Battles loom on healthcare, global warming

WASHINGTON, April 5 (UPI) -- Major political battles on healthcare reform, climate change and education loom when the U.S. Congress returns from a 2-week break, analysts say.

The Democratic majorities controlling both congressional chambers have already passed a $787 billion economic stimulus plan and a $3.6 trillion U.S. budget for 2010 despite fierce opposition from Republicans. But they will likely need at least some GOP votes when it comes to passing President Barack Obama's most ambitious efforts to overhaul the health system and enact a plan to fight global warming, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.

"Democrats in Congress have a big job, but thus far they've dropped the ball," House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, told the newspaper. "Instead of working with Republicans to deal with the problems we face, the House Democratic leaders seem to have just one answer -- spend more taxpayer money."

Because Democratic leaders say they want to enact their healthcare and global warming measures in 2009 while Obama's popularity is still high, they won't have much time to find a consensus, especially on healthcare reform, where wide partisan gaps remain, the Journal said.

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is reportedly struggling to forge a bipartisan healthcare bill.