House GOP To Senate Dems: “Let Us Put You In A Brand New Budget Today!!”

by Michael Matheron · February 25, 2011

Oh, and a tank of gas is on
. . . you! Get it?

Since I Like You, I’ll Rent Ya Dis Gorgeous Auto-mo-bile Without Wheels For Four Billion Bills A Month! That’s the kind of deal offered this week to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Democrats by the House GOP to keep the government up and running for another month. To call this a “budget impasse” is like finding an elephant in your living room and calling it a “pet.” This budget elephant did not arrive overnight, so some background follows.

The continuing appropriations bill (HR 1) to fund the government for the remainder of FY 2011 (through September 30, 2011) passed the House with a big yawn at 4:40 a.m. last Saturday. When presented HR 1, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid released a statement that began like this:

“Now that House Republicans have gotten this vote out of their system, I hope they will drop the threats of shutting down the government and work with the Senate on responsible cuts that allow our nation’s economic recovery to continue . . . “

That’s shorthand for “HR 1 is DOA.” Reid reacted by tasking 38 year Senate appropriations committee veteran, Daniel Inouye (HI), now Chairman, to prepare

“a clean Continuing Resolution that I [Reid] can bring to the floor next week. . . This bill will include the $41 billion in budget cuts that Democrats and Republicans agreed to in December, and will keep the government running for 30 days while both sides can negotiate a common-sense, long-term solution.”

Up Your Cuts! Although Reid indicated the short-term resolution would include the “$41 Billion in budget cuts that Democrats and Republicans agreed to in December,” savvy observers say that’s not likely. For example, during a press conference with Reid, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said, “We know the 1 month levels won’t be permanent. They just allow for a neutral level while we negotiate.” “Neutral level” would seem to rule out those $41 Billion in cuts. Reid did not distance himself from that.

Additionally, Reid has said that he will not accept any of the riders or changes in legislation included in the House bill, such as policy measures that defund Planned Parenthood or rescind the EPA’s authority to regulate pollution. This stance itself is key, since the GOP-dominated House added these riders to enact, through the back door of a CR, critical portions of its social and deregulation agenda. The Senate Democrats will have nothing of this, nor will President Obama (at least that’s what both have thus far stated, yet recall the cave-in for the Bush tax cuts extension last December).

Right Turn Only! In any event, House RepubliCuts have their own plans, though, and they don’t include Harry Reid. Last Tuesday, replying to Reid, John Boehner communicated, “If Senator Reid refuses to bring [HR 1] to a vote, then the House will pass a short-term bill to keep the government running – one that also cuts spending.”

Turn Right for
Bread Lines.

The spending cuts Boehner refers to are a pro-rated share of the $61 Billion in cuts already included in the House-passed HR 1. Yes, the same cuts that Reid has already rejected. So, now, Reid will accept them? Basically, Boehner’s saying, “I’m off to the golf course. Call me when you come to my senses.” Reid will not, and should not. The House GOP price for “compromise” is the pro-rated share of $61 Billion for those thirty days of the short-term CR — 4Billion Bucks. Such a deal!

So, within nine days of a government shutdown, both sides seem to be going places, but not in the usual sense of the phrase. Firstly, they fled the crucial work here in D.C. for a weeklong holiday, officially known as a “Constituent Work Week,” i.e. seven days of grab-handing, rubber-chicken-eating, Boy-Scout-saluting, money-grubbing. Secondly, when they return, it’s certain Dems and GOPs be going in opposite directions until the last possible moment when the last poll is released rating the public’s feelings about a government shutdown. Both sides have a lot to lose. Let’s not forget Newt Gingrich’s shutdown gambit . . . Who’ll blink first this time? About that, it’s worthwhile to consider Nate Silver’s exceptional article, Budgetary Zugzwang, over at FiveThirtyEight.

Oh, And Finally, Remember When You Stayed Up All Night Studying Only To Have The Test Postponed? Here’s something to remind us we do not live in a real world anymore: If there is a “government shutdown” on March 5th, it really won’t be a shutdown at all.

I need a drink.