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Lame duck session

Time is running out for Congress to act on critical pieces of legislation. Lawmakers have only about two weeks left in their current session to act on measures ranging from those to protect millions of Americans from tax increases to pressing matters such as battling Islamic State terrorists.

But the narrow time frame has more complex – and very political – ramifications, too.

The current Congress is politically split. Republicans control the House of Representatives, while Democrats run the Senate. But because of the Nov. 4 elections, that will change when Congress convenes in early January. Then, both chambers will have GOP majorities.

If you do not believe President Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., have not been discussing a strategy to make the best political use of the next two weeks, you are just the type of trusting voter the two love.

Rest assured that on issues Democrat leaders consider important, Reid and Obama will use the pressure of the last days of this congressional session to their advantage. Beyond any doubt, they will attempt to portray Republican lawmakers as villains.

That may be possible through tactics such as threatening government “shutdowns” if GOP lawmakers do not go along with the White House.

Republicans should not stand for it. Voters should not fall for it. Congress can get the important business done, if Reid and Obama allow it to happen.

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