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Opinion: So much for Congress to do, so little time

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The fans of Big Government here at the Times’ Opinion Manufacturing Division -- you know, the ones who called on Congress to enact a ginormous economic stimulus bill, comprehensive healthcare reform, a climate-change bill, an overhaul of immigration law and a new regulatory regime for Wall Street -- aren’t ready to see lawmakers hang it up for the year without sending a few more hotly disputed items to President Obama’s desk. Here are the main things we’d like to see Congress pass in the lame duck session:

  • The DISCLOSE Act, which would shed more light on the corporations, organizations and wealthy individuals pouring millions of dollars into campaign advertisements;
  • A continuation of extended unemployment benefits for laid-off workers who exhaust the aid they receive from state government (if Congress doesn’t act, some 2 million people will be left without benefits next month);
  • The DREAM Act to give qualified undocumented immigrants in U.S. colleges or the military a path to citizenship;
  • The new START treaty to reduce U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals;
  • A more stimulative approach to tax cuts that, instead of simply continuing $700 billion in Bush-era breaks for the wealthy, uses the money to promote growth;
  • The approval of three long-delayed nominees to fill federal court vacancies in California.

That’s our wish list, and I have to concede that most of the items on it appear destined for the ashbin of history. What’s on your list?

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-- Jon Healey

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