VOA标准英语2014--Washington Week: Focus on Obama's Executive Authority

 

Washington Week: Focus on Obama's Executive Authority 

A top Republican lawmaker is blasting U.S. President Barack Obama as “lawless” in his use of executive orders to advance policy goals in the absence of congressional action.  Additional clues are emerging as to whether or not 2014 will be a year of action in Washington, as the president urged in last week’s State of the Union address.

Since Tuesday’s speech before Congress,  Obama has repeated his determination to fight the income gap between rich and poor Americans and to boost the beleaguered¹ middle class.

“It is time to restore opportunity for all people," the president said.  "The idea that no matter who you are, if you work hard and live up to your responsibilities, you can make it if you try.  Wherever I can take steps to expand opportunity for more families on my own, I will.”

Already, Obama has ordered a hike in the minimum wage for federal contract workers.  His use of executive authority is provoking a strong reaction from Republicans.

“We have an increasingly lawless presidency², where he [Obama] is actually doing the job of Congress, writing new policies and new laws without going through Congress. Presidents do not write laws.  Congress does,” Congressman³ Paul Ryan said during an appearance on ABC's "This Week" program.

Republicans say, instead of resorting to unilateral action, the president needs to embrace bills already passed in the House of Representatives, like a measure to improve worker training. 

“The SKILLS Act would consolidate⁴ the dozens of job training programs on the books and put the focus on programs that work.  Programs that actually lead to jobs," noted⁵ Congresswoman Susan Brooks⁶.

But only a small percentage of bills passed by the Republican-led House are approved by the Democratic-led Senate, and vice-versa.  The president has no choice but to act on his own when possible, says Senate Majority Leader Harry⁷ Reid.

“During the years I have been leader of the Senate, there have been 470 filibusters⁸ [blocking maneuvers] by the Republicans," Reid said. "Is it any wonder that the president is going to do some things administratively⁹ because of the logjam that we have?”

Even so, there could be some bipartisanship this year.  House Republicans are considering a set of limited proposals to reform America’s immigration system, a central element of President Obama’s agenda since coming to office.

1 beleaguered   

adj.受到围困[围攻]的；包围的v.围攻( beleaguer的过去式和过去分词)；困扰；骚扰

参考例句：

• The beleaguered party leader was forced to resign. 那位饱受指责的政党领导人被迫辞职。
• We are beleaguered by problems. 我们被许多困难所困扰。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

3 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

4 consolidate   

v.使加固，使加强；(把...)联为一体，合并

参考例句：

• The two banks will consolidate in July next year. 这两家银行明年7月将合并。
• The government hoped to consolidate ten states to form three new ones.政府希望把十个州合并成三个新的州。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 brooks   

n.小溪( brook的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Brooks gave the business when Haas caught him with his watch. 哈斯抓到偷他的手表的布鲁克斯时，狠狠地揍了他一顿。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Ade and Brooks exchanged blows yesterday and they were severely punished today. 艾德和布鲁克斯昨天打起来了，今天他们受到严厉的惩罚。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

8 filibusters   

n.掠夺兵( filibuster的名词复数 )；暴兵；（用冗长的发言）阻挠议事的议员；会议妨碍行为v.阻碍或延宕国会或其他立法机构通过提案( filibuster的第三人称单数 )；掠夺

参考例句：

• This Republican leadership has waged 78 filibusters and we still have six months to go. 而这届参议院上台才一年半，共和党领导层已经应用了78次。 来自互联网
• Yes, there were filibusters in the past-most notably by segregationists trying to block civil rights legislation. 没错，过去也有使用阻挠立法手段的——尤其是种族隔离分子阻止民权法案使用过。 来自互联网

9 administratively   

[医]adv.行政上

参考例句：

• Administratively, the country is divided into counties. 这个国家在行政区划分上分为许多郡。 来自辞典例句
• Administratively permission enactment right is the foundation of administrative systems standardization. 摘要行政许可设定权是行政许可制度规范化的基础。 来自互联网