Research Briefing

Steny Hoyer Seems To Forget A CR Is Needed Because Democrats Failed In “Most Basic Responsibility Of Governing”

“House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer Said Tuesday That Approving A Two-Week Budget Extension Instead Of Funding The Government For The Rest Of The Year Is ‘Inefficient, Unproductive [And] Demoralizing.’” (Simmi Aujla, “Hoyer Calls 2-Week Spending Plan 'Inefficient,' 'Demoralizing,’” Politico, 3/1/11) 

A  CONTINUING RESOLUTION IS NEEDED BECAUSE DEMOCRATS FAILED TO PASS A BUDGET LAST YEAR

“Some Version Of The CR Is Needed To Avoid A Shutdown Since The Democratic-Led Congress Failed To Pass A Budget Last Year.” (Stephanie Condon, “Is a Government Shutdown in March on the Table?” CBS News, 2/16/11)

Last Year, The House Failed To Pass A Budget For The First Time Since 1974, Because Democrats Didn’t “Want To Make Vulnerable Democrats Vote For Another Spending Bill.” ABC’s Jake Tapper:  “I want to say, the theory is that you don't want to make vulnerable Democrats vote for another spending bill, and that's why, for the first time since 1974 there isn't going to be a house budget.”  (ABC’s “This Week,” 6/13/10)

• Democrats Didn’t Want To Encourage More “Voter Rebellion” In November After Voting For ObamaCare. “After betting their political future on a government-mandated expansion of health care to include millions more Americans, Democrats appear to have little appetite for more legislative showdowns given voter rebellion against government spending amid trillion dollar-plus annual deficits.” (Laurie Kellman, “Election Spooks Lawmakers, Curbs Congress Spending,” The Associated Press, 6/7/10)

“They Never Passed A Budget Or Any Of The Dozen Appropriations Bills That Fund The Government.” (Jonathan Allen, “The Huddle,” Politico, 9/30/10)

HOYER ONCE CALLED PASSING BUDGET “MOST BASIC RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNING”

Hoyer In 2006: “House Republicans Are Now On The Cusp Of Failing To Meet The Most Basic Responsibility Of Governing – Enacting A Budget.” (Rep. Steny Hoyer, “Republican Budget Meltdown Continues,” Press Release, 5/11/06)

Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt In 2006:  “If You Can’t Budget, You Can’t Govern.”  (Jonathan Allen, “Budget Looms Over Midterm Elections,” Politico, 5/10/10)

Democrats Skipped Town Before The Elections Without “Finishing [Congress’] Most Basic Job - Approving A Budget.” “A deeply unpopular Congress is bolting for the campaign trail without finishing its most basic job - approving a budget for the government year that begins on Friday. Lawmakers also are postponing a major fight over taxes, two embarrassing ethics cases and other political hot potatoes until … the Nov. 2 elections.”  (Andrew Taylor And Laurie Kellman, “Congress Punts Tough Choice Until After Election,” The Associated Press, 9/29/10)