When they took control of Capitol Hill in January, Democratic leaders heralded the beginning of a “do something, do good” Congress, in contrast to its “do nothing” Republican predecessor that they had ejected in November.

Almost six months later Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker, has mixed results to show for it. After a burst of activity in its first 100 working hours, the Democratic majority has struggled to break the lock of a divided government to move dozens of proposed bills into law.