With Congress still in town five days past last Friday's targeted adjournment date, House Democrats made clear today that they believe they have scored political points in remaining on Capitol Hill.
While both sides continued to press for a deal, Democrats clearly were pleased with deflecting the debate away from President Clinton's personal problems.
"I think Democrats feel we've had a very productive week," House Democratic Caucus Chairman Vic Fazio of California told reporters-adding that, for the first time since the Lewinsky scandal broke, Democrats have succeeded in keeping the debate on education. Added Fazio: "We have certainly gotten the subject back to the issues. And on the issues, we are doing extremely well."
Asked whether Democrats with close races are anxious to get home, Fazio replied: "While there's obviously a lot of desire to be home campaigning, there's certainly been a bit of a reflection on the fact that this has been, for the first time since the Lewinsky affair became a national media obsession, an opportunity for us to talk about what we know our constituents want this Congress to have addressed."
Later, at a House-Senate Democratic leadership news conference, Democratic leaders contended that Congress is still here not because of any Democratic filibuster--but because the Republican majority has not been able to get its work done.
"We're here because they haven't done their work," declared House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo. "We're here late because of their sheer ineptitude and incompetence."
Asked when Congress can be expected to leave town, Gephardt said of the forthcoming omnibus appropriations bill: "We're going to read this bill. We're going to read every word of this bill before any Democrats vote for it."
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