Congress Cited as Least Active in 50 Years

Oct. 20 -- No prescription drug program for seniors. No energy bill. No extension on the welfare program, which expires this year, and no legislation to protect workers' pensions.

Those are the issues that Congress has left unresolved as members leave Washington to campaign for re-election. The Congress Daily, which covers national politics, wrote that when it comes to the lawmakers' most basic duties, this was the worst Congress in 50 years.

This year, in particular, Congress spent many hours passing legislation that was not particularly urgent. Among the bills passed were concurrent resolutions recognizing the historical significance of 100 years of Korean immigration to the United States, a measure recognizing the 100th anniversary of the 4-H program, and one congratulating the players, management, staff and fans of the Oakland Athletics.

Congress also managed to name 30 post offices this year.

Partisanship?

What's the problem? With both houses of Congress so closely divided, neither party will give an inch.

A case in point is that after five weeks of debate in the Senate, legislation to create a new Department of Homeland Security has gone nowhere.

Even those in power recognize there is a big problem.

"Here in the Senate we are not moving anything," Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott said. "We are becoming totally dysfunctional."

Democrats blame Republicans, who control the House.

"It is the worst performance by the House I have ever seen," House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt said.

Congress did move quickly after Sept. 11 to pump billions of dollars into the military, the airlines and New York.

But as the election draws near, some contend voters may have to settle for promises rather than action.

ABCNEWS' Linda Douglass contributed to this report.