As if the 109th Congress were not enough of a failure, they are now contemplating passing on their responsibility to pass 13 appropriations bills that are needed to fund the operations of the federal government to the 110th Congress. To do this they would have to pass a continuing resolution that would keep the government going through the holidays. The new Congress would then be saddled with doing two sets of appropriations in a single session next year…one for next year and one for the year after that. Why would this Congress do that to the next Congress?
In fact, some are even floating the notion of punting the tough spending issues to the 110th Congress, when a newly installed Democratic majority will be on the hook for negotiating the tight spending limits — and the ones who’ll take the political hits.
“I don’t think these guys have the stomach to make these decisions right now,” said one House GOP aide of the party’s post-election mood.
The idea of passing a long-term continuing resolution that keeps the government running until early next year under current spending limits is being discussed, from both a fatigue standpoint and as a strategic move to start pushing the notion of tax-and-spend Democrats early in the 2008 election cycle.
“Strategically, getting the new House Democrats on the record on spending bills as early as possible would be a prudent way to go,” said one House Republican leadership staffer. “It’s in the Democrats’ best interests to try and get [appropriations] off the table, and it’s in our best interests to keep it on the table.”
In recent years the Republicans have consistently failed to pass their appropriations bills on time and have had to resort to continuing resolutions. It’s a sure sign of their incompetence and is also a way to limit spending without actually having to go on the record as slashing programs. Due to population growth and inflation, spending increases are required even to maintain the current level of commitment to government programs. But continuing resolutions fail to make those adjustments.
In this case, the Republicans just want to pass the bucks on to the Democratic Congress so that they can be blamed for any hikes or cuts. It’s a petulant and irresponsible thing to do and it will only add to the workload of the new Congress.
It’s a move as petulant as Joe Lieberman. Speaking of which, maybe Susan Collins would like to keep her job as the Chair of Homeland Security and Goverment Affairs. Would she be any worse than Lieberman in holding this administration accountable? It’s hard to imagine.
If they pass on the problem, fine. The Democratic leadership should stand up and say,”Our Republican colleagues have not done the job the people sent them to Washington to do. That’s why so many of them are looking for work. We will do their work from last year and the work for this year. America, if you want a job done right, or at all, keep sending Democrats to Washington.”
Then get to work ending the special projects and create a real Democratic budget that targets the needs of all the people, not just the top 5%.
Looks like I need to reconsider my answer in light of the wonky factors that I hadn’t taken in to account.
We get to restore a little fiscal sanity one year sooner.
Time for a sane tax policy. The people that are making fortunes can pay their fair share. We can get rid of these ridiculous oil production incentives to oil companies making record profits. Slash some of that other corporate welfare, too.
It doesn’t quite work like that. The Senate and House Appropriation committees have a full year to work out the spending for their cabinet responsibilities. They have done the work, but just wont report out the bills. We can’t just redo all that work in a few days.
Clearly, it’s going to be a huge job, but I think you are underestimating the capabilities of some of the best policy wonks around. There will be some long nights, but I bet our policy wonks can do a better job in a few days than the GOP done in the last 12 years..
Nah. It would be nice to believe that but all they will be able to do is tinker around the edges of already established appropriations. It might sound like they are doing us a favor but believe me, if they thought they were going to lose a bunch of money they wouldn’t do it. They think it is a net winner for them, and it probably is. The poltical outweighs whatever limited financial price there is to pay. Just think about it. Why would they put a year’s worth of work of enriching their districts at risk? Clearly, the Dems will have to work with what they have or the government will shut down. And remember, continuing resolutions are actually major cuts in the fiscal year spending. I’m not against spending cuts per se, but not across the board w/o any targeting reasoning behind them. That just hurts poor people that need a bump in their services.
Then shut it down. Seriously, this is a golden opportunity to show the greed, incompetence, and corruption of the republicans. Then, when Conyers said “Jump!”, bush would ask, “How high?”
I don’t think the 109th has a choice here. If the bills are complete, but held in Committee, it would be political suicide to simply pass a continuing resolution. This Congress has already sunk to unheard of levels (16% approval?) before the election, with the Republican majority clearly in control.
They have the smoking gun in their hand, and four years worth of method, motive, and opportunity. As well as a record of abuse. Like Ike wrote: “Our opponents had made the mistake of peering ito the barrel of their own gun when they pulled the trigger.”
if they fail to pass it, they fail their last best chance for a Pork dinner.
If someone attached a rider to an appropriations bill, giving us comprehensive immigration reform..I’m sure they would vote on the bill.