Bipartisan Coalition to Take on Budget After Ending Shutdown

The bipartisan group of lawmakers that helped end a three-day government shut down are tackling the budget process. The so-called “common-sense coalition” started out with seventeen members and grew to about thirty towards the end of the shutdown. Members of the group include Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The group is endeavoring to reach a budget deal before the federal government once again runs out of money on February 8th. Senators said that the group also has the ambitious goal of reviving the annual appropriations process. Senators believe that this would require bipartisan efforts and revival of floor debates. In recent years, the Senate has moved very few spending bills to the floor for debate because both sides of the aisle have blocked them from getting the 60 votes required for consideration by the full Senate. This year, the Senate has not considered a single spending bill. There have not been any significant floor debates recently on the budget for the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, and the Department of the Interior. In addition, the appropriations process has involved controversial riders being discussed behind closed doors and several bills being rolled into broad omnibus spending bills. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said that she is open to changing Senate rules with bipartisan support to make the appropriations process easier, rather than invoking the &#...
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news