Democrats may simply decide not to pass a federal budget this year.
According to Politico.com, Democrats may simply decide not to pass a federal budget this year. Without a budget, an unlimited amount of taxpayer dollars can be flushed down this summer's appropriations process. There wouldn't have to be a floor debate allowing Republicans to highlight the vast expansion of spending under the Obama administration.
Since the Budget Act of 1974, the House has never failed to pass a draft budget (even though Congress as a whole four times failed to enact one). While Speaker Pelosi still has time to bring a bill to the floor, the slow pace suggests she's leaning toward making history and avoiding altogether a discussion of federal spending limits. For one thing, that would allow Ms. Pelosi to avoid contending with Ohio GOP Congressman Jim Jordan.
Mr. Jordan, who holds the seat once occupied by Mike Oxley, has made a habit of promoting alternative budgets that seek to align spending with revenues. A year ago, he called for a 1%-per-year decrease in non-defense discretionary spending (aka domestic spending outside of entitlement programs like Social Security). Reducing spending, not just reducing the rate of spending growth, is Beltway heresy, yet Mr. Jordan managed to attract 111 votes last year for a proposal that would have balanced the federal budget by 2019.
This year, he's back with another spending plan that would lead to a balanced budget. With elections approaching, few Democrats are eager to debate his proposal and vote on it. As a high-school wrestler Mr. Jordan compiled an astounding record of 150-1 before going on to win two NCAA titles at the University of Wisconsin. His congressional opponents may find him just as formidable if they are ever forced to defend the Obama spending spree.
From The Wall Street Journal
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