Avoiding the Bigger Problem

With the government shutdown hitting the two-week mark, the forecast does not look well as Congress – STILL – has not made progress towards a resolution.  Both parties– STILL – are unable to compromise on a spending bill to fund the government.  Now, adding to the mix, is the pressure to raise the debt-ceiling, a necessary measure to ensure the U.S. government maintains the ability to pay its bills and debts.  The “deadline” for the debt-ceiling is October 17^th, only four days away.[1]  With no clear end to the government shutdown, lawmakers have resorted to other options to ensure funding for government essentials.  This past week, Congress voted on a number of Continuing Appropriations bills to fund specific agencies and programs amidst the general government shutdown.  The National Nuclear Administration, Border Security and Enforcement, military death benefits, Federal Aviation Administration, and Head Start are just a few of the agencies and programs which had resolutions passed in the House to receive temporary federal funding during the shutdown.[2]  These “mini” appropriations bill have outraged Democrats, who believe they are just another device of the Republican leadership in the House to avoid voting on the “clean” bill that passed in the Senate.[3] While they may not be happy with the tapered spending bills, Democrats have recognized their necessity in order to soften the blow of an extended shutdown.[4]  Barbara Boxer, the current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, is outraged that there has not been a bill appropriating funding for the Environmental Protection Agency.  It’s no secret certain Republican party members hold a certain level of disdain for the regulatory agency, but to go as far as tweeting that its closure is a positive result of the government shutdown? That award goes to Republican House member Marsha Blackburn hailing from good ‘ol Tennessee.[5]  Boxer, in a statement on Tuesday, discussed the economic effects the closure of the EPA is having on the agricultural industry in California.  She highlighted pesticide shipments whose importation has been halted due to the fact that all agency inspectors from California have been furloughed.[6]  She also added that the cleaning of Superfund sites has also been halted, along with the investigation into the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.[7]  Yes, these smaller spending bills may give programs the green they need to survive this political battle, but in essence, they are just means to prolong the spending war in Washington. Shame on you, Congress. 

---

[1]http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/10/government_shutdown_begins_third_week_and_default_looms.html

[2] http://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

 

[3] http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/326707-house-sends-sixth-mini-spending-bill-to-the-senate-funding-fema

[4] Ibid.

[5] http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/325817-house-republican-cheers-epa-shutdown

[6] http://www.mydesert.com/article/20131009/NEWS03/310090001/Sen-Barbara-Boxer-Government-shutdown-stranding-imported-pesticide-shipments

[7] Ibid.