What's next?

By following the political moves that Congressman Tim Bishop and Congress as a whole have made during this semester, it is clear to me that in fact Congress is neither completely compatible nor diverging, but a combination of both. Without constant contests from both sides of the spectrum, one side will ultimately become more powerful, thus creating what the founding fathers feared, a majority ruling elite who cares not for the voice of the minority. While these debates are necessary, however, it does not mean that they are always beneficial. At times party ideologies can be so different that issues, no matter how frivolous, can hold Congress hostage in reaching a compromise. It can even cause divide from within the parties, and thus cause the American populace to lose faith.
In observing Congressman Tim Bishop as well as Congress over the semester, I have seen many of the issues that Congress has been faced with, and I have seen them falter in their attempts to compromise. The biggest issue of course, was the crisis that led up to and followed the government shutdown. Following the shutdown the deadline for the government to pass a budget or default on its loans loomed, and it caused such strife not only between parties and within parties but also between both the House and the Senate. The House of course is controlled by Republicans, while the Senate is majority Democrat. The House Republicans could not pass a bill that would be favorable to the Democrats because some extreme Republicans, mainly Tea Party members, were pushing for the delay of Obamacare to be included in the agreement. Utilizing the unity of their front, the Democrats, including Tim Bishop, led the attack against the Republicans and garnered more support from the populace, claiming; “It is reckless and irresponsible for the House GOP to threaten the full faith and credit of the United States and our economic recovery with political gamesmanship,” said Congressman Bishop. “They are threatening the future by pushing for default despite the enormous financial strain it would place on New York families, from higher interest rates for mortgages and credit cards to evaporating retirement savings and delayed Social Security payments.”(http://2congressesatwork.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-elephants-make-ass-of-themselves.html) Eventually a deal was reached so that the United States would not have to default, but this clearly showed the problem that differing party ideologies between the House and Senate have. When one party feels so strongly about something they will pass legislation that they know will not pass just to prove a point it shows the inadequacies of the system.
It is not all doom in gloom for the two Congresses, however, as there is always some way to compromise on issues.  "...Tim Bishop has been appointed to a House-Senate conference committee charged with producing consensus legislation to strengthen port and inland waterway infrastructure. Tim Bishop was named to this committee since he was so influential a figure in pushing WRRDA through the House last month."(http://2congressesatwork.blogspot.com/2013/11/transporting-vets-to-go-fishing.html). This is just one of the compromises that is seen in Congress during this time. There is no real negative effect for anyone through WRRDA, but rather an economic stimulus that bolsters the transportation networks of all states with major transportation changes. When bills such as WRRDA appear, it shows that despite party ties, despite majority-minority, despite House and Senate differences, things can get done that will allow the government to become more efficient and improve the lives of constituents everywhere. This is not the only time the House and the Senate have compromised, but simply an individual example, for it is from these bipartisan ventures that the compliment of the two comes into play.
So where does this lead? The two Congresses, the House and the Senate, are continually evolving. As the evolution of parties continues, Congress will continue to be divided along party lines. Compromise it seems may become harder to find. It is only through the will of the people that Congress will continue to find compromise between parties and between Congresses. If there is infighting amongst parties, how can they achieve cross-party agreements? Constituents must make their voice heard. Congress will listen. As the pressure mounts to find the solution to an issue, compromise will be inevitable. It is the differences that makes Congress somewhat divergent, but the compromise somewhat compatible.