Hey Congress

     From The Copy Desk: It's Friday and once again the Dotards of Democracy are "debating" if they are going to do their job. The House of Representatives had passed a "CR" - Congress-speak for continuing resolution - which basically says that we continue to authorize spending at the levels set by the last time they actually passed a budget and the 12 individual appropriation bills.  Now of course the inaction moves to the Senate. And that's where we find The Boys, watching it on CSPAN.......


     "Hey Warren quick come see," Marty shouted. "Here comes Chuck E. Schumer. He's making his way to mic and is gonna give the Republic Party a piece of his mind."
     Warren, not rushing into the room, responded, "I'm not sure they're willing to accept it. Let me know if anything interesting happens."

Sen. Chuck Schumer

     And so it goes. The Senate Minority Leader from New York went on to point out all that was wrong with this CR, lamented all the other problems we're not dealing with and criticized his "friends" across the aisle - to a mostly empty room. But there was the Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, R-Turtle, on hand just in case Chuck E. decided to attempt some parliamentary action - like asking for unanimous consent to do something useful. He did, and McConnell objected. Parliamentary maneuver defeated.
     "What he said," Marty shouted. "That's it, we've got them. Hey Warren get in here. And grab the pocket constitution on your way."
     Warren arrived and Marty opened the little book to Article 1, Section 8, Clause 12 of the U.S. Constitution. "Congress shall have the power to raise and support Armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years," Marty read out loud. "They can pass this CR but the spending is un-constitutional."
     Warren looked confused, which isn't unusual, but this seemed more than normal. "What are you talking about," Warren said. "What's unconstitutional about this CR?"
     "It's like this," Marty said, "Schumer just read a statement from the Pentagon that said forcing them to operate under a CR for the last three years damages the military and it needs to be fully funded by its own appropriations bill. So in effect, they've issued a three year long military appropriations bill, which is not allowed."
     Warren was skeptical. "That can't be right, you're kinda stretching a point here aren't you."
     "I got the idea from the Republic Party," Marty said. "They've been pushing odd views of the constitution for a while now. Why not try it ourselves."
     Warren saw the point, it is after all the Republic Party that has a case in federal court challenging the apportionment of Congressman based on population. The GOP (Generally Obtuse People) claims that the constitutional provision that representation should be based on "the whole number of persons in each state," really means only registered voters - which would help them at the ballot box.
     "It's one of the places where the constitution is clear and unambiguous," Marty said. "Yet they they say it means something else."
   

     From The Copy Desk: It would be nice if there was somebody in the U.S. Senate brave enough to stand up firmly for common sense, decency and for the return to a 'regular order' that lets us all move forward without so much useless drama. Who ya gunna call?

Sen. Smith, in Washington.