashed over just how far they want to go with reform measures. This interparty dispute is indeed as frustrating as it is exhausting, but the reality only promises to continue as debate prolongs.

     The student loan deal was a refreshing reminder that our lawmakers can accomplish what we elected them to do. However, it by no means marks a turning point in Congress' ongoing gridlock. Differences are vast and compromise will be very difficult. Americans should prepare themselves for the long haul once lawmakers return to Washington in a month, because it's going to be a bumpy ride.

                

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