WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is reconvening this week for what could be a painful confrontation over how to put Americans back to work.
Lawmakers returning after a monthlong recess are in accord on at least one thing: Jobs policy must be at the top of the agenda.
But there’s little hope they will be able to put aside their differences long enough to come up with legislation that makes measurable improvements either to the unemployment rate or Congress’ dismal approval rate.
Even the main attraction of the first week back — President Barack Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress — was put in place only after a fight between House Republicans and the White House over the timing of the primetime event, which has been pushed back a day to Thursday.
