Word: 110th
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...Freedom of Choice Act was introduced in the 108th and 110th Congresses (from 2003 to '05 and '07 to '09, respectively) by Representative Jerold Nadler, a New York Democrat. It was developed at a time when the future of Roe was in doubt because it was unclear if George W. Bush would have the opportunity to appoint another justice to the Supreme Court. But FOCA had a hard time gaining traction - even under Democratic control of Congress, the bill not only was never voted on but never made it out of committee. And now abortion-rights advocates are breathing easier...
True, the 110th Congress may not have made quite as much progress as many hoped. In a time of war, financial crisis, rising health care costs and volatile gas prices, its success in passing actual pieces of legislation has been below average: it enacted only about 3% of legislation introduced into law (the average rate for the past 35 years is about 4.5%). Still, as the 111th convenes on Jan. 6, at least the outgoing class can claim to have excelled at one great congressional tradition: approving a lengthy list of inconsequential, not very discriminating and occasionally downright peculiar Congressional...
...subjects are beneath the notice of a Congressional resolution. Soil, for instance, might be celebrated, as it was in 2008. Or watermelon. Athletes are popular, too. Nothing pleases constituents quite like Congressmen and Senators giving agreeable shout-outs to local sports heroes. Last year, the 110th Congress praised superstar Olympian Michael Phelps; it also celebrated Wichita State University's championship women's bowling team. Legislators, it seems, aren't very picky. Unless of course they are passing actual laws...
...their way through all five boroughs on Nov. 2. The course starts in Staten Island and finishes in Central Park; there are two good places in Manhattan to cheer the athletes - along First Avenue, between East 59th Street and the East 90s, and along Fifth Avenue south of East 110th Street, until the exhausted marathoners make their turn into the Park. If you're trying to get out of New York City, be aware of street and bridge closings, detailed on the marathon's website, where you can also find a course...
There's something touching about a man who spent his life defying laws now wanting to write them. Dr. Death has little to commend him to voters except not being a career politician, but in this season that might count for something. The 260 laws passed by the 110th Congress represent a 30-year low, and they include the naming of 74 post offices, not to mention the nonbinding resolutions designating July National Watermelon Month and recognizing dirt as an essential natural resource. Approval of Congress has sunk to a record low: 9% of people in a Rasmussen poll think...