I’ll be home for Christmas, well, maybe not.
Washington Post reports that House Democrats are fed up with Bush’s uncompromising attitude and have pulled their budget offer.
A Democratic deal to give President Bush some war funding in exchange for additional domestic spending appeared to collapse last night after House Appropriations Committee Chairman David R. Obey (D-Wis.) accused Republicans of bargaining in bad faith.
“Absent a Republican willingness to sit down and work out a reasonable compromise, I think we ought to end the game and go to the president’s numbers,” Obey said. “I was willing to listen to the argument that we ought to at least add more for Afghanistan, but when the White House refuses to compromise, when the White House continues to stick it in our eye, I say to hell with it.”
I think this is great. Finally, the congress shows a little chutzpah. And it doesn’t look like anybody’s going home for Christmas.
a stern veto threat this weekend from White House budget director Jim Nussle put the deal in jeopardy, and Obey said he is prepared for a long standoff with the White House.
“If anybody thinks we can get out of here this week, they’re smoking something illegal,” he said.
I love it! Obey’s proposal eliminates all kinds of local earmarks and this is causing even Republicans to become angered with the White House. And interestingly, a local congressman had this to say:
Rep. James T. Walsh (N.Y.), another senior Republican appropriator, took to the House floor to argue: “If the proposal is to split the difference, to reduce the amount of spending above the president’s request by $11 billion, I would advise the president to take yes for an answer.”
Doesn’t Jimmy know yet that the president takes advice, only from a higher father?
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You mean Dick Cheney?