Grab the popcorn and soda -- the greatest show on Capitol Hill is about to reconvene.And one of the big questions as Congress returns from a two-week spring break is who's running the show: President Obama or congressional Democrats? Political analysts will be watching as lawmakers are poised to earn their keep over the next month.
Much of the action will unfold in committee rooms, where lawmakers will attempt to craft legislation that will change how banks are regulated, health care is delivered and the nation consumes energy.
Over the first months of this session, the first in 14 years with Democrats controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress, Democrats gave President Obama a $787 billion economic stimulus package and a $410 billion spending bill for this budget year. The House and Senate approved slightly different versions of a $3.6 trillion spending outline for the next budget year, which begins Oct. 1.
But there are limits to the new president's power, and he has fallen short of securing approval for measures to limit subsidies to wealthy farmers, restrain tax deductions for the wealthiest Americans and keep the estate tax at its current level. Obama also seemed this week to back way from a campaign pledge to push for a renewal of the ban on assault weapons, which faced an uphill political battle.
But lawmakers still may take action on a number of Obama's priorities. - FOX News Story
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