Obaman Era Part 2

History of America

Chapter 45 - The Post Obama Years  

The unparalleled encroachment of the federal government in the private sector and the lives of individual Americans that began during the Obama Administration (see, for example, the Troubled Assets Protection Program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the rapid growth of the federal workforce, and the health care and financial overhauls) led to concerns of an oncoming tsunami of opacity, waste, fraud, and abuse. This trend was met by calls for vigorous Congressional oversight of the massive federal bureaucracy.

The vast expansion of the power and reach of the executive branch of government under the administration has only increased the need for vigorous, unflinching congressional oversight. Under one-party rule in Washington, with Democrats controlling both chambers of Congress and the executive branch, the majority reiterated its commitment to congressional oversight.

Despite repeated requests by the Republican minority for oversight hearings, joint investigations, and subpoenas, and despite myriad news reports raising allegations of waste, fraud, and other misconduct, the Oversight Committee and the Democratic-controlled Congress overwhelmingly shunned responsible but tough oversight of the Obama administration.

 This trend ended in January 2011.

Reeling from the stunning renunciation of his policies during the mid-term elections, the Obama administration continued its attempts to restructure the American way of life. These efforts were met with extreme resistance from the newly elected Congress, which consisted of a large majority loyal to a non party movement that had elected them. During the run up to the 2012 election, Congress pressed to impeach the embattled President, who was forced to resign. President Biden was easily defeated in 2012.