(DC Pundit) – Ah, the annual congressional circus is back in town, folks! Step right up and witness the spectacular feat of kicking the fiscal can down the road once again. It’s the holiday tradition that keeps on giving—to our national debt, that is.
In a move that surprises absolutely no one, Congress has once again pulled a rabbit out of its hat, conjuring up a massive year-end spending bill just in time for their Christmas vacations. Because nothing says “responsible governance” like hastily throwing together a financial plan that would make even the most reckless Vegas gambler blush.
Politico reports that our esteemed leaders have brokered a deal to extend the government funding deadline to March 14, while also tossing in a cool $100 billion for disaster relief. One might argue that the real disaster here is Congress’s inability to manage our nation’s finances, but I digress.
Without this last-minute magic trick, the federal government would face a shutdown on Friday at midnight. Heaven forbid our elected officials work on a budget throughout the year like responsible adults.
House Speaker Mike Johnson hasn’t even promised the customary 72-hour review period before voting. Because who needs time to read a bill that only determines the financial future of our nation, right?
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, ever the master of understatement, noted that “time is of the essence.” One might wonder where this sense of urgency was months ago, but let’s not get bogged down in pesky details.
Schumer: By the end of the week, the Senate must also pass a temporary extension of government funding before December 20th, or else the government will shut down right before Christmas. Democrats have spent weeks working in good faith with our Republican counterparts on crafting…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 16, 2024
Unsurprisingly, some conservatives are less than thrilled with this fiscal sleight of hand. Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri eloquently described the situation as a “total dumpster fire.” He went on to say, “I think it’s garbage,” displaying a mastery of political discourse that would make Cicero proud.
.@RepEricBurlison on CR: "It's a total dumpster fire. I think it's garbage…Sadly this is happening again. It's shameful that people that celebrate DOGE coming in and yet we're going to vote for another billion dollars to be added to the deficit. It's ironic." pic.twitter.com/8Hpf3owunB
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 17, 2024
Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona chimed in, lamenting Congress’s inability to create an annual budget. It’s almost as if planning ahead is a foreign concept on Capitol Hill.
The DC Cartel will attempt to ramrod a short-term omnibus through Congress in the form of a continuing resolution.
Members have yet to see the text of the massive spending package.
The House continues to be derelict in its duty to pass a balanced budget. pic.twitter.com/MbYOJoAEpj
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) December 16, 2024
Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina hit the nail on the head, calling out the annual “manufactured ‘government shutdown’ crisis.” It’s comforting to know that at least some of our representatives can see through this budgetary kabuki theater.
We do this every year… the manufactured "government shutdown" crisis so everyone can get everything into an omnibus or continuing resolution and taking us further into debt…
DC never lets a good crisis go to waste…
It's so TIRED and PREDICTABLE. https://t.co/yWYOizlsdV
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) December 17, 2024
Meanwhile, our national debt continues its meteoric rise, currently sitting pretty at over $36 trillion. The interest payments alone for fiscal year 2024 are projected to exceed $1.1 trillion, surpassing even the Defense Department’s budget. It’s nice to know we’re investing more in our debt than in our national security.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aims to cut $2 trillion annually from federal spending. One can’t help but wonder if they’ve considered starting with Congress’s comedy routine masquerading as fiscal policy.
As we watch this fiscal farce unfold, one thing becomes clear: in the grand theater of American politics, the joke’s on us, the taxpayers. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show—it’s not like we have a choice in the matter anyway.
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