The first 100 days became a yardstick of leadership when Franklin Roosevelt signed a stunning 15 bills into law in 1933, making good on a promise to begin patching-up a bruised nation in the early days of the congressional session.
On Wednesday, the 114th Congress – the first since 2006 with a Republican-controlled House and Senate - hit that 100-day benchmark. So, have members followed in the FDR-era footsteps and managed to raise America from the ashes like a star-spangled phoenix (i.e. bald eagle)?
Well, you can be the judge of that. But they did tweet a lot. And given the new leadership, we thought it’d be worth checking in on what they’ve done so far, including the two major accomplishments members snuck in before deadline.
The session started with hopeful aspirations to effect change. A new dawn. A new day. It was sweet, really.
Hopeful for a productive & constructive Congress focused on growing jobs, increasing wages & improving the economy.
— Rob Portman (@senrobportman) January 6, 2015
On route with my good friend @timkaine to take oath for 2nd term. Eager to get back to work & honored to serve Va. pic.twitter.com/yRxS8gbdbf
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) January 6, 2015
Lets hope today's swearing-in in doesn't begin two years of swearing-at. Let's meet in the middle: strengthen the middle class.
— Steve Israel (@RepSteveIsrael) January 6, 2015
And what did Congress do with all of that exuberant goodwill? It tried to oust House Speaker John Boehner. Because nothing says party solidarity like an early coup.
I will not vote for John Boehner as #Speaker of the US House. I will vote for an alternative Here's why: http://t.co/psR7SHO7Bh
— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) January 5, 2015
I am not voting for #Boehner. Honest. Principled. Conservative. Leadership is what I want.
— Cong. Tim Huelskamp (@CongHuelskamp) January 6, 2015
But despite opposition from conservatives looking for a fresh (or maybe just not-so-orange) face, Boehner came out on top. It was time to get to business. And hey, look! There was a bill signed only days into session!
Pres Obama signs first bill of 114th Congress reauthorizing govt underwriting terrorism risk insurance for another 5 years.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) January 13, 2015
Well, that was fast, wasn’t it? Some Republicans were pretty excited to attribute a surge in productivity to new Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s open amendment reforms.
Amazing fact: Senate has already voted on more amendments in 2015 than Reid allowed ALL YEAR last year.
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) January 23, 2015
But the grand reformation in the Senate hasn’t led to a surge of major legislation. Obama has slapped his signature on nine items from Congress, which is on par for the first 100 days of Congress during his presidency.
Today, President Obama signed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act → http://t.co/FLMWE8LsxMpic.twitter.com/E4pQGLMH64
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) February 13, 2015
But, of course, there have been two vetoes, which even passive aggressive tweeting couldn’t prevent.
Today is the day. Retweet to tell the president to sign the #KeystoneXL jobs bill. pic.twitter.com/oGxDnI5kNc
— Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) February 24, 2015
If you’re interested in jobs and infrastructure, approving the #KeystoneXL pipeline should be a no brainer.
— Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) March 4, 2015
Aaaand there was the whole DHS shutdown thing.
Former Secretaries of Homeland Security agree: we need a full year, clean bill to #FundDHShttp://t.co/GsNl00I3PRpic.twitter.com/AnyxUGbfhK
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) February 27, 2015
Plus, some pretty big things that have been hanging in the balance since, you know, February.
I strongly oppose Loretta Lynch's nomination for Attorney General. Please, WATCH and RETWEET! https://t.co/QUilIhYGby
— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 27, 2015
But as is fitting for the last-minute Tax Day deadline, the Senate moved two major pieces of legislation the day before its 100-day anniversary.
Here here! A victory for doctors, patients & health care--> RT @RepFredUpton: Stick a fork in it, it's finally done. #SGR
— Rep. Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) April 15, 2015
SFRC unanimously approves Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 requiring congressional review of any final deal with Iran.
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) April 14, 2015
We knew you could do it! Happy 100-day birthday, 114th! Let’s turn it over to some of your own to say a few words:
Today marks 100 days of the new Republican Congress: 100 days of dysfunction, obstruction & distraction. Americans deserve better.
— Rep. Stacey Plaskett (@StaceyPlaskett) April 15, 2015
After #100days, instead of fixing Medicare, Congress just added to the deficit. http://t.co/HN4baQXARB
— Cong. Tim Huelskamp (@CongHuelskamp) April 15, 2015
After #100days, instead of ending #ExecutiveAmnesty, we gave @BarackObama money to implement it. http://t.co/mcdCRVGdrg
— Cong. Tim Huelskamp (@CongHuelskamp) April 15, 2015
#GOPs1st100Days of the new Congress have exposed their ineptitude in governing & contempt for hard-working Americans. http://t.co/iJPYf7jCfH
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) April 15, 2015
Well, that's awkward.
[Also by Abby Johnston: Is it sexist to call Hillary Clinton "Hillary"?]
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