Christmas Pork Instead of the Christmas Goose

If Republicans want to avoid the yearly 1500-page Christmas "continuing resolutions," they could learn from the Polish Left's 2016 Parliament occupation, which protested a budget they disagreed with. The Senate is currently preparing to push through a "continuing resolution" to fund the government, but funding bills should have been settled by September 30. The process is criticized, yet there seems to be a strategy behind it.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's approach limits real debate and amendments, preserving controversial budget items. The plan is to delay the bill until shortly before Christmas and frame it as an "all or nothing" vote, using media to suggest that Republicans would harm Social Security if the government isn't funded. With limited time left in the Congress, many members may reluctantly support the bill.

Conservatives could emulate the Polish Left’s tactics. In December 2016, they protested a budget by blocking access to the Parliament. Consequently, the government fled to another chamber to pass the budget, which led to an occupation by the Left lasting from December 16, 2016, to January 12, 2017, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This was a significant act, capturing media attention as they made a symbolic statement.

The text poses a challenge to Republicans: would they oppose the continuing resolution and physically occupy Congress, pressuring Democrats for a real budget? Typically, Republicans hope traditional processes will work, but the situation indicates otherwise, as Speaker Mike Johnson’s budget proposals are likely to fail in the Senate. The choice is either to reluctantly pass the continuing resolution or to firmly reject it and advocate for real budget discussions, even if it means working through the holiday.

The discussion advocates for eliminating lame-duck sessions to allow newly elected officials to address government funding. The presence of outgoing members complicates the process unnecessarily. In the past, the lame-duck setup had purpose, but current travel patterns for lawmakers suggest it is no longer valid. Instead, timing for addressing resolutions could align with Republican control over Congress, resulting in actual budget proposals rather than a continuing resolution.

The conclusion questions whether any meaningful change will occur or if the same issues will repeat annually, ultimately highlighting how taxpayers bear the brunt of political tactics during these budgetary discussions. 

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2024/12/christmas_pork_instead_of_the_christmas_goose.html