Pass Something
Amid all the high-fiving and congratulatory back-slapping following President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress this past Tuesday, Republicans are sort of forgetting something.
Namely…they haven’t done anything yet, besides passing the Laken Riley Act, which may in a small way protect innocent citizens.
Funding for the government runs out a week from tomorrow. There doesn’t seem to be movement on getting an agreement over the line…and keep in mind we are already five-and-a-half months through the twelve-month fiscal year. Calling it an upcoming “Shumer Shutdown” is nice, but that’s a nuance voters will ignore—Republicans are in charge, so where’s the bill?
I know, this is more complicated that I’m making it. Or is it?
Not that anyone asked, but first, pass a spending deal through the fiscal year…then get right to work on making sure the next budget is passed on time, and does not add to the federal deficit. After all, if we simply balance the next fiscal year’s budget, we’re still 36 trillion in the hole. We could run a budget surplus of a trillion dollars each year for the next two generations and still not retire that debt.
And since you should be able to walk and chew gum at the same time, pass a farm bill before harvest. It’s only two years overdue.
And since you all loved the President listing his accomplishments gained via executive order, how about you pass those exact orders into law. Because executive orders can not only be overturned by the next guy or gal in the chair, but judges also can more easily put them on hold in real time. Laws are held to a different judicial standard. So take the executive order, add whatever “whereas” or “heretofore” language you need to legal it up a bit, then pass it…then pass the next one. That should keep you busy until the cherry blossoms are done blooming.
We voted for a change. We voted for action. The executive branch got the memo. Now, it’s Congress’ turn.
