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What is a Continuing Resolution (CR)? Stated simply, it is a temporary funding measure that allows our government to continue paying its bills. Often, they include bipartisan tinkering. We are now hearing Republicans use the term “Clean CR” pertaining to the plan they currently offer. A “Clean CR” excludes partisan tinkering. It simply continues to fund the government at the exact same levels as the last fiscal year.

In 1974, Congress approved rules dictating that future Congress’ pass a budget resolution by April 15 of each year. The rules also called for Congress to pass 12 regular appropriation bills to fund the various parts of the federal government before the end of its fiscal year which is October 1. Unfortunately, the rules did not carry the weight of law. Therefore, its mandates have proven to be nothing more than suggestions to the feckless Congress’ that followed. The last year Congress met those less than rigorous dictates was 1996, and it has only met them 4 times since they were passed in 1974.

What is the history of CRs? The need for CRs might be acceptable if they occurred occasionally. When they happen almost every year they should be viewed as a warning sign of a dysfunctional, ineffective, Congress. From fiscal year 2009-2015, the government operated under CRs for more than 50% of the time. In fact, Congress has displayed its inability to do its job by declaring at least one CR in all but 3 of the last 47 years! Its inability to govern has become increasingly obvious. In the past 28 years Congress has approved 134 interim, and 4 one-year, CRs. What a pathetic track record! What is even worse is that we reelect nearly 90% of these congressional miscreants every election cycle. It begs the question, who should the moron arrow be pointing at, them, or us?

During the Biden Presidency, CRs were used 13 times. Nearly every Democrat voted in favor of all 13 of them. Enough Republicans voted yes to get them passed. In March of this year 10 Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, voted with Republicans on a 6 month CR to keep the government open. They warned that a shutdown would strengthen President Trump’s hand pertaining to reducing the size of government. Dems. have now voted against the current CR 13 times. For the record, it is the very same CR that Dems. approved in March. Their initial concerns in March are proving to be accurate. Trump now has the flexibility to fund, or not fund, departments and agencies. He can even eliminate them entirely if he deems their existence to be nonessential or redundant. Hooray for the President. Hooray for the American people.

So, what is different? Dems. increasingly recognize they are on the wrong side of every issue that is important to the American people. They are getting steamrolled on each issue by Trump and the Republicans. Their power is eroding. Dems. now find themselves in full panic mode. Using a football metaphor, they are throwing a “Hail Mary”. They are praying for one of their most dependable allies to come to their rescue. In the past, every time the government was shut down the press/media dutifully blamed the Republicans. Unfortunately for Dems., that ally is fighting its own life and death battle to remain relevant. We Americans are slowly recognizing the depth and breadth of the lies foisted on us by the mainstream media. Should they decide to lie about which political party is at fault for this particular shutdown it could be a fatal mistake. If the press/media tries once again to convince us we shouldn’t believe our own eyes that could erase their remaining credibility.

The stance taken by the Democrat Party in voting against the current CR would be laughable if its impact wasn’t so dire for tens of millions of Americans. On Wednesday, 10/29, Dem. Senators voted against the current CR for the 13th time. That means that 13 times Dem. Senators have voted to deny paychecks to the brave members of our U.S. Armed Forces. Their 13 no votes will keep paychecks from going to Air Traffic Controllers. These are the people responsible for making sure our commercial airplanes take off and land on time. Indeed, to make sure planes don’t collide before reaching their final destination. Dems. have voted 13 times to delay SNAP (food stamp) benefits to 42 million Americans beginning this weekend. (Why there are 42 million Americans on food stamps is a discussion better covered in a future blog). Various other welfare benefits will probably be delayed as well.

Dems. have decided they would prefer to punish the most vulnerable American citizens in order to provide a laundry list of benefits for non-Americans, here and abroad. For example: Few of us, regardless of our political leanings, are in favor of our tax dollars providing $200 billion in health care benefits for people who are here illegally. That is but one of a long list of absurd items that Dems. are demanding before they will vote to approve the CR. I would hope that clear-minded Democrat voters would be flush with indignation if they were to check out the rest of the outrageous demands put forth by their leaders. As this stalemate continues it becomes increasingly obvious that the Democrat Party is losing the public relations battle with the American people, including many Dems.

Throughout his decades long congressional career, Senator Schumer has railed AGAINST voting to shut down the government at every opportunity. His most famous rant came amidst the 2013 Republican led shutdown. Schumer is quoted as saying this about defeating CRs: “It’s a politics of idiocy, of confrontation, of paralysis.” He has rightly cajoled against shutdowns because he said they create chaos for the poor, seniors, our military, and others. Something has caused him to push the “idiocy” button. Last week he said that each passing day of the shutdown benefits the Democrat Party. Not the American people, the Democrat Party. Several Dem. members of Congress have said bluntly that “this shutdown will cause suffering for citizens” and “is a very unpleasant tool to use”. But they continue, “it is our only moment of leverage”. All that is needed to stop the “idiocy” is for 5 of the remaining 45 Dem. Senators to vote yes on this current CR. Are there 5 Dem. Senators who care more about their country than they do about their Party? Tens of millions of potentially desperate Americans hope there are.

Like a drowning swimmer, Dems. are flailing around trying to save what is left of their diminished power. To date, they have displayed no contrition for those parents who will have trouble feeding their children beginning next week. There is not a hint of remorse for those who will have to alter or scrap their travel plans due to a lack of Air Traffic Controllers. And they seem to be giving the middle finger to our military heroes who are already sacrificing so much to keep us safe and free. Democrats appear to view the American people as collateral damage in their struggle to maintain power. Let’s not forget, Democrats in Congress have voted 13 times to withhold paychecks and desperately needed food benefits from poor people who did nothing to deserve it. Even as congressional Democrats have voted against the current CR, they continue to receive their paychecks in full, and on time. Their behavior is shameful!

We must make the effort to let our Senators know how angry we are about their inability to do their jobs. You can find the phone numbers and email addresses of your Senators with a simple Google search. Please take the time and join me in phoning and/or emailing these heartless Democrat scalawags. If enough of us protest their actions, perhaps we can scare them honest. It seems the least we can do.

Thank you for reading my latest thoughts. I hope you will contact your Dem. Senator. Bob