US Congress at 100 days: Lots of sound and fury, but few achievements

Washington

OWNERS of ancient water vessels are likely to be quite pleased with the US Senate, which voted overwhelmingly last month to generally exempt them from a fire-retardant materials requirement. But that is about the extent of bipartisan legislation to emerge from the US Congress during the first 100 days of unified Republican governance.

A divisive election, the growing use of arcane rules that disenfranchise the minority party and a chaotic White House have combined to create one of the least productive opening acts by Congress in recent memory.