United States Congress

Brief summary of article

United States congress is responsible for the formulation of economic policies. According to the article, congress intends to pass legislation on free trade agreements. This legislation looks to open up the United States market for free trading with other countries (Reinsch 2011). The writer points out that the deliberations and debate took a period of four years. This is a long period and the article seeks to analyze some of the factors that lead to congress acrimony and subsequent delays. In accordance to the article, Public skepticism is one of the factors that delayed the legislation. Two thirds of the United States citizens were against the legislation with a sole believe that it could bring with it unemployment. From the aforementioned, it is apparent that human beings only like change in theory but are fearful of it in fact. This skepticism was not only limited to the public, congress men were also divided on the issue. The division caused sharp debates and agrimony in the house.

Explanation of how the article relates to United States congress.

Congress is responsible for the formulation of programs and policies that affect the lives of individuals in one way or another. Among the issues dealt by the congress, economic related issues are its top priority. According to the article, the economic program advocated for by the congress cuts across the political sphere. Congress plays a major role in agitating for reforms in the economic sector that will help the citizens enjoy better returns. According to Reinsch (2011), congress is due to pass legislation on free trade agreement with Colombia, panama and South Korea that had been debated for four years. These reforms have to be in line with the public outcry. According to the writer, the United States citizens initially disapproved the legislation because of the belief that it was much of an economic evil. In addition, the United States senate had been deliberating on unfair trade practices by other countries and this scared the citizens. Despite the skepticism that halted the passage of the legislation for up to four years, the corporate and the public have diffused their tensions. The debates in congress helped create public awareness.

 Politics and public opinions affect the deliberations and debates in congress. It is apparent from the article that the arguments for and against free trade agreements are clear. However, they have to be in accordance to political manifestos for it to get utmost support in the floor of the house. According to NBC news poll, politicians are keenly following public opinion developments in the issue (Reinsch 2011). Proponents of the policy argued that the legislation was a win-win policy that could benefit the nation despite political affiliation. However, differences marred the committees deliberating on the issue leading to delays, as parties wanted the incorporation of their ideologies in the paper. The committees form an integral part in congress. The individuals making up these committees are experts in their respective fields. Different committees are entitled to different tasks that include regulating, designing program structure, dealing with finance and the one overseeing implementation (Reinsch 2011).

In conclusion, consensus building is paramount in a democracy. From the article, it is apparent that despite opinion differences by the members of congress, the legislation is finally seeing the light of day.  The congress debates that lasted for four years helped build public support on the issue. According to the writer, this legislation could open up the United States market enhancing economic growth by increasing exports and creating new employment opportunities.

Bibliography

Reinsch, B. 2011. Congress finally gets it: Free trade is good for America. Christian Science Monitor, October 10.