Focus on solutions, GOP

OPINION:

Congressional Republicans need to reassess party objectives as they look forward to the next session, when they have a small majority in the House but a minority in the Senate.

Prior to the November election, public opinion polls clearly indicated that inflation, chaos at the southern border and lack of American fossil fuels were topics of great concern. The problems in these areas are a direct result of Biden administration policies, and they cry out for congressional attention.

Admittedly, with control of only the House — and even that is in doubt as the party continues to squabble over the choice of speaker — their opportunities are limited. Nonetheless, the GOP’s priorities should be to demonstrate that the electorate’s concerns are understood and efforts will be made to tackle them. Unfortunately, the party’s primary objectives to date are to hold hearings into past actions such as departure from Afghanistan, the role of the FBI in the last election and President Biden’s involvement in his son’s business activities.

These are all topics worthy of investigation, but the Republicans should demonstrate leadership by indicating how they plan to correct the major issues now facing Americans. In the background, they can investigate Mr. Biden’s past disaster.

They have a narrow window to show that they have worthy ideas, so they shouldn’t blow it by concentrating on Mr. Biden’s many failings.

STANLEY ORMAN

Rockville, Maryland