Sen. McConnell to Offer One Page "Clean Continuing Resolution" in Opposition to the $1.1T Omnibus
December 16, 2010
by Diane W. Collins
dcollins@marketingweb.com
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Sen. McConnell (R-KY) |
Sen. Mitch McConnell, (R-KY) Minority Leader stated his intention today of offering a "one page, clean continuing resolution" that would fund the federal government through February 18, 2011.
The CR is in direct opposition to the $1.1T Omnibus package Senate Democrats brought to the floor this week which is laden with spending and pork projects; as well as the House CR passed last week that would fund the federal government at 2010 levels through FY 2011. So now, we have three different pieces of legislation pending.
Republicans prefer a short-term resolution that would fund the government until the 112th is in session. Reason? This would allow Rep. Paul Ryan, who will head the House Budget Committee the opportunity to respond to President Obama's FY 2011 Budget with more responsible spending appropriations.
The Democrats strategy is to fund the government through FY 2011 using either the House CR or the $1.1T Omnibus package offered in the Senate, thereby, circumventing the 112th appropriations process. Spending levels would be set at Democrat approved levels by the 111th... legislating forward. Not exactly an appropriate example of "pay it forward," is it? Little more like "pay back."
Hopefully, Sen. McConnell and Republicans will have the ability to convince Senate Democrats of the need to pass the short-term CR McConnell is offering today. Still, it would need to go to the House for approval. The government's current CR runs out Saturday, December 18th at midnight. Would it be so bad? It has happened before. The federal government would shut down services starting with the lowest level priorities and work its way up. Maybe our only choice. We'll continue to watch and report.
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