Agree on Cuts or Shut It Down

The Senate has taken symbolic votes showing that neither the liberal position nor the Tea Party position will win the day on enacting the FY2011 budget. It was a pity the Republicans did not go along with the Omnibus proposed in December, since this controversy prevents any real consideration of FY2012, unless a comprehensive deal is made on both.

I don’t see a comprehensive deal happening anytime soon. I don’t even see a realistic chance that the government can avoid shutdown a week from today. The Republican are overplaying their hand in insisting on $6 Billion in cuts for a three-week extension, although if they are willing to settle on $3 Billion, it may by the needed time.

If they do not compromise, it is time to draw a line in the sand and shut the government down. Call their bluff.

There is another option as well, although it will take creativity and collegiality in the Senate to make it work, as well as at least 25 of the Republicans from Obama districts over and above any replacements for Blue Dog defections.

Here is what I suggest. Senators Reid and McConnell should draft a dear colleague letter listing all of the cuts proposed in the House bill, with the instruction that members indicate which of these cuts they favor and which they oppose. To be magnanimous, agree to accept any cuts which are supported by 51 members and agree to reject any which don’t. After backing out the specific cuts, total any across the board cuts in the House bill and divide them in half. Make that the Senate position. Hopefully at least 60 Senators can behave like adults and pass this.

Insist that this bill be voted on by the House. If enough Obama district Republicans can be found to get to 217 (the total after absences), call it a budget. If not, let the Tea Party live for a while with voter anger at having no government services.