OPINION: How Much Is Enough?
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 9:52AMOnce again, the U.S. Congress has bogged down.
Our economy remains anemic due to the burdens of uncertainty, threats of even-higher taxes, and job-killing federal regulations. Yet it’s the demands of big government—not job growth—that is getting the time and attention of Congress.
The federal fiscal year ends September 30, meaning that spending authority lapses at that time.
The lapse of spending could mean that federal agencies shut down. Republican leaders want to provide interim funding so there’s no shutdown. But a large group of Republicans object because that interim funding is too high. Democrats also say no to the plan, because they unanimously say they want billions more in extra spending.
It’s hard to imagine anyone protesting that Washington doesn’t spend enough, but if some of government shuts down, it’s the demands of big spenders that will be the reason.
From The Heritage Foundation, I’m Ernest Istook.
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