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When the Senate Functioned

img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-105651" title="howardbaker" src="/files/wxrimport/2011-10/howardbaker2.jpg" alt="" width="535" height="340" /> Then, miracles of miracles, the amendment was debated and voted on. Next, another amendment might emerge from another Senator. And, so on. …

Written by Steve Bell on Wednesday October 19, 2011

Who Broke the Government?

In my column for CNN, I explain why government institutions are failing: Under the old rules, there were certain things that political parties did not do -- even though theoretically they could. If one party controlled the Senate and another party controlled the presidency, the Senate party …

Written by David Frum on Monday September 26, 2011

Government Shutdown: Again?

Einstein gets credit for many things, including his definition of insanity: “doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.” Next to that quote should be the official photos of the 112 th Congress. For the third time in 7 months, some form of federal …

Written by Steve Bell on Monday September 26, 2011

Lobbyists Drive the Shutdown

Fights over budget policy riders, most of which appear to have been written for lobbyists, are threatening to shut down the government. With fights over budget policy riders threatening to shut down the government, it's interesting to take a look at what types of policy changes the House GOP …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday April 8, 2011

The Tea Party Must Learn it Doesn't Run the Country

Conservative Republicans are debating the budget without realizing that they don't represent the entire country or all its citizens. The next deadline for Congressional action on a comprehensive appropriations bill for the remainder of the current fiscal year is fast approaching. A bill has to be …

Written by Les Francis on Monday April 4, 2011

GOP Gets Budget Cuts Even Without Shutdown

Over the course of the budget negotiations, the Republicans have managed to make real cuts in discretionary spending. Three quick thoughts about the possibility of a government shutdown which could happen on Friday if Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on a budget: 1. It’s probably not …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Monday April 4, 2011

Are the GOP's Budget Theatrics Unconstitutional?

The House GOP thinks it has a solution to the current budget crisis, but in addition to being unlikely to pass, is their solution also unconstitutional? The theatrics continue on the Hill this afternoon as the House votes on the ‘Government Shutdown Prevention Act’. The Act would automatically …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday April 1, 2011

What Romney Should Learn From Gingrich

Newt Gingrich's used to call the 1995 government shutdown "clearly wrong." Now he calls it a "historic success." Mitt Romney can learn from this. Benjy Sarlin has a post on the evolution of Newt Gingrich's statements on the 1995 government shutdown. Where once Gingrich lamented the 1995 …

Written by David Frum on Friday April 1, 2011

Overview for government-shutdown