Stalemate in Congress might not be bad for economy

By PAUL WISEMAN
AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -

Fresh off sweeping gains in Tuesday’s elections, Republicans vowed to shrink government and repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law.

Yet despite their capture of the House and near-takeover of the Senate, there’s little chance they can summon the votes to enact their own prescriptions for the ailing economy. Democrats, with their own economic ideas, will likely fight them to a draw.

It may not matter. On its own, the economy is showing slow but steady improvement. Consumers and businesses are spending a bit more. Some companies are hiring. And most economists expect those gains to continue.

For both Democrats and Republicans, the inability to do much for the next two years may not be such a bad policy for the economy.

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