War Weary Congress Faces Unprecedented Challenges

As the 64th Congress convenes in Washington, the weight of history hangs heavy in the air. No gathering of lawmakers has ever been tasked with solving problems as vast and complex as those that now demand attention. The end of the Civil War brought its own set of grave issues, but they pale in comparison to the global crises that now beset the nation. In stark contrast to the Reconstruction era, when the same party held power throughout, the current situation finds Congress grappling with worldwide problems, from the devastating aftermath of a global conflict to the rising tide of economic uncertainty.