Electoral season brings Congress to a standstill

Since returning from its mid-year recess at the start of this month, Brazil’s Congress has not discussed or voted on anything of importance. 

A Senate hearings committee into corruption and influence-peddling schemes within the Education Ministry has yet to begin, because political parties have yet to lift a finger to appoint members. The Senate’s Foreign Relations committee hasn’t held a single meeting since late June, leaving ambassadorial appointments stalled.

The Senate is also dragging its feet on discussions about tax reform and gun permits, and it postponed a vote on a constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to lead embassies.

Across the hall, the House is no example of productivity either. Its Ethics Committee has yet to hold any meetings this month, and thus did not vote on preliminary inquiries about a handful of lawmakers running for re-election.  

A working group that discussed the adoption of a semi-presidential system canceled a meeting at the last minute and is yet to vote on its final report.

The House Public Security Committee approved a...