Profs discuss Republican control of Congress

With the Republicans now controlling the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, experts at the University say that the nature of American politics and entitlements could change dramatically. Assistant History Professor Thomas Sugrue said that because Democrats now find themselves fighting to maintain their power, they are focusing too much on responding to Republican trends. Many Democrats have shifted to the right, hoping to win Republican constituencies, Sugrue said. "What we risk in the '94-'96 period is the Democrats trying to get one up on the Republicans and putting themselves in real political danger," Sugrue said."When voters are faced between real Republicans and pseudo-Republicans, the real Republicans are going to seem more consistent." During the first 100 days in Congress, Republicans have proposed several ways to cut spending -- targeting Medicaid, education and the arts. One of the senators' and representatives' major efforts is overhauling the welfare system, which would include limiting the time a person could receive aid and eliminating aid to unmarried minors with children. Congressmen are also debating adding a Constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget. Some Democrats' leap to the right is most evident in the conflict over welfare and health care, Sugrue said. Given the fierce opposition Democrats encountered when trying to reform the health care system before the Republican sweep, it will now be even harder to achieve significant change. The prospects for welfare are also grim, Sugrue said. "Real reform -- which would mean more jobs and day care -- costs a lot of money," he said. "The Republicans aren't going to cough up the money and the Democrats won't push for it." Despite the Republicans' proposals to drastically reduce spending, History Professor Bruce Kuklick said they will not pass their initiatives without compromise. "The Republicans are dealing with a small majority in the Senate and a Democratic president," Kuklick said. "We are not going to see the kind of movement and radical change that it's touted up to be."