What Can This Congress Actually Do?

January 26, 2012

Adrienne LaFrance, Honolulu Civil Beat, DC808 Blog

All four of Hawaii’s congressional delegates had glowing reviews of the president’s State of the Union speech on Tuesday night. Sen. Daniel Inouye said it was the most inspiring such address he’s ever seen — and he should know. Inouye was first elected to Congress in 1959. He also said it felt a bit like a football coach trying to motivate his “losing team.”

Despite the tense partisanship on Capitol Hill, lawmakers seem to agree that there’s no way that Barack Obama will get everything he asked for in the speech. But will he get any of it? Rep. Colleen Hanabusa is hopeful that she and her colleagues can advance some key measures.

“I think a pure payroll tax (extension) will pass,” Hanabusa said in an interview with DC808 after the speech. “Only because I saw Speaker (John) Boehner clap for it.”

The congresswoman also anticipates some arguments ahead.

“We may have some battles on unemployment,” Hanabusa said. “I also think where the battles are going to happen are whether or not the 2 percent continues to be protected.”

Hanabusa, a Democrat and Obama supporter, said she has some concerns about the practicality of at least one of the president’s ideas.

“The one area where I thought ‘I’m not sure that’s going to work’ was with those benefiting from TARP, and he said now it’s time for them to pay back,” Hanabusa said. “I’m not sure that’s going to work.”

A report released on Thursday finds that American taxpayers are still on the hook for $133 billion in Troubled Asset Relief Program funds, according to the Wall Street Journal’s MarketWatch.