Will childish behavior in Congress anger the American public?

Financial re-regulation legislation was blocked by a united group of Senators for several days.  Senate Democrats, President Obama, and supporters of the legislation cried foul and expressed outrage over Republicans who prevented the bill from moving forward.  Republicans and opponents of the legislation agree with the need for reform, but want the legislation changed to accommodate several issues.  Late Wednesday, a deal was close between Democrats and Republicans for the bill to proceed, but will the result be the same?  Will every Republican amendment be defeated, forcing the Senate back to a partisan stand-off? 

The situation is analogous to a recent weekend drive, with both of my boys strapped snuggly in their booster seats.  At a stop light, my 3-year old asked, "Daddy, are we there yet?"  I responded, "no, we are not there."  My son asked again, "Daddy, are we there yet?"  And, I responded, "no, we are stopped at a stop light… my answer is the same one I gave you a few seconds ago – no, we are not there yet."  Of course, his older brother immediately chimed in, "… Daddy, are we there yet?"  Yes, this was a long stop light.  And, the conversation between me and my boys went down hill pretty quickly after that.

Unfortunately, that seems to be how things are playing out in the United States Senate.  And, I wonder what the public's reaction to this childish behavior is.  The financial regulatory reform measure passed the House of Representatives last year.  And, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Banking Committee, crafted similar legislation that passed out of his Committee a month ago.  While Republicans and Democrats agree that the rules governing Wall Street need to be reformed, that is where the agreement ends.  In the House, efforts to craft legislation with broad Republican and Democratic support failed when an amendment by Congressman Walt Minnick (D-ID) failed by 7 votes.  The result was legislation tainted by an overly partisan tone going that was then passed on to the Senate for their consideration.  Chairman Dodd did not lessen the partisan divide that accompanied the bill.  Not one Republican supported the financial reform package that was debated and passed by the Senate Banking Committee. 

How can the bill's supporters claim outrage or feign surprise by the fact that a bill without broad bi-partisan support is stalled on the Senate floor?  And, how can the Senate defend the fact that legitimate concerns with the legislation remain un-changed? 

Auto dealers are concerned that car loans will be swept into a daunting over-reaching regulatory system, raising the costs of automobiles.  Economists are concerned that regulations from a new government agency created by the bill will tighten credit which is a job-killer.  Small businesses are worried that retail shops that allow customers to pay in more than four installments will be treated like large banks, subject to massive paperwork and recordkeeping requirements.

My guess is that Americans are already annoyed by the political posturing which is preventing real progress on issues where there should be agreement.  And, that annoyance will grow as politicians design campaign slogans instead of working out issues that will allow for broad bi-partisan consensus.  How many of you have been asked "are we there yet" when the car has not moved?  How annoyed were you then, and how annoyed are you now?

Tom Sullivan is an attorney with the law firm of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough where he runs the Small Business Coalition for Regulatory Relief.