Kudos to the Democratic Congress for passing the Iraq War funding bill with timetables for withdrawal attached, even though it faces certain veto. Congress's action establishes on the record that this is George W. Bush's War, no ifs ands or buts.
More generally, the 110th Congress has restored some measure of trust that the institution is a productive body after the miserable 109th. As reported in the New York Times yesterday, 5 day workdays are again the norm, and proper separation of powers is again on display: "Divided government has clearly helped Congress regain its position in the constitutional order. After years of inattention, congressional oversight of the Executive has intensified.... And hearings have appropriately focused more on policy and administration than on personal scandal. The White House is being challenged on many domestic and security matters it took for granted with the largely compliant Republican Congresses."
It's high time.
