Legislative Inaction and Legislative Efficiency?

I was reading the Washington Post this morning and an article about legislative inaction in the U.S. Congress.

Congress passed 140 in the 112th Congress (2011-2012) resulting in 2,324 pages of new laws.  As of July 8, 2014, the 113th Congress has passed 125 new laws resulting in 2,597 pages of new law.

While there are definitely shortcomings in Virginia's 60 and 45 day sessions and the entire part-time legislature concept, I went to look at a couple metrics.

For example, in the 2014 General Assembly, around 2,750 bills were introduced (minus commending resolutions), 902 were passed, 234 continued to next session, and 980 killed.  The Acts of Assembly are the compilation of every bill we pass.  The 2014 version isn't out yet, but the 2011 Acts of Assembly was 2252 pages long.

Much of what we do is "housekeeping" where there is no meaningful objection to the legislation.  For example, of the 902 bills we passed, 502 were unanimous.

Obviously, the Federal Government is a complex entity, it's budget is probably three times longer than Virginia's.  You would think that the U.S. Congress needs to pass at least 5-10 times as much "housekeeping" legislation (or at least pages) as the Virginia General Assembly.  They are not even doing that.

I recognize that pages do not necessarily reflect substance, and it's not unusual to see a bill that has ten new words and takes up 10 pages.  However, it is really remarkable just how little the U.S. Congress has achieved in a two year session when you compare it to the typical product of our part-time, 45-60 day legislature.

The Retirement of Congressman Jim Moran

January 15, 2014

Statement of Delegate Scott Surovell on the Retirement of Congressman Jim Moran 

The retirement of Congressman Jim Moran is a huge loss to Virginia.  Congressman Moran has been a passionate advocate for improving the quality of life of Northern Virginians since his election in 1990 over Republican Congressman Stan Parris in what was then a swing congressional seat.

Many credited his 1990 election as turning on the emerging issue of women's reproductive rights.  Since that time, Congressman Moran has been a steadfast supporter of women's rights to make their own healthcare decisions and determine their own economic futures.  

Our federal workforce has no fiercer advocate.  Congressman Moran has been a solid bullwark against attempts to use federal workforce salaries as a piggy bank for other budget priorities and attempts to demonize federal workers who work every day to do the work of the United States of America.   

The Mt. Vernon Bike Trail, George Washington Memorial Parkway and Dyke Marsh are better places and will continue to be our community's crown jewels due to Congressman Moran's stewardship including a $25 million grant that Congressman Moran just secured to restore wetlands.  

Fort Belvoir and the U.S. 1 Corridor have lost a champion.  The $180 million grant Congressman Moran secured to improve U.S. 1 will start construction in a few months.  After the I-95 HOT Lanes, it will be the largest road construction project in Northern Virginia, will benefit millions of people for decades, facilitate access to Fort Belvoir, improve South County and Mount Vernon's quality of life, and create thousands of jobs for decades to come.   

Finally, Congressman Moran has also been a strong advocate for progressive values.  He truly understands the consequences of growing income disparities, the lack of investment in our social safety net, and the policy distortions further facilitated by Citizens United case.  Over the last twenty years, Congressman Moran has remained unbowed in his call for social justice.  

In his first term in 1991, Congressman Moran gave me one of my first jobs as a intern, and I have counted on him as a mentor and supporter of my own efforts since I first ran for office in 2009.  Above all I count on him as a friend.  

With Congressman Moran's retirement, Northern Virginia has lost one of its champions.  We will all miss him.