Johnson proposes multiyear cycles on a rotating basis. I have one improvement idea.
Eliminate Shutdowns Act
Please consider Ron Johnson’s WSJ opinion post My Plan to End Government Shutdowns Forever
The U.S. has experienced three government shutdowns since I entered the Senate in 2011. During that time Congress has passed 55 continuing resolutions and increased or suspended the debt ceiling 12 times. The national debt has grown during those 14 years from $14 trillion to $37 trillion. In 2019 I supported a bill that would have done away with government shutdowns forever. It passed the committee I chaired 12-2, but never passed either chamber of Congress.
With another shutdown looming, I’ve introduced an even simpler bill, the Eliminate Shutdowns Act, that could end the drama and uncertainty of Congress’s budgetary dysfunction. Some argued the 2019 bill would lead to higher spending and prohibit consideration of other measures until appropriations bills were passed. Those were legitimate concerns. My new bill simply provides for automatic two-week rolling continuing resolutions for any department for which an appropriation bill or longer-term continuing resolution hasn’t been passed. This would keep spending flat by prorating the previous year’s spending level.
Appropriations for individual departments would no longer be held hostage until a deal is done for all.
Instead, Congress could focus on areas of agreement, pass those appropriations, and then horse-trade on areas of disagreement. There would be no artificial deadlines, only the pressure of working with the other side to fund each other’s priorities. It’s impossible to say exactly how this would play out, but could it be any worse than the current situation?
One outcome might be bipartisan reform of the budget and appropriations process. It is clearly broken and needs repair. There have been good proposals over the years, but the partisanship involved in annual funding fights makes it impossible for them to get traction.
Converting to multiyear funding cycles is my main priority. We should admit that Congress simply isn’t capable of passing 12 individual appropriation bills each year. Instead we should draft, debate and pass six two-year appropriations on a rotating basis every year. In the nonappropriation year for a particular account, the relevant committees can conduct oversight. It might even be worth considering four three-year appropriations, allowing two years of oversight for each account.
The fighting over funding fiscal 2025 lasted six months. No one can predict how long we will be at loggerheads trying to fund 2026. With Democrats demanding spending that increases 10-year deficits by $1.5 trillion as their price for a four-week continuing resolution, a shutdown seems all but certain. At least this time a Republican administration will manage the shutdown in a way that minimizes harm to the nation. Democrats take the opposite approach, looking for ways to inflict as much pain as possible for political advantage.
Fortunately, this turmoil can be avoided permanently by passing the Eliminate Shutdowns Act. Anyone voting “no” is voting to continue budgetary chaos and should be held accountable by the American people.
I Endorse the Plan
The side that sponsors government shutdowns always caves.
Worse yet, Republicans have a tendency to increase deficits when they pull these stunts.
It remains to be see what if anything Democrats gain this time, but ultimately they will cave in, because no party wants the wrath of the public when funds are cut.
Johnson asks, “It’s impossible to say exactly how this would play out, but could it be any worse than the current situation?”
To that I believe we have a clear answer.
Government Shutdown Looms, Neither Party Ever Learns They Always Blow Up
Curiously, I wrote about this yesterday.
Please consider Government Shutdown Looms, Neither Party Ever Learns They Always Blow Up
The Democrats are about to make fools of themselves, having learned nothing from Republicans.
Related Posts
January 6, 2024: Two Weeks to Fix Three Problems, Republicans Will Cave In Again
Budget problems haven’t changed for a year: the debt ceiling, Ukraine, and the Border. Israel is logically a distinct issue but is lumped with Ukraine. A partial government shutdown looms on January 19.
Flashback January 18, 2024: Mike Johnson Is the New (But Not Improved) Kevin McCarthy
The House just passed Mike Johnson’s bipartisan continuing resolution punt. Dear Republicans, please wave the white flag and surrender before doing more damage, because more damage is on the table just today.
The sad reality is that attempting to force spending issues Republicans could not possibly control caused delays. And with every delay, additional issues arose and more spending came into the picture.
HGOP Deal on Child Tax Credits
Amazingly, the GOP House Ways and Means Committee agreed to a ridiculous tradeoff with the Democrats that will cost $1.5 trillion over 10 years.
For discussion, please see How Much Will That GOP Deal on Child Tax Credits Really Cost?
February 27, 2024: This Spending Fight Will End the Way they Always Do, More Money for Everything
I never understand the government shutdown fears. There is always a deal or Republican capitulation.
Republicans made asses of themselves with their continuing resolution maneuvers.
I doubt Democrats will be as foolish.
Regardless, Johnson has a good idea and Congress should try it. It certainly won’t be any worse than the games we play now.
My one suggestion would be instead of prorating budgets, freeze or even shrink them until resolution.
