At some point today or tomorrow the Senate will hastily consider and likely pass a massive, hodgepodge spending bill to fund every last department and program within the federal government. We will fund even those programs we know don’t work. The alternative is to deny funding for every last department and program within the federal government - even those we know are essential. All or nothing: these are our only options. Government on autopilot or government without an engine. When forced to vote for or against an all-or-nothing spending package, Congress has essentially no opportunity to exercise its power of the purse. In the CR we will vote on today, there are several provisions that deserve their own consideration and debate. Examples include reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank, extending the Internet Tax Freedom Act, and authorizing military action in Syria. None of these measures – and certainly not something that could put American lives at risk – should be hurried through on an all-or-nothing vote.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 18:17:24 +0000