Preparing for the pre-election stretch

G.O.P. to concentrate on national security and set aside work on immigration

Lawmakers are headed back to Washington to wind up work before the midterm elections in November. For incumbents looking to hold on to their seats, this is a last chance to get in good with voters. Both parties are fighting not only for votes, but control of Congress - the political high ground before the next presidential race.

Defense and homeland-security appropriations bills top the agenda, along with bioterrorism and port-security measures. But this means almost no further progress on domestic issues.

Efforts to raise the federal minimum wage and revamp U.S. immigration laws appear to be deadlocked. The New York Times examines the issues.


Tags: Congress, Politics, Election, Immigration, Media 101, Media by Sistrunk