Congressional Democrats

When American voters ended a dozen years of Republican dominance on Capitol Hill last November, the dramatic turnover came with charged expectations of the new Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress: on war and presidential powers, ethics, immigration, and health care, and much more.

Democrats were out of the wilderness and back in charge by a whisker. Last weekend, the 110th Congress went home for its August recess.

Republicans call it "do nothing." Hardcore Democrats wanted more too. But Capitol Hill has changed.

This hour On Point: judging the 110th Congress.

Guests:

Martin Kady II, writer for Politico.com

Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School

Jack Beatty, On Point News Analyst and Senior Editor at the Atlantic Monthly.