With deficit reduction a "priority," you have to wonder why House Republicans have set their own legislative agenda in a way that will stand in the way of deficit reduction.
The tight timeline means that the option of 12 appropriations bills, which would maximize the ability of the GOP to go after programs it considers wasteful, is all but off the table, according to aides on both sides of the aisle.
During the course of the next 43 possible legislative days leading up to March 4, the House is in session for 23 days and away from Washington for 20, according to the schedule released by House Republicans.
Notably, House lawmakers are in session for only nine days in February and three days in March, which is when the bulk of the work on a 2011 spending bill would likely happen. Lawmakers also are scheduled to be out of session on March 4, the day the funding resolution expires. ...The Hill
What are their plans for February and March? Golf course? The pub at the corner? Psychotherapy?
Passing a Continuing Resolution that doesn't cover government needs and leaving it to the White House to decide where the cuts will be made? Citizen, are you getting the message yet? Tea partyists, are you watching? Has Fox News worked up some excuses for their duplicity yet?
More to the point: Democrats, are you prepared to make sure America understands what the Republican party has in store for us?
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McClatchy newspapers are the papers most likely to be read out in the "heartland" and in Teapartyville. The lead story out of Washington today about glitzy victory parties isn't like to be met with cheers and hugs by the tea party. Members of that movement have been led to think an alliance with Republicans will bring them the austerity they're looking for in their government.
