Congress completes much but many issues unresolved

WASHINGTON -- The 107th Congress began fading into the history books Wednesday, its legacy including a colossal agency to gird the nation against terrorism, new curbs on corporate behavior and campaign spending, and deep tax cuts.

Even as they addressed some high-profile issues, lawmakers left others languishing. National energy policy, patients' rights, prescription drugs, tighter bankruptcy laws, drought aid for farmers and extra counterterrorism funds all fell victim to partisan stalemate.

Still other problems were largely ignored -- reducing newly resurgent federal deficits and addressing the long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare, for example. Both parties concluded there was no public clamor for the politically painful tax increases or benefit and spending cuts that would likely be needed.

Republicans ran the House during the 107th's two-year session, while Democrats controlled the Senate since June 2001. That lay the groundwork for gridlock -- especially during the run-up to the Nov. 5 congressional elections. Each party blamed the other for obstruction, but leaders agreed more could have been accomplished.

"There's no use trying to fix blame, but the fact of the matter is a lot of important things that needed to be done were not done," Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., said Wednesday.

The Senate adjourned Wednesday. The House seemed likely to hold a final session Friday with a skeleton crew voicing approval of legislation, including a bill creating a Homeland Security Department.

It was the last Congress for 99-year old Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., and Democrats let him end his record 47-year Senate career by gaveling the chamber into adjournment.

"It's over," he said after banging the gavel to a standing ovation from aides and a handful of colleagues.

This Congress was born just weeks after George W. Bush won the disputed, prolonged 2000 election against Al Gore. Things grew only more tempestuous.

A robust economy grew feeble. Record federal surpluses faded into shortfalls. A country at peace was staggered by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. And as lawmakers left Washington this week, the nation was poised for war with Iraq.

The response by lawmakers' to the terrorist attacks was perhaps their defining activity.

Within days, Congress churned out a $40 billion package for defense, counterterrorism and rebuilding New York and the Pentagon as partisan rifts were ignored.

Lawmakers also approved the use of force by Bush against terrorists, new federal powers for spying and investigating terrorism at home, and billions in loans and grants for financially ailing airlines.